The BB-Charnwood Marathon
The BB-Charnwood Marathon is hosted by the Brush Bowls Club and the Sherwood LDWA Group. It is a scenic walk and running challenge event that takes place in Charnwood, Leicestershire, ideal as it is less than an hour from Matlock down the M1. The event starts and finishes at the Brush Bowls & Sports Club, offering participants two course options: a long route of 27 miles and a fun run of 17 miles. Dan Ashcroft took on the 27 mile event.
The long route takes runners through the picturesque landscapes of Charnwood Forest, including notable landmarks such as the Outwood’s, Blackbrook Reservoir, Mount St Bernard Abbey, Bardon Hill, Copt Oak, Bradgate Park, Swithland Woods, and Woodhouse Eaves. Meanwhile, the short route offers a scenic loop that includes Beacon Hill. It is mainly offroad and very hilly with almost 900 metres (3,000ft) elevation. Thankfully in the weeks leading up to the event it had been dry, as parts of the course would have been particularly challenging if wet, although probably not quite as bad as the Belvoir Challenge.
At just £21, you got 3 good feed stations, with soup tea & cake at the finish, it was a really good event. All finishers got a certificate. Photos courtesy of another competitor, Graham Cooper.
