Runners taking part in the Trail Marathon
The fifth annual Cranleigh Trail Marathon, held on 12 May, was a great success, with a record 182 runners and walkers taking part. The event, sponsored by Informed Choice, was organised by The Rotary Club of Cranleigh, with support from local running club, Cranleigh Runners.
It is anticipated that the net profit will be in the region of £3,500. This will be used to support various Rotary charities.
The event incorporated a 26.2 mile trail marathon, a 13.1 mile trail half marathon, and a 13.1 mile challenge distance walk. Runners and walkers enjoyed the scenic, but testing, route, including a climb through the Willinghurst Estate to reach the Greensand Way through Winterfold Forest. The course continued across to Pitch Hill, passing through Cranleigh Golf & Country Club and Cranleigh School, before rejoining the Downs Link behind Norther Farm and finishing at Snoxhall Fields.
The event initially started as the Cranleigh Parish Boundary Challenge, before changes to the course resulted in the current route following most of Cranleigh’s northern parish boundary. It mainly follows public footpaths and bridleways. With around 1,800 feet of elevation gain for the two-lap marathon course, this running event isn’t for the faint of heart. However, 111 runners completed the one-lap half marathon this year, with Edward Hadley finishing first in 1 hour 30 minutes, 55 seconds, followed by Chris Loffs in 1:35:16, and Matt Brand in 1:39:17. The full marathon was completed by 50 runners, led home by Adam Quinn in 3:13:48, followed by Ben Sunckell in 3:28:08, and Edward Harper in 3:28:41.
The lead organiser, Cranleigh Rotarian Brian Vine, commented: “I am very pleased with the response we have had, which is due entirely to everyone’s efforts to encourage and welcome the runners/walkers and create a happy and cheerful atmosphere. We look forward to welcoming even more runners/walkers in the future.”
The sixth running of the Cranleigh Trail Marathon will take place on Sunday, 10 May 2020, with entries due to open later this year. 
