Thanks for the fantastic response for the WRC Handicap 2022. We’ll have 50+ runners out on the 27th and a good number of marshals enabling a safe run for all.
On the topic of a safe run: please do take a moment to consider the route and conditions on Tuesday. The weather looks likely to be cold (ish) and wet and so a 10.5km run on woodland tracks, gravel paths and wooden/stone steps will have myriad slip and trip hazards. Please consider these in the way that you run. Please familiarise yourself with the course: bulleted directions are below, the map and .gpx file (for your watch) are attached. Please consider running with your phone.
In the event that you start the Handicap run but do not finish at the Rugby Club (for whatever reason) please let me know, otherwise we’ll have to send Roy out into the woods to look for you.
Sue Harrison has slightly updated Ian’s course instructions to include the very slight deviation after Giants’ Steps. Many thanks to our marshals (names embedded in the text).
In addition to the marshals below Roy will be Director Athletes’ Village and Finishers’ Funnel and Tim will be tail-runner to check that all have returned. Paul and Dave will set the runners off and record the finish times with Jan and Victoria.
WRC Handicap 2022 Course
- Rugby club. Clockwise around track.
- Down to Twinnies car park, turn left at toilet block then second left (Victoria) onto upper footpath, then through Styal Mill car park.
- At Styal Visitors’ Centre cross the ‘road’ (Carolyn) onto the footpath towards Norcliffe Chapel.
- Turn right at the Cross (Jan) along the cobbled road towards Altrincham Rd.
- Turn left at Altrincham Rd, follow road, eventually fork left through gate towards runway.
- Forced left at runway, along fence line. After ~half a mile, take footpath left which zigzags down towards main road.
- Go through iron gate, turn left and then left again almost immediately (Martin) onto footpath (you are now just across the Bollin from The Holiday Inn).
- Follow footpath along the river. Keep going – up and down steps and eventually over Giant’s Castle Bridge. Follow the new path and then take a left (Chris) back into the woods.
- Down more steps, up another set, follow path across Oxbow Bridge. Turn left.
- Follow main path round, over Kingfisher bridge then up final set of steps.
- Continue up gentler climb and then follow main footpath, turning right (Carolyn) heading back towards the Visitors’ Centre.
- At the centre, turn sharp right (marshal) down the hill towards the mill.
- At the mill, enter the woods and keep going (fork right at stone block), heading back towards Twinnies Bridge.
- Up the slope and back into the Rugby Club car park. Run forward to track, turn left along the track and then left again, around the rugby pitch and back to the stand.
First-and-foremost this is a social event to bring the Club together. It would be great if you can arrive early to support other runners as they set off and then stay afterwards. As is tradition we will hide from our Christmas visitors together in the stand on the finish line. Bring tea, coffee, cake and snacks with you. In any case: please be stripped, warmed-up and ready-to-run at your start time.
Note that the Rugby Club will be closed and it’s not clear if we will have access to the men’s changing rooms as there is an unresolved problem with the lock on the door.
Looking forward to seeing everyone there!
Merry Christmas!
Rich
View Course here