I like a race that delivers a journey and now I can say I have crossed Dartmoor on foot from North to South. The Crossing delivered, starting on the northern edge of the moor at Belstone, finishing on the southern edge at Ivybridge. Running across open moor for 95% of the way, there are great views all the way. Quite something when the south coast comes into view & the occasional stone circle, standing stone & ancient granite cross add interest.

Of course being on the open moor means that there is no shelter. 2019 meant sun, and a lot of it. Hat & water absolutely essential. I got through over 5l of liquid. Thanks to sufficient aid stations I could refill my bladder & quaff coke using my carry cup (no single use cups on the race 👍). I like my food when running ultras and was glad to have carried my food with me. The aid stations were ok for sweets, crisps & fruit,  which supplemented my provisions. That said many people got by on very little food.

The heat made it a tough tough run. At least navigation wasn't an issue, with flags all along the way it couldn't be easier. Well done to the organisers. The route follows Dartmoor paths and tracks with quite a few stream crossings. My feet did get wet but dried quickly in the heat. Furthermore I need to revisit my choice of shoes as the hard stony surface caused bruising on my soles. Training on relatively smooth footpaths & trails hadn't prepared me for Dartmooor paths.

Being a point to point race can make for additional complications. Not so for this race with ample parking at Ivybridge and a race coach to Belstone. Being a sunny day I relaxed at the end chatting to other runners and cheering people across the line (being a small field I mostly ran alone, finding my own pace, so little chatting along the way).

And finally, if you want to know more then visit the Pure Trail website. It contains all you need to know.