Queries about this page to
Henry Marston
(include a Subject and Body text - unexplained attachments
are treated as spam)
Main links
New for 2010: the RRR route on a SatNav - competitors and cars!
Route changes
this year
Travel to Event Centre Public transport Accommodation
Route description (Supporter's cars / Relay co-ordination)
View the route on Google Earth (inc. 2007 route)
Note: you need Adobe Acrobat,
which you probably have on a 'modern' computer.
If you do not have it, click this
button: ![]()
The following links are planned to be updated prior to the
event, when the route is finalised - see summary of changes below for updates in progress.
Text version of
Updates, for Printing (use Right Click, Save As...)
(includes description of changes 2011 to 2001, where still pertinent)
Wainwright
map of changes (as a .pdf file, updated for 2011)
at Dearne Valley College Sports. Start and Finish, showers & food at finish. DVC Sports is signed from the Manvers roundabout (SE 454008) on the A6023. Grid Ref SE 455003, Postcode (for Sat Nav systems) S63 7EW - Manvers Park, Wath upon Dearne, Rotherham. Link to Google Map (Note: this is NOT the Dearne Valley Leisure Centre, east of Mexborough). Click here for .pdf version to save and print
Accommodation and public transport
a) Go to the Google Earth website, download and install Google Earth (requires broadband internet access to operate)
b) Click on this link to the route file (or right click on this link, select 'Save Target As...' and save the file rrr_gps_map_trackpts_kml.kml to a suitable folder, e.g. My Places in My Documents, the default folder for Google Earth). NOTE: Save Target As... seems to think you want to save the file as type .XML - instead change type to 'All Files' at the bottom of the dialogue box.
c) Open Google Earth and File Open the file you saved. You will see the route with start, checkpoints and finish. (start and finish are very close together to the north of the route; route is anti-clockwise) For clarity, it is best to switch roads OFF (untick box).
d) When you exit Google Earth, decline the offer to save unsaved data, or you will get it in duplicate next time.The 2011 route file is available in three formats: path (showing waypoints), track, trackpoints for use with slider
Preliminary 2011 versions for written description and map are now available
We try to specify the route in advance, but late changes
may have to be made, even on the day, if dictated by circumstances.
Note: the emergency telephone number on
the description and maps is ONLY to be used during the event, if assistance is
requested (e.g. for retirements) and is NOT to be used to ask for further
information about the event before or after the day. Note:
the 2011 emergency phone number will be 07860 250878 Early versions
of the maps and description show the 2010 emergency number. Most information you
require should be available on this website or by
email
Sunrise 07:33 Sunset 18:07
Dawn Twilight - day - dusk twilight: 07:00 to 18:42

Experimental: To link the markers with the maps and description, key markers are being identified and the same identification is shown on the strip map and in the written description, and also used for the waypoints in GPS routes. Identifiers refer to junctions / locations, so several markers in an area may have the same code. Markers on a straight route, as confirmation that you are on the correct line, are not identified. First marker on Stage 2 is B1, tenth on stage 2 is B10; identifiers have been applied to many key markers on Stages 2 to 8. Numbers are always increasing on a stage, but some may not be used, e.g. F11 is followed by F14, (F12, F13 missing). Identifiers have been written on markers using permanent felt tip pen; in some cases, it has faded and may be difficult to read. If the idea is successful, more permanent marking will be applied. Error: Letter C was initially used for the 4th stage on the route markers in error, as shown on the strip maps and written description, but D's have been used for GPS data.
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
RHAC, i.e. our Round Rotherham. The two routes coincide over much of the
distance, but there are significant differences, notably near the middle
checkpoint
(we need to get to the Woodsetts check-point to give you refreshments) and near
the start/finish.
2.
Written
description, in the LDWA tradition, or right
click here and Save Target as ... or Print target (to print it properly)
3. The "Wainwright-style"
diagrammatic map, or right
click here and Save Target as ... in which the route works UP each sheet,
starting on Strip 1
Note: the scale is variable, depending on local
detail. To give some indication of scale, the arrows are (approximately) 200 m
long. Short arrows correspond to sections of simple navigation, following
a canal (for example). Long arrows lead you through complex sections, with
numerous twists and turns. Marker identifiers are shown in small ochre
ovals.
The map is in .pdf format. Warning: 500 k bytes
This schematic will be available (in B&W) as hard copies on the day.
This version may not yet be fully updated, but
is updated as necessary changes/corrections are identified
The following are being progressively updated for 2011:
4. A schematic map (1 Megabyte) provides an overview of the route and is provided to show the checkpoints, to aid relocation (in the unlikely event of you going astray). Updated for 2011
5. A detailed 1:25000 map plus written description (total 6×A4 pages) showing the route, based on GPS data. There are also 1 sheet versions, on an A3 sheet (printable on some graphics printers) or an A2 sheet (for specialist printers) (it is best to right click on the link and Save As Target... , especially if you want to print it) (Updated for 2011, now with improved background map and correction of location of Firbeck checkpoint)
The maps are reproduced from Landranger® Map 111, 1:50000 scale and Explorer® Maps 278 and 279 1:25000 scale by permission of Ordnance Survey® on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. ©Crown copyright 1974-2002. All rights reserved. Licence number 100047659.
