forest fields, sherwood, mansfield road running route

Slightly hilly 5 mile run around Nottingham’s Forest Fields and Sherwood area. Starting from Goose Fair island on Mansfield Road head up sherwood rise and down the other side to Western boulevard. Turn right and follow Western boulevard along to mansfield road, there’s quite a few ups and downs along here as there’s some climbing to get up to th crossings. Then turn right and follow mansfield Road all the way back down to the start.

Manchester city centre running route

Bit of a change of stomping grounds here, but work had sent me up to Manchester on a course. Before I went up I’d not really been able to find any obvious worthwile routes that started in Manchester centre proper but decided I’d still take my running kit up and if nothing better turned up there was a fitness room at the hotel so I’d pound a treadmill.  The first evening I was up I thought I check to see if the reception had any ideas about running routes. And it turns out there’s been a little cooperation between a number of the city centre hotels and the Manchester Up and Running store to lay out the route above, which passes by a large number of major hotels.

It’s a 3.5 mile fairly flat loop around the center. It covers quite a few areas of the city and passes by some reasonably big sites (along water street you’re passing behind coronation street). It’s worth checking the route so that you know the best side of the road to be on as you approach a corner as the roads are pretty major and crossing can be a pain so it’s worth doing in advance. The only other problem I had was that given the early nights I tended to be running about 17:30 so there were lots of moving obstacles to dodge around, thought that did add a certain amount of fun into the equation

The route map above starts/stops by the City Inn where I was staying, and I’ve set the route to miss off the corner at Picadilly gardens as there always seemed to be too many people around to make it fun.

Hopefully I’m not stepping on anyone’s toes or copyright by putting this up but I think it’s a great idea and needs to be promoted and encouraged. (If anyone has any problems, then let me know and I’m sure we can sort something).

A good 7 miles around nottingham, with a sting in the tail. Start off at the corner of hucknall road and mansfield road (by the Grosvenor). Head up Hucknall road and take the 3rd left (Hamilton Road). At the end cross Sherwood rise and head down Alberta Terrace, follow it all the way along as it turns into Gladstone Street, and keep going till it finishes on Radford road. Turn right and head along till you hit the ring road by McDonalds, turn right and follow Valley Road. When you hit Mansfield Road cross over and turn left. Just after the parade of shops turn right up Thackeray’s Lane. At the roundabout head up Wensley Road. This is where the hills start. Follow Wensley Road up and round the corner. You’ll start to drop down towards the end of the road just before you turn right up Somersby Road. This is the steepest part, and it’s pretty steep. When you get to the top and Plains Road turn right and head through Mapperly Top. Just before St Judes church turn right down Lucknow Drive. Follow this along till you get to Magdala Road, then turn right and head downhill till you get back to where you started.

Hilly 3.7 miles around Sherwood and Mapperly

Bit of a shorter hillier route (there’s certainly a lot more scope for hill runs around this way, Nottingham Harriers have an impressive route to aspire to).

Start on the corner of Mansfield Road and Magdala Road. Head away from town up Mansfield Road towards Sherwood. Keep on through sherwood and turn right up Woodthorpe Drive. this is a long drag up hill, and don’t be fooled by the apparent levelling off as it doesn’t stop till Mapperly Top.  At the top turn right (watch out for the entrance/exit from the petrol station as people don’t always look out for runners). Keep following Woodbrough road along past the reservoir. Turn right into Magdala Road and keep heading down to Mansfield Road where you started.

Little bit of an increase in  distance on this one. A change to vary terrain as well, one section offers the choice between the canal and the road, and then along the embankment theres a choice of the path or the grass.

Warning: If doing this in the dark, it’s better to run along Nottingham Road than the canal. In places it gets very dark and slippy, and an oncoming cyclist or drunk may result in an inadvertant start to a triathlon career. Also, there is NO lighting along the embankment, so you won’t be able to see the broken track or potentially anyone hiding behind trees. So take care if running at night

Start from the St Andrews church on Mansfield Road. Head down Mansfield road towards the city centre, bear left down Huntingdon Street. Keep following it round on Lower Parliament street. At the BBC Island turn left up London Road.

Here’s the first choice:

If you want to run up the canal turn left down Great Northern Way, and once you’ve crossed the bridge turn left down the ramp and onto the towpath. Keep following the canal along till you come to Trent Lock, and as you turn right cross over the bridge. Then head towards Trent Bridge.

If you don’t want to do that. Keep following London Road. As you pass the flats on your left just before Trent Bridge look out for the gap/ramp on your left heading towards the Trent and follow this down to the river bank.

Both choices join up here. Head under trent bridge using the small tunnel. Now follow the embankment all the way along choosing your preferred surface. As you pass wilford bridge you’ll be pushed back onto Riverside Way, make sure you stick to the pedestrian side of the shared pathway. Cross over riverside way and take a quick shortcut through Wickes carpark onto Queen’s Drive. Follow Queen’s drive along, and turn left up Castle Bridge road just past the Homebase. Follow this round past Sainsburys and over the canal onto Castle Boulevard. Turn left, and cross over at the lights. At the roundabout head up along Lenton Boulevard. Follow this along as it turns into Radford Boulevard. At Alfreton Road cross over and turn left up Gregory Boulevard. Follow this along past the Forest Rec ground. At Goose Fair Island turn left up Mansfield road and try to complete the last up hil section.

