Below you will find some information on each of the venues used for the series, including links to my GPS data and to any blogs that I have written about each race. I have now run at all of the current venues so hopefully there are a few nuggets of information that will come in handy. If there's any info that you're looking for that I haven't covered, please feel free to contact me via Facebook or Twitter.
The map below includes the GPS trace of the course and locations of car parking, café and toilet facilities. If you zoom into the venue that you are interested in, you'll see the pins much clearer.
Where I have listed footwear, this is just a rough guide as I don't have a huge amount of experience at cross country running. However, I have learnt that just because other (more experienced) runners are wearing spikes it doesn't mean that they are always the right choice. Also, a course that spikes were perfect for one year, might not be required the next - it's all about conditions underfoot on the day.
Also the distances are approximate as they are taken from my GPS readings so they may not be 100% accurate.
Website: Kent Fitness League
Knole Park, Sevenoaks
- Course summary: 2 lap hilly course through the deer park. Some hard standing, gravelly paths.
- Distance: 5.5 miles / 8.8km
- Footwear: Trail or spikes
- GPS data: October 2016 / October 2017
- Video: Relive course fly-by video
- Blogs: October 2016 / October 2017
Swanley Park, New Barn Road, Swanley
- Course summary: 3 lap, gently undulating course (1st is slightly shorter than the 2nd and 3rd).
- Distance: 5.1 miles / 8.3km (5.5 miles / 8.9km recorded on my gps)
- Footwear: Trail or spikes
- GPS data: November 2016 / November 2017 (old course November 2015)
- Video: Relive course fly-by video
- Blogs: November 2016 / November 2017
Oxleas Woods, Eltham / Shooters Hill
- Course summary: 2 lap hilly, muddy course mostly through the woods. Has a brief stretch on tarmac.
- Distance: 5.2 miles / 8.5km
- Footwear: Spikes or trail
- GPS data: 2014 (slight gps dropout) / 2016 / 2017 (new course - extended start)
- Video: Relive course fly-by video
- Blogs: November 2014 / November 2016 / November 2017
Fowlmead, Sholden, Deal (venue has been renamed 'Betteshanger Park')
- Course summary: 2 laps. Mostly gently undulating and mostly quite hard surfaces underfoot.
- Distance: 5 miles / 8km
- Footwear: Trail
- GPS data: November 2014 / February 2017 / January 2018
- Video: Relive course flyby video (2018 course)
- Blogs: November 2014 / February 2017 / January 2018
Nurstead Court, Nurstead, Meopham
- Course summary: 2 laps. Open fields, woodland, hills. Features a water splash (twice).
- Distance: 4.9 miles / 7.9km
- Footwear: Spikes (unless the ground is completely dry, which is unlikely)
- GPS data: December 2014 / January 2017
- Video: Relive course flyby video
- Blogs: December 2014 / January 2017 / January 2018
Minnis Bay, Birchington
- Course summary: 1 lap. Flat. Underfoot is generally quite firm, but the opening 2.5 mile stretch can be very splashy. Features 6 water ditches (dykes) to run through - great fun. When the tide is out this race starts on the beach.
- Distance: 6 miles / 9.7km
- Footwear: Spikes or Trail
- GPS data: January 2017 / January 2018
- Video: Relive course fly-by video
- Blogs: January 2015 / January 2017 / January 2018
Blean Woods, Rough Common, Canterbury
- Course summary: Oou and back lollipop-style course with big loop at far end. Starts on a playing field. Most of the course is in the woods - the paths are roughly a 50/50 split between thick mud and hard, stony paths which makes choice of shoes quite tricky.
- Distance: 5.2 miles / 8.4km
- Footwear: Spikes or Trail
- GPS data: February 2016 / February 2017 / February 2018
- Video: Relive course fly-by video
- Blogs: February 2016 / February 2017 / February 2018