Saturday 20th June
Juniors and Adults races
including new this year:
“The Sheepstor Challenge”
Yes the Meavy Oak Fair and Burrator Horseshoe are back together for 2026 and this is the 28th year of the race!
We are really pleased as South West Fell Runners to host the locally famous Burrator Horseshoe race in support of Meavy Oak Fair Committee. Substantial funds are raised for local parish charities and good causes, and it’s just a brilliant village fair.
The Races
The main event is the Burrator Horseshoe, a 6-mile moorland run from Meavy out over Dartmoor, via Burrator Reservoir, Sheepstor Dam, Sheepstor summit (369m), Gutter Tor summit (357m), and Ringmoor Down – the route map is below. It has a spectacular finish with a nice cooling dip in the ford and an awesome reception on the village green. This year we are also offering a shorter course, the Sheepstor Challenge – for those that might prefer a shorter course and for our U18 runners – this will be 4miles. This will start 5 mins after the standard race but turn around after the first rise at Sheepstor, then heading back the way you came.
Note there is a cut off time at first rise of Sheepstor of 35 mins – the Horseshoe is a running race not a walk, it creates undue pressure on how long marshals are on the course, so if unsure of your pace please enter the shorter Challenge route.
Plus the junior races that start from Marchants at 2:40 cross for ages from 8yrs upwards U10, U12 will do a short steep loop with ford dip , the U14 and U16 will do longer loop and ford dip – all finishing with smiles at the green. All junior ages are as at 31dec26- the ned of the year.
Race start times
Junior races – Marchants Cross 2:40; Burrator Horseshoe at 3:20 Village green; Sheepstor Challenge at 3:25 village green. Be there 5 mins ahead for briefings and count.
A few key changes
Parking for runners is best at East end ( burrator end) of village also gives you the best view of junior course. Easiest access from the Burrator Inn junction as roads will be closed in the village).
A route change for all will be the old cut through ( thanks to SW lakes for permission to clear path) from sheepstor dam to stile directly opposite track to sheepstor so – no lane to run up.
A voluntary donation for parking goes towards the parish. This year registration will be back in or near the village hall.Please arrive early as the fair gets busy from 1pm, so there is plenty of time to enjoy the fair and refreshments.
Junior races start at 2;40pm ( but please ensure you get there early enough to register and senior races from 3:20pm (you can watch them juniors run from the parking field).
The race is held under Fell Runners Association rules and licence. For enquiries and further information about the Burrator Horseshoe Run go to the booking website Entry Central. Race entry is £8.50 plus a 50p booking fee, for the HorseShoe, £5.00 plus booking fee, for the Sheepstor Challenge and £2.00 for junior entries. The website will be live until 17th June.
Best times for the new course: Ben Neale 40m 47s, & Jo Meek 45m 45s (2011)
There are awards for the normal age groups plus a trophy for the first club team (4 male and 4 female finishers) which last year went to Tamar Trail Runners. We are aiming for an award presentation for seniors at 16;45 on the village green. Enjoy!
The run will be limited to a maximum of 250 competitors and there is a minimum age limit: you must be 18 or older on 31Dec26 to enter the Horseshoe.
Again this year there are junior races from 2:40pm – the briefing is at Marchants cross at 2;35 pm starting 5 mins later.: U10 & U12 race from the Marchants Cross around a very steep loop to race through the ford and back to the village green (somewhat wet!) .The U14 & U16 also set off at 2:40 and race from Marchant’s Cross (just uphill from the ford) to Ringmoor cottage and back. Entry preferred in advance on line for, £2.00 per person. Will be £2.50 on the day. Note netries must be done before 2:10, and juniors run unaccompanied, althought if a few parents want to tail run the course – you are very welcome.
U18 will run ‘Sheepstor Challenge’ and U20 can compete with Seniors. Prizes for the age group winners. Please support and encourage the junior races – you may also want to help as a marshal.
Deadline for online entry is 17th June. This race is normally full so book early. There will be plenty of refreshments on the green. See Entry Central for race entry.
Race Organiser: Richard Best with the support of South West Fell Runners, plus support of local club’s Tavistock AC and Meavy Parish.
Come along and enjoy a great afternoon and evening!
We do need help with marshalling – even for short periods ( like juniors) – please contact the organiser.
How to enter
Entries for Burrator Horseshoe 2026 are open from 19th April. Book online at Entry Central.
Burrator Horseshoe Run shown in green
