The Stur Half

& 5K Race

4th August 2024

Entries will be open soon…

 About the Race…


The Stur Half…

The Stur Half, organised by the Dorset Doddlers, has been running since 1990.  The route follows rural roads in and  around Sturminster Newton


The race is sponsored by Honeybuns Bakery and supported by other local businesses, and this year is part of the Dorset Road Race League.


There is also a multi-terrain 5k race, which you can enter on the day, and while you are running we will entertain the children with races on the school field.


Whether you are a returning runner or new to the Stur Half, we look forward to welcoming you on Sunday 4th August 2024.

2024 Entry Fees…

On-line entries will be open in the new year. Half Marathon: £20 Affiliated and £22 Unaffiliated

A Road race…

organised in accordance with UKA rules – Permit No. TBA

Course measurement: South of England 23/294


Getting to the event…

the race is based in Sturminster Newton, which lies between Blandford and Sherborne, just off the A357. Click on this link to see a map 'How to find the race'


On the day race admin… 

is at Sturminster Newton High School on Bath Road.


Car parking…

the main race car park is also at the school, with access from Honeymead Lane. When this is full we will direct you to either the SturFit Leisure Centre or to other local car parks.


Race queries… 

if you need to transfer your number, or if you have any other entry queries, please get in touch via email before the day or you might find the answers in our FAQs section



Race numbers…

these are chipped timed and need to be collected before the start on race day between 8.30am and 10am. Please don't leave it to the last minute as there is a 10 minute walk to the start line.


A few rules…

the half marathon has a time limit of 3 hours, and the course is quite narrow in some places, so for safety reasons it is not suitable for wheelchair athletes or runners with pushchairs. 

Dogs are not permitted to run in this race.


The race is on open roads…

please note that our marshals will warn traffic, but we have no right of way over cars, tractors etc – so please take care and follow their instructions. Unless otherwise directed, please run on the LEFT HAND SIDE of all the main roads. 


The Half marathon starts…

at 10.30am in Station Road, and the route goes through Manston, Margaret Marsh, Stour Row and Todber, returning through Moorside and Hinton to finish on the High School playing field. 


The lead runners… 

are expected to finish at around 11.35am.

 

The course record holders…

are Willard Chinhanau of Poole Runners 1:08:41, and Ruth Barnes of Avon Valley Runners 1:21:57


The Stur 5K…

if you are a new runner, or just fancy a lesser challenge, you can enter our new multi-terrain 5k fun run, £5 enter the 5K


The routes…

will be fully marshalled by volunteers from the Blackmore Vale Lions Club, Sturminster Residents and friends and family of the Doddlers. View our Half Marathon Route


Children’s races…

while you are running, we will entertain the children with fun races on the school playing field.


Water and sponge stations… 

as usual there will be plenty, and these are manned by a group of fun marshals, some will be in fancy dress!! ï»¿


Showers and changing… 

Sorry, no showers are available this year.


Refreshments…

The Really Tiny Coffee Company  and other food outlets will be helping you refuel after the race.


Plus our very own Beer Tent, where you can treat yourself, or your other half to a delicious half pint or make it two halves and enjoy a pint.



Mementos…

all finishers in the Half will get a medal and a delicious Honeybun cake.


In the 5K all finishers will get a Honeybun cake.


Prizes…

along with the main prizes there will be prizes for the first local runners in both races. See more


Presentation… 

will be held on the school field, near the finish, at approximately 1pm. Please try and stay to collect your prizes .


Come down to the finish, support the other runners, congratulate the winners, have a bite to eat, a cup or coffee or a glass of beer and enjoy the post-race atmosphere.


Who we give to…

at least £2 from every entry goes to charities and local organisations in and around Sturminster Newton. 


We would like to thank…

all the local organisations and businesses who have supported this year’s race, particularly Honeybuns, our main sponsor, and Harts of Stur.


Plus the sites where we hold our water stations, these people kindly offer their water and land for us to supply you with water.


The History of the race…

the race started in 1990 – find out more


Finally……

good luck to all the runners, and we hope you enjoy the race.


Keep up-to-date with all the race news on our Facebook page

The Stur Half Race Team

FAQs


Have a question about the race? Hopefully you will find the answers here.

or if not then send us an email to director@sturhalf.co.uk

  • How do I find the way to the race?

    Sturminster Newton lies between Blandford, Shaftesbury and Sherborne, just off the A357. Go to the link above 'How to find the race'.

  • Can I enter on the day?

    The online entry system, managed by Timing Monkey, will close the day before the race at 12:00. If the event has not sold out, on the day entries will be available, subject to an additional £2 fee. 


    If you want to run the 5K, then yes we do take entries on the day.

  • Can I run with my dog?

    Sorry, no. This is a road race and dogs are not permitted.

  • Is there a time limit?

    The time limit is 3 hours for the half marathon

  • Can I wear my headphones?

    The Sturminster Newton Half Marathon is a “Headphone Free Race”, Mp3 players or other devices plugged into the ear are not advised whilst running for reasons of health & safety, especially on a road race. 


    You will be disqualified for wearing headphones. This includes bone conduction ones, unless you have a genuine hearing impairment.

  • I would like to help out at the race

    We are always looking for help with running the event (marshals, water stations etc.), please get in touch if you are interested, and thank you.



  • I am injured and can't run this year

    All entry fees are non-refundable (except in the case of a cancelled event).


    Entrants can transfer their entry to another runner or defer their entry to the following year, however deferrals will only be accepted once, ie if you have already deferred from last year to this year, you cannot defer again. 


    Affiliated runners may swap their entry with a non-affiliated runner, however the difference in entry fee of £2 will be charged, in order to process the transfer. Any such changes must be requested via email to: info@timingmonkey.co.uk up to 2 weeks before (23.59 on 22 July 2023) to ensure requested changes are processed. No changes will be made to your entry after this date and all emails must be received by Timing Monkey before this deadline. 

  • Can I run with a pushchair or buggy?

    The course is quite narrow in some places, so for safety reasons it is not suitable for wheelchair athletes or runners with pushchairs in both races.

If you need to contact us…

We do try to be as quick as possible but if you have any enquires that are not answered on this website please contact us and we will try to answer you. But don't forget that the week building up to the race is our busiest, and you may not get an answer straight away.

Our other Doddler Races…

Find out more

What you said about the race…

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