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The Plymouth Coastal Runners (PCR) Time Trial (TT) is a ‘virtual’ time trial normally held on the first weekend of every month. A different route each month. It's virtual in the sense all routes are set up as Strava ‘segments’ so there is no set start time; you can go out whenever you like, on your own or with a group. Run, Walk, Crawl, everyone's invited, even the pets! Results are collected at the end to produce a leaderboard. For more info Click Here: TT Series
For October only, rather than just one weekend you have the whole of the month (1st-31st October) to run the set routes as many times as you want with your fastest result being used in the final leaderboard for each route. However, for your time to be counted on the leaderboard, an entrance fee of £30 has to be paid. In return for this you get a months worth of TTs, a medal to rival last years, PCR Bottle and at least £££5 (as long as we get the numbers) split between SWCPA (33%), Relapsing Polychondritis Awareness and Support (33%) and Antenatal Results & Choices (ARC) (33%).
YOUR CHALLENGE:
This years PCR October Challenge will take you not to one but to two new areas for the group! Orange Beard is in search of the remains of a vessel of legend. A cargo vessel under the name of "August Smith" known to have been transporting logwood from Buenos Aires to Rotterdam, rumoured to be carrying a hidden cargo. The boat under Captain Fløoreness, washed up on the rocks at Wembury following a collision with the Mewstone in bad visibility.
The hidden cargo was rumoured to be stolen Inca gold and riches. The cargo was never found... All that is known, is that although the main wreckage was at Wembury, parts washed up as far as Mothercombe. and Captain Floreness himself was taken in by a Tavern Owner in Yealmpton but the legend ends...
Will you help Orange Beard find this gold, allowing him to settle his debt with the pirate council?
(NOTE - No actual gold will be gained during the event other than the gold coloured medal)
Six routes are available, to complete at your leisure during the month as many times as you like. Whether you complete one or all six is entirely up to you. Six new routes: Three of the routes are 10 Miles and Three are 5 Mile routes.
Planned Start Points are (These may change):
- Wembury
- Yealmpton
- Holbeton - Only Available 17th - 20th October 2025 (See Disclaimer)
- Ringmore
You still get the booty as long as you complete one of the routes - It's about getting you out exploring... not beasting yourself to the n'th degree unless that's what you're in it for... Some may do one in the month, some may do one a week, some may do two in a day... It's your challenge...
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The event relies on Strava to record the time over the specific route segments. Therefore, after you have signed up for the event, if you don’t have an account on Strava you will need to create one. You can use a GPS watch or the free Strava app on a smartphone to record your adventures upon the routes set. Take part whenever you like, day or night. Run, Walk, Crawl. Whatever you fancy! The whole family, dogs and any other pets that you fancy taking out are all invited!
Once you have finished, make sure the activity is set to run (even if you walked), Who Can See it set to Everyone and Map visibility settings off. If you got the segment, you don't need to do anything else, if you didn't send the link to plymouthcoastalrunners@outlook.com. Share your experience on the Facebook group if you like. Repeat as many times as you wish during the month.
You may have guessed, marking these routes and expecting them to stay up for a whole month is not going to happen, everyone will receive printable paper maps and all the usual electronic mapping resources of a usual TT.
For all routes and timings please start and stop your GPS in the set location, Strava will record your time for the segment. The set locations will ensure you get the segment.
IN RETURN...
Our medals have become a thing of legend! This is another must have PCR MEDAL along with a PCR BOTTLE! I hope to sort a social or two later in the year or early January which will be the time to collect your bling. If for whatever reason you can't make it, you will be able to pick them up from me in Plymouth as per previous years.
CHARITIES
33% of the profits will as in previous years go to the SWCPA.
For more info...
https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/
Earlier in the year I raised over ££1000 walking across country for our usual second charity; Alzheimer's Research UK so we're switching them out for a year.
33% will go to Relapsing Polychondritis - Awareness and Support
This is a charity I hopefully never have to call upon in the future. Many of you know I have a s***y disease. Some know it's called Relapsing Polychondritis. Hopefully all of you I've met realise the cough is not contagious and other than the new party trick of a dinosaur roar like most diseases there are no positives. A disease that affects 9/1,000,000, a third of which (me) contract it in the airways which is pretty unhelpful for running! The charity is new in the grand scheme of things and after ££2000. I think given previous years, we can probably get close to halving that.
At the moment one of the trustees has to temporarily fund the website as although Guys and St Thomas hospital cover the costs it is in arrears. The aim is to create factsheets/guides, videos to raise awareness and for patient support and cover the cost of attending rheumatology conferences to further knowledge on this nonsense. It took almost a year to diagnose me, some take multiple years, the more info out there, the quicker people will get diagnosed.
At some point I will write my story to go on there website but PCR seems to take most of my time!!
For more info...
https://www.relapsingpolychondritis.org/about-rp
33% will go to ARC - Antenatal Results & Choices
In 2020, ARC – a national charity offering impartial advice and support during antenatal complications – became a lifeline for one of our PCR couples.
