Run by Pete and Jo on Friday, May 8, 2020

This was part of a longer run that started through the perfect villages of Brightwell Baldwin, Cuxham, Pyrton and South Weston. Including a trip through Model Farm which has some impressive buildings (we were off the path at this point and should have run around the farm). Picked up the Ridegway just west of the M40 and then a slightly undulating run along the bottom of the Chiltern Hills to the point where the Ridgeway leaves the main track. We carried on the Ickneild Way before branching off through Ewleme, another perfect village and home.

Run by Pete and Jo on Sunday, December 27, 2020

We've run this part of the Ridgeway many times, but not in the past few months to count towards the complete relay. We picked up the Ridgeway at the bottom of Britwell Hill and then past the farm buildings and immediately up the hill alongside the field. Increasingly steep as the path goes through the woods and a real challenge to keep running and not walk. Then over the top and down a steep path alongside a field before back up the other side to Swyncombe. Down Ladies Walk to the part where the Ridgeway turns off to Jacob's Tent and a section we ran a few weeks earlier. We then carried on to head home off the Ridgeway.

Run by Pete and Jo on Saturday, November 28, 2020

Part of a very long run, too long for this time of year, with too many hills. We ran down the path to the west of Grims Ditch and then back up the Ridgeway path on it. The climb is steady and not too challenging, although the path snakes around at time. Then out to Nuffield and across the golf course to the main road. Then undulating fields to reach the impressive Ewelme Park. After this to the prettiest part of the Ridgeway through Jacob's Tent and on to Swyncombe.

Run by Jo on Saturday, December 12, 2020

Short stretch, slightly uphill, on a muddy path before crossing the main road near Wallingford. (Where there was a strange man 😉 taking photos!). Through the woods between Carmel College and the Wallingford road bridge before meeting the river and Thames Path. Muddy stretch along the river accompanied by rowers. Slight retracing of steps needed in North Stoke having missed the sign where the Ridgeway goes through the graveyard. Many lovely houses to admire through South Stoke and Goring. Across the bridge to Streatley and up the hill to the Golf Course to find a warm cup of tea waiting.

Run by Pete on Saturday, December 12, 2020

Started just opposite the golf club in Streatley and after a short jog along the road almost immediately started climbing up the wide Ridgeway path. Very straightforward path to follow. A few 'guns' out for pre-Christmas phesant shooting along the way. Over the old railway bridge. Wasn't entirely sure of the path at the crossroads following the bridge as the lettering has worn off the sign. Up a broad track, giving walkers a wide berth, to the footway under the A34. Then up to a very wide track that took me to the car park.

Run by Jo on Monday, December 21, 2020

Raining very hard at start! Long, straight, wide path for first 6km, no opportunities to get lost! Slight rise to Robert Loyd Lindsay Memorial on the top of a hill. Slightly ambiguous left turn before White House farm, then easy run on amazingly 'white' mud track. Another warm cup of tea waiting 😊.

Run by Pete on Monday, December 21, 2020

Started off running alongside the horse track where a group of racehorses were being exercised. Then pretty straightforward track up to the hill up to White Horse Hill, where my foot got stuck in a tyre rut and I went headfirst down to the ground, no damage done fortunately. Then downhill with some decent speed all of the way from the White Horse to the Ashbury road.

Run by Jo on Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Straight stretch to M4, then complete lack of signs! After a small amount of 'external assistance' discovered I was on the right (very noisy, busy) road. Ran along the verge until T Junction, then more verge running until a right turn up to Liddington Castle. Windswept and muddy but good views. Final stretch downhill through woods accompanied by a stream of running water on the track.

Run by Pete on Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Met Jo at Ogbourne and then headed immediately up, initially on road and then back on the trail. Across broad grass downland. After this the quality of the path was patchy and in places there were cones where repair work was being done. Great views in all directions from the top. Then a steady downhill all the way to the carpark at Overton Hill.

Run by Jo on Thursday, December 31, 2020

Lovely stretch, once I’d escaped the noise of the motorway, pretty wooded paths and wide open fields with views. Signage good except where you join roads. Had to seek outside assistance again! Ground much drier due to hard frost so easier going underfoot. Greeted with a warm cup of tea AND a chocolate chip cookie!

Run by Pete on Thursday, December 31, 2020

Up and up and up, almost straightaway the hills started. First hill was Kop Hill (where they run the motor event in the summer) very steep climb on the steps pushed the HR to 170+. Then Whiteleaf Hill and then on to Combe Hill where the initial climb was every bit as steep as Kop Hill. This section of the Ridgeway is not as well signposted, a few stops were needed to check that I was on the right path.

Run by Jo on Saturday, January 2, 2021

Back to the mud today! Pretty climb through beech woods. Lots of mountain bikers. Easier stretch through Tring Park - which appears to be a new feature since our book was written (thirty years ago!). Diverted path meant I slightly over shot the meeting point but Nellie came to me! Everybody and their dog at NT car park at Ivinghoe!

Run by Pete on Saturday, January 2, 2021

Started with a good downhill across the bridge over the A41. Then continuing downhill to Tring Station, where the sign is missing, and past the station, still no signs until starting up the first of a few muddy hills. Then lots and lots of mud all the way through the Ashridge Estate before coming out to grassland for Pitstone Hill, then up, down and up again to Ivinghoe Beacon. Great views from the top across the whole of the Vale of Aylesbury.

Run by Jo on Sunday, January 10, 2021

Lovely route through beech woods and across open fields. Very cold but rewarded with beautiful frost in trees. Two, slightly too friendly, bulls and a field with over 30 horses made for some quite fast sprints! However, the rest was very slow as navigation was extremely challenging - missing signs, ambiguous signs and signs so small, and tucked away, that only the tortoise would see them when passing! Would still be out there now if not for 'phone a friend' and google maps. Good old iPhone battery lasted well and made for easy meet up at the end of my leg. Sadly, Android did not prove so resilient and second meet up was a little more eventful!

Run by Pete on Sunday, January 10, 2021

Gentle start through woods and then down a long farm track, missed the CW sign (they are mostly missing) and continued down into Goring. Nice undulating paths through woods and across fields. Got lost as the sign said CW, but didn't mean it and the correct turning was a bit further along. Mix up at the end on where we were supposed to meet, so had to borrow a cyclists phone to reconnect to Mrs K.

Run by Jo on Sunday, January 17, 2021

Lots of undulations and lots & lots of mud! Very pretty – but somewhat distracted by trying to stay upright and moving forward! Nice to run on some bits I already knew (Mapledurham / Sonning Common / Rotherfield) especially as the signage was still poor. Pretty view point above Mapledurham that looks down to the river and watermill. Passed a random statue in the woods above Mapledurham and crossed Crowsley Park – which was beautiful.

Run by Pete on Sunday, January 17, 2021

Around the cricket pitch and through the woods and down and up to Greys Court. Car park reasonably full of walkers and passed a lot of them on the way through and out of the estate. Lovely wooded section leading towards Bix and great view on leaving the wood. My calf started twinging and by the time I'd reached Bix Bottom it had pinged and I needed recovery from Croker End. So a shorter than planned session today.

Run by Jo and Richard on Saturday, January 23, 2021

Started in Crocker End and soon entered a beautiful little valley. Altogether a really pretty leg through rolling hills and beech woods. Most of it on the Chiltern way – to join the two ends of the Southern Extension. Ground was firmer with a thin covering of ice, but still plenty of mud to sink into! Navigation was so much easier – but that maybe due to the company of our friend Richard – turns out he has a sense of direction – so I was able to relax and leave all the complicated navigation to him! Pristine tracks through white fields and hardly another person in sight. Very happy run this morning.

