Route Descriptions - scroll down for route map
With a new venue this year, our routes are slightly tweaked. The routes are predominantly unchanged, on the old railway track cutting through the forest. There is 500m road section at the start and end of all the routes, with a small rise at either end, making this still a great route for recording a fast time.
Valley View 10km Ticket - The opening 1.1km section is a mix of cycle path and running on a quiet country road. After a little rise to bring you up the height of the old railway path and the start of the Floral Mile. Soon you will reach Tidenham Tunnel after covering 3km of your run, the tunnel itself adds a further 1km to your total distance covered. Along the newly laid forest path, you will pass old sleepers and rails, reminding you of the history of the route. At the 5km turn point you will also find the drinks station. You then retrace your steps, back to Wyedean School to collect your medal and goodies.
Valley View Half Marathon Ticket - The route is largely the same as the 10km Valley View Ticket, with a U turn point beyond the 10km U turn point to make the route distance. As it is a 2 lap course, runners return to the start/finish point, visiting a feast stations as they do so, before doing back out for the second lap.
Tintern Station Half Marathon and Marathon Ticket - The Half Marathon is a 1 lap course and the Marathon is a 2 lap course. This route also starts with a mix of cycle path and a portion on a quiet lane. After 3/4 mile you will be joining the line of the old railway path, picking up the beautiful Floral Mile, where wild flowers have been freshly planted along the route. After 3km you will be entering Tidenham Tunnel which is just over 1km in length. There is approximately 1.5km of running to do along beautiful forest track, past the abandoned rails and sleepers, which will take you to the 10km turn point and beyond. All turn points are clearly signed and marshalled.
The route now follows the banks of the river Wye and you will see a glimpse of Tintern Abbey from between the trees. The route follows the river around, with a 50m rocky climb as you move over a head land, and crosses over at the village of Brockweir and brings you around to Tintern Old Station where you will find your second Feast Station stop of the day, by the side of the signal box, with runners going along the track bed and refreshments being served from the platform. As you transition from one flat area to another, as the route crosses road bridges and returns to riverside paths, you will find a few flights of steps.
This looped section of the course then rejoins the main out and back line heading back towards the tunnel, with the third drinks station being on the approach to the tunnel. Half Marathon runners will head straight for the finish line in Wyedean School, where the marathon runners will have the opportunity for another feast station stop, before heading out for lap 2. There is a 3hr cut off time to start Lap 2.
