Information about off-road group runs that are organised by the club.
On this page
- Head torch runs
- River runs
- Abingdon car park runs
- Tilsley Park routes
- Ridgeway runs
- Bluebell runs
- New Year's Day run
Headtorch runs
Please read the information below before arriving for the head torch run. Trail shoes are recommended for all runs.
What you need
In order to take part in the head-torch run, you must have a head-torch (or another running light device). It is recommended that you test the beam of your light in very dark surroundings as there are no streetlights at all on most of the route. The route is mostly off-road and will likely be muddy so suitable footwear is a must. Familiarise yourself with the route before setting off.
How it works
You will be required to sign a register at the beginning of the run and then sign in again afterwards (to make sure we don't lose anyone in the dark!) The runs will be organised in 'pace groups' to ensure that no one has to run alone. Further details about how this will work will be announced nearer the time.
Head torch routes
- PDF description - all routes
- Strava route map - short
- Strava route map - medium
- Strava route map - long
- PDF description - all distances
- Strava route map / OS map - short
- Strava route map / OS map - medium
- Strava route map / OS map - long
For the road runs from Rye Meadow car park, visit the local routes page (sector.glue.signal).
Rye Meadow (River routes)
For the road runs from Rye Meadow car park, visit the local routes page.
River runs
Wallingford
Starting from the public car park opposite Boat House, Wallingford (no parking at the pub).
Long Wittenham
Starting from The Plough pub car park.
- PDF descriptions - all distances
- PDF - map
- Strava route map - short
- Strava route map - medium
- Strava route map - long
Starting from the Barley Mow pub car park, Clifton Hampden (wished.inhales.palettes).
To shorten the shortest route, turn back at any point before the lock.
- PDF descriptions - all distances
- RR1 - long - Barley Mow, Clifton Hampden (7.5 mi/ 12 km)
- RR1 - medium - Barley Mow, Clifton Hampden (6 mi / 10 km)
- RR1 - short - Barley Mow - out and back to Days Lock (5.5 mi / 8 km)
Dorchester
Starting from Fleur De Lys pub car park.
Radley
Starting from the Bowyer Arms pub car park.
Warborough
Starting from The Green S, Warborough, Wallingford OX10 7DN
- PDF descriptions - all distances
- Strava route map - short 6km
- Strava route map - medium 8.4km
- Strava route map - long 10km
Abingdon Car park runs
Abingdon, Rye Meadow
Starting from the Rye Meadow car park.
CP1 (off-road):
- CP1 - short - anti parkrun (3.4 mi / 5.5k)
- CP1 - medium - Sutton Courtenay (5 mi / 8 km)
- CP1 - medium/long - Sutton Courtenay (5.3 mi / 8.5 km)
- CP1 - long - Sutton Courtenay (6 mi / 9.6 km)
CP2 river runs (off-road):
- CP2 - short - Rye Meadow (3.2 mi / 5 km)
- CP2 - medium - Rye Meadow (5.2 mi / 8.3 km)
- CP2 - long - Rye Meadow (6 mi / 9.7 km)
- CP2 - extra long - Rye Meadow (6.8 mi / 11 km)
CP1 and 2 road routes:
- CP1/2 - short winter route (3.09 mi / 5 km)
- CP1/2 - medium winter route (4.5 mi / 7.2 km)
- CP1/2 - long winter route (6.2 mi / 10 km)
- CP2 - short - Rye Meadow (3.5 mi / 5.6 km)
- CP2 - medium - Rye Meadow (4.7 mi / 7.6 km)
Original routes (Radley Lakes):
- PDF descriptions - all distances
- Strava route map - short
- Strava route map - medium
- Strava route map - long
West St. Helen's
CP3 - Starting from the West St. Helen's car park (magic.palm.fully).
- CP3 - very short - West St. Helen's - (3.3 mi / 5.3 km)
- CP3 - short - West St. Helen's - (3.9 mi / 6.2 km)
- CP3 - medium - West St. Helen's - (5.1 mi / 8.2 km)
- CP3 - long - West St. Helen's (6.1 mi / 9.6 km)
Abingdon, Barrow Hills
CP4 - Starting from the Barrow Hills car park off Audlett Drive (preoccupied.hired.rounds).
