The route will be well signed with arrows and there will be marshals at all key points along the route (walkers see below). You must follow any instructions of the marshals. Please note that marshals are not allowed to direct or stop traffic. Look out for any traffic and cross roads safely.
Runners will not need to carry these instructions but may benefit from familiarising themselves with the course beforehand.
Walkers are strongly advised to carry these instructions with them since marshals may be withdrawn after all runners have been through.
An outline map of the course is available below.
Both runs start from the front of Biddenham pavilion. The 5K run starts at 10.45am and the 10K run starts at 11.00am. The sponsored walk follows on immediately after.
For the first 900m the course runs along public roads. From Deep Spinney, turn left into Gold Lane and bear right at the grass triangle into Church Lane. After passing the entrance to Manor Hospital on the corner, bear left down Manor Road (access road) through a metal gate. Immediately, turn right on to the path running along side the golf course. After 500m pass through a kissing gate. Please be patient at the kissing gate and then take care when you cross the road towards the river.
You must stop and wait for a safe gap in any traffic. Immediately after crossing the road follow the enclosed path bearing left down to the river path. Turn left onto the river path and follow it for 800m to where the wooden fence ends. Turn sharp left from the path up to the roundabout.
Cross the road stub, which is being extended to form the Western bypass, and follow the footway at the side of Kingswood Way for approximately 100 yards.
At the marshals' position at the second roundabout the 10k and 5k run routes divide. Walkers should also take the 5K route.
5k route
Turn left at the roundabout along Greenkeepers Road. Please use the indicated crossing points. Follow the road for about 200m and then take the path in the same line of travel along the side of the golf course for 800m. Turn sharp left where the 5km route rejoins the 10km route.
Follow the footpath across the golf course for 500m. The golf club has been warned that runners will be present, but please take care and be considerate of golfers when crossing the course. On leaving the golf course follow the enclosed path in the same line of travel to a kissing gate at Biddenham Main Road. Cross the road and bear left into Days Lane. After approximately 90 metres turn left into the pavilion field and the finish.
Water is available at the finish. Please keep in line in the funnel to ensure correct results.
10 route
Turn right at the roundabout staying on Kingswood Way. Go past The Village Medical Centre on your left and cross the road where indicated. Where the road turns to the right, keep straight ahead, on to the track to join the footpath across the fields towards Kempston. After 900m, at the end of the field bear right and over the footbridge. Take care on the steep steps and on the footbridge which can be made slippery if it rains.
Follow the path to the next bridge (Kempston Mill) and cross the river. Immediately turn left along the footpath along the side of the river. Water is available at this point (approximately 4.2km).
Follow the path along side the river for 1300m. Approximately 80 after the path bears right away from the river, turn left through an opening into the water meadows. Follow the river through the water meadows for 1700m, keeping the river to your left, to Queens Bridge. As the name implies, the water meadows can be wet underfoot!
Re-cross the river at Queen's Bridge where water is available.
Immediately across the bridge, turn left down a steep bank to the river path to run back along the river, which should (still) be to your left. After 1200m the path passes through a gap into open fields. Continue along the river for 200m to the next hedgerow and turn right immediately after. Follow the hedge away from the river for 200m to rejoin the 5K route which is just before the 9km point.
In the same line of travel, follow the footpath across the golf course for 500m. The golf club has been warned that runners will be present, but please take care and be considerate of golfers when crossing the course. On leaving the golf course follow the enclosed path in the same line of travel to a kissing gate at Biddenham Main Road. Cross the road and bear left into Days Lane. After approximately 90 metres turn left into the pavilion field and the finish.
Water is available at the finish. Please keep in line in the funnel to ensure correct results.