Gillingham Trotters Running Club

LEG 1 TOLLARD ROYAL TO SHROTON


9.2 MILES

THE LONGEST LEG, UNDULATING BUT NOTHING TOO STRENUOUS FOR THE RUNNER WHO TAKES ON THE RESPONSIBILITY TO GET THINGS STARTED. IT CONSISTS OF SEVERAL SHORT ROAD SECTIONS, BUT MOSTLY CROSS COUNTRY. THE FIRST MILE AND A QUARTER IS IN WILTSHIRE AND HENCE NOT DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK.

1 Assemble at the pond, where the relay starts. After passing the telephone box, in about 50 yards the trail turns right to the north off the B3081. Further west the track forks off to the left by a farm; but the required route is straight ahead. This curves left and climbs back up to the B3081. After a mile turn right along the road for 400 yards, cross to the left to a stile into a field and slant half right to find a stile onto a road. Cross carefully to another stile and continue on the same line.

2 The end of the next field marks the county boundary. Go straight on along a path which emerges onto a road in Ashmore village, turn right on the road then swing left round the pond to the church. 100 yards further on take the left fork signed 'Bridleway Only-no Motors'. Follow the track for a mile and a quarter to enter the wood. In about 50 yards there is a cross road. The main track swings left but the route goes straight on along a path through the trees.


3 After 300 yards, you reach a junction. Take the left fork marked with a blue arrow on a large post. When you reach the edge of the wood, turn right

and run down the path inside the forest edge for half a mile. This descends into Stubhampton bottom. Turn right along the valley path for just a few yards before turning left at an easily missed footpath sign on to a little path.

This winds uphill emerging into a field. Follow the right hand edge of the field out into a road. 

4 Turn right and run along the road. Ignore the bridleway sign to the left after 300 yards. 100 yards further  towards the end of the wood on the left  turn off the road and take a path into the trees. After half a mile, in a small valley the paths fork. Take the left fork and run until the path enters a field. Turn right and go along the right hand edge of the field to reach a road. TAKE CARE ON THE ROAD

5  Go straight across the road go through a gate and pick up a track heading in the same direction you were going before the road. Follow this for about a mile. The track enters a field (on the left) and runs along the hedge. At the end of the field the track turns left BUT the route carries straight on through a gate by the hedge. Run down the right side of four fields. TAKE CARE ON THE ROAD at the bottom where you emerge on to a busy road. Cross the road VERY CAREFULLY and go straight ahead to the changeover.