Slight variation on Route 2 adding on about another mile. Starting from the Goose Fair island head up sherwood rise turning right in Alberta Terrace/Gladstone Street. Following this along until you hit Radford Road, turn right and follow this along to the Ring Road (cross at the pedestrian crossing about half way along). Turn left along the ring road, slight rise over the bridge and then a slight climb afterwards as well. Turn left down Nuthall Road cross of Bobbersmill bridge and when you come to Gregory Boulevard turn left. Then follow Gregory Boulevard all the way bay to the Goose Fair Island to complete the route

This one is 4 miles around Sherwood and Forest Fields. This is quite a bit hillier than previous ones. This can be a bit busy passing through Hyson Green so may be best not to do it at really popular times as the pavements are a little narrow

Start from the Goose Fair Island and head up Mansfield Road. After cresting the hill  continue down towards Sherwood. Hang a left at Haydn Road. Follow this all the way along as it turns into Northgate, and realise quite how much it goes up and down compared to when you’re in the car. When you hit radford Road turn left again and head towards Hyson Green. Pass by the Asda and cross over Gregory Boulevard and start heading uphill on Radford Road. At the light s head straight over onto Southey street, this is the steepest bit of the route and at the minute it’s hits me hard. At the top turn left along Forest Road and follow this along the side of the Cemetery until you get to Mansfield Road. Then turn left and head downhill back to the start.

Run Route 4 along beeston canal and the River Trent, Nottingham

A nice flattish run alongside Beeston Canal and The River Trent of about 5 miles. Absolutely lovely on a weekend morning when the sun’s out, lot’s of scenery and animals to look at. Only thing that can get in the way is if there’s a fishing match on the Canal when it turns into hurdling practice.

Start from the Showcase/MegaBowl car park (free parking if you’ve driven here). Head down the small sloping path in the bushes to join the canal and turn left. Simple here, just keep following the towpath. This has been redone recently so it’s not the mud bath I remember from 10 years ago. When you get to the small stone arched bridge it’s nice to run along the top of the embankment for the view, and to avoid any cars coming in to park for the football. Follow the path around to the left as you pass behind the building on stilts. Stay on the main path (the right fork takes you to the weir and no further). Now follow this track all the way alongside the trent until you come to the tarmaced road just after the gate to Nottingham University’s sports fields. Unfortunately it’s now a road run back to the start. Follow the small road around to the left as it approaches Clifton flyover, after a while a footpath/cyclepath appears on the right. Cross to the leftat the roundabout, then cross over and turn right down the road betweeen the cigarette factory and the cash’n'carrys, cross over and then head down the road in front of Senoritas to get back to the start.

Running Route 6, 5.1 miles, Nottingham, Forest Fields, Lenton, Canal

5 miles, quite hilly though more of a long drag than short sharp hills. This could be reversed, but would have quite a killer last mile.

Start at the crossroads on Mansfield Road by the church and the cemetary, better to be on the side with the church. Head down Mansfield Road towards town. Bear left down Huntington street, follow it round as it turns into Lower Parliament Street by the Royal Mail sorting office. Round the back of the Ice Arena and past the Bus Garages. At BBC Island turn left up london road. Just after crossing the canal turn left down The Great Northern Close, almost immediately after that turn sharp left down the ramp to the Canal. Take care here as if it get’s slippy there’s not run out or barrier at the bottom and it’s not the best place to start Tri Training. Follow the canal tow path back under London Road. Pass under a number of bridges, if you’re much taller than me (5’11″) you may need to duck in a couple of places. After the canalside becomes a bit more overgrown on your side you’ll pass under a small wooden footbridge, just after turn left and follow the path round to cross over the wooden bridge. As you emerge onto Castle Boulevard turn left and follow along, crossing over onto the other side when safe to do. When you get to The Grove roundabout head round to the right following Lenton Boulevard. Follow this along crossing over Derby Road and keep going as it turns into Radforf Boulevard. When you get to Alfreton Road cross over and turn right down Gregory Boulevard. Follow this all the way back to the Goose Fair roundabout. I normally finish here, but if you’ve got the legs you can run up Mansfield Road back to the start.

Running Route 5 - Attenborough Nature Reserve and River Trent, Nottingham

A nice run 99% off of roads and a lovely location. Pretty flat course of about 4 miles, underfoot is mainly prepared footpaths but can still get muddy after heavy rains. Popular spot for dog walkers and cyclist family so be prepared to swerve out of the way or be prepared to say ‘Excuse me a lot’

Park on riverside road in Beeston (actually canalside at this point).  Start from Beeston lock. Head out along the path along the river passing the marina Bar and shop on your right going through the metal traffic calmers. Keep following the path alongside the river trent, the wind can sometimes be a real pain here. Looking to take the 4th trail on the right, which is the first one after you pass the large island in the river. Now on a slightly wider track which passes by some pastured horses. Cross over the old quarry bridge and take care as you’re now approaching a car park and vehicle access. As you approach the roundabout bear right and join the footpath at the bottom of the car park. When the path forks take the right hand path and keep following it through the trees. as the path starts to bear right turn sharp left by the tree trunks and follow the track towards the road. Turn right down the very quiet road by the cricket ground and follow it along until it disappears onto a footpath again. Once you’ve cross the hump back bridge follow the left hand track back into the trees. The Midland Mainline railway should be on your left hand side, at the foot crossing bear right and keep following the track. When you reach the Trent footpath turn left and follow it back to the start.