Competition Guidelines

Christchurch Runners

Course Title

Note that THIS IS A MULTI-SURFACE RUN, and the route markings on the map are only a rough guide. Read and obey the following instructions:-

Run through the far left corner on the Rugby Pitch then through the woods on the Yellow Brick Road to the Community Centre. Run anti-clockwise round to the back of the Community Centre, go between it and the playground, and then run up the bank that is in front of you. Keep on the top of the bank until it drops down onto a tarmac path (the one that goes to the junction of The Runway and Brabazon Drive).

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU STAY OFF THIS TARMAC PATH. ONLY RUN ON THE GRASS beside the path, but follow the path until you get to The Runway, turning right at the end (you can cut the corner here). Take next L (you can cut the corner here too), then 1st R into Southcliffe Road. Just as the road bends right at the top of the cliff, head down the slope and run down the first set of steps onto the beach heading towards Highcliffe.

You can run along the sand or shingle near the water, BUT NOT on the compacted sand along the top of the beach. Stay near to the water until you have passed the first flight of steps (Nature Reserve – these steps are just after the end of the concrete wall that started at the end of the beach huts, and can be difficult to see from down by the water because most of it is hidden by trees and bushes), and then aim for the bottom of the second flight of steps (Highcliffe Castle). Touch the red lifebelt box at the base of the Castle Steps, and then head back along the top of the beach to the Nature Reserve Steps (the ones you passed earlier). Climb the Nature Reserve Steps and bear left at the top.

When you come out of the nature reserve, stick to the left-hand side of the road and go through the gate on the LEFT of the brick building at the end. Stay close to the top of the cliff but ignore the slope down to the left. Stay on top of the cliff, and aim for the steps on the left. Go down these steps, cross the wide path and then up the next steps onto the field. At the top of these steps, go diagonally left across the grass and through the far gate to enter Cliff Drive.

Turn right at the end of Cliff Drive, left at the end into Bure Lane, and right at the end along The Runway (you can cut the corner here). Cut through Brabazon Drive, Halifax Way, and Grange Road back to the start.