Run by Jo and Richard on Sunday, January 31, 2021

Another beautiful run. Started at Maidensgrove Common and joined up with CW where we turned off on the Southern Extension last week. Lovely sunlit valleys and beautiful Beech woods. Lots of pretty villages and houses to admire. Climb through Stonor Park was beautiful if a little arduous. Skirmett to Hambleden provided a lovely long straight finish. Not that fast due to undulations, gates, stiles, mud and lots of chatting! Would make a great summer’s walk with lots of village pubs to visit.

Run by Jo and Richard on Saturday, February 6, 2021

Foggy and cold start in the village of Hambleden. Steep climb out of Hambleden rewarded with beautiful views back down into the valley. Soon we entered woodlands – started with typical Chiltern Beech woods but soon turned into ‘Scottish style’ woods of fir trees with wide open, very muddy, paths. Lots of splashing and squelching today. Lots of steep sharp climbs on very tired legs. Quick trips through the hamlets of Bovingdon Green and Marlow Bottom and tunnel under the, very noisy, A404. One last punishing climb through the woods before run down to meeting point at Sheepridge. Another good cake from the store in Hambleden.

Run by Jo and Richard on Saturday, February 13, 2021

Very, very cold. So cold that my legs were numb and my fingers may have ceased to exist! I believe it was very pretty but often the wind was too cold to look up! It was particularly cold on the ridge above Ewelme and on the ridge towards Swyncombe. Sadly the bits in between were quite cold too! Slight consolation in admiring my favourite house in Swyncombe and finally finding the proper CW path through the churchyard rather than across the farmer’s field. Some respite in the beech woods but the noise of the wind in the trees was incredible. Ground was good and firm though! The pond at Russell’s water was frozen but I didn’t linger to look I was too keen to get in the van, turn the heated seat on and stuff my face with chocolate.

Run by Jo and Richard on Sunday, February 21, 2021

Richard described today’s run as ‘short and punchy’. He wasn’t wrong! Lots of undulations and virtually no flat bits to recover! After a short diversion round Russell’s Water we found the CW going in the right direction! Mainly in beech woods the descents were slightly less muddy than recently meaning we were able to run down more. The ascents were tough but most of them short. Lots of signs of spring now – snowdrops, a few daffodils and lambs. In a few weeks’ time the woods will be carpeted with bluebells. Steep descent from Northend to Wormsley Estate and long climb up to Ibstone Common.

Run by Jo and Richard on Saturday, February 27, 2021

A beautiful spring day. Started quite cold but lots of blue skies and sunshine. We set off on a glorious downhill through woods from Ibstone Common. Across a few big fields to the M40. As usual all signs were abandoned once you enter a built up area – so we wandered around Stokenchurch a little until we found the path out of the village. The landscape felt quite different today. Bigger fields and more rolling hills. Still plenty of ups and downs though! Path diverged in many direction near the church in Radnage but we followed through the churchyard and seemed to still be on the Chiltern Way. Muddier towards the end again but the last hill was a wide open gravel path. Last few metres down the Ridgeway for tea and cake.

Run by Jo and Richard on Saturday, March 6, 2021

Quick warm up across Crowsley Park (because I liked it so much last time) then picked up the Berkshire Extension through Crowsley Woods. Very pretty fir woods with only a gentle climb. Lots of wooded paths until we reached Shiplake and the Thames Path. Ran along the Thames with some kayakers. They jumped out at Marsh lock and we ran across behind them carrying their kayaks whilst we admired the houses. Busy in Henley near the River and Rowing Museum but we still beat the kayakers to Henley bridge! Left the Thames Path and travelled round regatta fields and the side of Remenham Hill to meet at the Flower Pot pub. Fun run, maybe because it was so much flatter than most of the Chiltern Way!

Run by Jo and Richard on Saturday, March 13, 2021

A tour of the fine estates and village greens of Berkshire. We started off through Culham Court, which is very nice indeed, and has beautiful deer in the grounds. There’s a steep grassy hill across the estate but we were distracted from the pain in our legs by the wind and horizontal rain! Luckily the weather improved and we soon saw blue skies. After crossing Remenham hill there were more fine houses in Crazies Hill. Hopeless signage in the woods after Crazies Hill and we may have strayed from the official CW a little. Then we crossed a succession of greens where again often the signage was very poor but the running was easy. Passed through a very smart polo farm with beautifully kept paths and meadows. Arrived at Pinkneys Green to cake and tea.

Run by Jo on Saturday, March 20, 2021

Started from the pub on Pinkneys Green. First bit through the woods was pretty but after that all a bit urban until I joined the Thames. Odd path through a huge turkey farm – which looked and felt a little bit like a high security prison! Run along the Thames was pretty although quite busy with walkers and dogs. Few nice houses in Hedsor then into the edges of urban Wooburn. I can definitely conclude that the further west bits of the Chilterns are prettier – less built up and more open spaces and more natural landscapes. Good to finish the Berkshire extension toady though!

Run by Pete on Saturday, March 20, 2021

My first cross country run in 7 weeks since pulling a calf muscle in mid Jan. Pleasant enough run, but what I would call 'pretend countryside' - a dog walking playground for the people of Beaconsfield. Signposting probably the best anywhere so far on the Chiltern Way, with plenty of reminders from landowners where the private land starts. Impressive tunnels under the railway at Holtspur, and coming into High Wycombe, less friendly one under the M40 out of HW as the lights weren't working.

Run by Jo and Holly on Saturday, April 20, 2024

A very pretty run with lots of mud and a very flooded road. First 5km with Holly. Pretty paths through woods and an impressive tree corridor. Lots of trainer sucking mud. Last 8km solo. Slightly harder to navigate (maybe due to the absence of my wingman) and one road that was bizarrely flooded. Lots of impressive houses on the track into Chalfont St Giles.

Run by Pete on Saturday, April 20, 2024

Full bluebell effect for the first half of this run, along well groomed paths, through woods, along a carpet of bluebells. A fair degree of climbing and even some wading through the flooded river Chess. Then mostly horse fields up and down to the van where a hue slice of cherry cake was waiting.

Run by Jo on Saturday, June 1, 2024

A slightly dull section of the Chiltern Way. Nowhere near as nice as the Oxfordshire bits! Characterised by overgrown paths, old shopping trolleys, aggressive dogs and lots of big roads to cross. Lovely bread stall in Harpenden though! So all worthwhile in the end!

Run by Pete on Saturday, June 1, 2024

Part of the Chiltern Way, but this felt more like open countryside than the hills, a few rolling ups and down and pleasant enough. Still very wet underfoot, so grateful for the goretex running shoes. Through woods and fields, not too many villages, and then over the M1 and onto a disused railway line 'The Nickey Line' to the van for tea and cake.

Run by Jo and Richard on Sunday, March 28, 2021

Lovely flat run today - although longer than described by the ‘Master’. Started out at Carmel College and after a quick jog along the Ridgeway we joined the Thames path. Along the WRC stretch from the road bridge to the town centre. From Wallingford on to Benson, where we crossed the river at the lock. Much debate about our preferences on riverside houses. Lovely stretch from Shillingford through Dorchester. Finished in Clifton Hampden for cake and tea.

