Just come across David Tittle’s blog post on Week 8 – Not the Coventry Way . It’s part of his blog on completing the the ‘A Coventry Way Challenge‘ which is a 40 mile challenge. I came across this challenge a few years back but unfortunately i’ve had bad timing in terms of other races being on at the same time – that and i’d want to run in and needed to build up to it a bit first.
Definitely one i’d like to do in the future!
Did my long run this morning – had this one planned for last week but best laid plans and all that. So this run not surprisingly start in Cannon Park car park. There are a couple of reasons for this:
You could start most of these routes from the Memorial Park park and ride car park too.
Back to today… I headed up to the Kenilworth Road via Cannon Hill Road. I followed the Kenilworth Road all the way to Warwick Road past the rail station and towards the town centre.
There is a route along the Coventry ring road that you can take on foot. I believe you can walk the whole way round though parts of it do involve subways. You can avoid the subways with some careful road crossing or slight diversions.
I followed the ring road round to the botton of the Radford Road. Run all the way up the Radford Road. The Radford Road becomes the Tamworth Road near to the Royal Court Hotel follow this along until you see Hollyfast Lane on your left. Hollyfast Lane is a country lane – it was surprisingly quiet this morning – and the views in the sun this morning were wonderful. Still amazed at the green spaces that are around Coventry and loving exploring these on foot.
At the end of Hollyfast Lane turn left onto Wall Hill Road. I got myself a bit lost here. I knew basically where I was but it was t-junction and my bearings had forseaken me. Walked for a bit in either direction but couldn’t convince myself one way or the other. Luckily I had my phone with me, it took about 10 seconds to get on the internet and dowload the google maps to my phone. A quick search and I was heading left!
Take a right on to Hawkes Mill Lane and a left onto Browns Lane. At the bottom of Browns Lane go onto Birmingham Road. This is where this morning got interesting for a second time. I had to take the long route round the Pickford roundabout. I wanted to run up the A45 but couldn’t see a path going up the slip road. I’m sure there is a path further up but didn’t fancy finding out. Anyone know if there is a path? Where it starts and how to get onto it?
So I cut through Allesley Park. Again I got a bit lost here but headed out onto Winsford Avenue that takes you onto Broad Lane. Turn right up Broad Lane and that brings you to the A45. A bit of a detour but I wasn’t in a rush to get back. So along the A45 and through the subway just after Burnsall Road. Down to Sir Henry Parkes Road and back up to Cannon Park.
This route is mainly along footpaths and can be hilly at times. I didn’t see a single other runner but I guess we runners have to work too! Nice long run.
View Kersley in a larger map
Out nice and early this morning for my long/slow run. I ran from Coventry to Kenwilworth Castle and then back via Westwood Heath. A warm, overcast morning today.
The route to Kenilworth Castle is mainly footpath based, there are a few hills along the route. The route I took went along: Kenilworth Road, Coventry Road , New St , High St , Castle Hill , Castle Road , Clinton Ln, Beehive Hill , Upper Spring Ln , Carckley Ln , Westwood Heath Road , Charter Avenue , and then back to the start/finish.
It’s a fairly easy run in to Kenilworth and a straight run along Kenilworth Road, Coventry Road , New St , High St. As you’re running along Castle Hill there’s a park on your left which i think is Abbey Fields. This looks well worth investigating on another run.
So towards the end of Castle Hill, Kenilworth Castle suddenly appears from nowhere. Maybe the road name should have given me a clue but you’re going along taking all the surroundings in and then there’s the castle.
There is a route around the back of the castle – a couple of miles but stuck to my plan today so i’ll plan a bigger route for another day. That and Abbey fields will add 5 miles on to this route i think.
When you reach the castle and have finished taking in the views, it’s then time to head back. The route’s almost a figure of 8 and the route I took back was along Clinton Ln, Beehive Hill , Upper Spring Ln, Crackley Lane. Always surprised at the new things you see when running along here, different houses, farms etc… Today there was plenty of wildlife and a few cows were up early for their breakfast.
