Farnham Pilgrim Marathon Route

Farnham Pilgrim Marathon Route

The “Epic” route of the Farnham Marathon follows ancient footpaths trod by the Pilgrims from Winchester to Canterbury, this race is a Pilgrimage to the Church on top of St. Marthas Hill, Chilworth, near Guildford and back.

The Race starts at sands recreational ground and follows tarmac roads and tracks past the stunning setting of St.lawrence church Seale then via the first sharp hill onto the North Downs Way to the Village of Puttenham, past St.johns the baptist church, carrying on the NDW under a bridge with Two pilgrim crosses to Watts gallery and then across the beautiful grounds of Loseley house  to the right, carrying on pass Mount Browne police Dogs centre, you cross the road through a railway bridge to St.Catherines lock and Weir gates on the River way in Guildford, there is some steep steps up onto St. Mary the Virgin Church, crossing the road at about 10 miles you follow the road to the chantrys, Keeping an eye ahead on the top of the hill you will see your first “Goal” … St.Marthas church,stmarthas at about 12.5miles the climb begins, sand, rocks and more hill you reach the glorious sight of Halfway, with views of most of surrey, after this its downhill not Too fast or the muscles start cramping, to the bottom of the hill again you then see a Mile of straight path all the way up to Pewley down, where the views are once again outstanding, back down the Pilgrims Way to shalford park, across the river Wey again till you hit St.Catherines chapel, there is a mad uphill round the chapel and back to where you were!, you then follow the pilgrims way back to Watts Gallery where there is usually a big crowd to cheer you on, the route then eventually retraces your steps back to Puttenham, once into Puttenham you are cruelly sent left down the Fox Way, across open fields with great views over a hill and down past Cutmill Pond, at 23 miles there is a big hill up to the top of Puttenham common, where once again the views are very rewarding, from here you follow the NDW back to Farnham Golf Club the last mile is always a Challenge up to the Finish… Where you finally end your pilgrimage and become a Pilgrim!

Click to view the route – http://gb.mapometer.com/running/route_4384662.html

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