How long is the race?
We have two races for you to choose from: the Sprint 5 and the Olympic 11 (5k and 11k)
The Sprint 5 is an off-road circular run taking in spectacular views of the ocean and beaches, farms and countryside around Croyde. Please note that part of the sprint run route is on private land. The local farmers have kindly allowed us permission, but ONLY on race day, so please DO NOT TRESPASS if you practice.<br>
The Olympic 11 is an off-road circular route taking in the stunning headlands of Down End and Baggy Point, many ups and downs, view of local golden sandy beaches, beautiful coastal paths and a run across Croyde Beach.
How much does it cost to enter?
The Sprint 5 costs £20 and the Olympic 11 costs £25.
I have heard I can buy a ticket for £5, is that true?
Yes it is! We offer unlimited fundraiser tickets. All you need to do is raise £50 for Earth Action North Devon once you have bought your ticket. We’ll even feed you – there is free cake and coffee for all fundraisers.
Female or Open?
Only people who are the female sex at birth will be eligible to compete in the female category. Anyone can enter the open category.
What are the age categories?
Both female and open have the following age-group categories in both the Sprint 5 and the Olympic 11. Ages are taken on the day of the run. There are no prizes for age categories, but we will share the results with you. There will be small spot prizes on the day. Everyone will get a fantastic and unique medal – more on this to follow! Remember you need to be at least 15 years old on the day to take part in the Sprint 5, and 17 years old to take part in the Olympic 11.
A Under 16
B 16 to 20
C 20 to 29
D 30 – 39
E 40 – 49
F 50 – 59
G 60 plus
How do I find the start on race day?
The race starts at Putsborough Beach – EX33 1LB.
What time is registration?
From 4.00pm – 7.00 pm on Saturday 11 July 2025 at Billy Budds in Croyde or (Croyde Village Hall if bad weather) EX33 1LX. If you can’t make it to the Village Hall on Saturday, see us at race HQ on Sunday morning from 05:30. We close registration at 09:30 at Race HQ, Putsborough.
Camping and accommodation
For camping contact Sally at Combas Farm, the campsite is 20 minutes walk to Putsborough and the start line. For a holiday park try Ruda in Croyde. Woolacombe is loaded with hotels, holiday parks and Air BnBs and is 10-15 mins drive to Putsborough. Check out the The Thatch in Croyde for a great pub meal and lovely en-suite rooms.
Storage
As we have a dedicated parking area for you, which is independently run by the car park and beach owners, the best place for valuables and storage is your car. We cannot guarantee the safety of your valuables and we do not have a separate secure storage area. We will have a Tri the Trail bag drop zone so suggest you bring only what you need for the race and leave it in your own bag at the drop zone. Our volunteers will be on hand to help.
Parking
Parking is at Putsborough Beach. It is a large independently-run car park directly next to the transition area, with a dedicated car park specifically for the Croyde Ocean Tri who charges are £14 per car per day (please car share where possible) and we do not have any control over the cost. There is free parking for season pass holders. You could also park at the National Trust Car Park at marine drive and walk to the start line from there, which is around a 15-minute walk.
What time do the races start and where is the start line?
The Sprint 5 starts at 09:30. The Olympic 11 starts at 10:00 and they DO NOT start on the same start line!
The Sprint 5 starts at the top of the event arena as you walk into the car park and the Olympic 11 starts near the pond by the ford. Don’t worry, we will have signage to direct you and there will be more details in your final race pack.
Do you have GOOD QUICK food vendors in the Race Village?
YES YES YES – we hear you! We have the world-famous Thatch Pub from Croyde, joining us to serve hearty portions of bacon or sausage or veggie sausage baps, plus mushrooms, spinach and egg, and loaded into sour dough slices. As for coffee we have Justin from 51 Degrees North, serving up filter coffee, lattes and cappuccinos from beans Justin roasts and grinds himself. Best coffee in Braunton by miles! 51 will have a great selection of cakes and bakes too. We promise to make it quicker this year…
REMEMBER – WE ARE CUPLESS, SO PLEASE PACK YOUR REUSABLE COFFEE CUP YOU WILL NEED IT!
Is there water on the course?
On the Olympic 11 route there will be 1 water and jelly baby station on the run route located near to the 7k mark. We have a jelly baby stop at around 2.7km on the Sprint 5 route but sprint runners should bring your own water.
When will I receive my race pack?
Race packs with comprehensive information for competitors will be emailed (NOT POSTED) to entrants 10 days prior to the event and the info posted up on our website. This contains important safety information, so please ensure you read it thoroughly before arrival. Only essential additions/updates will be given if necessary, on the day.