Run by Jo on Monday, April 5, 2021

Easy stretch along the towpath. No navigational challenges just quite a strong headwind. Clifton Lock very pretty with spring flowers. Weather bright and mainly sunny – got back to the van before the snow started! Pete met me at 2 km to go – nice to run with him again back to the van for tea and pain au chocolat.

Run by Jo on Sunday, April 25, 2021

Very pleasant run along the river. Bright, breezy and dry under foot. Started out in Abingdon. Lots of loops near the lock to cross all the tributaries, then pretty easy running. Very pretty stretch especially Sandford lock. Lots of rower out from Radley and Hinksey. Lots of other runners and a few swimmers. Met Pete near Oxford City rowing club – good chocolate brownie and cup of tea waiting!

Run by Pete on Sunday, April 25, 2021

Started out from City of Oxford rowing club and along the line of college boat houses. Then winding through the pleasant backwaters of the Thames as it passes through Oxford. Lots of runners, cyclists, walkers, rowers, and paddle boarders everywhere. Then under Osney Bridge and out to Port Meadow. From here to the Trout Pub, but the carpark was closed off so a short run to our meeting point.

Run by Jo on Sunday, May 2, 2021

Beautiful stretch of the Thames Path. All very green and spring like. Meandering peaceful path. Lots of animal life with ducklings, goslings, lambs and bunnies. Not very fast due to lots of gates. After Pinkhill lock path came away from the Thames but still across pretty fields.

Run by Pete on Sunday, May 2, 2021

Down the lane past the caravans to the pub, then right hand turn on to the river. Lovely sunny run through the meanders of the river. Nice wooden footbridge, a few pretty boathouses. The locks get nicer the further up river you go. Newbridge and the pub looking stunning in the morning light.

Run by Jo on Friday, May 7, 2021

Very pretty run. Quiet meadows and wooded paths beside a surprisingly small river this far upstream (and when you used to row on the Tideway!). This week’s wildlife treat was a baby muntjac deer. Small diversion trying to find the Thames path from the Rose Revived pub – but pretty simple navigation after that – although it is very windy and easy to get confused by tributaries! Surprising finish, was expecting a 16km run, but found the meeting point after only 9.9km! Nice lunch in Lechlade on Thames after Peter ran his leg.

Run by Pete on Friday, May 7, 2021

Lovely flat course on a sunny day. Several crossings of the Thames at bridges and locks. Plenty of walkers out today enjoying the weather. The river is noticably narrower here than even at Oxford and a lot more bends. On to Lechlade and lunch on a bench overlooking the river.

Run by Jo on Friday, May 14, 2021

A surprising stretch of the Thames Path. The first part was very pretty from Goring to Whitchurch. First surprise was how undulating it was near Whitchurch - I have been led to believe that river paths are flat! Not here! See photo - there was even a warning sign about the steep slope! After Mapledurham lock it was surprisingly difficult to navigate. Whoever is in charge of National Trail signs obviously gets distracted by the excitement of a conurbation and completely forgets to install any signs. I repeatedly tried to get back to the river in Purley to no avail. See my route on the map! Left with a slightly unpleasant run along the A329 until Caversham - where I was back on familiar turf / concrete path! 20km in the bag!

Run by Pete on Friday, May 14, 2021

Much longer than I expected, but I should have looked more carefully at the map. Lots of tarmac paths which is ok and understandable in the towns, but I'd prefer real mud when out of town. This part of the Thames Path is more interesting than pretty, it winds from lock to lock and past the manicured lawns and exquisite boat houses. Ham, Egg and Chips at the pub as a reward.

Run by Jo and Annie on Monday, May 31, 2021

Beautiful stretch of the Thames Path with fabulous company. Started by the Flower Pot then ran through Culham court. Admired the house and white deer. Very pretty stretch up Hurley. Much busier after that with lots of day boats and picnickers. Very easy sunny run. Good cakes in Marlow.

Run by Pete on Monday, May 31, 2021

Started out in the zigging backstreets of Marlow,then onto the Thames path, through fields and through gates. Lost the path in Cookham, which was my fault as I didn't trust the sign. Then lovely wooded path pretty much the whole way from Cookham to Maidenhead.

Run by Jo on Friday, June 4, 2021

Started in Lechlade - very much like a seaside resort on a sunny half term Friday. First few kms I was accompanied by picnickers, canoeists, SUPers and lots of swimmers. Peaceful few kms on hard terrains - baked into rough lumps by sun, rain and cows’ hoofs! Navigation was surprisingly hard due to poor signage and lots of tributaries. One mistaken crossing but ‘phone-a-friend’ got me back on track! Second half was very pretty paths through long grass and stinging nettles. Managed to get feet tangled and ended up on my face on the path! No real harm done but a slightly sore knee through last few kms on the edge of the village. Nellie, cup of tea and chocolate brownie in Cricklade was a welcome sight!

Run by Pete on Friday, June 4, 2021

Very pretty run along wooded paths and meadows filled with buttercups. A couple of flooded fields meant I had to remove trainers and socks and wade through shin deep. Picture postcard villages also dot the Thames path at this end. Short climb from the road up to the source. I was surprised at how much of a river the Thames still is right up to about 2k from the source.

Run by Jo on Wednesday, December 22, 2021

The Thames path has many virtues - one being it is very flat - so an easy 11 km from Maidenhead to Windsor. No trouble finding the meeting point either because the Queen's house was a very clear marker. Forgot to take any photos (sorry!) but a pretty stretch in the middle between the two conurbations. Lots of lovely riverside houses to admire too. Nice to see the old stomping ground of Dorney Lake.

Run by Pete on Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Over the bridge at Eton and down the towpath. Pretty cold today about 3 degrees. Mix of pavements and offroad this stretch. Shame the queen wouldn't let us run through her garden as it would be nicer than dodging to and from the path. Finished in Runnymede at the National Trust car park.

Run by Jo on Saturday, January 22, 2022

From Runnymede to Laleham along the river. Started muddy but soon on to tarmac path. Didn’t see any ancient documents but did see the Queen and her family tree! Lots of riverside houses along the whole stretch - very little wildlife - probably as a consequence of the houses. Lots of people near Staines. Think I’ll buy my riverside house somewhere a little quieter!

Run by Pete on Saturday, January 22, 2022

Busy Thames Path this mornning, walkers and dogs the whole way, including Webridge Head so quite a lot of spectators around Walton. Caught the ferry across at Weybridge and paid my £3 to do so. Mostly mud footpath the whole way.

Run by Pete on Saturday, January 29, 2022

Very mild late January day, starting from the bustle of Molesey and never away from people all the way to Richmond. Lots of runners and walkers the whole way. Good path so ok with road trainers. Ran alongside the Kingston Parkrun.

Run by Jo on Saturday, January 29, 2022

Lovely run along old rowing stretches of the Thames Path. Started in Richmond - near where we used to live. Not so nice through Isleworth and Brentford. Then on to the HORR / Boat race course. Past UL, Quintin and TTRC. Lots of rowers to watch and memories to reflect on. Now we live near the rural Thames it’s easy to forget how big, busy and bumpy this section of the river is! Don’t miss the traffic at all!

Run by Pete and Jo on Sunday, February 6, 2022

Ran together - which made a nice change. Ran to Vauxhall along south bank and back on north bank. Way up we had a tail wind. Way back - head wind and the path was even more twisty, turny. Lots of runners and lots and lots of flats! Was astonished to be heckled by men leaning out a car in Chelsea.