- CP4 - short - Barrow Hills road run (3.2 mi / 5.1 km)
- CP4 - medium - Barrow Hills (5 mi / 8 km)
- CP4 - long - Barrow Hills (6.6 mi / 10.6 km)
CP4R - Reverse routes:
- CP4R - short - Barrow Hills road run (3.2 mi / 5.1 km)
- CP4R - medium - Barrow Hills (5 mi / 8km)
- CP4R - long - Barrow Hills (6.6 mi / 10.6 km)
Wootton, community centre
CP5 - Starting from Wootton and Dry Sandford community centre car park.
- Route descriptions (pdf)
- CP5 - short - Wootton community centre road run (3.3 mi / 5.3 km)
- CP5 - short - Wootton trail mix (5.8 mi / 9.3 km)
- CP5 - medium - Wootton trail mix (8.6 mi / 13.8 km)
- CP5 - long - Wootton trail mix (6.3 mi / 10.1 km)
Tilsley Park routes
Routes starting from Tilsley park. All have an element of off-road.
TP2 Radley College and Radley Wood
All routes are a mix of tracks and quiet lanes.
- TP2 - short - Radley College (3.2 mi / 5 km)
- TP2 - short/medium - Radley College (4.3 miles / 7 km)
- TP2 - medium - Radley College (5.4 mi / 8.7 km)
- TP2 - long - Radley College and wood (6.4 mi / 10.5 km)
Ridgeway runs
Ever fancied running on the Ridgeway but worried you might get lost? Well AAC can help, with our new series of led Ridgeway Sunday runs.
Each run will start promptly at 9am from a location on the Ridgeway - maps will be posted here before each run. They will be pre-planned to allow runners to arrange lifts for car sharing. We recommend you use the club Facebook page if you can give/need a lift.
Next run: TBC
Sign up to run
Please use the sign-up form below to let us know which runtime you want to do and whether you will be eating at the pub.
- Sign up to run (currently no runs arranged)
Fuel for distance running
If running for two hours you will need two gels / or some energy fuel to keep going.
Marathon training and pace
As these are long training runs we will be running at 1 to 2 mins per mile slower than marathon pace. Those taking part in spring marathons times will range from 8 min for each mile to 12 minutes.
The intention is to run at a pace where it is possible to converse with a running partner. Please join us even if you can only run for one hour.
Benefits
- To encourage more club runners to take part in the Ridgeway Relay on 18 June 2017 (the runs follow the same route). Also to help planning teams for the relay. We hope to enter a minimum of two teams (20 runners).
- These runs will offer the opportunity to run with a small group at a similar pace between 8 mins and 12mins.
- To share long training runs with other members of the club as part of your own marathon training plan.
- For marathon training up 50 + miles a week the benefits of running off road, is less impact on knee joints etc.
How this can help you
- You'll gain a good knowledge of the Ridgeway Relay sections for taking part in the relay race in 2017.
- You'll build confidence in running on uneven ground which will help you at Club Champs runs such as ‘The Dursley Dozen’ and cross country.
- You'll be able to practice refuelling for longer races.
- Runners can share advice with those wishing to enter longer distance runs for the first time.
What you will need
- Trail shoes as many of the sections can be muddy and wet.
- Water and energy gels as you will be increasing run times to 2hrs / 3hrs. Ideally after 6 miles (or 40 mins) most runners need to refuel.
- A small gel belt is a good idea, however it is possible to attach gels to clothing with safety pins.
- As it is quite exposed on the Ridgeway, long sleeve shirt under a t-shirt, gloves and a hat will help retain heat on cold mornings.
Bluebell runs
Runs leaving from The Black Horse pub, Gozzards Ford at, 6.50pm. If you don’t enjoy getting lost it is a good idea to print the map and instructions for the distance you will be running.
- PDF descriptions - all distances
- Strave route map - short
- Strave route map - medium
- Strava route map - long