The Warmley Forest Park 5k is described by race organisers as ‘a stunning off-road, multi-terrain course that will transverse over a mixture of woodland, scrub and open grassland with a small section of the route on the Bristol to Bath Railway path. There are a few small cheeky hills at Warmley Forest Park, a former extensive dry quarry. You will take in the beautiful ponds and Siston brook rushes alongside the Eastern boundary’. Phew!
About the race
When: –Saturday 26 January 2019 @ 10.00am
Where: – Warmley Forest Park, London Road, Warmley, BS30 5JB
Cost: – £15.00 unaffiliated
Will I need trail shoes: – absolutely yes, especially is the weather has been particularly wet
Organisers website: – http://www.aspirerunningevents.co.uk
The site was once clay pits and a pipe works next to a railway line and a coal mine. If you look among the bushes you will easily find sections and fragments of glazed ceramic pipe of the sort once used for drains. The industry finished in the 1960s and the site became a refuse dump, which was filled and capped some 20 years later. The current landscape dates from then – http://www.localjourneys.org.uk
Race Aces
- A lovely scenic 5k race which you can also sign up for the 10k which is a double loop
- Very well organised race
- The race also hosts a Canicross event which sets off slightly before the main event
- Very friendly marshals, one young boy who was on the course was very motivational so thanks so much to you, you little star
- Easy car parking just a short walking distance from the race start
- The small amount of participants means there’s no crowding and you have plenty of space around the course
- Free race photos
Race Unlaces
- Not chip timed but is timed
- If you’re a beginner to trail running I wouldn’t recommend this unless you’ve got some great trail shoes and don’t mind the possibility of taking a tumble or two
- Entertaining for spectators if you like dogs but otherwise not much on-site entertainment-wise to keep you occupied
My Race Stats:
Time: 39:52 | Mile splits: 11:51, 13:18, 14:44
Total runners: 34 | Fastest Male: 21:49 | Fastest Female: 28:39 | Slowest: 43:24
Distances from Major Cities
London: 2hr 8min ~ 113 miles | Birmingham: 1hr 36min ~ 89 miles | Bristol: 20min ~ 5 miles | Cardiff: 52min ~ 45 miles | Exeter: 1hr 32min ~ 94 miles
Next event: 26 October 2019
Overall star rating:
Conclusion
Not for the faint-hearted, this race is a technical and muddy race where trail shoes would benefit you hugely. I would recommend to beginner runners if you’re looking to get into trail running but want to try out a shorter distance.
If you want to run with your pup this is also a great race to get involved in Canicross, just watch out that your dog may be able to run more easily across the mud and trail than you are!
[polldaddy poll=10206440]Please note that the above opinions on the race are my own and based upon my own running skill level (I would consider myself to be an average runner) and while I’ve made every effort to ensure anything contained within this post is accurate, please check the race organiser’s website for full information.
If there’s any more information about the race that you’d like to add or ask, please leave a comment below
