Running through a landscape immortalised by the famous writer Thomas Hardy, the Hardy Half and Half Hardy Half take you on tours of a fantastic area of Dorset countryside.

There are two distance options available to enter; the 5 mile 'Half Hardy Half' or a half marathon distance "Original Hardy Half". Entries from both are raising valuable funds for local good causes.

The majority of the courses are trail with some challenging terrain and, in the half marathon route, around 1400 ft of elevation to climb. Road sections will be closed for the race, and we will have entertainment along the routes to encourage you along the course. The start and finish is at Dorchester Rugby Club, where you can refuel at our busy event village. 

It is only for the Hardy!

The race is a joint venture between Dorchester RIOT running club, Dorchester Lions, Dorchester Rugby Football Club and Dorchester Casterbridge Rotary Club. All the money raised goes to local charities. We hope this event will be a regular in the running and fund-raising calendar for years to come.