Jove Trail Run Coaching Trip: Dartmoor & Devon Coast

5-7 September 2025 | Based at YHA Elmscott | Intermediate Level (must be comfortable running a half-marathon distance at a conversational pace).

Two landscapes. One team. Coastal cliffs, wild moorland, and fast legs. Trail running in its rawest, best form.

Growing up in Devon, I know only too well how beautiful the coastlines are! They offer a perfect level of challenge to trail runners looking to take things a step further without going too remote or extreme.

Being the main training ground of the Royal Marines, Dartmoor is a step up again; harsher terrain, more difficult conditions, it’s own microclimate… but a perfect place to learn key skills to go further afield.

The Plan

We’ll base ourselves on the remote North Devon coast, with runs along the rugged cliff line and a day trip into the ancient wilds of Dartmoor National Park.

It’s about movement, challenge, and escape.

Friday 5 Sept - Arrival + Shakeout

• Arrive from 5pm at YHA Elmscott (near Hartland/Bideford)

• Easy 6 - 8km coastal shakeout run

Saturday 6 Sept - Coastal Big Day - Develop Your Form

• 20 - 25km cliff and cove trail run (we will stop frequently to discuss coaching points)

• Cold dip option, snacks + rest

• Beach and recovery time

• Evening meal (location TBC!)

• Drinks and social at the YHA

Sunday 7 Sept - Dartmoor Day - Learn How to Navigate

• Early start → ~50‑min drive to Dartmoor

• 12 - 15km high moorland run over tors and river crossings

• Wild, open, mythic terrain

• Finish by ~2-3pm for departures

What’s Included

• ✅ 2 nights’ stay at YHA Elmscott

• ✅ 2 guided trail runs (coast + moorland) led by a qualified Run Coach and Mountain Leader

• ✅ Optional shakeout run Friday

• ✅ Trail run coaching

• ✅ Navigation training from a Mountain Leader - this is optional but recommended! Being able to navigate with a map and compass is an essential skill for the wilderness

• ✅ A mobility session after Saturday’s run

• ✅ Access to WhatsApp planning group

Price

Non-Members: £290

Members: £260

We also offer a ‘guide only’ version too at £240 for non-members and £215 for members. Message if you’re interested in this.

What You’ll Need

• Trail running gear.

• Basic food supplies (breakfasts, snacks, lunches) - there’s a self-service kitchen at the YHA.

• Travel to/from Elmscott.

• Money for pub meals or shared group dinners.

• Car if possible as you’ll need to be able to get Dartmoor etc. - we’ll setup a group chat so we arrange car shares.

Who It’s For

• Confident runners who can cover 12 - 20km/day - you don’t need to be fast but you do need to have the legs for it.

• No racing. No pressure. But we move with purpose.

• People who want to combine some beach with some challenge.

• People who want to learn new skills.

Final Word

These are two stunning areas we’ll get to visit out of peak summer season. This will be a great antidote to the ‘back to work’ blues.

People talk a lot about trail running… it’s time to up your game and learn skills that will help you explore with confidence.

Kit List:

• Trail running shoes (if you have a spare pair, bring them in case one gets wet, but not essential!)

• Vest or small pack to carry supplies

• Waterproof jacket

• Warm layer

• Shorts/t-shirts/socks

• Cap

• Sunglasses

• Suncream

• Personal first aid items (any medication you need, blister kit, painkillers etc.)

• Insect repellant

• Normal clothes for evenings

• Towel for YHA and beach

• Snacks / gels - whatever you normally run with but note, we’ll be out between 3 - 5 hours each session so you should also take proper food

• Capacity to carry 1 - 2 L of water

• Optional - Swimming kit

• Optional - Dartmoor map 1:25,000 scale, OL 28 (see here for more info) - if you get s ‘standard’ version, you’ll also need a map case

• Optional - Compass (I’d recommend the Silva Expedition 4)

Questions?

Drop us a line or message once you’re booked. Or email hello@thejoveclub.com.

Freddie’s Everest Step-Up Challenge + Jove Social

Friday 29th August - Saturday 30th | Battersea Park

17,402 Step-Ups. A Half Marathon. 50lbs on My Back - In Support of the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation

The Challenge

This isn’t your average fundraiser.

I’m taking on a brutal physical and mental test to raise money for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation - a charity funding research to cure Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

Here’s what I’m doing:

🔹 17,402 step-ups on a 20-inch box - the height of Mount Everest
🔹 Immediately followed by a half marathon
🔹 All while wearing a 50lb (23kg) pack (think about your typical hold luggage on a flight…)
🔹 Estimated duration: 30-40 hours of nearly continuous effort

Why? Because if you’re lucky enough to use your body - really use it - you should.

