Vanguard Way Marathon

We will run part of the Vanguard Way Route - The whole national trail is 66 miles from East Croydon to Newhaven on the South Coast - it is an exceptionally varied and beautiful course for both walkers and runners. An out 13.1 mile and back 13.1mile route following the undulating route. You will see the most amazing scenery along the way.

Below is a flavour of the course you will experience !

 

The Vanguard Way is 66 miles (107 km) long. It starts on the southern outskirts of Greater London and passes through the counties of Surrey, Kent and East Sussex.  On the Directions & Maps page of the website below - you can find downloadable files giving directions and maps from North to South (Croydon to Newhaven) and from South to North. www.vanguardway.org

From East Croydon Station, 20 minutes by train from central London, you soon reach parkland, woodland and open country, passing several historic houses at Coombe, through Selsdon Wood Nature Reserve and past the very olde but  pretty little church of St. Mary the Virgin at Farleigh.  Some quite strenuous running/walking is needed to reach the highest part of the route, in the North Downs, at 260 metres (853 feet) above sea level.  On the way you pass the mysterious Nore Hill Chalk Pinnacle - a feature that has been kept as a reminder of the geological structure of this area.

 

A steep descent from the Downs leads on to the North Downs Way National Trail and the Pilgrims' Way, crossing the Greenwich Meridian, where the Vanguards have provided a commemorative plaque.  Nearby is Titsey Place, an 18th century manor house that can be visited at certain times.  Quickly crossing the M25 on a footbridge, a further ascent leads into the wooded slopes of the Greensand Ridge. Once on the edge of Limpsfield, we turn around to admire the view from the other way - its truly breathtaking scenery.
 
What we promise!

 

Our races are geared to getting people to have a fantastic challenging and enjoyable running experience finished off with a brilliant medal and goody bag most big races would be proud of. It is because we both runners we aim to provide runners with a special goody bag at all our races - these will have race spec tee shirts, goody bags - plus additional food and snacks at the end of all the races.