Run by Jo and Pete on Sunday, April 3, 2022

No one told us that there was a London half marathon on today, so we had to battle through road closures to get close to where we wanted to start. Then down through Victoria to the river and along and across Vauxhall Bridge, dodging the tourists all of the way to Tower Bridge. Then back across the river and through the city, this time dodging the half marathon route. Across the West End to Regents Park, round there and then back down through Hyde Park and Green Park back to the car.

Run by Pete and Jo on Thursday, December 22, 2022

We got the tube out from Westminster to North Greenwich so that we could run back. 7am start and London was quiet and dark at this time. Quickly found the Thames Path from the tube station. The first part of the run was through semi industrial areas , then became more gentrified as we approached Greenwich. It's a real shame that none of the riverside appartments have any green space between them and the river, consequently the whole path is continously paved and dull. Tower Bridge took a long time to appear and then the last leg through the centre of town to Westminster went suprisingly quickly.

Run by Pete on Tuesday, January 10, 2023

Evening run after work. Caught the tube to Cannning Town then back from North Greenwich after I had finished. The north bank of the Thames had almost no views of the river, most of the time was spent behind a huge Tate and Lyle factory. The south side was much better.

Run by Pete on Thursday, April 27, 2023

Short fun after work to fill in part of the Thames Path on the north bank through the centre of London. Very wet and rainy, and a bit sore following the London Marathon last weekend.

Run by Pete on Tuesday, June 20, 2023

Evening run, got the tube out to Canning Town and ran back. Very twisty path, never more than a couple of hundred meters before a sharp turn. Nice views over the water around the Isle of Dogs, running through the small parks that serve the many blocks of flats. Quite a long run for an evening.

Run by Jo and Anne on Sunday, July 18, 2021

Lovely run but slow due to challenging terrain and navigation! Started out on a short stretch of the Thames Path upto the source. Then joined the Wysis Way - which despite claiming to be 88km trail is so badly signposted we only saw two signs (with no directional indication) in over 10km. First stretch was through a beautiful but very overgrown wood. Our legs are still stinging from all the nettles! We then joined the canal path - which was dotted with impressive tunnels and bridges. The canal should have been easy to navigate - but was surprisingly difficult and involved a little scrabbling down sharp inclines to rejoin the path. We then crossed two beautiful meadows that smelt amazing. Final sign at the end of the meadow and some pretty random guess work for the rest of the route. Arrived at the postcard worthy village of Frampton Mansel. Asked directions to our meeting point of Oakridge - easy but practically vertical road. Arrived at the top and found it was Oakridge Linch - not Oakridge. Phoned a friend and was mighty relieved to find that was where he was! Hot, slow run but great company with Annie and a beautiful day!

Run by Pete on Sunday, July 18, 2021

We did this route to connect the Thames Path to the Costwold Way. Very hilly on a very hot day (30 degrees). Stunning countryside with deep valleys with streams running through, and picture perfect villages with sandstone cottages. Signposting of the route was shocking, I was off the path for the last 5km. Had to walk up the very steep hill in Painswick as I had run out of juice.

Run by Jo, Holly, Annie on Sunday, August 1, 2021

Lovely run through undulating woods with great company. Started out on the Cotswolds Way from Painswick Beacon. After a quick trip through the golf course we entered pretty woodland. Lots of ups and downs but all relatively short. Ground was good with only the odd muddy bit - but lots of tree roots to key an eye on! Path was well signposted with quite a few walkers. Ended at Crickley Hill Country Park which was very pretty with wide open Sandy paths.

Run by Pete on Sunday, August 1, 2021

A well signposted path, probably the best so far. Hilly but not so steep to be a problem. NIce loop around the edge of Leckhampton Hill with great views over Cheltenham. Fairly well populated, never really out of sight of walkers. Nice temperature for running around 15 degrees and overcast. Toasted cheese sandwhich, tea and a shower at the van on arrival.

Run by Jo on Sunday, July 24, 2022

Beautiful but very hilly run. Started with a very cruel up hill from the drop off point. And then continued with more hills! Lots of wooded paths and rocky down hill sections. Eventually made it up to a golf course. Views would have been exceptional but somewhat obscured by drizzle and mist. But that was very welcome as it was still very warm. Final bit across fields and past Belas Knap, which is a Neolithic long barrow. Path was well signed but new watch with map function was a revelation - love the little red arrow - my kind of navigation! Found van easily - which was a relief as Pete had left already!

Run by Pete on Sunday, July 24, 2022

Started grey and mizzly, but quickly became warm sunshire. Down then a sizeable up before the last down into Stanton. Very pretty countryside and lovely villages, churches and houses. Creat cheese toasty on arrival. Also a coldish shower off the back of the van.

Run by Jo and Annie on Monday, August 29, 2022

Started the run in Stanton, through the pretty village, and then began the climb up which went on for two kilometres. The ascent involved a small amount of running, a little bit of jogging and a lot of walking quite slowly… Made it to the top to see beautiful views across the valley. The downhill involved lots of tree roots and loose rocks, meaning this was also quite slow. Then we were treated to what felt like a just few meters of flat through Broadway before we began another accent of equal magnitude, just with tireder legs! Made it to the top to Broadway tower and then we were on the home straight- down the hill and across the road to where Nelly was sat waiting to for us.

Run by Pete on Monday, August 29, 2022

Finished the northern part of the Cotswolds Way with this run, and then extended on to the National Trust place at Hidcote. Great views from the edges of the hills over the vale. Mostly downhill before the last kick up to Hidcote. Not too hot today so great running weather. A few difficult to find turnings on the footpath after the CW had finished, but the CW is very well signed, and very popular for a Bank Holiday Monday.

Run by Jo on Tuesday, January 3, 2023

A hard start from Hidcote gardens - straight up hill - in wind and rain. More wind and rain at the top of the hill. Downhill was very muddy but very welcome to be out the wind. Footpaths not clearly marked especially across the muddy ploughed fields. Picked up so much mud it was like running with ankle weights! Last bit on road was easy. Definitely type two fun today!

Run by Jo, Holly and Annie on Saturday, September 9, 2023

Hot and very hilly. What is it with National Trails and towns? They always abandon all signage in more urban areas. One sign on the road down into Painswick and then none! Little bit of making it up as we went along and then picked up signs the other side of town. Beautiful but hilly run. Short wooded sections were greatly appreciated - hills less so! Lots of dogs, walkers and cows - no other runners! Brief stop at 7km to swap daughters. Path then double backed to run the other side of the wood we had just run - the Cotswold Way is certainly not direct. Lots of run walking but a beautiful run with rewarding views.

Run by Pete on Saturday, September 9, 2023

Up and up and up this one. No flat in the whole run and the downs too steep to properly enjoy them. Including one hill where I thought, 'at least I'm not going up there', before finding I was. One of the hotest September days ever, at 30 degrees, meant buckets of sweat. Amazing views from the tops of the hills across wide Gloucestershire landscapes.

Run by Jo and Annie on Sunday, September 10, 2023

Legs were definitely not feeling it on the hard and long climb out of Dursley. Downhills really technical so not fast either. Lots of shade though. Another big climb with great views at the top then a few lovely kms on a wide and flat forest trail. More climbing then a fast wide downhill to about 1km before our meeting point - so finally got legs turning over. Last km very overgrown and rocky so a gentle walk / run back to the van. All good training for the Ultra I'm considering!

Run by Pete on Sunday, September 10, 2023

Less hilly than yesterday and a light amount of rain meant not so hot. A much harder path to follow today, with signposts often pointing back the way that I came and seeming dead ends in woods. But got down to Old Sodbury for a shower in the Old Dog Pub car park.

