Your quick source of information, maps, low-down on route, travel and direct links to entries for the Round Rotherham.

Queries about the organisation of this page to email: henry-at-hmarston.co.uk

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The Round Rotherham has long been a qualifier for the LDWA 100 event. However, the previous time limit of 16/17 hours was considered too tight. A new start of 4 am was offered for slower walkers who expect to take between 16 and 20 hours, with the first checkpoint's opening times adjusted to accommodate a 20 hour schedule. See Changes for details and FAQs for explanation.

Checkpoint 7 has been moved from Old Denaby to Hooton Roberts, 2.4 km earlier.  See Changes for more details. Maps, etc, have been updated

The 41st running of the event will take place on

Saturday 5th October 2024

The event is normally held on a Saturday in October. 

Don't forget your torch (6am starters, and those finishing after 6:30 pm)
A start at 4 am is available for walkers who expect to take between 16 and 20 hours - good night light clearly essential

Sunrise 07:14  Sunset 18:31 for 2024

Dawn Twilight: 06:40  Dusk twilight: 19:06

(for comparison: for 13 Dec, date of 2008 event, SR: 08:07 Dawn 07:26 , SS 15:51 Dusk 16:32)

Go to the Travel, Accommodation, and Navigation page for practical information:
Getting to the Event Centre: the Manvers Waterfront Boat Club
Where to stay
Finding your way round the course (strip map / written description)
Route changes for this year (and changes over the last few years for those who have missed recent events)
Route between checkpoints for supporters (by car)

Recipe for confusion
Rowbotham's Round Rotherham is, for the most part, waymarked as is also the Rotherham Ring Route developed by the local Ramblers Group, but also based on the route devised by Ralph Rowbotham.  The two routes coincide over much of the distance, but there are significant differences, notably near the middle checkpoint (we need to get to the Woodsetts check-point to give you refreshments) and near the start/finish, and where there has been major re-development.   The Wainwright map indicates where the Ring markers may lead you astray by showing an open arrow with the legend 'Rotherham Ring'.

 The event route on your SmartPhone or Tablet

Screenshots on an HTC Android phone using the MyTrails app
As you approach each marker, the phone can be set to warn you so that you can check where to go next.

RRR route overlaid on OpenStreetMap

    FAQs - answers to common questions raised about the event

Forum Discussion: You can comment on our Facebook page
Please use it to report problems encountered on recce runs for us to investigate,
and use it to ask general questions others can answer

Low-down on the route, stage by stage overview (corresponding to the relay - individuals enjoy the full experience)

Historical description:
An alternative description, in poetry, as reported for an earlier RRR by stalwart Barry Harrison, submitted in 2011 in tribute to Ralph Rowbotham, who sadly died in 2010. 

For interest, you may like to read Ralph's original description of the route.  I have scanned my original copy and have tried to present it like the original, using a typewriter font with one or two typos.  It makes an interesting read, if you know the route.  The major landscape changes are associated with the elimination of the collieries, Manvers (extending from the Event Centre to the RSPB site at  Old Moor), Cortonwood (now a retail park) and Brookhouse (now Rother Valley Country Park) plus the landscaping for the short-lived Sheffield airport and the site of Orgreave coking plant (approaching Treeton).  The distance of 43 miles is I think the sum of the stage distances quoted in the text (I made it 42), but 2 miles from Meadowbank Road to Catcliffe, 5 miles from Woodhouse Mill (Fence) to Harthill!  Note the reference to the canal towpath being precarious at places - path condition is generally much improved, much less mud!  Our original 'event' in 1983 was estimated to be 48 miles.

The event is held under TRA rules

The event takes place at low altitude (below 150 m, 500') but in autumn, potentially under wintery conditions. Generally, you are expected to be experienced and capable of deciding what clothing you require. Competitors should be aware of the danger of hypothermia, and are advised to carry or wear a waterproof top (cagoule, etc) and adequate clothing. All competitors take part at their own risk and must report to the Finish, as required TRA / UK:Athletics rules. It is your responsibility to hand in the SI card at the Finish - failure to do so can initiate a search. There is a charge (around £30) for failure to return the SI card. Individuals must check in on the day. The Organiser reserves the right to alter the course in the light of conditions on the day. The Organiser and Rotherham Harriers and Athletics Club cannot be held responsible for any loss or injury arising from participation in this event. Acceptance of our Covid-19 protocol (to be specified in the Final Details that will be circulated by email) is expected to be a condition of entry.

Following discussions with the TRA in connection with our race permit, we have been asked to emphasise that there is a railway level crossing on the route.  You are responsible for your own safety, and you should only cross if you consider it to be safe to do so.  A second level crossing (Stage 7, Old Denaby) has been closed, and you will need to cross the line by the bridge after 76 km.  Take care on this bridge - you have the choice of taking teh steps or going up and down the ramp.

You will, of course, understand that under TRA rules anyone disobeying any instructions from a marshal or any other official risks disqualification, as does anyone deliberately taking an unauthorised route (AKA short-cut, or in some cases a longer ‘easier’ route) or running under someone else’s name, for example.

Participants are also expected to obey The Countryside Code, which is dedicated to helping members of the public respect, protect and enjoy the countryside. Follow the links below for more information to the five constituent sections.

