Wrenhaven Marathon unveils a flatter route along the coast

The Wrenhaven Marathon will follow a new, flatter route next year, with organisers dropping the long climb through Northfield in favour of a loop around the edge of Greyling Bay. The changes, announced on Wednesday, reduce the total height gain over the 42.2 kilometres from 310 metres to just under 90.

The race will still start and finish on the Harbourside Promenade, but runners will now head west along the coast road to Fenwick Point before turning inland at the halfway mark and returning along the cycle path beside the River Asher. The final three kilometres pass through Old Quay, where the organisers expect the largest crowds.

Aiming for faster times and new runners

Race director Calum Whitlock said the hill at Northfield had become known as one of the toughest stretches of any city marathon in the region. "It gave the race character, but it also put people off," he said. "We want this to be a course where someone can run their first marathon and enjoy it, and where club runners can chase a personal best."

The view of the bay at kilometre 18 is going to be the best moment of a lot of people's year.

The course still needs to be measured and certified by the national athletics association before results can count for official records. Mr Whitlock said that process was expected to be completed before entries open in January. The field will be capped at 6,500 runners, up from 5,000, with a separate half-marathon and a 5km family run on the same morning.

Some residents of Fenwick Point have asked how they will leave the village on race day, as the coast road is the main route in and out. The organisers said a timed crossing point would be staffed at the junction with Lighthouse Lane, and that the road would reopen in stages from late morning as the field passed through.

Local running clubs broadly welcomed the change, although a few longstanding entrants said they would miss the hill. Deirdre Okafor, who has run the race 14 times, said she would be back regardless. "Flat or not, it is still 26 miles," she said.