Run by Jo on Saturday, February 17, 2024

Less hilly than other bits of the Cotswolds Way I was told - but not sure myself! 443m of elevation - so still quite substantial! And lots of mud! All good fun tho. Started out through a very posh estate (with security guards). Later googling suggested it belonged to Mr Dyson! Then lots of hills and mud on repeat. Quite a few big roads to cross (which necessitated some long pauses followed by short sprints). Luckily the M4 had a bridge! One field with a bull but luckily he showed no interest in me whatsoever.And one intriguing diversion due to ‘persistent indecent antisocial behaviour’ (see photo of sign) on the original route. I took the diversion and didn’t investigate! Hubby finished the CW in Bath where we had one of the loveliest lunches ever!

Run by Pete on Saturday, February 17, 2024

Very wet and muddy underfoot for this run almost all of the way into the centre of Bath. Almost all of it down steep hills, except for one detour around Kelston Roundhill which gave amazing views across the valley. Then into Bath for what I thought would be a simple stretch through the streets, but a few final hills were thrown in before finding the Royal Crescent and then onto the Cathedral which I think is the end of the Costwold Way.

Run by Jo on Sunday, February 20, 2022

Less towpath - more steeplechase! Lots of mud, water and obstacles courtesy of Eunice. Lots of canal boats too! Saw a kingfisher. Near Leighton Buzzard Tesco there was a short stretch of tarmac - which was very exciting! Nearly simultaneous running today so after a slower than expected HM jumped in van to meet Pete. He still made it to MK before me but only by 5 minutes. Good donuts from Tring! (Not quite Hambleden standard!)

Run by Pete on Sunday, February 20, 2022

Windy, but not too much rain. Mostly broken tarmac for the first half then very slippery mud into Milton Keynes, so switched to the very MK like canal path rather than the towpath. Very flat and featureless run, but good for getting the miles in the legs.

Run by Pete on Sunday, February 27, 2022

Lovely spring like sunny morning, although only 2 degrees so gloves on. Quickly left Milton Keynes behind and into open countryside. A number of live-aboard narrow boats along this stretch. Hamstring got very tight about 11k in so slowed to a stuttering jog for the second half, which was frustrating as pace had been good up to then. Definitely needed trail shoes today, only a few paved sections and one road, the rest was mud and grass.

Run by Jo on Sunday, February 27, 2022

More Grand Union Canal. This time from Gayton to Branston. Very pretty stretch for first 10km. Middle stretch a bit dominated by the M1. Then last stretch pretty with lots of locks - good practice for the bridge in Tromso! Still very muddy under foot - still not risking ankle and trail shoes - so quite slow due to slipping and sliding! Went M&S on way home - bought lots of naughty things due to hunger!

Run by Jo on Saturday, September 24, 2022

Another nice simple run. Straight and flat along the Grand Union canal. No navigational or topographical challenges but many other runners, walkers and dogs. Very narrow path near Tring (cue running with a slight lean) then very pretty canal side house in Berkhamsted. Sunny, bright and a nice temperature.

Run by Pete on Saturday, September 24, 2022

Bright autumn day to start an easy slightly downhill run alongside the canal. Lots of other runners and dog walkers along this stretch. Semi rural with houses along much of the route. Easy path mostly gravel with a few paved sections. Flapjack and tea waiting at the van.

Run by Jo on Sunday, October 16, 2022

More of the Grand Union Canal. This time from Watford to Uxbridge. Which didn’t sound very promising but was prettier than you might expect. Lots of house boats - some with patios and gardens. A few big dogs near Watford. (Note to owners - I do not want to say hello to your two enormous Dobermans!). A couple of very cute cats! (Happy to say hello to cats!) Easy and flat as you’d expect from a canal. Running into Uxbridge the big ship looked quite impressive and somewhat apt!

Run by Pete on Sunday, October 16, 2022

Suprisingly pretty stretch of the canal given that it runs through mostly industrial 'edge lands' in West London. The last km had a lot of rubbish left on the path, but the rest was well kept. Very easy flat path the whole way, just the occassional bump over a bridge.

Run by Jo on Saturday, February 25, 2023

Navigating was easy once I’d found the canal. But that wasn’t as easy as you might think - it was hiding in a tunnel! Path varied from easy to muddy to non-existent. Some bits eroded away involved precipitous scramble along the edge. Luckily I stayed dry. Lots of canal boats with cheery drivers and daffodils will be spectacular in a few weeks. Canal split a few times but managed to avoid going the wrong way and joined Nellie in Stockton.

Run by Pete on Saturday, February 25, 2023

Good to get the miles in today. Not much to say about running along a canal. Punctuated by bridges and dog walkers. The path was mostly good - mostly mud, sometimes paved. Good flight of locks near the start.

Run by Jo and Holly on Saturday, May 13, 2023

Pleasant trot along the Grand Union Canal from Warwick Parkway to Leamington Spa. Easy under foot, slightly muddy, but predictably flat. One slightly precarious crossing via a lock gate at the start. Lots of walkers, dogs and bikes on the narrow path but otherwise pretty uneventful. Nice bakery in LS for panini and cakes!

Run by Jo on Sunday, June 18, 2023

More GUC. Prettier than some stretches with wild flower meadows alongside and painted canal boats. A few sections so overgrown that walking along the concrete edge was the only option. Lots of locks. 21 in a ‘flight’. More uphill than you might expect of a canal but altogether a pleasant easy run.

Run by Pete on Sunday, June 18, 2023

Very simple run today, just following the towpath of the Grand Union Canal. Very flat, not much of a rise through the locks at Knowle. Started off with very few boats or people, but got slightly busier once I was through the M42 bridge and heading towards Birmingham.

Run by Pete on Thursday, September 14, 2023

At the end of a long day in the office, snuck off to cover some of the Regents Canal (which is an extension of the Grand Union Canal). Busy summer evening with lots of people walking, drinkers and other runners.

Run by Pete on Thursday, October 5, 2023

I caught the tube out from where I was staying in Central London to start the run, over the bridge and onto the canal. Easy flat path pretty much the whole way into Paddington through the edge lands of West London, along the GWR main line and alongside depots and factories. Through Paddington, got a bit stuck around Little Venice, and then over the top of the Maida Vale Tunnel. By the time I got to Regent's Park it was getting quite dark, but a few people around. Through Camden Market and on to Kings Cross and then back to the hotel.

Run by Jo on Sunday, October 29, 2023

Pretty run along the canal. Started with slightly tricky navigation through the city - mainly which was the river and which was the canal - and which side did I want to be on? Then into a stretch with lovely house with gardens stretching down to the river in Jericho. Few Ks of easy tarmac paths - then last few Ks of sticky mud!

Run by Pete on Sunday, October 29, 2023

Bright sunny morning with the light picking out the leaves that are just beginning to change for autumn. Easy path for most of the run with just some mud and water in the last section. Jolly boat owners, cooperative dog walkers, and well behaved fishermen.

Run by Jo on Sunday, November 12, 2023

Muddy, muddy, muddy. Felt somewhat like a steeplechase. The fishermen with their rods and umbrellas contributed the hurdles. Lots of walking due to narrow sloping paths. Felt like running might turn it into a Biathlon! Unpleasant marshals in the form of two huge swans. Took some time, much talking to myself and the acquisition of a precautionary large stick to get round them! Altogether more eventful (and slower) than it needed to be!

