Half Marathon Run
The 2011 course is the same as last year as we return, courtesy of the Western Health and Social Care Trust, to the wonderful Gransha Grounds on the Clooney Road and to the Invista Site courtesy of Invista Textiles (UK) Ltd.
Gransha Grounds – Gransha Roundabout
We start in the Gransha Grounds, adjacent to the soccer pitches, and complete a short flat loop through the grounds to exit (left) at the Gransha Roundabout (1 mile) onto the Dual Carriageway.
1 mile completed.
Dual Carriage (Caw to Maydown)
We exit into Zone 2 and onto a coned off Runners Lane – effectively the inside lane of the Dual Carriageway – and proceed for approximately 800 metres before turning left back into Zone 1, to Gransha Park via the Gransha Park Road. The 2 Mile mark is on this back road close to the Oakgrove College Junction and we proceed back towards the start area on this quiet and scenic road.
Run past the start and pick up the Main Avenue (3 mile mark at ramp to Waterside Hospital access road). There is excellent spectator access to the race during these early miles and we then exit (left) into Zone 2, again onto the Dual Carriageway (3.2 miles). This time continue on past the Gransha Park Road access, past the City of Derry Rugby Club Grounds at Judges Road and turn left (4 miles) at Temple Road to head for Strathfoyle.
4 miles completed
Temple Road – Maydown Road Junction
We are now in Temple Road in Zone 3. Enagh Lough is to the left and there is a gentle climb of around 600 metres up to Strathfoyle village and the 5-mile mark at the Otterbank Road junction. Traffic from behind will be curtailed on Temple Road until past the West Lake junction, as the early part of the road is narrow and winding. There is a WaterStation at the West Lake junction. Through Strathfoyle and a right turn onto Haw Road with another short incline up to the Maydown Road junction. This is the end of any climbing and we are not yet at 6 miles!
5½ miles completed
Electra Road and Du Pont/Invista site
Cross the Maydown Road into Zone 4. Down Electra Road – 6 mile mark is about halfway down this road – which leads to the right turn to access the Du Pont/Invista grounds. Past the major car park, the 7-mile mark is beyond the car park and on through the perfectly flat grounds before swinging left towards the 8-mile mark.
We now loop towards the Rec Club and swing left down the All Pipe Engineering access road. A right turn and back up to the Rec Club (Water Station).
You may want to top up on water here before retracing your steps back to the main Invista Site and swing right, heading for a new-gated exit from the Invista grounds into Maydown Industrial Estate.
9.5 miles completed
Maydown Industrial Estate – Henderson Park
Exiting Zone 4 and into Zone 5. Run straight ahead up one of the two U-shaped arms of the Maydown Industrial Estate. The 10-mile mark is at the mouth of the U. Run down and back up the other arm (leading to the Partridge Peartree Building) and exit the Industrial estate by crossing the Maydown Road. Across the Maydown Road and head left towards the Roundabout via a coned Runners Lane. However, turn right at Templetown Mews and proceed past Lisdale Park (11 miles) to Henderson Park before accessing coned runners lane on Dual Carriageway leading City wards, facing traffic. This will bring us back into Zone 2 again, heading for the finish line in Gransha Park.
11.5 miles completed!
Zone 2 back into Zone 1 - Download Map
Homeward Bound
Back on Zone 2, down past Temple Road junction, Judges Road and re-enter Gransha Park Road back into Zone 1 to head toward the finish. The 12 miles mark is along this sheltered back road and its full steam ahead from here.
Past the Oakgrove College Junction once again, and follow the signage leading to the Finish Gantry, across the main Soccer Pitch beside the Start.
13.1 miles completed!!!
Well done – you've made it!!!
Pick up your finishers medal, drinks and energy bars and move through the Family Fun activity area for a well deserved rest and warm down.
Don’t forget to make your way to Oakgrove Integrated College for changing, showers and of course your well deserved post race food/drinks and the awards ceremony.
Thanks again to the Western Health & Social Care Trust and to Invista for permission to use their grounds and also to Oakgrove Integrated College and U3A Foyle for access to their facilities.
For more information on the route and zones, please keep checking the website.