The 5km and 10km routes are out and back routes. The races start at the old station where stone was loaded from Dayhouse Quarry, now the National Activity and Diving Centre. The routes head out towards Tintern along the new Wye Valley Greenway route.
The opening 1km is on freshly laid forest track, flat and fast. The route remains open to the public at all times so please remember to stick to the left hand side and stay in single file at all times unless you are over taking. Next runners head into Tidenham Tunnel which is 1.1km long. The tunnel is lit so you do not need a torch, but please be aware it will take a second for your eyes to adjust to the different light levels.
Out the other side of the tunnel, you will emerge a path cut into the hill side above the river wye. A great vantage spot for views between the trees. The 5km runners will turn around in approximately 500m from the exit of the tunnel where as the 10km runners carry on.
The newly laid forest track ends 3.5km from the start of the race, the next 1.5km is older forest track. The route retains the feel of the old railway with deep cuttings and a couple of bridges over streams that run off the hill side. The path is still solid underfoot but a little less even and side in place. 10km runners will get very close to seeing Tintern Abbey from between the trees at the turn point. Just how visible it is will depend on the season. Maybe in the future our route will make it all the way to the abbey, but for now it will just about be visible in the distance.
5km and 10km runner retrace their steps back to the quarry station to finish under the Relish Running finish gantry to collect your medal and tasty treats!
PS The elevation shown on this route isn't accurate, it traces the route going over the top of the hill rather than through the tunnel. The route is essentially very flat, is a steam train can do it hauling huge amounts of stone, how hilly can it be ;-)
