Route & Navigation

Route & Navigation

The Round Rotherham follows the Rotherham borough perimeter in a continuous 50-mile loop. Despite the borough’s industrial reputation, the route is one of the most varied in northern England: canal towpaths, river banks, wetlands, working farms, ancient woodland, and the ruins of Roche Abbey.

Key facts

  • Distance: 80 km / 50 miles
  • Total climb: ~800 m
  • Terrain: Tracks, road, canal towpath, field crossings, woodland paths
  • Start / Finish: Manvers Waterfront Boat Club, Wath upon Dearne, S63 7DG
  • Route direction: Anti-clockwise loop returning to start

Navigation

The route includes one level crossing and unsupervised road crossings. Competitors are responsible for their own safety at all crossings.

There are waymarkers at key decision points to give assurance that you are on the correct route, but they should not be relied upon as the sole means of navigation. Markers can be missing, turned, or obscured — particularly in the dark. You must be able to navigate independently.

Navigation aids issued with race number

  • Strip map — a diagrammatic overview of the full route (see also the downloadable PDF below)
  • Written route description — turn-by-turn instructions for the full 50 miles

Both are available to order during entry and pick up at registration. We strongly recommend also downloading the GPS track in advance.


Strip map

The strip map gives a diagrammatic overview of the route and checkpoint locations. It is not to scale and should be used alongside the written description or GPS track, not instead of them.

Download strip map (PDF)


GPS & route files

Which file should I use?
  • GPS watch / Garmin / phone navigation app — use the GPX track file (rrr_gps_map_gpx.gpx). This follows the actual path on the ground.
  • Older GPS devices that use routes (waypoints) — use the GPX route file (rrr_gps-rte_gpx.gpx). Note: route files draw straight lines between waypoints rather than following the path — use in conjunction with the strip map and written description.
  • Google Earth / mapping software — use the KML file.
  • Garmin Connect import — use the TCX file.
  • Relay runners — individual stage GPX files are available below.

Full route downloads

View on OS Maps (Route 3050145)

Individual stage GPX files (relay runners)

Stage files are GPX route files (waypoints). Use in conjunction with the written description for your stage.


Checkpoints

Eight manned checkpoints divide the route into relay legs and provide cutoff times for solo runners.

  • Start — Manvers Waterfront Boat Club
    0 km · S63 7DG · Registration, baggage drop, car parking
  • CP1 — Grange
    15.6 km (9.7 miles) · Opens 06:15, closes 10:30
  • CP2 — Treeton
    25.7 km (16.0 miles) · Opens 08:30, closes 12:00
  • CP3 — Harthill
    37.6 km (23.4 miles) · Opens 09:30, closes 14:00
  • CP4 — Woodsetts
    46.8 km (29.1 miles) · Opens 10:15, closes 16:00
  • CP5 — Firbeck
    55.8 km (34.7 miles) · Opens 11:00, closes 18:00
  • CP6 — Maltby
    62.1 km (38.6 miles) · Opens 11:45, closes 19:30
  • CP7 — Hooton Roberts
    71.2 km (44.2 miles) · Opens 12:15, closes 21:45
  • Finish — Manvers Waterfront Boat Club
    80.7 km (50.1 miles) · Cutoff 23:59