If you do not receive your race pack by this time, please check your junk email folders, as unfortunately some email systems filter out our emails Please add [email protected] to your “Safe Sender” list to minimise the likelihood of this happening.
Are there timing chips supplied?
Yes
Are there prizes?
Not specific prizes, but we will be giving out spot prizes on the day.
When will I receive my results?
You will be able to receive your results on the day at the end of your race. We do not offer print-outs of race results. They will be available via a link online and via the QR codes that we will pin up at Race HQ.
Cancellations/Deferrals/Refunds
Once you enter this event, if your entry is not claimed within the statutory 14 day cooling-off period. We do not offer refunds. Right from the launch of tickets in July 2025 costs are incurred, work is untaken on your behalf from web development, securing our medical team, ordering medals and hats a long way in advance so we can have them shipped not flown here, logistical organisation, risk assessments, project management time – this list goes on an on.
We understand the frustration of injuries and so if you become unable to take part in the event for any reason, your entry fees may be credited for use on a future Croyde Ocean event. You may defer your ticket or transfer it to a fellow competitor.
DEFERRALS: You must defer your place by 11 May. After that, deferrals or refunds will be not permitted under any circumstances. If no Croyde Ocean events are organised you will not receive a refund after deferral. You must use your deferred place within 220 days of the race date. Following the conclusion of the 220 days you will not be able to use your deferred place.
TRANSFERS: You may transfer your ticket to a friend/fellow competitor as long as you do this before 11 June.
Deferrals and transfers are done online, within the timeframe above using Etchrock’s ticket system. Please do not email us and ask for technical support. Simply log onto Etchrock and follow the steps. Use the HELP button and type in the word defer ticket or transfer ticket, depending on what you want to do.
Where an event is cancelled or curtailed at short notice because of adverse weather, pollution or other factors outside of our reasonable control, we shall not be liable to make any refund or pay compensation.
We recommend you consider taking out appropriate travel insurance to protect yourself against such eventualities. There is the chance to purchase Event Protect insurance when you sign up, provided by an independent insurance company.
Please read carefully what this covers you for. In the event of cancellation of any event prior to its taking place, for any other reason, the maximum possible refund will be made to ticket holders, less any unrecoverable expenses. We shall not be liable to pay any compensation.
These Terms and Conditions do not and shall not affect your statutory rights as a consumer. For further information about your statutory rights contact Citizens advice, Consumer direct (www.consumerdirect.gov.uk) or the Department for Business Innovation and Skills.
Can I swap my entry from a Sprint 5 to an Olympic 11?
Yes you can – assuming the event you want to swap to is not sold out. You can do this as long as entry is still open online via your Etchrock account. If you swap from Sprint to Olympic you will be asked to pay the difference in ticket price online. If you swap from Olympic to Sprint you will not receive a refund for the difference. We do not offer refunds. Any swap must be done by the time we close ticket sales. This will depend on when we sell out.
Why is there an environmental focus to the event?
With an increasing recognition of the environmental challenges that we are all facing, we teamed up with Earth Devon North Devon (EAND). That means 100% of our profit now goes to EAND and other local charities.
We want to encourage greater consideration for the environment as an event, and for the competitors taking part. This approach has been adopted at all our events and a Plastic Free Toolkit has been shared with British Triathlon and other event organisers in the UK and beyond.
In addition to providing recycling and zero single-use plastic containers at the event, we will continue to minimise our impacts through supplier choice, snacks available and prizes.
In 2019 we raised awareness of climate change and the role of our event – with us aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and be carbon neutral as soon as possible. Our environmental focus continues with all our participants and partners – together we can all do our part!
Please remember to bring your reusable coffee cup and water bottle, we will not have any single use coffee cups or paper cups on site. The coffee at 51 Degrees north is freshly roasted and ground the day before the tri. We will have a coffee cup rental scheme in case you forget. We get that queues can be annoying so we will try hard to get this right in 2026. Either way we will be offering a quick instant coffee stand too.
DON’T FORGET YOUR OWN BOTTLE AND REUSABLE COFFEE CUP – THANK YOU
What are your safeguarding arrangements?
This event acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This event is also committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities and government guidance.
Can I raise money for charity?
We’d love you to! All charity tickets cost £5 and are non-refundable. All you have to do isaise a minimum of £50 with all funds raised going to Earth Action North Devon. All fundraisers get a voucher for a slice of homemade cake, a coffee and an optional hug, to be claimed on race day!
