… in the heart of dartmoor
This is a unique opportunity for anyone who loves running and writing, from Substack writers to aspiring or working journalists and authors. As well as being bestselling running authors, Adharanand was a journalist at the Guardian for 20 years, while Richard was associate editor of the Independent for 15 years. They'll hold workshops to help you develop your writing skills, as well as talks on the industry and how to get published. And in between we’ll explore some of the wild, windswept trails of Dartmoor.
itinerary:
Friday:
Gentle evening run
A chance to read some of your writing (optional) or listen to the writing of others
Saturday:
Morning run through a rare Dartmoor rainforest (9 miles)
Writing workshops, followed by Q&A session covering every and any aspect of writing and the publishing industry
A project to write a short piece inspired by the morning run
Time to relax, chat, drink tea/coffee
Sunday:
Morning trail run on Dartmoor (6 miles)
Workshops on editing, writing techniques and common mistakes
A chance to read the pieces written on the retreat to others (completely optional)
Evening meal and drinks in a local pub
Monday:
Dawn run
MEET the authors
Adharanand Finn is the author of Running with the Kenyans, The Way of the Runner, and The Rise of the Ultra Runners. His fourth book The Running Pilgrim is out in February 2027.
Richard Askwith is the author of Feet in the Clouds, Running Free, Zatopek: Today We Die A Little, and The Race Against Time, as well as other non-running books.
Both authors have been shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year award (the biggest prize in sports writing) and both were named Best New Writer at the British Sports Book awards. They regularly speak at literary festivals and conferences around the world, so we are thrilled to have their undivided attention for this special weekend.
BASECAMP
Our basecamp is The Great Barn at Blackadon Farm, which sits right on the edge of the Dartmoor national park. Award-winning, luxurious and sustainable, the Great Barn has spectacular views across the moor, while every bedroom has its own bathroom, and there is a large kitchen and sitting area to gather, drink tea and chat running.
The cost of the camp includes:
• Three nights accommodation (Fri, Sat and Sun)
• All food, home-cooked by our wonderful chef Charlotte Etridge
• A series of practical writing sessions, discussions and feedback on your own work
• Talks on writing, how to get published and promote yourself across all formats
• Lots of opportunities to join Adharanand and Richard on wild runs
The cost doesn't include:
• Transport to and from the retreat
• A pub supper on Sunday night.
Prices:
Sharing in same-sex twin room: £850 per person
Couple sharing a double room: £750 per person
Double room for 1 person: £1,050
(Space is limited and rooms will be allocated on a first come, first served basis)
For our cancellation policy please see our terms and conditions
difficulty:
Dartmoor is hilly and can be wet and cold in November, so we recommend that to take part in the runs you feel able to run 10km without stopping. The option also exists to join the retreat as a non-runner and to just enjoy the writing sessions, meals and company
kit list:
For those taking part in the runs, you will need trail running shoes and warm running kit including a jacket, gloves and a hat. For the writing, a pen and paper or computer would be useful - either is fine
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“Meeting Adharanand and Richard was particularly fabulous. I really feel it has taken me forward in my ambitions to be a writer”
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