Round the Rock Jersey

Saturday 1 Aug 2026 • Ultra 48mi • Marathon • Half

Waitlist Entry Here

Round the Rock - A Coastal Adventure!

A full coastal lap of Jersey: granite cliffs, wild bays, and rugged trail. Small team, big heart, clear rules.

  • Distance: 48mi / 77km (Ultra), plus Marathon & Half
  • Ascent: ~4,500ft
  • Cut‑off: Ultra 12h (halfway 5h30), Marathon 10h, Half 8h
  • Start: Ultra - 07:00, Steam Clock, St Helier
  • Field: ~150 Ultra, 50 Marathon, 50 Half
Read our ethos

Route & GPX

Anti-clockwise from St Helier past St Catherine’s, Rozel and the North coast cliffs, across St Ouen’s Bay, then the South coast to the finish.

Tip: Use a GPS device or app; keep the sea on your right for most of the course.

🧭 Is This Race For You? Please Read This Section So We Can Manage Your Expectations (Particularly if New to UltraMarathon Running)!

Before you enter, please take a few minutes to understand exactly what Round the Rock is — and what it isn’t. This is a small, grassroots event organised by a really small team, with the help of amazing volunteers on race weekend. It’s a labour of love, run alongside a full-time job, not a corporate operation with big budgets and big crews. We’re proud of what we do — but if your expectations don’t match our ethos, this may not be the event for you.

✅ What You Can Expect

  • A stunning, rugged coastal route, well marked and supported by friendly volunteers
  • Clear safety rules and a focus on runner welfare
  • Basic but functional checkpoint food: fruit, crisps, sweets, water, biscuits, squash.
  • Toilets at selected points along the course (These are not our facilities but a list will be provided before race)
  • A GPX file to help you navigate if you’re unfamiliar with the route
  • Honest, transparent communication before, during, and after the event
  • An amazing Finishers medal

❌ What You Won’t Get

  • Toilets at every checkpoint (we’ll compile a list of public conveniences along the route, but these are not our facilities)
  • Gourmet checkpoint food or tailored menus — if you have dietary needs, bring your own supplies
  • Big start/finish gantries, entertainment, or luxury infrastructure
  • Outside support, pacers, or friends joining you on course (you will be disqualified)
  • Immediate responses to every query — I work full-time, so sometimes replies take a little time.
    If you need to contact me, please email, not text. Many answers are already in our extensive FAQ.

🎒 Mandatory Kit = Non-Negotiable

Applies to every runner — half marathon, marathon, and ultra. It’s not about the weather, it’s about safety. If you get into trouble, you may need to wait for help, and the kit keeps you safe until it arrives. No kit = no start.

🚷 Respect is Non-Negotiable Too

We have zero tolerance for abuse or aggression towards volunteers or staff. Swearing at or disrespecting anyone involved will result in immediate disqualification and a ban from future Trail Monkey events.

💬 Final Word

If you value grit over glamour, challenge over comfort, and community over corporate gloss, you’ll fit right in here. If you’re after a premium race with every convenience catered for, that’s absolutely fine — but this probably isn’t the right event for you.

Logistics

Need all the in-depth race info? Visit our FAQ – all the info you will ever need!

Key Times & Registration
  • Fri 12:00–15:00: Number pickup (St Helier)
  • Sat 06:45: Ultra briefing • 07:00 start
  • Sat 08:45: Marathon briefing • 09:00 start
  • Sat 10:45: Half briefing • 11:00 start
  • All courses close 19:00
Prices & Spaces
  • Ultra £90 (150 places)
  • Marathon £60 (50 places)
  • Half £45 (50 places)
  • Optional tech tee £8
Aid Stations & Cut-offs
  • Ultra CPs: St Catherine’s • Les Fontaines • Grosnez • Beauport
  • ~8–10 miles between CPs; water + simple snacks
  • Halfway cut-off (Ultra): 5h30 at Les Fontaines
  • Finish cut-off: 19:00 (all races)
Mandatory Kit (All distances- You will be visually checked and all runners who appear not to be carrying the kit will be asked to present the kit and not allowed to start if not carrying required kit.)
  • Running Vest/pack, waterproof jacket (If rain is forecast), warm layer (regardless of weather forecast - this is for if you need to stop or get into bother on the cliffpaths), hat/buff, gloves
  • Whistle, compass (watch OK), phone with What3Words
  • Foil blanket/bivvy (again regardless of weather forecast - this is for if you need to stop or get into bother on the cliffpaths), small first-aid items, water bottle/cup (cupless race)
  • Trail shoes with good grip
  • GPS device with route loaded (or phone app) with battery for event
Refunds & Deferrals
  • Up to 3 months: 75% refund
  • Up to 1 month: deferral within 12 months
  • Within 1 month: no refund/deferral (except if you marshal)

Safety

Cliff paths can be narrow, exposed and slippery—use caution, overtake only when safe. If you or another runner needs help, follow emergency steps and inform marshals.

Emergency Actions
  1. Check the casualty and offer assistance; put on warm kit if needed.
  2. Call race control or 999/112 as appropriate; relay location via What3Words.
  3. Inform the next runner/marshal; stay with a major casualty until help arrives.

Ready to Enter?

Have questions? Check the FAQ or email us — please don’t text.

Course Records

 

Male – Paul Martelletti – 05:42.59 (2016)

.

Female – Mel Varvel – 07:15.57 (2013)

Days Til Race Day!

Check out this great video from the Random Runner in 2021

Check out this great video from filmmyrun.com from 2017 –  it perfectly captures the essence of Round the Rock.

Declared the 7th most beautiful trail-race in the world by Redbull.com in 2016!

(Click pic to read article)

Declared 4th best UK Trail Race in Outdoor Fitness Magazine in 2019

Race Reports and Reviews

– A nice race report here from local runner Steve Hayes on the Ultra Running Community website.

– A great blog piece from Stephen Cousins from filmmyrun

– Dan Doherty’s race report of his win from the inaugural 2011 race  here

– Read previous competitors reviews of the race on Racecheck below