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Have
you seen the event reports from Portobello,
Dumfries,
Colm
McCoy, Sarah's Blogg?
You
will find others if you search for Round Rotherham on the web (Google, etc)
Read the plaudits from previous satisfied customers
published on Page 3 of the November 2004 RHAC
newsletter. In theatrical tradition for critics' comments
on advertising posters, the next sentence starting "However, " has
been removed from some of them (but the comment may have been acted on).
Low-down on the route, stage by stage (corresponding to the
relay - individuals enjoy the full experience):
Underfoot conditions vary from stage to stage
Stage 1 has hard-surfaced paths, road and canal towpath, unfortunately made good so
that there is little risk of sliding into the canal, to a yard and then
somewhat muddy (briefly) through a wood. Track, road (minor) path through a village,
then we have found a muddy ridge. Then firm.
Stage 2 is mostly firm (the main excitement is when leaving
Grange Park). Tracks and road.
Much of Stage 3 is made-up of cycleable paths and tracks. Towards
the end there are a couple of field crossings - muddy or firm, depending
on what ploughing the
farmer's done.
The first 60% of Stage 4 is a series of field crossings, then
easy (hard surfaced tracks) apart from the hill (climb of 25 m, but runnable
by some).
Stage 5 is muddy to start, but from Langold Park gets firmer.
Even the fields are reasonably firm except at Wallingwells.
For Stage 6, the initial route follows field side tracks - can
be sloppy. Firm past Roche Abbey, the valley path that follows may be sloppy
on the surface but firm beneath.
Stage 7 starts with a field-side track that can be wet.
Short firm section of road, through village, then 3 km of reasonably
well-defined field paths to a track
through a hamlet. The field path after and the path through the wood can
be wet, the latter being downhill so let yourself go - or take it with care,
especially after dark. After the road crossing
its gently uphill on a road that deteriorates to a muddy track, but down a
firm field to the checkpoint. (This is a major change for 2007 - with plenty of lovely
mud).
Stage 8 used to be tricky, but has been subjected to
council interference replacing muddy paths with cycleable routes. A lit cycle track replaces
a path slipping into the mire. Mud is at worst only a few millimetres
deep. Path, towpath, track and road.
Participants are expected to obey The
Countryside Code, which is dedicated to helping members of the
public respect, protect and enjoy the countryside. Follow the links below for
more information to the five constituent sections.
Be
safe, plan ahead and follow any signs
Leave
gates and property as you find them
Protect
plants and animals and take your litter home
Keep
dogs under close control
Consider
other people
Help zone: entries are usually acknowledged within a
week unless the Entries Secretary is away....
The 26th running
of the event will take place on
Saturday
13 December 2008.
Route Changes 2008
Stage 2: Minor adjustment following local redevelopment:
Approaching Tinsley, after crossing canal take new FP through stile to L and
then R to RD - cross where safe, turn R
Catcliffe: Riverside path was closed in 2007. We hope to return to the
original route in 2008, albeit landscaped
Checkpoint locations and opening times (proposed)
Checkpoint times
GRANGE Checkpoint (1) Grid Reference SK 391940
(First runner expected 07:45 Closes 10:40)
TREETON checkpoint (2) Grid Ref. SK 427874
(First runner expected 08:45 Closes 12:00)
HARTHILL checkpoint (3) Grid Reference SK 492806
(First runner expected 09:45 Closes 14:00)
WOODSETT Checkpoint (4) G. R. SK 555838
(First runner expected 10:45; Competitors arriving after 16:00 may be asked to retire)
FIRBECK Checkpoint (5) Grid Reference SK 564886
(First runner expected 11:30 Closes 17:30)
MALTBY checkpoint (6) Grid Reference SK 519925
(First runner expected 12:00; Competitors arriving after 19:00 may be asked to retire)
OLD DENABY checkpoint (7) at RD Grid Reference SK 479988
First runner expected 12:45 Closes 21:30)
FINISH (8). The Event Centre will be locked for the night at 23:00.
Emergency Phone: 07860 250878 (during event only) TO BE CONFIRMED
Organisational changes for 2007:
To be finalised: we are in discussion about certain features,
which should be resolved in the next few weeks
There will be one start for runners, at 7:00, as well as 6 am for walkers,
8:00 for relay teams (i.e. half an hour earlier than 2006 for runners and
relay).
Route Changes 2007
Stage 1 Grange Park Checkpoint is (probably) to be moved from
the access road to the track between the Golf Driving Range and the fenced-off
football pitches, i.e. about 500 m further on. Confirmed.
Stage 2
From Hilltop. SA on fenced path at L of CP (behind houses). SA
and slightly R alongside fence to pylon at bottom of hill. Cross stile by
pylon, drop to RD, cross to track, through steel gates, for 20 m, R down
small path to R of wooden gateposts, cross rough land/stile to RD. If
you see new house at end of track, you have gone too far.
Near Sheffield Airport - Turn R down Wood Lane (through road
works, now with no road name).
L at end, at new roundabout ('The Car People' on L, airport on R), follow RD
to roundabout after bus shelter. L on site RD, follow line of landing lights
to field/site corner adjacent to main RD, down steps and follow fence below
main RD and R after bridge. Then L at end of fence on path across rough land,
fork R twice, emerge onto open land then L alongside hedge to FP to L of
wooden fence in front of houses. Follow FP, cross RD, FP between fences.
