History
In 1996 it was rumoured that the famous Two Bridges 36 mile road race, after 28 years, might have to finish due to manning problems and road works. Phil Hampton, the Race Director of the Dartmoor Discovery, who was instrumental in establishing the Two Bridges 36 back in 1968, decided, with his friend, Shirley Prinnett, to organise the 'Discovery' to replace it and the first event was held in 1998. In fact, the Two Bridges carried on for a few more years and the 'Discovery' was twinned with it until it eventually folded in 2005.
The course is mainly one lap, starting and finishing in Princetown, home of the famous, or infamous, prison. Mainly one lap because the first mile out of Princetown is now the last mile back to the village. The 'Discovery' has been held each year ever since with the exception of 2001 when the race had to be cancelled due to the foot and mouth epidemic. In 2008 we welcomed the St. Austell Brewery as major sponsors and their support is very much appreciated. The race is held on a Saturday because there are too many day trippers, holiday makers and walkers on the roads during a typical Sunday in this very popular National Park.
The Race Headquarters were, for the first three years, in the Princetown Primary School, an ideal location with its large playground When the Race HQ was in the Primary School, the course was over 34 miles, but was reduced to just over 32 miles, in 2002, in order to finish at the new headquarters without the runners having to cross the busy main street of Princetown. The race had to be moved from there when the fields got bigger and bigger and the school raised its hire price dramatically. 2002 saw the Fox Tor Cafe host the race but with larger fields each year, the Race HQ moved to the Methodist Church Hall, and finally to its present HQ, the Function Room of the Plume of Feathers Inn. Nothing is too much trouble for Mine Hosts of this famous inn, Sarah Truffles and Keith Twitchett Many thanks also to the stalwarts of the Dartmoor Radio Club, The St. John Ambulance Brigade, The British Red Cross, The Tavistock Air Force Cadets, Britannia Royal Naval College and the Submarine Trainees from HMS Raleigh all the hundreds of helpers each year. A great Disco/Dance is held in the Function Room after the Prize Presentation, which rounds off a memorable day on the moors, no matter what the weather has thrown our way.
The 'Discovery' is a very tough race and ideal for runners wishing to aspire to higher levels in the great sport of ultra running.
Previous winners like Brian Cole, Mike Feighan, Vicky Skelton, Heather Foundling-Hawker and Adela Salt have all gone on to represent Great Britain in European and World Ultra Championships. Heather actually won the 2007 European 50Km Championships in Sicily after winning the Discovery for the 4th time and has since become the British Champion at the Celtic Plate 100Km in March 2009. Other competitors such as Hilary Walker, multi World Record Holder, and Carolyn Hunter-Rowe had already represented GB in many championships.
The 'Discovery' is the first road ultra marathon ever to be held on Dartmoor but not the first marathon.
In the 1980's the very popular Dartmoor marathon and half marathon were held over the roads of Dartmoor, organised by Wally Kelly of Gunnislake. The races started and finished in Tavistock, and the marathon route took the runners through Princetown, Burrator Reservoir and back to Tavistock via Whithurch. The last Dartmoor Marathon was possibly held in 1988 after 7 years. Wally has acted as race start Director at the 'Discovery' for many years.
The race limit of 190 is imposed due to numerous factors.
1.The narrowness, in the main, of the country lanes, combined with some very sharp and torturously steep descents. The roads cannot be closed in this National Park.
2.The facilities in the small village of Princetown cannot cope with a larger field and its supporters.
3.It would be an impossible task to provide Personal Drinks to a larger field than 190.
Because of the narrow, very steep ascents and descents, it is, unfortunately, not suitable for wheelchairs.
A 20 or 22 page colour souvenir programme is for sale for just £1, full of running articles and anecdotes.
Also on sale are high quality Tee Shirts, Sweatshirts and Fleeces with the unique Dartmoor Discovery logo.
All finishers are kept warm with blankets and hot drinks and refreshments as soon as they cross the Finish Line, together with their crystal glass finishing memento, followed by a massage if required.
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In 1996 it was rumoured that the famous Two Bridges 36 mile road race, after 28 years, might have to finish due to manning problems and road works. Phil Hampton, the Race Director of the Dartmoor Discovery, who was instrumental in establishing the Two Bridges 36 back in 1968, decided, with his friend, Shirley Prinnett, to organise the 'Discovery' to replace it and the first event was held in 1998. In fact, the Two Bridges carried on for a few more years and the 'Discovery' was twinned with it until it eventually folded in 2005.
