TRAC Beating the Bounds

Our Captain has set our latest challenge which is a ‘relay’ all around the Thanet boundary.

 

Due to take place on 11th July 2020. The route consists of ten stages/legs and each stage can be run as an individual or as a small group of no more than 6.

 

The route takes in a full loop of Thanet which includes the stunning coastal routes, both local Parkruns and many other local landmarks.

 

Each leg is approximately 5/6km and you will need to start and stop your watch to record the route and time for collation at the end. Ideally one person will be nominated if you are in a group to be responsible for this.

 

It would be great when the section is completed to take a few pics to form a gallery of the event for the website. If you then jog back to your start point or car a few pictures of the route would also be appreciated.

 

Ideally you wait at your start point to see your previous runner but do start at your start time if they are not in view. We can do it virtually if time constraints make it difficult.

 

Broadstairs has been chosen as the start/finish venue in the hope that some of us can be there to cheer in the final runner(s) and, if conditions have been lifted enjoy a drink in the sunshine!

 

Although this isn’t a race this time runners, however there is the possibility for this to be beaten in future. We do hope that this latest challenge is as inclusive as possible and allows for all of members to get involved at various locations over Thanet.

 

The legs are:

1. 8am Broadstairs pavilion steps onto beach to Palm Bay Margate Parkrun easterly marshal point.
2. 8.30am Palm Bay Margate Parkrun easterly marshal point to Westbrook mini golf slope on esplanade.
3. 9am Westbrook mini golf slope on esplanade to Beresford gap relay slope on lower esplanade.
4. 9.30am Beresford gap relay slope on lower esplanade to Wantsum channel cross country turn point.
5. 10am Wantsum channel cross country turn point to Sarre- St Nicholas footpath/Bell meadow.
6. 10.30 Sarre- St Nicholas footpath/bell meadow to Plucks Gutter.
7. 11.00am Plucks Gutter to Marsh lane Minster.
8. 11.30am Marsh lane Minster to Pegwell Bay Parkrun kissing gate
9. 12.00 noon Pegwell Bay Parkrun kissing gate to Government Acre boating pool/lookout cafe.
10. 12.30pm Government Acre boating pool/lookout cafe to Broadstairs pavilion steps onto beach.

 

If you think you would like to be involved, please get in touch either via social media or our Club Captains and state your preferred start position. We will then organise a list of participants so we can see how the relay will work.

 

The full details of each legs including a map of each are as follows:

 

Leg 1. The start. At Broadstairs pavilion at the steps onto beach. Follow the coast as much as possible. Steps up towards North Foreland, and the longer coastal section meeting the road at the car park at Joss bay. See the best beaches in the UK onto the Digby PH and The Botany bay, rise towards the water treatment station where your runner meets you on a reversed section of the Margate Park run.

 

 

Leg 2 Margate Parkrun. See your runner along the path near the turning point at the most west section of Margate park run. Follow the coast all the way to Margate on the higher section and lower section after the Walpole bay. Take on the delights of Margate harbour and onto the esplanade at Westbrook you’ll see your runner after the mini golf at the little slope we use often on Derek’s Sunday run.

 

 

Leg 3 Derek’s Sunday jaunt. you will see your runner coming past the mini golf at Westbrook, take over at the little slope and follow the esplanade to West bay, rise onto the higher section past the golf course to Epple bay where you can drop back onto the low section and look out for your finish at the slope to Beresford Gap. This is the turn point for our relay.

 

 

Leg 4 Sunset bay. Start at the turn point for our relay at Beresford Gap hopefully you’ll see your runner along the esplanade. Follow the coast to Minnis bay and onto the sea defence wall towards the old river mouth of the Wantsum where hopefully you’ll see your XC runner.

 

 

Leg 5 Mud and sand. Wait on the sea wall for your runner from the east. Take the unmarked part of our XC leg south to the bund near the railway return east to the footpath over the railway towards Potten street and the Thanet way where you can rise over the road at the familiar jelly baby corner. Towards St Nicholas and Sarre on footpaths firstly towards Bell isle and joining the Wantsum walk. Just before the A28 to keep safe rise towards St Nicholas where your runner will meet you in a field.

 

 

Leg 6 Windmills. Near St Nicolas a path drops towards Sarre across the fields hopefully you’ll see your runner. Follow into the village past the green known as Bell meadow and towards Monkton you will need to cross the A28. Using orchard lane into Monkton. Use the footpaths towards Plucks Gutter starting at the Monkton court farm. Meet on the north side of the river Stour.

 

 

Leg 7 Abbots wall. Meet your runner on the North side of the River Stour. Follow the footpath all the way to the turning point at the water treatment works to travel North onto Marsh farm Road. Hopefully you will see a runner.

 

 

Leg 8 Holl’s route to Pegwell. At the Marsh farm road travel North into Minster towards the Abbey where a footpath travels east and over the railway onto Ebbsfleet lane and the A256 cross safely at the crossing and towards the Pegwell country park. Finish at the kissing gate a Familiar turning of the Park Run.

 

 

Leg 9 Pegwell Parkrun. A choice of direction around the Park run will take you following the coast towards the Viking Ship and Chalk hill will rise and fall into Chilton lane and allow you to rejoin the coast at the Wall at the end of the esplanade. Follow the upper esplanade towards the boating pool and lookout café.

 

 

Leg 10 The Savage wallbanger. The finisher hopefully you’ll see your runner at the esplanade between the café and boating pool. Follow the top section of the esplanade down towards the harbour. It would be right to take the lower section and up our hill training hill known as Nero’s hill where you can follow the upper section again through the park at King George IV onto Dumpton gap the lower section will take you to the beach at Broadstairs. Cross the beach wallbanger style. You might see a Traccie or they might be enjoying a beer here or at home.