Run by Pete on Sunday, November 12, 2023

Very muddy as a result of a lot of rain over the past month. Path improved as I got closer to Banbury, but the first few km out of Somerton could have been an open field, no sense of the path at all. Pretty uninteresting scenery, although some nice stone bridges, with cute little locks and a few lock keeper cottages. Lack of cake shops in the area a serious issue, meaning that we had to resort to WH Smith at Banbury station.

Run by Jo on Saturday, November 25, 2023

More canal running. Very pretty day with bright blue sky but a very chilly -4c. Frozen ground, so not much mud, but quite slippery which made for a slightly sideways gait to avoid a cold swim! Speed also impeded by lots of low hanging vegetation. Last few kilometres brought the slipperiest bridge ever (see photo) and 2 growling dogs. When will dogs walkers realise just cause they say they’re friendly doesn’t mean runners are convinced?

Run by Pete on Saturday, November 25, 2023

Chilly start and frost the whole way on this. Not much to remember from this run other than a path that was more like a field than a proper path. Lots of overhanging branches. HS2 building meant a short detour through their site. Made it to the junction with the Grand Union Canal to complete the Oxford Canal.

Run by Pete on Sunday, June 12, 2022

Gentle run as part of rehab from injury with a walk run strategy. Gentle climb up from the carpark before a left turn and down to the stones in Avebury. Very pretty countryside.

Run by Jo on Friday, September 2, 2022

Attempt two but now with a watch with navigation - much more successful. Started with a quick jog through a National Trust then onto Beckhampton. Then a very big 4km long hill - very hot - but good 360 views from the top. Some of the Wessex Ridgeway other just footpaths. Really fun and fast downhill on a wide farm track. Just outside All Cannings stopped to see the Long Barrow. Not what I was expecting as built in 2014! Crossed the canal and into the village for chocolate milk!

Run by Pete on Friday, September 2, 2022

Quite a bit of busy country road to start this run, but eventually escaped onto Salisbury plain. Then up a steep chalk hill to connect to the gravel road that marks the perimeter of the army firing range at Larkhill. Quite undulating before eventually turining off for a long down into Upavon for waiting cake and chocolate milk.

Run by Pete on Saturday, September 3, 2022

Left the van near the army church in Larkhill and a short road stretch before rejoining the perimeter track around the firing range. Lots of up and down along this path. One badly trained dog, but not much else to see along this section. Then back down towards Upavaon, but met Jo with the van on the road so a earlier end.

Run by Jo on Saturday, September 3, 2022

Left the campsite with tired legs but luckily less hilly than yesterday. Gentle hill and then nice tree lined avenue. Seemed to be following the same path as a sponsored walk. Very nice workmen stopped the traffic on my first road crossing. Small hill upto Stonehenge viewing point. Lots of travellers and tourists near Stonehenge. Wish my workmen friends had been there to stop traffic on A303 - slightly hairy and high speed crossing. Easy jog through Larkhill base to Nellie. More chocolate milk!

Run by Jo on Monday, September 19, 2022

Lovely gentle run. Easy wide path with no navigational challenges. Gently undulating then a fast downhill on the road. Pretty wooded path most of the way and some very cute piglets! Perfect weather - all together a very happy run!

Run by Pete on Monday, September 19, 2022

Quickly left the small town of Wilton behind before climbing up to a wide woodland path that I followed for the first half of this run. Broke out of the woods into the open rolling country of Salisbury Plain and on to a small village near Stonehenge. Listened to the Queen's funeral service on the way home.

Run by Jo and Annie on Sunday, May 28, 2023

Hilly, hot and very beautiful. Started on a beautiful trail through dappled woodland pathway. Soon on to less relaxing but equally pretty climb on a chalk track. Missed a left hand turn - doubled back and found a nearly path. Middle bit was hard to navigate even with GPX with either no obvious path or too many choices. A long climb of a couple of KM which we elongated by climbing to the top rather than round the summit! Easy wide path for last few KMs down into the village. England at its best - beautiful weather, great company, views for miles and friendly walkers. We’ll be back - tomorrow!

Run by Pete on Sunday, May 28, 2023

Climbing almost immediately out of the pretty village of Tollard Royal. Then into a run where nothing was flat, always either heading up or down. Very pretty early summer run with verdant hedges and wild flowers. Then down the long step hill into Iwerne Courtney.

Run by Jo on Monday, May 29, 2023

Another lovely run - though even more hilly! Once I’d found the footpath out the village (hidden between two garden fences) the climbing started. Punishing uphill on chalk path in full sun. Trig point at the top with amazing views. The downhill wasn’t fast as the ground was very rutted but a relief for the lungs and legs nonetheless. Completely thwarted finding the footpath through a farm ended up clambering over numerous electric and barb wire fences to get round! Looks obvious on Strava now - but the field in question was full of cows coming into be milked - think I took the better course! Then the BIG hill. Beautiful track through trees but relentlessly uphill - involved a little fast walking! Even at the top it seemed to then involved more up! A small and fast downhill on a good track and then uphill again on the road to the van! Many calories and much water then consumed!

Run by Pete on Monday, May 29, 2023

Very hilly. But also very pretty. Started from the top of Bullbarrow Hill so the first few km were steeply down. Then a long drag up followed by the final down into Alton Pancras. The path turned into a stream at one point, possibly due to the recent rain. Great views from the top and as I went down, many villages nestled Inbetween the hills.

Run by Jo and Holly on Friday, July 7, 2023

Started with a rather steep hill up a farm track, we then ran along the field with pretty views of the valley below. Then we went across some more fields, walking some bits as the ground was quite uneven at points! It was pretty well signed, the footpath signs were quite easy to spot. We went through a campsite, crossed a main road. Some more fields, then crossed another road and made our way up another hill! Then ran down with views of the lake on our right, into a very picturesque village! Overall pretty hilly but nice views :)

Run by Annie on Friday, July 7, 2023

Anns to complete

Run by Jo on Friday, July 7, 2023

A beautiful run but a bit too dramatic end! Pretty villages, babbling brooks and grassy hills - all in glorious sunshine. Took it steady to enjoy the views! Avoided some slightly feisty cows by skirting around a field. All going so well until the last descent! Lost my footing, scrabbled for footing and then face planted. Luckily only 500 metres from the finish. Washed dirt off face to reveal a cut and bruised chin, split lip and black eye! Hopefully will heal fast!

Run by Pete on Friday, July 7, 2023

Out of Kingcombe Nature Visitor Centre and climbing immediately. On a hot July day it was tough going today. Very overgrown in places and almost without signposts (do the farmers remove them?). Through picture perfect villages and woods that look like they have been there since life began. Eventually onto the ridge and then a steady down into Beaminster for a cheese toastie.

Run by Jo and Annie on Saturday, July 8, 2023

A run of two halves. The first half was very pretty. Some steep hills but with some tactical walking we were able to enjoy the views. The second half was very different. The path at Sheepwash Lane was impassable. We tried to take a cunning diversion down the adjoining field but were met by impenetrable hedges - so retracing our steps we had to tackle the ‘lane’. A lane it was not - more of hedge on top of a stream! Once we had escaped we faced the largest hill yet as we climbed we entered the cloud. Then the rain started. It was slightly odd to be on top of a hill, in cloud cover, as the rain lashed down, amidst thunder and lightning. A hasty descent ensued accompanied by the sound of many howling dogs! Creepy! Bizarre experience completed by phone failing due to excessive wetness! Was very happy to find the van!

