The Cheddar Gorge Marathon is a 2 lap course taking in biggest and most beautiful climbs around the Mendip Hills and Cheddar Gorge. Runners will run along valley floors that have been the site of british industry from Roman all the way through to Victorian times; and the 10ft dam walls (of the old lead mining settling pits) which you will negotiate bear testament to this. Also on the course you will see World War II bunkers, breath taking views over to the Welsh Mountains, conquer the mighty Hell Steps (twice!) and enjoy stunning running along gorge edge.
Course Description - scroll down for a map and 3D interactive elevation chart
The marathon is two laps of the half marathon route so will follow half marathon signs as described below. Starting above Black Rock, the first 1km is a gentle meander down hill towards Black Rock, followed by a gentle downhill on a very rocky track. The first climb comes after 1.5km, a short sharp climb off the main track as the route heads towards Cheddar. After 1km, the 6km runners branch off and make a right turn and start their climb up the valley. 10km and Half Marathon runners process straight ahead, hope over a stone stile and start the climb of the infamous Hell Steps. Not one, but two rather large flights of steps which will bring you to the most amazing view looking right down the gorge.
Once off the cliff top path the route meanders through some woodland for the big reveal, a great view of the gorge mouth with views across the Somerset levels. And to take you even closer, we even hop over the perimeter wall for a brief moment, but don't worry, you are not as close to the edge as you might think....just be careful with those selfies! (2 mile marker)
The first Feed Station (FS) is a welcome site and will offer a great time opportunity to refresh and replenish following the Hell Steps. From here there is a gradual rise, which kicks up at the end as runners enter Piney Sleight. Some good flat running ahead for the next 800m or so (3 mile marker). Coming up next is a short, steep and stoney descent - take care here. You will also see runners from the 6km race joining you at the point. All routes converge and carry on up the other side of the dip. As you contour around the ridge you will have really nice views across the valley to the event village and festival site.
After making a quick 180 degree turn a decent at the 4mile mark, there is Feed Station ahead. Shortly after the drinks station the Half Marathon runners will turn left off the main track, where as the 6km and 10km runners will go straight ahead. There are open fields and a slight climb to get towards the 5mile marker shortly after which some ducking and weaving will be required to negotiate a little used footpath which will be nice and slippery if wet.
Up ahead is a road crossing, please pay attention to the marshals instructions and only cross when you feel it is safe to do so. The other side of the road, more fields and more climbing, including a beautiful little woodland valley which we hop through. The false horizon finally comes to an end with an old World Way 2 bunker, now a rather odd looking grass mound, but integral in it's day. It used to house generators which powered a huge series of lights in the land ahead which we were laid out to mimic the railways of Bristol and were used as a decoy for German bombers.
Past the bunker and make a right turn into some very boggy land, prime ankle twisting territory so please be careful here. At 6miles you will make a left turn and head up towards Beacon Batch, the highest point on the Mendip Hills at 325m. Finally there is some flat running along to mile 7, followed by a great big downhill run towards the feed station at mile 8. This was a main road in Roman days and retains the name of the Motorway among the locals and you will be able to see why as you speed down the hill. From here there are great views over the Bristol channel and over towards Wales.
Mile 9 is relatively flat with some stream crossings and undergrowth to negotiate in parts. Followed by another big climb back up to Beacon Batch. That is the last big climb of the route and you could almost day it is downhill to the finish from here, aside from one or two little bumps. The next feed stations is at the two masts on the horizon accessed along a narrow little track. After the feed station comes the only real tarmac road section (11 mile marker) before we hop over the road and back onto the trails.
There is another road crossing ahead so please take care. You are now at the top of Velvet Bottom and a slight downhill ahead brings you to the point there the 10km route meets you. Routes converge and head up and across the valley shortly after the 12 mile marker and take a flat path along the top ridge of velvet bottom towards the event village.
Runners will have to side step the finish gantry after completing 1 lap, restock on goodies, before heading out for lap 2. Runners must have started lap 2 within 3hrs of their race start or you will be withdrawn from the marathon event.
There are 9 feed stations across the course to keep you well fed over this ~26.4miles course. There is approx 1200m of height change over the full route.
Interactive 3D Elevation Profile Map
The route has rises and falls throughout, all but the very first runners will walk these climbs so you don't need to worry about the hills and instead focus on the beautiful views and the most amazing setting for this race. This route is among the more challenging of our races, but with a sensible pacing strategy and making sure you drink and eat well across the drinks stations, it is still a very achievable route for most runners.
