Burrator Horseshoe and Sheepstor Challenge
20 Jun 2026
Organiser's Description
Burrator Horseshoe 2026 June 20th and Sheepstor Challenge plus junior races
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 is 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 int he 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 Merchants 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
Juniro 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. Race entry is £8.50 plus a 50p booking fee, for the HorseShoe, £5.00 plus bookign fee, for the Sheepstor Challenge and £2.00 for junior entries. The website should be live from April 19th to June 17th.
- 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 pareents 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.
- 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
Burrator Horseshoe 2026 (seniors)
Welcome - this is the right page for senior event entry - So if you are Over 18 on 31dec 26, this is race for you. Race start is 3;15pm at the village green - so please arrive in plenty of time.
Sheepstor Challenge 4 miles seniors and U18
Welcome - this is the right page for 'the Sheepstor Challenge' including U18 race. This is a new shortened route that will take you up the first rise of Sheepstor then return the way you came.Taking care to pass on stile. It will be about 4miles in distance.
So if you are junior over 16 and under 18 at year end, or want the experince of the senior race but a shorter less exposed course this is race for you. Race start is just after Horseshoe at 3;20pm at the village green - so please arrive in plenty of time.
Meavy Oak juniors races (u10/u12/u14/u16)
Welcome this is right entry for four junior categories u10/u12/u14/u16 all ages at end of year. minimum age is 8yrs. you will still need to bring a signed form to show parental consent and with you contact details.
the start is 2:20 at Marchants cross and finish this year is at village green. same nice route with a splashy ending!
You must bring or fill in a paper consent form.
see you on the day
Richard best
Burrator Horseshoe 2026 June 20th and Sheepstor Challenge plus junior races
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 is 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 int he 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 Merchants 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
Juniro 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. Race entry is £8.50 plus a 50p booking fee, for the HorseShoe, £5.00 plus bookign fee, for the Sheepstor Challenge and £2.00 for junior entries. The website should be live from April 19th to June 17th.
- 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 pareents 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.
- 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
Burrator Horseshoe 2026 (seniors)
Welcome - this is the right page for senior event entry - So if you are Over 18 on 31dec 26, this is race for you. Race start is 3;15pm at the village green - so please arrive in plenty of time.
Sheepstor Challenge 4 miles seniors and U18
Welcome - this is the right page for 'the Sheepstor Challenge' including U18 race. This is a new shortened route that will take you up the first rise of Sheepstor then return the way you came.Taking care to pass on stile. It will be about 4miles in distance.
So if you are junior over 16 and under 18 at year end, or want the experince of the senior race but a shorter less exposed course this is race for you. Race start is just after Horseshoe at 3;20pm at the village green - so please arrive in plenty of time.
Meavy Oak juniors races (u10/u12/u14/u16)
Welcome this is right entry for four junior categories u10/u12/u14/u16 all ages at end of year. minimum age is 8yrs. you will still need to bring a signed form to show parental consent and with you contact details.
the start is 2:20 at Marchants cross and finish this year is at village green. same nice route with a splashy ending!
You must bring or fill in a paper consent form.
see you on the day
Richard best
Prices
To sign-up for this event, the Service Fee is 4% (min 50p) for each sign-up