There’s a few blind bends along the lane so do be careful of any cars that are passing by, if you hear a car just step up onto the verge if you have any worries about them not seeing you.
Crackley Lane cuts accross part of the Coventry Way route that i’ve previously written about so you could mix these two routes up if you want to add distance or just to mix things up.
At the end of Crackley Lane you join the Westwood Heath Road and it’s back to more urban running. Head up the hill and then you make your way up to Charter Avenue. This brings you to a long, straight, downhill road back to the end of your route and a well earned rest.
All in this was a good route and finished off my week of training nicely.
View Coventry to Kenilworth Castle in a larger map
Kenilworth Castle
Abbey Fields, Kenilworth
This route starts just outside Coventry Canal Basin – i didn’t see a path through under the first bridge so you just have to follow a path from the basin and back onto the tow path on the other side of this bridge.
It’s then a fairly straightforward run for around 5.5 miles to Hawkesbury Junction.
Along the route is an Art Trail so keep an eye out for the various pieces of artwork along the route and keep an eye out for the various inhabitant that make the canal their home (canal boaters, ducks, swans…)
The paths alongside the canal are well marked (puddled today but the clouds did open up a couple of times) and in good condition. There are a couple of bridges along the route nothing too strenuous but take care as they could get slippery.
At Hawkesbury Junction you have two choices. I went for turning round and running the route in reverse. The alternative would be to time your run and finish off with a drink / meal at The Greyhound pub at Hawkesbury Junction.
If you’re interested on the Art Trail then take a look at:
View Coventry canal in a larger map
View Coventry Northbrook AC 10 Km in a larger map
I think this is the route that the Northbrook 10k took us through.
My first 10k race today and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The race itelf starts part way up a hill and the undulations continue throughout. The route is through traffic free, country lanes – nice scenery on the way round. Not a very populated area but locals were out supporting the race. The run was well marshalled, water stations well signed and well manned. Good atmosphere, well organised, a medal and welcome goody bag at the end. Great race!
View Running route – single lap taking in part of Coventry Way in a larger map
So I ran this route last Sunday- luckily in time before the heavens opened. I did this as a single lap route starting at Warwick University.
To start head up Gibbet Hill Road and at the crossroads with the Kenilworth Road go right and head towards Kenilworth. The Kenilworth road becomes the Coventry Road and you’re on this from the traffic lights for about a mile.
Just over a mile down from the traffic lights you’ll find a sign post for a Public Footpath – this is part of A Coventry Way.
Your run this path right to the end up until Berkswell. There are lots of turn offs if you fancy a detour but I just ran straight through first time around. There aren’t too many hills but there are a few muddy patches on the route. Towards Berkswell you’ll come to a t-junction where the path appears to end. Bear left down the path then right accross the field and you want to head towards Berkswell train station.
The t-junction toward the end A Coventry Way
This takes you onto a road/footpath section of the run starting on Truggist Lane. Follow this until you see a right turn onto Hodgett’s Lane. Take the left onto Cromwell Lane. Turn right onto Westwood Heath Road and you’re back down to Gibet Hill Road.
A great run – lots to see on the way round, more bridges than i’ve ever seen!
Bridge over A Coventry Way
This is a fairly straight forward run. It’s a single lap mainly based on footpaths. It takes you from flat to mid-range in terms of hills. It starts in Canley onto Westwood Heath and finished by running the outskirts of Warwick University via Kenilworth Road.
View Running route – Single lap round Canley, Westwood Heath and Warwick University (7.3 miles) in a larger map
This route is simply laps of the War Memorial Park.
If you’re a beginner the park is great for anything from a run-walk to a couple of laps. It’s also a great detour for more experienced runners who want to use it as part of a bigger run. The Memorial Park is an ideal place to run all year round – or just take it easy with a walk around the park and the gardens.
View Running route – Coventry Memorial Park in a larger map
This is a straight forward run that I usually start and finish at the Fitness First gym. It’s a short run of just under 4 miles. This route contains at least two hills depending on which way round you run it.
View Single lap round Warwick University (just under 4 miles) in a larger map
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