The course is mainly one lap, starting and finishing in Princetown, home of the famous, or infamous, prison. Mainly one lap because the first mile out of Princetown is now the last mile back to the village. The 'Discovery' has been held each year ever since with the exception of 2001 when the race had to be cancelled due to the foot and mouth epidemic. In 2008 we welcomed the St. Austell Brewery as major sponsors and their support is very much appreciated. The race is held on a Saturday because there are too many day trippers, holiday makers and walkers on the roads during a typical Sunday in this very popular National Park.
The Race Headquarters were, for the first three years, in the Princetown Primary School, an ideal location with its large playground When the Race HQ was in the Primary School, the course was over 34 miles, but was reduced to just over 32 miles, in 2002, in order to finish at the new headquarters without the runners having to cross the busy main street of Princetown. The race had to be moved from there when the fields got bigger and bigger and the school raised its hire price dramatically. 2002 saw the Fox Tor Cafe host the race but with larger fields each year, the Race HQ moved to the Methodist Church Hall, and finally to its present HQ, the Function Room of the Plume of Feathers Inn. Nothing is too much trouble for Mine Hosts of this famous inn, Sarah Truffles and Keith Twitchett Many thanks also to the stalwarts of the Dartmoor Radio Club, The St. John Ambulance Brigade, The British Red Cross, The Tavistock Air Force Cadets, Britannia Royal Naval College and the Submarine Trainees from HMS Raleigh all the hundreds of helpers each year. A great Disco/Dance is held in the Function Room after the Prize Presentation, which rounds off a memorable day on the moors, no matter what the weather has thrown our way.
The 'Discovery' is a very tough race and ideal for runners wishing to aspire to higher levels in the great sport of ultra running.
Previous winners like Brian Cole, Mike Feighan, Vicky Skelton, Heather Foundling-Hawker and Adela Salt have all gone on to represent Great Britain in European and World Ultra Championships. Heather actually won the 2007 European 50Km Championships in Sicily after winning the Discovery for the 4th time and has since become the British Champion at the Celtic Plate 100Km in March 2009. Other competitors such as Hilary Walker, multi World Record Holder, and Carolyn Hunter-Rowe had already represented GB in many championships.
The 'Discovery' is the first road ultra marathon ever to be held on Dartmoor but not the first marathon.
In the 1980's the very popular Dartmoor marathon and half marathon were held over the roads of Dartmoor, organised by Wally Kelly of Gunnislake. The races started and finished in Tavistock, and the marathon route took the runners through Princetown, Burrator Reservoir and back to Tavistock via Whithurch. The last Dartmoor Marathon was possibly held in 1988 after 7 years. Wally has acted as race start Director at the 'Discovery' for many years.
The race limit of 190 is imposed due to numerous factors.
1.The narrowness, in the main, of the country lanes, combined with some very sharp and torturously steep descents. The roads cannot be closed in this National Park.
2.The facilities in the small village of Princetown cannot cope with a larger field and its supporters.
3.It would be an impossible task to provide Personal Drinks to a larger field than 190.
Because of the narrow, very steep ascents and descents, it is, unfortunately, not suitable for wheelchairs.
A 20 or 22 page colour souvenir programme is for sale for just £1, full of running articles and anecdotes.
Also on sale are high quality Tee Shirts, Sweatshirts and Fleeces with the unique Dartmoor Discovery logo.
All finishers are kept warm with blankets and hot drinks and refreshments as soon as they cross the Finish Line, together with their crystal glass finishing memento, followed by a massage if required.
Back to Top
Website Designed & Built by Lightning Computer Repair Plymouth
COURSE RECORDS
Men: Mike Feighan 3:36:18 2002
Lady: Adela Salt 4:02:36 2008
Men: Mike Feighan 3:36:18 2002
Lady: Adela Salt 4:02:36 2008
Sponsored by St. Austell Brewery
The start of the 2008 race.
"Climb the tors that tower and soar.
Traverse the moors where the rivers roar"
Traverse the moors where the rivers roar"
2011 Saturday 4th June