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Sturminster Newton Half Marathon (The Stur Half)
Can any Dorset Doddlers tell me what the new course is like.
Also I see the start & finish are at different venues, how far apart are they?
Also I see the start & finish are at different venues, how far apart are they?
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Have decided to do IOM Marathon - taking family there camping for a few days! Thanks for the tip.
In reference to Stur half, I have not done the new route yet but I understand it is flatter/faster - the nasty hill after about a mile has gone!
The start is about 500m from old start, just off the town square. The finish is at the High School which is about 3/4 mile away on outskirts of town. Your best bet is to park at the Leisure Centre/FootballClub which is adjacent to the school. The Leisure Centre is for post race showers and Football Club for presentation.
Craig.
Good news about IOM, hope you and your family enjoy your time there, will catch up with you on that thread.
I did Stur Half last year (I was 3rd last) purely because the route went past the house I lived in for first 6 years of my life in Manston. Enjoyed the race very much, although it was humid, so have put in my calendar again this year. I'm hoping it will sharpen me up for IOM the following week.
I don't mind if the new course no longer goes past my old house, I'm over the sentimental bit now!!
So the finish and the start are 3/4 mile apart, have I understood that correctly? Phew, that's a long walk for a runner!!
The route still runs through Manston, it now goes directly out of Stur on Manston road - into village and on past the Plough to turn right towards Margarets Marsh. You will miss the bit of Manston that you used to approach from Hammoon. So depending on where you lived you may still get a bit nostalgic.
In reference to start/finish, yes it is about 3/4 mile.
Well done for the Blackpool Marathon, sounds a tough one.
I see your are doing the IOM as well, really getting into the marathon stuff!
Are you thinking of the New Forest in late September as well?
I will probably be doing Stur (for the first time). I am tempted with NF marathon ( to at least do one this year)but don't think I'll get sufficient long training runs in. I seem to have plataued? at the moment and the last few races , Salisbusy Fire Station 10 and Purbeck 10k in particular, I didn't feel as good as I usually do and was dissapointed in my times!
Are you doing Portland 10 on Sunday?( not much chance of a decent time there either me thinks!)
Presuambly you are doing quite a bit of training and those long runs,
regards
Brian
I think it was just called Manston Farm where I used to live, I recognised it last year.
BS & CW - NF marathon is great, I'll be there, one of my favourite courses.
Hope to see you at Stur!
I have been doing a lot of training - but was dissapointed with my Blackpool result(weather conditions aside). Like you mentioned, I seem to have plateaued - one step forward three quarters back!! Starting a new schedule next week - if at first......
I'm not doing Portland on Sunday - doing a local 9.5k Hill Race organised by Doddlers at Stourpaine. As for New Forest, did the half last year and found it quite tough (another sunny day!)but I am keen to do 3 marathons this year so I may go for it. I have a feeling it has quite an early closing date?
Craig
I think you may still pass it.
Will keep a look out when I do the course a week on Sunday - providing I don't get lost.......
Perhaps I should send of and comit myself to the marathon now!.
That hill racing will be good for you!
I am thinking of spending a week of my two weeks summer leave in August on a 'holiday' on my own ( the family can't bare being away with me for two weeks at a time during the school holidays!)and thinking of basing it around some races ( take the tent and running shoes etc) so maybe the Stur Half will be part of that if I ever get round to planning something.
Brian
Must send my entry in for NF too, I believe they do reach or get close to their limit, popular race.
go for it Brian, get your money's worth.
What's it like then?
Still haven't sent my entry in, will do it this weekend.
Craig White who is the chief marshal was going to run round the course a couple of weeks ago and let me know what it's like.
No word from him yet, hence my message above.
Sorry for the delay Hilly; been away.
The new Stur Half route is giong to be faster than the old one - with only a couple of significant hills - the first is just after the start and is no real problem, the rest of the course is then practically flat with a few minor undulations (honest). The worse hill now is (as the old route) at about 11 miles - it isn't that steep but it does stretch on a bit. There is one more hill leading to the finish - but you are going down it!
If you want to do a something a bit hilly this weekend why not come to the Tarrant Valley 10 at Tarrant Monkton - part of the Dorset Hill race series.
If you have any more questions about Stur Half 9and a 5k fun run) I will try to help.
See you there!
Craig
On another matter - training hasnt gone well for IOM - so I have dropped down to half
Still haven't sent the entry in for Stur, but I will be there.
Sorry training hasn't been going well for you. At least the IOW has a half you can do instead. Good luck and might see you at Stur!
I don't think the heat lately has been good for anyody's running, makes it so much harder.
Looking forward to Stur Half though, where's the best place to park near the finish?
The course is different to last year. The start is now just off from the square, at Station road (still in the middle of town).
There is now no nasty hill after about half a mile (although there is a small hill after about 600m). The course then is practically flat until about 11 mile when there is a not particularly steep, but long incline that was also part of last year's course. The final hill is down to the finish.
Shades
For parking at the Stur Half I suggest you use the Leisure Centre/Football Club car park. The race finishes in the High School playing fields, which are adjacent to above.
Which direction will you approach Stur from - I will give you directions.
Am off to do Tarrant Valley 10 now - will look up details about the Cornish marathon tonight - thanks!
Thanks, directions would be useful.
I assume we can still enter on the day?
I thought the organisation was good, friendly atmosphere and a very welcoming pub (even for toilet-crazy runners before the event!)
Hilly - no problem about entry on day. Hope you can make it.
Shades - if coming up on A303 take the A37 to Yeovil, and head for A30 Sherborne. When you leave Yeovil you will join a dual carriageway which goes to Sherborne. This carriageway ends at a set of lights at Sherborne. Get in right hand lane and filter right (A352) (you will see signs for Sturminster) Go straight down this road, across a set of traffic lights and down to a T junction, turn right. Follow this road for about a mile and then turn left to Sturminster (A3030). You then follow this road through Bishops Caundle (there is a good half marathon in this village in February)keep going until you come to another T junction. Turn right (A357) to Stur. When you arrive in Stur you will come to a set of lights at the bridge. Turn left over the bridge and drive through the town, passing through the Square, keep going straight on until you are nearly out of the town, you will see the High School on your right, and just before the school on right is a road called Honeymead Lane - turn down it, go down a hill for about 300ms, first left takes you up to Leisure Centre and parking. The walk back to the start will be signposted..From Yeovil to Stur is roughly 40 mins drive
phew....hope that helps!
Mak and I have entered the Stickler (he wants his name on the t-shirt again).