You have probably realised by now that the previous email, as well as social media posts, was only an innocent April fool’s joke. If we managed to fool you, well done to us đ The fact that we have some very rare birds in the water park is 100% true, however, this doesn’t impact our event and we can assure you there will be no swimming involved đ
Jokes aside, it’s about time to share the updated route maps with you.
The 5K route remains mostly unchanged – the only difference being that the loop around Bug Hunter Waters lake will be run in the opposite direction compared to last year. This is dictated by changes to the half-marathon route.
The half-marathon route sees minor changes. The path next to the allotments is currently closed due to the Sports Pavilion construction; we are very excited about this new facility, providing changing rooms, toilets and showers, opening potentially before the running festival in September. The section around the allotments has been removed, instead, next to the Kingfisher Pond runners will turn left towards and through Western Park. To make up the distance, changes have been made in the water park where the hairpin section has been added.
The section of the course between kilometres 5 and 16 remains unchanged. Unfortunately, the new footbridge cannot be used on this occasion. Earlier this week it was officially announced that the opening of the new access road to Northstowe, the new bridge, and the second phase of the water park is now scheduled for July. This will provide new opportunities and we are already very excited about planning new routes for the Northstowe Running Festival in September.
With minor changes to the routes, one thing remains the same; both courses will provide a very enjoyable mix of running in an emerging urban area as well as peaceful and scenic nature. We hope that the final training sessions are going well and we are looking forward to welcoming you at the start line in three weeks’ time.
Organising a race in the ever-changing Northstowe is challenging and we would like to take this opportunity to thank the landowners, local authorities and all the partners who always go above and beyond to remove all the barriers that allow this race to happen. Thank you!