After discovering they were expecting a much-wanted child, early excitement turned to heartbreak. Following a series of rigorous tests, they received devastating news: their baby would not survive. At just 16 weeks, they made what they hope will remain the hardest decision of their lives — to terminate the pregnancy.
Throughout their journey, ARC was there.
They offered more than just information. They were a voice of understanding, a place to turn during overwhelming grief, guilt, shame, and isolation. They listened, offered practical guidance, and connected the couple with others who had experienced the same unimaginable loss.
ARC is the only national charity dedicated to providing non-directive information and emotional support throughout antenatal testing and its often difficult outcomes. Whether parents choose to continue or end a pregnancy, ARC is there to support every step of that journey.
Because the issues ARC addresses are so sensitive, attracting funding is incredibly challenging. That’s why the couple—who have bravely shared their experience—are deeply grateful to PCR for shining a light on ARC’s vital work and offering this platform for their story.
For more info...
Kit
Like last year an addition to this year is that anyone that wishes to purchase a fresh "buff", bootbag or Towel can do at a cost of £7.50, £10, £10 respectively rather than £10, £15 and £15 - Until stocks last!
DISCLAIMER
By signing up and being involved with the PCR TT Series and/or The October Challenge it is assumed you have read and accept the following. This is a social event and not a race. It is your responsibility to look after your own safety, not the organiser or PCR. You complete the routes in your own time, any time between 1st and 31st October inclusive. There is no insurance, prizes etc... You do the routes at your own risk. Be aware there could be muds, floods, cows, rabbit holes, dogs, other humans, horses, badgers, roads, cars etc along the way! It is also assumed that you'll have a good time exploring the coastpath and surrounding area!
A VERY IMPORTANT NOTE...
This year one route has a limited time frame for completion. It cannot be completed outside of this as the route features private land, owned by the Flete Estate. This means the route will only be accessible 17th to the 20th October, inclusive. You will need a copy of the e-mail with you if anyone queries your presence! By signing up you agree NOT to attempt to complete this route outside of these dates.
For a TT attempt to be added to the leaderboard it must register as the segment on Strava. Attempts which do not register as a segment due to navigational or GPS errors will be added to the leaderboard as long as they are emailed to: plymouthcoastalrunners@outlook.com
Have fun, be careful and considerate of other users of the paths! Please apply common sense regarding dogs on/off leads especially around livestock and shut gates behind you especially when animals are present! Feel free to share the event to get as many people as possible involved.
By getting involved with our events you also agree to adhere to the Countryside Code.
Kindly Supported By...
Would your company like to sponsor the event? Please contact Luke, plymouthcoastalrunners@outlook.com
Calling upon ARC in our time of need... A Personal Story...
In 2020, we decided we were ready to start a family. We were lucky — we conceived straight away, and the joy was immediate. I’ll never forget the moment I found out: in a public toilet in Ullapool while road-tripping through Scotland in our campervan. I sat my partner on a bench overlooking the water and told him he was going to be a dad.
We chose to keep it quiet until the 12-week scan, feeling cautiously optimistic. That scan went beautifully — our baby was full of movement, the heartbeat was strong, and all the measurements looked perfect. It finally felt real.
We spent the following days driving across the Southwest to share the happy news with family and friends.
But the joy was short-lived.
Just a day after returning home, I received a call at work urging me to come to the hospital for further testing. Everything began to unravel — test after test revealed a high chance of a chromosomal condition and a poor prognosis for our baby.
The waiting was agonizing. Each result chipped away at our hope.
Emotionally, I was unravelling. I felt isolated, overwhelmed, angry, and heartbroken. I was still carrying our baby, but the fear and uncertainty had changed everything. That’s when I reached out to ARC.
Speaking to someone who truly understood was a turning point.
Ultimately, we made the heartbreaking decision to terminate at 16 weeks. It was the most painful, soul-wrenching experience of our lives.
ARC was there for me — and for us — every step of the way. They offered emotional support without judgment, helping us navigate grief, guilt, shame, and the feeling that we weren’t “allowed” to mourn. They gave us a space to be heard, to be understood, and to connect with others who had walked this path.
ARC’s work is essential — yet underfunded and often invisible due to the nature of the support they provide. We are incredibly thankful to PCR for helping to raise awareness and funds for such a vital cause.
I’d also like to personally thank Luke and the wider PCR community. During that time, the TT sessions were often the only thing that got me out of the house and into nature. Luke, I’m not sure you realise how much of a positive impact your work has — both mentally and physically — for so many. Thank you.
SIGN UP
By signing up you agree NOT to attempt to complete the Holbeton route outside of the 17th - 20th October
YOU CAN STILL SIGN UP BUT THERE IS NO GUARANTEE OF MEDAL AND/OR BOTTLE AS YOU HAVE SIGNED UP AFTER THE DEADLINE!