Be safe, plan ahead and follow any signs

Leave gates and property as you find them

Protect plants and animals and take your litter home

Keep dogs under close control

Consider other people

Changes are detailed on the Changes page, updated maps, etc on the Navigation Page

Stage lengths and timings  (2024)  (tbc) 

The event, held under TRA UK:athletics rules, takes place at low altitude (below 150 m, 500') but autumn, potentially under wintery conditions. Competitors should be aware of the danger of hypothermia, and are advised to carry or wear a waterproof top (cagoule, etc) and adequate clothing. Walkers will require torches until about 07:30, and again from 16:00. All competitors take part at their own risk and must report to the Finish, or retire by handing in their number at an official check point. Competitors must register on the day, with travel information (car registration, companions, etc), and give their number at each check point. The Organiser reserves the right to alter the course in the light of conditions on the day. The Organiser and Rotherham Harriers and Athletics Club cannot be held responsible for any loss or injury arising from participation in this event.

Stage	Description	length, km	Climb (GPS), m	Opening hours of CP at end of stage
1	Start to Grange	15.6	308	6:15 - 10:30
2	Grange to Treeton	10.1	170	8:30 - 12:00
3	Treeton to Harthill	11.9	196	9:30 - 14:00
4	Harthill to Woodsetts	9.2	123	10:15 - 16:00
5	Woodsetts to Firbeck	9.0	86	11:00 - 18:00
6	Firbeck to Maltby	6.3	108	11:45 - 19:30
7	Maltby to Hooton Roberts	9.1	130	12:15 - 21:45
8	Hooton Roberts to Finish	9.5	108	13:00 - 23:59

The Emergency Phone Number on the day is 07754 582378
 

Link to older Route Changes and General Navigation

For background information, see our  FAQs.  You may find relevant  information in the forums where this event is discussed (please let me know if you are aware of others):

 

You will find event reports on our FaceBook page, old results pages and if you search for Round Rotherham on the web (Google, etc)

 

See the FRA website forums, the RRR being listed under Long Distance Challenges, but I was unable to register or login. 

There is also a forum on the Runners World website, which also has training tips, although some pages are only available to those who subscribe (with real money). For the forum, find the RRR event (Oct 20xx, Ultra distance, North region).  Or just search for Rotherham in the forum search bar.  But there may not be anything to find...

 

Low-down on the route, stage by stage (corresponding to the relay - individuals enjoy the full experience)

The route was devised by the then RHAC club secretary Ralph Rowbotham during the steel strike in 1980. Sadly, he died in September 2010 of a medical condition whilst out cycling with friends on a Saturday afternoon.

Underfoot conditions vary from stage to stage

Stage 1 (15.6 km) has hard-surfaced paths, road and canal towpath, unfortunately made good so that there is little risk of sliding into the canal, to a yard and then somewhat muddy (briefly) through a wood. Track, road (minor) path through a village, then we have found a muddy ridge to the Keppel's Column landmark. Then firm.

Stage 2 (10.1 km) is mostly firm, but up and down. Tracks and road, cutting through the conurbation linking Sheffield and Rotherham .

Much of Stage 3 (11.9 km) is made-up of cycleable paths and tracks, gradually climbing following the River Rother through Rother Valley Park. Towards the end there are a couple of field crossings - muddy or firm, depending on what ploughing the farmer's done.

The first 60% of Stage 4 (9.2 km) is a series of field crossings, then easy (hard surfaced tracks and road) apart from the hill (climb of 25 m, but runnable by some). 

Stage 5 (9.0 km) is muddy to start across fields that are reasonably firm except at Wallingwells,  but from Langold Park gets firmer through woods after which even the fields are reasonably firm .

For Stage 6 (6.3 km), the initial route follows field side tracks - can be sloppy. Firm past Roche Abbey, the valley path that follows may be sloppy on the surface but firm beneath.

Stage 7 (9.1 km) starts along roads through Maltby, reaching tracks and a field-side track that can be wet. Short firm section of road, through village, then 3 km of reasonably well-defined field paths to a track through a hamlet.  The field path after and the path through the wood can be wet, the latter being downhill so let yourself go - or take it with care, especially after dark. The checkpoint is at the edge of Hooton Roberts  (This was a major change for 2007 - with plenty of lovely mud).  

Stage 8 (9.3 km) Follow road from checkpoint through Hooton Roberts, then gently uphill on an interminable road that deteriorates to a muddy track, but down a firm field to Old Denaby (old CP).  Road through the village first, a footbridge over the railway leading to a  towpath, then path, road and cycle track finishing with a long road section (cycle track) . Used to be tricky, but has been subjected to council interference replacing muddy paths with cycleable routes.  

Northern Triangle Series

Unfortunately, neither of the other Northern Triangle Series events, the Doncaster Doddle and the Darlington Dash,  have taken place since 2003, and therefore the series is effectively void, with just one remaining event.  Beyond our control at Rotherham, I'm afraid.

Use back to return to this page if there is no link to RRR page

The event is now usually held on the first, second or third Saturday in October, confirmed shortly after the preceding event.

This page is constantly being updated for the Round Rotherham!
Links have not all been checked so apologies if some fail (email: rrrhenry-at-hmarston.co.uk to let me know if you have a problem).

Links: Information about other distance events (but some organisations are now defunct)

Featured in the Trionium Magazine,
 

Any person taking part under the wrong name will be disqualified. You have every opportunity to enter correctly on the day

Any person found to be trespassing on a railway or motorway will be disqualified

Click here for Pre-entries

Navigation Page
(get to event, get round route  + possible accommodation)

 Results

Checkpoint 1 (Grange) in 2005, later appearing at Old Denaby, when the event was in December

 

 

Last update 07 July, 2024  Website queries email
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