Feature /// Great runs
Oakham and back again Alexa Cutteridge relives PE lessons of her father’s youth with these Oakham-based routes ///
Photography: Harry Measures
WHAT WERE YOUR FITNESS SESSIONS like when you were at school? My dad, who captained the 1st XV rugby team for Oakham back in 1971, always talks about the team fitness sessions they used to do around Rutland. Even though it clearly was aeons ago when he did them, amazingly all the landmarks are still in place, so I decided to share them with you, Active readers, so you too can relive the joy of school runs. Handily though, you don’t have to do them in t-shirt, shorts and plimsolls whatever the weather, there’s no need to stop for a crafty fag halfway round, and the showers are probably hot at the end of it, too. Both runs being relatively short in distance means you can squeeze them in to busy days plus they avoid muddy fields and tracks which can cause chaos for runners at this time of year. No excuses – get active team! EGLETON TRIANGLE From Oakham Market Square head out to the High Street and join Stamford Road. Go over the first round about and then turn right towards Hambleton. Run along the path to the left and ahead on the right you will see a signpost to Egleton. Take this turning and pick up the footpath alongside
Church Road towards the pretty village of Egleton. At Forge Cottage turn right on to Hambleton Road. Continue along the country road until you get to Uppingham Road. Turn right and run along the side path to the main road taking you back towards Oakham. When you get to the roundabout on Stamford Road, take the first exit at the roundabout and return back to the Market Square. OAKHAM TO BURLEY ON THE HILL Run along Ashwell Road, heading away from Oakham town. Go straight over the roundabout and you will see Ashwell playing field on your left. Here you begin a slow hill climb for around fifteen minutes – pace yourself! At the crossroads turn right on to Langham Lane and head slightly uphill again towards the pretty village of Burley. When you get to the village enjoy the beautiful view from the top and then turn right on to Oakham Road as you descend back down in to Oakham. At the bottom of the hill take the third exit at the roundabout and continue on Schofield Road. At the next roundabout take the first exit on to Ashwell Road returning back to the start.
STATS EGLETON TRIANGLE DISTANCE 4 miles TERRAIN Road and track OAKHAM TO BURLEY DISTANCE 3.7 miles TERRAIN Road
/// F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 3
47 runCMSM.indd 54
47
25/01/2013 19:22