Run by Pete on Saturday, July 8, 2023

One of the toughest runs for a long time. Started overcast, but quickly started raining, eventually into a full on thunderstorm with driving rain. Then there were the hills - I normally try not to walk, but there was no choice today. Lots of frisky cows in the fields also meant walking through them. Eventually to a nice prepared track that led into Lyme and out along the Cob as far as we are now allowed to go,

Run by Jo and Annie on Wednesday, July 13, 2022

Beautiful run along the coast path after lunch in Berrick. Crossed the river from Berrick and meandered around trying to pick up the coastal path. Eventually headed to the sea and found a sign with the, soon-familiar, blue N on. Beautiful stretch skirting the beach in glorious weather. Great views out to see and back to Berrick fortifications. Passed Cocklawburn beach - looked beautiful - and we were tempted to stop for a swim but conscious that P and H were waiting for us. Some of the path was difficult to follow but we simply stayed close to the sea. Finally joined the coast path again and an easy track onto Cheswick beach car park where we met P and H.

Run by Pete and Holly on Wednesday, July 13, 2022

Ran with Holly, mostly along the back of a golf course, without much by the coast. The last km was along the coast, which at high tide made the path almost impassable. Ice cream van was parked at the causeway awaiting low tide.

Run by Jo on Thursday, July 14, 2022

Only 300 metres along the sea then up into the farmlands and woods behind. After only a k or two came across first field with a bull warning. The first of many and necessitating a few nervous sprint intervals. Reached railway line to find crossing closed. Spoke to signal man on the yellow phone - who was no help whatsoever - so trotted up the track beside railway line till I found a road bridge. To avoid getting lost I decided to run along a field down the other side of the railway to rejoin the path. A light bit of trespassing and some very scratched legs! Rejoined the path to find that from the other side a clear diversion was indicated! Thanks Network Rail! Crossed A1 and headed into Fenwick where there were lots of pretty jubilee flowers displays. Caught and passed two cyclists on big hill out the village. Path then went to into woods. Lots of trees down from spring storms so lots of jumping over and crawling under. Lots more bulls and horses then ran round moat of a castle on the edge of Belford where I met the girls.

Run by Pete on Thursday, July 14, 2022

Mostly inland run from the pretty village of Belford to Seahouses. Bamborough castle was a landmark for most of this run, it looked straight ahead before the path turned left around the coast. Disappointing that the path from the castle to Seahouses was mostly inland. Great crab and chips in Seahouses.

Run by Jo and Annie on Friday, July 15, 2022

Quickly picked up the coast path on a pretty stretch out of Seahouses. The official Northumberland coast path seemed to run adjacent to the road so we opted to run along the beach and path just above. Confusing path into Beadnell so more fence scaling! Then pretty run along the beach to estuary where we rejoined the path to cross. Easy final stretch along the path to Higher Newton.

Run by Pete on Friday, July 15, 2022

Great to be along the coast for most of this run, with the sea present to the left. The rain started as spitting and then developed into a persistent mizzle. Passed hundreds of school kids walking to the ruined castle at Dunstanburugh. Good grass path most of the way, down into Craster to buy kippers for breakfast.

Run by Jo and Annie on Saturday, January 28, 2023

Last few stretches of the Northumberland Coast path which we started in the summer. It really is beautiful, not just in July, but on a cold day in December too! Started in Craster. Short climb out the village then up on to the cliff path with magnificent views of the sea and Dunstanburgh castle. Ran a short stretch on the beach - just to get the Chariots of Fire vibe. Finished in Alnmouth.

Run by Pete on Saturday, January 28, 2023

The planned car park turned out to be a private golf club, so started a bit further round into the estuary. The route started back up the river before crossing and heading south. I had feared that this might be a lot of road running, but the path quickly turned towards the sea. Pretty route, before the weather came in for the last few Kms into Amble.

Run by Jo and Annie on Sunday, January 29, 2023

Started in Amble across the, fun but challenging, sand dunes. However once out of the dunes found they had indeed been a blessing as faced huge head wind for next 8 kilometres. Ran above a pretty beach at Low Hauxley. Then meet Annie for the second half from Druridge Country Park. Contrasting terrain of either easy paths or very muddy bogs! Still a huge headwind but good for the many wind turbines at least! We were very pleased to see the van and escape the wind!

Run by Pete on Sunday, January 29, 2023

Out if the van into steady rain, but this wasn't the real issue, more the very stiff cold wind in my right ear. So dropped down off the coast path and onto the beach to get done shelter behind the dunes. Finally warmed up. Mix of coast path and road all of the way. One big loop around a power station and cement works. Cup of tea waiting in the van

Run by Jo on Tuesday, January 31, 2023

Last stretch of the Northumberland Coast path for me. Sadly, not the most picturesque. Too far away from the sea and too many A roads and estuaries to navigate. First 1.5km was fun as I briefly joined the Newbiggin on the sea park run but a little grey after that. Lots of running beside and across big roads and then got a little confused by a two-branches estuary and had to retrace my steps to cross second bit! Also met a very scary big black dog which was foaming at the mouth! That made my heart rate spike! Was very pleased to see the van 500 metres early in a grim industrial estate.

Run by Pete on Tuesday, January 31, 2023

Started in an industrial estate in Blythe, ran thorough the town to get back on the coast path. Then effectively a motorway like patches path all the way down to Tynemouth. Thousands of dogs to dodge. Dropped down into the beach in a couple off places. Nice to finish the coast path at Tynemouth which looked like a nice town.

Run by Jo on Sunday, August 7, 2022

Started at the end of the Ridgeway - Ivinghoe beacon. Short and pretty downhill across open moorland. Quickly followed by a challenging uphill through the woods. Across farmland to Dagnall. Signage not always clear due to large number of paths and trails - but new watch still proving worth the investment! Signage particularly bad across the golf course! On to Whipsnade - no animals but a quick glimpse of the tree cathedral - which looked nice. Across Dunstable Downs - great views and down into Dunstable for a cookie and a shower at the leisure centre.

Run by Pete on Sunday, August 7, 2022

Took a little while to get out of town onto the path, but then a mostly tarmac path for the first few kms. The only route confusion on this course was the number of criss-crossing footpaths and making sure I chose the right ones, the signs were ok, but not always clear. Interesting route around the Amazon depot before heading out into open fields. Not much shade from a very strong August sun today. Ground was as hard as iron from the lack of rain.

Run by Jo on Sunday, August 14, 2022

A stunning run mainly on the coastal path. Left the campsite and headed across a field full of bovines with very big horns! Ran quite fast! Then an easy track down to the coast. Followed the ups and downs of the coastal path and rewarded with lovely views - especially at Dancing Ledge. New hydration pack and watch with maps worked a treat but a walker still commented I looked very hot! I was! Got a little lost in the lovely Durlston Park - lots of meandering paths - some of which were dead ends. Finally found the path and an easy run into Swanage along the beach - which was packed! No tea or cake waiting 😞

Run by Pete on Sunday, August 14, 2022

Up out of Swanage and onto the cliff top path, very easy running across the grass once the hill had been conquered. Stunning views across the cliffs. Then down to the beach at Studland. Very busy on a hot Sunday by 9:30am, through the nudist beach not really sure where to look so concentrated on running the sand-tide-line. Got to the ferry and then headed back to meet Jo on the Studland road, which had the fire brigade hoses from the fires.