💛 Why It Matters

I have no personal connection to MND, but as a lifelong rugby fan, I’ve watched heroes like Doddie Weir, Rob Burrow, and Ed Slater go from elite athletes to facing the unimaginable. MND is unbelievably cruel. It strips away movement, independence, and life - and there’s still no cure.

A diagnosis is a slow death sentence…

This challenge is my way of honouring their courage and fighting spirit. I’m stepping up for everyone who would give anything to move again.

👉 Donate now:
www.justgiving.com/page/freddie-sankey-1

How You Can Get Involved

You don’t need to do Everest in a with 23kg… but I’d love you to get involved however you can:

✅ Support the Challenge

• Please donate if you can - every pound helps fund vital research

• Share the story and help spread the word

• Follow the journey via Instagram for updates and live progress

Step-Up With Me

• Try your own mini step-up challenge: 1,000 reps, your staircase, your pace

• Post your efforts with #stepupfordoddie

• Or just come and cheer me on when I attempt this challenge

Join Me at the Finish Line

The challenge ends with a half marathon - likely slow and painful. Whether you’re running or just want to be there when I crawl across the line, I’d love to have you along.

Celebrate at the Jove Club Social

After the pain, we’re finishing with a Jove Club summer social.

Anyone is welcome! We’ll book a venue and release details shortly…

Join our WhatsApp community group (see link in footer)

A Final Word

I know this challenge is going to break me a bit. But I also know I’m incredibly lucky to be able to do it!

I know for sure that anyone suffering with MND would do this 100 times over for the chance to be free of this disease.

Let’s raise money, raise awareness, and take a step closer to beating MND.

👉 Donate now:
justgiving.com/page/freddie-sankey-1

Join us for the Jove Club Welsh 3000s Challenge (24 hours) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

This is an extreme mountain challenge that demands exceptional fitness and mental fortitude. Only Jove members with proven mountain experience and endurance will be able to join. While we provide expert guidance and support, you must be capable of handling sustained intense effort across technical terrain in potentially challenging Welsh weather conditions.

From the rugged summit of Snowdon to the imposing Glyder range and the mighty Carneddau, this challenge represents the ultimate test of mountain endurance in Wales. Over 24 intense hours, you'll attempt to conquer all 15 peaks over 3,000 feet in Eryri. That's approximately 45km of challenging terrain with over 3,200m of elevation gain (not including the walk to the top of Snowdon), making this one of Britain's most prestigious mountain challenges.

With experienced Mountain Leaders guiding your journey from comfortable basecamp to towering summits, you're not just climbing mountains - you're joining an elite group of adventurers who've mastered Wales' highest peaks.

Day 1 (Friday):

• Arrival in Llanberis by 8pm

• Team briefing and equipment check

• Overnight stay at YHA Pen y Pass

• Detailed route planning and weather assessment

• Rest before the challenge

Days 2-3 (Saturday possibly into Sunday): Challenge Day

• Starting early, tackle the three main mountain groups:

  • Eryri Massif

  • Glyderau Range

  • Carneddau Mountains

• Navigate technical terrain including Crib Goch

• Experience some of Wales' most dramatic ridge lines

• Test your endurance across multiple summits

• If we have a time, a well earned celebratory meal!

Day 3 (Sunday):

• Rest at accommodation (we may not finish until the early hours)

• Grab lunch and depart

What's included:

✅ Qualified Mountain Leaders (1:4 ratio)

✅ Two nights accommodation at YHA Pen y Pass

✅ Support person meeting us at checkpoints to resupply

✅ Lunch + resupply during the challenge

What's not included:

❌ Transport to/from Llanberis

❌ Personal equipment and clothing

❌ Meals and snacks

❌ Mountain weather guarantees!

Cost:

• £390 non-members

• £340 for Jove Club members

How to take part: Complete the form below detailing your mountain experience or any upcoming trips you’re planning. This challenge requires:

• Some mountain experience (we don’t need mountain goats but we do need people who have an idea of what they’re letting themselves in for)

• High level of cardiovascular fitness

• Comfort with some exposure and scrambling

Preparation support: We'll help participants prepare through:

• Training weekends in the mountains (we’d recommend attending at least one mountain weekend before the challenge especially if you’re not experienced)

• Fitness preparation in London - there’s much we can do to get ready. Join our sessions and talk to us about tips to train

• Equipment guidance

• Training plans

Required experience: We are confident the majority of reasonably fit people should be able to complete this event

• Previous mountain experience in the UK

• Confidence scrambling on exposed terrain

• All-weather mountain experience

Minimum + maximum numbers: For the trip to go ahead, we need 4 participants confirmed.

Kit list: Detailed kit list to follow

How to get involved: Complete the form below and we’ll be in touch