Record Entries for TRAIL Marathon

TRAIL marathon 2019The fifth annual Cranleigh Trail Marathon, held on 12 May, was a great success, with a record 182 runners and walkers taking part.

The event, sponsored by Informed Choice, is organised by The Rotary Club of Cranleigh, with support from local running club, Cranleigh Runners.

It is anticipated that the net profit will be in the region of £3,900. This will be used to support various Rotary charities.

The event incorporated a 26.2 mile trail marathon, a 13.1 mile trail half marathon, and a 13.1 mile challenge distance walk.

Runners and walkers enjoyed the scenic, but testing, route, including a climb through the Willinghurst Estate to reach the Greensand Way through Winterfold Forest. The course continued across to Pitch Hill, passing through Cranleigh Golf & Country Club and Cranleigh School, before rejoining the Downs Link behind Norther Farm and finishing at Snoxhall Fields.

The event initially started as the Cranleigh Parish Boundary Challenge, before changes to the course resulted in the current route following most of Cranleigh’s northern parish boundary. It mainly follows public footpaths and bridleways.

With around 1,800 feet of elevation gain for the two-lap marathon course, this running event isn’t for the faint of heart.

However, 111 runners completed the one-lap half marathon this year, with Edward Hadley finishing first in 1:30:55, followed by Chris Loffs in 1:35:16, and Matt Brand in 1:39:17.  

The full marathon was completed by 50 runners, led home by Adam Quinn in 3:13:48, who was followed by Ben Sunckell in 3:28:08, and Edward Harper in 3:28:41.
 
The sixth edition of the Cranleigh Trail Marathon will take place on Sunday, 10 May 2020, with entries due to open later this year.

The lead organiser, Cranleigh Rotarian Brian Vine, commented: "I am very pleased with the response we have had, which is due entirely to everyone's efforts to encourage and welcome the runners/walkers and create a happy and cheerful atmosphere.

"We look forward to welcoming even more runners/walkers in the future."

The event received an enthusiastic response from many of the participants. A selection of comments is shown below:

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I had to write to you to thank you so much for organising today's run. I'm training for a marathon in Sep and I'm getting pretty bored of all the runs near me. I decided to start looking further afield to find some fun low key races to make my training more interesting. I found yours on the internet and I have to say it was absolutely wonderful. Both the participants and the supporters and the supporters and the organisers were friendly and a pleasure to be a part of. The course wasn't the easiest but has definitely given me a good days (sic) training...... The spread that you put on was amazing but sadly no good for me at all however when I saw the chocolate brownie was gluten-free it made my day and it was absolutely amazing. Thank you again, wonderful day.  Julia

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I ran the race yesterday and I Just wanted to say what a fantastic event it was. From the fab guys at the aid stations with their well-stocked drinks and snacks, to the Marshalls (sic) and their cheery disposition. That was needed at points!! Then to get back and find out there's a hot meal and cake!

Everyone was a delight and it was such a well organised event. Please pass on my thanks to all involved. I hope to run this event again next year! Best wishes Gemma

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One word – Thank You – I know that’s two but you get my drift. What a superbly organised event. The route was very clearly marked, so much so I bet the poor person with the spray can must have a bad back from all that bending down. I was staggered by the amount and range of food provided at the picnic sites water stations. The soup, tea etc. at the end were literally the icing on the cake.

Thanks go also to all the other lovely volunteers without whom the event just couldn’t take place. Cheers - and see you next year. Bob – 209 (Probably the last man home but happy to have climbed a health mountain over the last couple of years and was able to climb the beautiful Surrey Hills yesterday)

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Thanks for an excellent event. The course was well marked and it was fantastic! Best, Will

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To Brian Vine, thanks to you and all the team today for making the trail run such an enjoyable event.  Also for sorting out the wonderful weather. I look forward to the event next year. Regards, Alastair Day (169)