Run by Jo on Sunday, September 17, 2023

Never a dull moment on this run! Probably one not to try at high tide on a windy day! Started calmly enough in Starcross. Quick trot along the road but soon crossed the railway line to run along the promenade. Started as misty but soon the weather arrived. Wind and rain made for some quite high and wet waves! I’m sure it was pretty but was focused on staying as far away from the waves as possible! Ran through Dawlish Warren and Dawlish - both looked like pretty seaside towns. Path out of Dawlish was closed due to erosion so joined the road and started to climb. Last few kms were back on a very steep, very muddy and very wet path. A fun run but was very glad to see the van. And I managed to get myself a free hot shower! I must have looked very cold and bedraggled!

Run by Pete on Sunday, September 17, 2023

Started along the dramatic trainline that runs literally on the beach here. Waves crashing over the path. Then started the hills. This run becase hills with some running. Almost 1000m of climbing in this 24k run. Some very steep sections, where I said that if someone had gone to the trouble of putting in steps then I would walk up and down them. Also one of the heaviest ever rainstorms to hit the South West mad this even more challenging.

Run by Pete on Monday, January 1, 2024

Along the sea front at Lyme Regis after a very quick New Year's Day dip in the sea. Then a huge slog up out of Lyme onto the coast path, and then very steep up to the golf club and down to Charmouth, before heading up and down twice more before reaching Seatown. Heading down to Seatown some walkers warned me about the deep mud, a bit slippy but remained upright in my trail shoes.

Run by Pete on Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Climbing straight out of the van, up to Golden Cap which is the highest point on the SW Coast Path, at an average gradient of 10% with deep mud. Then through West Bay and the fish and chip shops, before another near vertical climb. A few more bumps in the path before hitting Chesil Beach for the last 4k. Very hard work in the soft and sinking sand, trying every tactic to get traction, but none working.

Run by Jo and Annie on Saturday, July 20, 2024

Steep steps out of Lyme Regis and lots of up hill afterwards. Early on we passed a sign saying not to walk unless 'physically fit and prepared' and they were right. Lots of very technical paths through woods with no signs of habitation anywhere near. Beautiful peaceful woodlands but dark and lots of tree roots and stones meant more walking than running. Coming into Seaton more traditional coast paths with views of the sea. Along the beach at Seaton was hard work due to shingle and then a big climb over the hill to Beer. A lovely run but needs trail shoes and degree of confidence on challenging terrain.

Run by Pete on Saturday, July 20, 2024

Tough and hilly in the rain and mist. Picking my way through stunning countryside and caravan parks. All going well until I took the path down to the beach near Berry Barton and then couldn't face retracing my steps back up the hill, so did 2km of walking along a pebble beach. Finally refound the track and then back to the normal ups and downs of the South West Coast Path.

Run by Jo and Annie on Sunday, July 21, 2024

Started on the road but soon on lovely open coastal paths with a big climb up to High Peak viewpoint. Small diversion round Ladram Holiday Park and inland to cross the estuary at Budleigh Salterton. Lots of dogs - many sensible owners but too many think it is alright to let their dog run up to you. It is not! Another lovely run but tired legs after two days with lots of climbing.

Run by Pete on Sunday, July 21, 2024

An easier day today, but started with a stiff climb up out of Budleigh Salterton, then only really rolling hills all the way to Exmouth. In Exmouth the tide was out so I finished this leg along the beach.

Run by Pete on Saturday, November 5, 2022

Dropped off by Jo on the outskirts of Oxford to run home along the Shakespeare way. Managed to get off the route a number of times due to poor navigation and poor signs. The styles were very slippery from the recent rain and the clay soil in the lower fields was also getting slippy. Home for tea and fruit loaf.

Run by Jo on Sunday, December 11, 2022

COLD! Started at the Kassam stadium. Passed a smelly sewage works! Quickly arrived at a confusing road junction. Quick trip round a little park and then realised I had to go under the main road. All got better after that! Through Stanford to the river - then easy navigation along the Thames path. A cyclist kept me company for a large chuck. Passed some very brave women swimming in the Thames in swimming costumes!!! Through Oxford passing all the college boathouse and out the other side. Pretty meadows covered in frost. Just started to snow as I arrived at Teddies boathouse.

Run by Pete on Sunday, December 11, 2022

Bitterly cold day, with minus 5 at the start and snow by the end. I left Port Meadow quickly and along the canal for a short stretch before heading off into the fields. Blenheim Palace was a lovely sight in the frost, but the footpath closures and bad signage added 4k to my run. Eventually out of their grounds and off into fields again before being met by Jo in the van with tea and chocolate cake.

Run by Jo on Sunday, December 18, 2022

SW definitely needs more signs! Lots of time navigating and little time running. Quick run through a little wood and into the grounds of Ditchley Park. Very pretty in the snow. Path almost invisible in village of Cleveley - think the residents were hoping no-one finds it as it runs down sides of their gardens - so over grown only 3 feet of head room at some points! Scary farm at Old Chalford - huge sheep and lots of do not enter signs. Still not certain where the path went - just ran through farmyard fast! Bleak and cold across the fields. Was very glad to arrive in Chipping Norton.

Run by Pete on Sunday, December 18, 2022

Last of the snow, just about freezing point, was thinking I had too much kit on until the wind picked up in the second half. Lots of hills made this a tough slog up and down. Very poor signposting throughout, perhaps the farmers don't like walkers. Only one owner completely out of control of his dog. Arrived to tea and cake at the van.

Run by Pete on Tuesday, January 3, 2023

Tough run today. First few km on the road then off to very slippy mud and more mud. The worst signposted path so far on this adventure, not even the footpaths get signposts, only a few roundels, and the Shakespeare Way is rarely signed. Eventually down into Stratford and along past the theatre to the end where a cup of tea was waiting.

Run by Pete on Saturday, May 13, 2023

Not strictly part of the Shakespeare way, this run was done to connect the SW to the Grand Union Canal. Very muddy due to the enormous amount of rain that we have had recently. Much hillier than I had expected as well. Pleasant route through fields and along farm tracks with only short sections on the road.

Run by Pete on Saturday, February 17, 2024

I ran this as an addition to the end of the Cotswold Way in Bath to get me out of town and to the van at the Park and Ride at Newbridge. Very easy path with many other runners on it. An amazing number of bridges over the Avon throughout.

Run by Pete on Saturday, March 30, 2024

Started from the Morrisons car park and straight onto the Tissington Trail. Through a flooded tunnel which went right over the tops of my gortex trainers and meant that I had wet socks for the rest of the run. A steady climb along the disused railway all of the way to meet the car.

Run by Jo and Annie on Saturday, March 30, 2024

Easy bimble along the Tissington Trail. Started with a slightly scary run across an A road but then easy running on the former railway line. Wide, even, flat path. Early enough to be few bikes. So lots of carefree chatting. 10 km with Anns, then joined for last 3km by Hols. Ducked off trail, under a bridge and across a field to join the track to our holiday house.

Run by Pete on Sunday, March 31, 2024

Along the road from the station and then up to Mam Tor, steep and very muddly. Lots of families on Easter Sunday with the children being bribed to carry on walking. Then down to Castleston and through Cave Gorge. And more and more up. Finally onto the level and mostly road to the car at Wheston.

Run by Jo and Annie on Sunday, March 31, 2024

A much harder run. Lots of fog to start with and a fair bit of climbing. Spectacular views and miles of Derbyshire dry stone walls cross-crossing the fields. After lots of climbing we head down to the river via a series of TdeFr switch backs, briefly crossed the Monsal Trail and headed up again. Last 4 km were much flatter with a brief period on the High Peak Trail before across the fields before back to base.