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The 27th running of the event will take place on

Saturday 17th October 2009

Don't forget your torch (early starters, and those finishing after 6:30 pm)

Sunrise 07:33  Sunset 18:07

Dawn Twilight - day - dusk twilight: 07:00 to 18:42

(for comparison: for 13 Dec, date of 2008 event, Dawn 07:26 SR: 08:07, SS 15:51 Dusk 16:32)

Travel, Accommodation, and Navigation

FAQs - answers to common questions raised about the event

Forum Discussion

 

Low-down on the route, stage by stage overview (corresponding to the relay - individuals enjoy the full experience)

If you see a photographer, smile please; he may be from Armada Photography.  Look for the results on their web page

The event is held under TRA rules
Following discussions with the TRA in connection with our race permit, we have been asked to emphasise that there are two level crossings on the route. Anyone disobeying marshal’s instructions at these level crossings will be disqualified. Nevertheless, you are primarily responsible for your own safety, and you should only cross if both you and the marshal consider it to be safe to do so.

You will of course understand that under TRA rules anyone disobeying any instructions from a marshal or any other official risks disqualification, as does anyone deliberately taking an unauthorised route (short-cut, or in some cases a longer ‘easier’ route) or running under someone else’s name, for example.

Participants are also 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

 

Changes 

Organisational Changes 2009

Change of date - to be brought forward 2 months.  Most people should be able to finish in daylight - and certainly there will be less dark, and less plough.  All runners / joggers should get round in daylight starting at 7 am

Further details to be arranged, including start times

5 route changes are already under consideration - to be confirmed.  
Changes marked # have been incorporated into written description, $ into Wainwright map

Stage 2: Catcliffe to Treeton - if landscaping is finished, we will return to old route parallel to river.  tbc
Note: the path closure notice at road corner in Treeton refers to the old route, not this alternative.

# Description amended:
Treeton checkpoint/feedstation: moving to cricket pavilion, 100 m straight up Washfield Lane from footbridge over railway.  Checkpoint at gate to cricket grounds, feedstation at pavilion.  From gate, take  field path along top boundary of cricket ground (footpath and TPT signs).  Keep straight on until path starts to go downhill, then go Right through stone squeeze (obstruction to stop motor cycles) / under a telephone wire to footpath (half right) leading to bend in track, opposite concrete bridge leading to lakeside path.

Stage 3: Investigating alternative access to Rother Valley Park.  tbc

# Stage 4: change of Right of Way after level crossing at Turnerwood
Cross RWY, turn R, follow path on L bank of ditch towards farm complex. (NEW:) Go round back of farm (to L) and at track turn L uphill along track towards woods

Stage 8: To be checked:  From Swinton. Follow canal towpath under bridge, then Right up field to road.  Cross to stile, follow path half right across field to a line of  bushes.  Go to the right of the bushes, then  sharp left behind them to a gap leading to a path and stile; join cycle track.  Follow this to DVC.  (replaces route along Hatherley Rd)  tbc

Organisational Changes 2008

The Emergency Phone Number is 0777 9980562 
(this is different from previous years and early versions of the 2008 route maps and descriptions)

Route Changes 2008 - Note map (version 1.3) has been updated to show Catcliffe change - thanks to Anne Green for questioning route shown. 

Stage 2:  The 2007 changes still apply.
At Hilltop, the pub car park has now been developed; the path is still available between fences to the left of the new buildings.  Follow path to pylon at bottom of hill. Cross stile by pylon, drop to RD, cross to track, through steel gates (to be opened on the day, but may be closed on your recce runs, climb through fence) for 30 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. 

NB if there are any problems at this track, follow road to Left (slightly uphill), then Right down Richmond Rd (1st on R) to bottom, R and at main Rd SA to path opposite

Minor adjustments 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, then L into service RD.

Catcliffe: Riverside path was closed in 2007 and will also be for 2008.  We will return to the (improved) original route, when reopened following major landscaping, but this will not occur for 2008, according to Rotherham council.

Checkpoint locations and opening times (tbc)

Checkpoint times 
GRANGE Checkpoint (1) Grid Reference SK 391940 (First 6 am runner expected 07:40 Closes 10:40) 
TREETON checkpoint (2) Grid Ref. SK 427874 (First 6 am runner expected 08:40 Closes 12:00) 
HARTHILL checkpoint (3) Grid Reference SK 492806 (First 6 am runner expected 09:45 Closes 14:00) 
WOODSETT Checkpoint (4) G. R. SK 555838 (First 7 am runner expected 10:45; Competitors arriving after 16:00 may be asked to retire)
FIRBECK Checkpoint (5) Grid Reference SK 564886 (First 7 am runner expected 11:30 Closes 17:30) 
MALTBY checkpoint (6) Grid Reference SK 519925 (First relay or 7 am 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 relay or 7 am runner expected 12:45 Closes 21:30)
FINISH (8). The Event Centre will be locked for the night at 23:00.
Emergency Phone: 07591 499183 (during event only)

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 new houses. Follow fence to pylon at bottom of hill. Cross stile by pylon, drop to RD, cross to track, through steel gates (to be opened on the day, but may be closed on your recce runs, climb through fence) for 30 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. 

NB if there are any problems at this track, follow road to Left (slightly uphill), then Right down Richmond Rd (1st on R) to bottom, R and at main Rd SA to path opposite

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

Receipt for confusion
The Rotherham Ring Route has recently been established, developed and waymarked.  The publicity, by the local Ramblers Group, says is based on a route devised by ROTHERHAM HARRIERS & ATHLETICS CLUB, i.e. our Round Rotherham. The two routes coincide over much of the distance, but there are significant differences, notably near the half-way point (we need to get to the Woodsetts check-point to give you refreshments) and near the finish. The Rotherham Ring Route is waymarked; it is planned to produce a list of differences, or particularly where to ignore the Rotherham Ring Route waymarks. This list will be posted on the website in due course.  Meanwhile, the Wainwright map indicates where these marks may lead you astray by showing an open arrow with the legend 'Rotherham Ring'.

 

Although we don't host a forum, we do have FAQs.  You may find relevant  information in the forums where this event is discussed (please let me know if you are aware of others):

See the FRA website forums, the RRR being listed under Long Distance Challenges, freely available. 

There is also a forum on the Runners World website, which also has training tips, although some pages are only available to those who subscribe (with real money). For the forum, find the RRR event (Dec 2008, Ultra distance, North region). Apparently there is more information on the forum for the High Peak 40 (a past event, Sept 2008), but not easy to find relevant entries. Or just search for Rotherham in the forum search bar.  

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.

If you see a photographer, smile please; he may be from Armada Photography.  Look for the results on their web page

 

 

Use back to return to this page if there is no link to RRR page

The event was previously held on the second Saturday in December

This page is constantly being updated for the Round Rotherham!
Links have not all been checked so apologies if some fail (let me, Henry Marston, know if you have a problem).

The on line entry and postal entry forms for 2009 will be provided through this link 

Northern Triangle Series: The other events of the series, the Doncaster Doddle and the Darlington Dash, have not been run for several years 

Links: Information about other distance events

Featured in the New Trionium Magazine,
 

Any person taking part under the wrong name will be disqualified. You have every opportunity to enter correctly on the day

Any person found to be trespassing on a railway or motorway will be disqualified

Click here for Pre-entries

Forms for registering changes of detail at the event (or entries on the day)

Change of Individual  details        Relay registration (inc. team members)

Navigation Page
(get to event, get round route  + possible accommodation)

 Results

Checkpoint 1 (Grange) in 2005, later appearing at Old Denaby

 

 

Last update 13 June, 2009   by web.marston

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