The pandemic and difficulties with land access almost prevented continuation of the Trunce prior to the series in 2022.

We had to get our heads together and come with a different route that was safe, accessible but kept the competitive nature of the Trunce, with the river crossings, tough climbs and technical descents.

From the Wagon and Horses pub carpark turn right and walk down the road, passing the small car park and then head up on the track to the right, towards the tunnel. The race start point is on the TPT just above the tunnel. Climb the steps just after the tunnel to your left.

Please be mindful of other trail users when gathering ready for the start.

The juniors will set off a shorter but no less difficult course, just prior to senior race.

Get ready to hear the dulcet tones of Andy Plummer to start you off, and expect a telling off from Sir Keith Binney if you’ve got earphones in your ears.

The race starts and finishes on the trail, initially running towards the crossing before turning right then left past the farm. We then make our way on the often flooded track before reaching the grassy footpath which then descends steeply through a kissing gate and eventually reaches the river crossing. Please respect other runners by NOT jumping the fence or wall at the side of the kissing gate.

At the first river crossing the junior will be sent to the right up the muddy climb.

Seniors cross the river either using the stepping stones, which can be slippery, or just plough through the water making sure to soak anyone trying to keep dry on the stepping stones.

At the far bank climb head up the path to join the road and head right down the road until reaching a public footpath that descends the field on the right to a footbridge over the river. Either jump the wall of use the stile.

Cross the footbridge and then struggle up the steep field to a gate. Through the gate follow the path towards the old California quarry.

Kelvin and/or Pete are usually sat at the top of the climb to direct you to the left of the fence and follow the narrow path along the top of the quarry. We have put some safety fencing up on some sections of particularly steep ground. Please don’t reccie this section of the route as it is private land with access granted for race night only.

Make your way, handrailing the fence on your right until you reach a gate crossing a cattle grid as the track descends into a wooded area. Once over a stile the race route curves round to the right, then left and picks up a narrow path down into some trees where, after a short while, it crosses through a narrow gap in a wall.

After crossing the wall, the path descends steeply over a few obstacles to the river. Cross the river. There are some stepping stones just lower down than the crossing point but are not safe to use these days. This river crossing will be roped if necessary.

If you’re a roadie, then this is your bit – there’s about half a mile of tarmac to steam along once you have reached the road through the fields to the right of the farm. Turn left after the small stile and run back towards Oxspring until you again turn off left down the path to the first river crossing.

The new section of the route is after the final river crossing. We then follow what is the junior route climbing the muddy path towards the wall and handrailing this to the stile where Les from MR will send you back down the track to re-trace the route back to the finish on the TPT.

I’ll add a route map to this section when  get chance.