No dead air
- From the start in Victoria Park to the finish in Hastings, one person must be running at all times.
- There are no set legs or distances.
- Your team decides how long each runner goes, when to swap, and how to spread effort.
Saturday 8 August 2026
Battle for Hastings
100-ish kilometre team relay — four runners, one checkpoint, one support car. First team to the sea wins. That's it. That's the race.
Brought to you by the director of Crews to the Coast.
The race
Run too far with your friends.
For something that barely matters.
You start in Hackney and run to Hastings as a team of four, with one support car and a single checkpoint en route. There are no fixed legs - just one rule: someone is always running.
You control the stints, the swaps, and how your team moves. Get it right, and all four of you reach the finish line together.
The town already has a reputation for dramatic arrivals. We're doing it in trainers, heading the other way, with the stakes obviously much higher.
Route
Hackney to the sea
One mandatory stop halfway. The rest is your problem.
Who is Stash Running?
We're a creative racing studio building events for the everyday runner. Around since 2024, Stash combines strategy, running and play into one. We've had countless 5 star reviews (trust us), but they got lost in the post.
How it works
How the relay works
Five sections that explain how to keep your team moving to the coast.
How you actually move (Leapfrog handovers)
- Most teams split into two pairs: one runner + one cyclist on the road, with the other two in the car.
- The runner goes out with the bike escort; after a few kilometres (a few miles), the next runner joins and the previous runner stops.
- The car leapfrogs ahead for the next swap. Repeat this all the way to the coast.
Route + roads
- You choose your own route from Victoria Park to Hastings.
- Avoid major A-roads - runners are not allowed on them. Use smaller roads, paths, and safer crossings.
- Plan for navigation, terrain, and realistic swap points. Kent will not make this easy.
Car, bike, supplies
- Your car carries the rest of the team, your kit, and your food - it's your base for the day.
- A bike is needed for handovers so swaps happen without stopping the flow.
- Bring food you'll actually eat, and a plan to keep everyone moving.
Finish together
- All teams pass through the checkpoint halfway through the race.
- From there, you make your way to Hastings and regroup before the finish.
- All four runners must be present at the finish line for your time to count.
Application
What you need to apply
What to include
To apply, tell us who your team is, how to contact your captain, and why you want to run. We need enough detail to understand how your team plans to take on the day.
Application deadline
Applications close on 15 May 2026. If your team is still forming, submit anyway - we'll ask for final runner details before the deadline.
Dates and decisions
Race day is 8 August 2026. Teams are decided shortly after applications close, and we'll confirm outcomes by email as soon as selections are made.
Costs
If you are selected, each runner will need to pay a fee of £60.
FAQ
Common questions
Distance, kit, fees, and what happens when Kent doesn't agree with your GPS.
There are no assigned legs. Your team splits the distance however you like. In practice, most people cover about 25k (15.5 miles) each, with breaks while the other pair is out on the road.
You need a car, and you need a bike. You will also have a list of required kit like layers, headtorches, water and food. A mandatory kit list will be provided before race day. Don't worry, we're not gonna make you bring a horse (but if you do, that's pretty sick).
While no formal ultra experience is necessary, we recommend being able to run a half marathon distance.
The race starts at 6:00am, and we expect most teams to finish within 10 hours. The awards ceremony will follow shortly after.
Yes. Bodies break, calendars betray us, life happens. If you need to swap someone out, tell us as early as possible. While there are no formal penalties for this, you may just make us grumpy.
Yes: £60 per runner. Runners pay individually after being selected, not as a team. As part of racing, each runner gets race-day kit, including a top. Your fees will also go towards our lavish jets and caviar, so thank you!
This is an unsanctioned race. All runners are ultimately responsible for their own safety and navigation at all times. We will not provide a GPX file, so plan your route in advance, carry your own navigation tools, and make decisions on the road accordingly.
After the finish, we'll hold an awards ceremony and celebrate with some drinks. We'll have a space into the evening (to celebrate your wrong turns), but it's up to each team whether you stay over. No hard feelings either way.
Apply
Enter your team
Tell us who's in, how to reach you, and why you want a place on the road to Hastings.
Application received.
We'll review it and be in touch shortly after applications close on 15 May 2026.
Try to rest the legs until then.