6. OS Grid references of around 170 key points to mark up the route on the OS Maps, viz Landranger Map 111 (Sheffield and Doncaster), 1:50000 scale, or Explorer® Maps 278 (Sheffield and Barnsley) and 279 (Doncaster), 1:25000 scale. The file gives codes, a 10-figure grid reference and a brief description - or use the straight list, with 6-figure grid reference (updated for 2011)
7.
GPS routes, tracks and waypoints in various
formats for Garmin (inc. Forerunner), Magellan and other GPS brands using inter alia
GPS Utility
To clear your GPS of Round Rotherham waypoints, delete by symbol: Flag (possibly coloured blue, or called golf course)
8. GPS route on a car-type Sat Nav This option is available both for competitors and supporters in cars
The easy one: If you are driving
round as a supporter, or fellow relay team member, the
For competitors, there is also the possibility of using a car-type SatNav for navigation on the event. Follow this link for a detailed explanation (including comparison of trail and SatNav units).
Keep an eye on this Navigation pages for more information. Obviously, the final GPS route files can only be supplied close to the day when the precise route has been finalised. As always, there are some uncertainties that need resolution.
If you require a different GPS data format, contact me, Henry Marston (include a Subject and Body text - unexplained attachments may be treated as spam), and I will try to generate it for you (using GPSU).
9.
The route in pictures. We are building up a set of pictures to show the
route as you will see it. So far, we have the new access route from
Rotherham, and sections where changes have been implemented (generally) These
versions are not easily printed - I plan to create printable versions. Overall: a 50 mile / 81 km undulating mostly rural route, as
measured by GPS. Overall climb is 800 m from a count of contour lines on
maps. For this length of course, a Category C fell race under the aegis of the FRA would have to provide over 1500 m of climb, or 3800 m for category A.
Stage lengths (provisional for 2011)
Start to Grange Grange to Treeton Treeton to Harthill Harthill to Woodsetts Woodsetts to Firbeck Firbeck to Maltby Maltby to Old Denaby Old Denaby to Finish For 2 person relays, the odd stage runner gets the 3 long
stages, 1, 3 and 7 (total 49.8 km, c.f. 31.2) Stage by stage (corresponding to the
relay - individuals enjoy the full experience):
The
route in pictures: Access
The
route in pictures: Stage 1
The
route in pictures: Stage 2
The
route in pictures: Stage 6
The
route in pictures: Stage 7 - part showing changes to the route
The
route in pictures: Stage 8
17.4
10.3
12.0
9.4
9.1
6.5
11.3
5.1
Underfoot conditions vary from stage to stage
Stage 1 (17.4 km) 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. Much of Stage 3 (12.0 km)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.
Stage 2 (10.3 km) is mostly firm (the main excitement is when leaving Grange
Park). Tracks and road.
The first 60% of Stage 4 (9.4 km) is a series of field crossings, then easy
(hard surfaced tracks and road) apart from the hill (climb of 25 m, but runnable by some).
Stage 5 (9.1 km) is muddy to start, but from Langold Park gets firmer. Even
the fields are reasonably firm except at Wallingwells.
For Stage 6 (6.5 km), 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, now finishing just after Maltby church.
Stage 7 (11.3 km) starts with road run through Maltby, to a field-side track that can be wet. Short firm
section of road, through village, then 3 km of (sometimes) well-defined field
paths - depending on ploughing - 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 it's
gently uphill on a road that deteriorates to a muddy track, but down a firm
field to the checkpoint.
Stage 8 (5.1 km) 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 with a firm base. Path, towpath, track and road.
If you see a photographer, smile please; he or she may be from Armada Photography. Look for the results on their web page Thank you if you made a submission for the ROW issue: it is now under consideration by RMBC and there was a public enquiry in February 2011
There is a
possible access problem in the section between
Just
before the 2007 event, it was found that a gate had been installed across the
Rotherham
Metro Ramblers reported the obstruction of the path to the Rotherham Rights of
Way Dept who have taken some action by clearing the path and writing to the land
owner.
This is an
important linking section that has been part of the Round Rotherham route since
it was first devised. In the past, it was across derelict land, with
free access. Now that the house has been built, it would help safeguard
the route if this section was established as a Right of Way. For the 2007
event, the new gate was left open for the event. In 2008, it had not
been opened; I think most people climbed it. Clearly, this is not ideal; a
diversion route was specified.
Last update
24 October, 2011
by
Henry Marston