Dave Talbot - Adventure Events

13/10/2026

FOD Ultra – The Last Goodbye

It’s been emotional, it’s been exhausting, and now the job is done.

All the photos are now live on the Forest of Dean Ultra Marathon page on the website. There are over 1,000 images, so take your time, have a look through, and download whichever ones you like and relive the day.

People sometimes ask me where these events come from. The honest answer is that they start as light bulb moments in my head. A route, a place, a feeling: “what if?” Then I spend years trying to bring them to life, never knowing if they’ll take off or quietly fizzle out. Will people come? Will it work? Will it be a success?

The truth is, it doesn’t really matter. I love the journey: the planning, the problem-solving, the late nights, the recces in the rain, the thousand little decisions that nobody ever sees. That’s the part that makes me tick.

So to see the Forest of Dean Ultra happen in 2025 with 149 finishers, and then come back bigger in 2026 with 184, means more to me than I can really put into words. Every one of you who stood on that start line took a chance on an idea that once only existed in my head. Thank you for trusting me with your day, your training, and your legs. Watching you come through that finish line, some flying, some hobbling, all smiling, is why I do this.

What’s even more amazing is the team around me who help turn these crazy ideas into reality. They see me at my most stressed. They see me when I’m running on empty and need support, and without being asked, they just jump in. Marshals, medics, checkpoint crews, drivers, sweepers, the people who were up before dawn and still packing down after dark. And our partners at Forestry England, who give us this incredible forest to play in.

Without the team, I am nothing. I mean that.

So here’s to every single person who helped bring the Forest of Dean Ultra Marathon to life, whether you ran it, crewed it, cheered it, or just put up with me talking about it for months on end. ❤️

I’m signing off from this year’s event now. The van’s unpacked, the forest is quiet again… for now.

So long, but not goodbye. We go again on Saturday 9 October 2027.

Godspeed.

Dave

12/10/2026

11/10/2026

The Forest of Dean Ultra Marathon 2026 🏃

The dust has settled, the van’s unpacked and the clock has stopped – wow, what an event. Nine months of planning, two weeks of flat-out prep, and one incredible day in the forest. I’m still buzzing.

Huge congratulations to all 184 finishers, and to our winners:

🥇Men – Matt Shearn (188) – 5:12:31
🥇Women – Sara Cali (32) – 5:26:21
🥇Canicross – Katie Wallbank (213) – 5:42:55

A massive thank you to every volunteer, staff member, marshal, medic, physios, massage therapists and photographers who gave up their day. To Forestry England and the team at Beechenhurst, the cafe staff and every runner who dug deep and put a massive effort in. You made it.

📸 Photos are coming in now and will be up soon. Keep an eye out and tag yourselves!

The Forest of Dean Ultra Marathon date for next year is Saturday the 9th October 2027 🙋 😍