Follow RD to Catcliffe. L at main RD, R at mini roundabout, follow RD
to L bend, past track (to Wilf Jay's), R at FP sign, through gate up bank,
follow path to fence, turn L. Follow fence, R at corner, then L to cross
FB over RWY to TREETON checkpoint
Stage 5 (from FP along edge of housing estate –
Carlton-in-Lindrick) to RD. Turn L, 200 m, turn acute R on FP. Warning
– this FP is overgrown and flooded at the corner. Instead, continue along
the road for 15 m, turn right back on yourself and regain FP when possible.
Stage 6 On the approach to Maltby Church, a footbridge was
closed for repair (as of July) for 6 months. This has now been
reopened
Stage 7 A significant change is being introduced for Stage 7
(Maltby to Old Denaby) for safety, to avoid a long run on a dangerous road.
From MALTBY checkpoint (6) LOCATION TO BE CONFIRMED
Continue along RD, SA at crossroads to track. L in front of gate, follow wall
round, first down 50 m, turn R, 100 m, ½R up walled track. Follow track 1.5
km to RD at farm.
Change from here: Turn R follow RD 200 m then L to Micklebring. Follow RD
through village to 4-way junction. Turn ½R, (L of small village green) to FP
(signed) after barn after last house on L. Follow path on L of field to stile
at L corner (below M18 motorway). Take path alongside fence (below M18) over 3
stiles to surfaced track. Turn R, under motorway, then L on track parallel to
M18. After 100 m, R at stile, indistinct path (field edge) to FB (planks) over
stream and R round end of hedge. Defined FP across field to gap in hedge,
cross railway cutting on bridge. Cross stile to left of gate after bridge.
Follow track to L of fence (small trees on left), to end of fence. Cross
track. Cross small field, to L end of hedge at opening. Don’t go through
opening but take track to L of hedge to left of opening, to R of a field.
Follow track above reservoir (on left) and L of fenced area to hamlet.
Turn R at track (beware of stone blocks blocking end of track) You
are now on the old route at Firsby Hall Farm. Follow track between buildings
first L and then R down over stream. Turn L on signed FP across field
(uphill) to escarpment, ½ R to woods, immediately turn L down FP (½ L,
following L edge of wood). Becomes track, then lane. At main RD (Hooton
Roberts) go SA down lane, ½ R. Lane becomes track. Follow to L at end in
field to gate, go down field to OLD DENABY checkpoint (7) at RD Grid Reference
SK 479988 (TBC)
Organisational changes for 2006:
(a) Brampton Leisure Centre is closing, and we have negotiated
a new venue, the DVC Sports Centre at the Dearne Valley College, which was passed 3 km from the finish in previous years. It is
signed from the Manvers roundabout on the A6023, 8km north of Rotherham.
Grid Ref SE 454008. Directions in Final Details and (to be added to) our web site. Optional basic Friday Night accommodation (£4 pp, bring
sleeping bag – see Final Details).
(b) there will be one start for runners
Relay mixed team : At least one third of the distance, total 27 km or more to be run by
ladies. Distances on Entry Form are official distances for this year -
they do change. With 4 stages run by ladies, there are no restrictions. With
3 ladies stages, options that allow a lady to run the Glory stage 8 include (a) ladies run Stage 1 plus any
2 others (one can be 8) or (b) ladies run
Stage 3 plus two others, but not both 6 and 8. There are more options if a man
runs the Glory leg.
Route Changes 2006
5 Dec: GPS files have been updated to include route changes
Stage 1: Start to Grange
Significant change. Leave Event Centre, follow College
road to roundabout, cross it to Manvers roundabout. Take 3rd exit Barnsley
A6023 (to right of MANVERS sign) on FP/cycle track. Pass 4 roundabouts.
Continue on FP to fork. Bear L, then R, up slope to Blue Bridge.
Cross BR, L, then fork R across grass to lakeside path. At end of lake,
bear L (do not cross bridge) to path junction. L along main (level)
hard-surfaced FP, signed TPT. Keep on this hard-surfaced FP, under
bridges, and follow it right across a BR to a RD. Cross RD, under metal
arch, after 200 m bear L, signed Elsecar, on narrow path, cross RD (under
another arch). Surfaced path, parallel to dual carriageway, to access RD to
Retail Park. Cross Rd, R of Morrisons, down slope, following surfaced
path, bear R after clear area, eventually joining canal towpath. Next
landmark: Elsecar This section is shown in
pictures There is also a printable
description with map (for best results, Save target as... and then
print with Adobe Acrobat).
Stage 2
( Brinsworth to Catcliffe):
We
have reverted to old route to Catcliffe.
This section is shown in
pictures
Stage 3
In Rother
Valley Park.
Do not turn right off park access road as in previous years. Instead, follow
park access RD to main RD. Cross
RD, turn R (downhill). L along
tarmac track just before stream (bridge). Follow
track to canal, merge to towpath, uphill (Norwood). Follow canal bank.
Stage 8: Old Denaby to Finish
From Swinton, follow illuminated cycle path to Dearne Valley College and where
path emerges to college grounds (and road) turn L
up and to the Sports Centre to finish. This
section is shown in pictures
Link to older
Route Changes and General Navigation
