The Full Marathon starts from the Laverstock & Ford Sports Club, 23 Church Road, Laverstock, Salisbury (SP1 1QX). This is on the opposite side of the road from Wyvern College. The run mainly follows the Clarendon Way setting off through the Clarendon Estate and then on through the villages of Pitton to East Winterslow. The trail takes some loops around Winterslow and you then take the Roman Road to Broughton. Broughton is the midway point where the Half Marathon runners join the course. From here the route takes you through to Houghton and then across the River Test to Kings Somborne, then on up to Farley Mount, down through the woods and eventually on to the finish at Kings' School, Winchester (SO22 5PN). The route is mostly off-road, is tough and challenging but possibly one of the most scenic races you'll ever enter.
You will pick your race number up at the Sports Club at the start line.
We have mass starts at 9.30am and 10.30am, similar to previous years.
Runners are encouraged to join us on one of these mass starts but we do allow some runners to leave early at a time of their own choosing if they wish to (as we have done for the last few years).
The slower runners will start early and the faster runners will start later. Runners wanting to get the fastest PB (personal best) are recommended to start at 10.30am.
The way this will work for the full marathon will be as follows:
Everyone should make their best estimate of their fastest possible time (not their likely time). For example, the fastest runners in previous years have averaged out with the following approximate times:
Fastest male relay 02:50:00
Fastest male 03:00:00
Fastest mixed relay 03:10:00
Fastest female relay 03:15:00
Fastest female 03:25:00
Of course very few runners are going to achieve times as fast as these. If you have run with us over the last few years your time will hopefully be recorded on the timing website:
https://www.race-results.info/
You need to click this link, go onto the race results website, enter Clarendon in the search box in the top right hand corner, then select the year. Then enter your name and click on your results.
Once you have decided on your best estimate of your fastest possible time, the next step is to identify the earliest time that you can start at. The following list has been worked out to ensure that you do not arrive at the finish line before 1.30pm. The table below is given in 10 minute intervals but you can choose any time between.
Timing gate will be open by 8.00am and maybe open as early as 7.30am.
Walkers requiring between 7 and 8 hours start at 8:00am or earlier.
Runners estimating a fastest possible time of 5:20 start at 8.00am or slightly later but preferably not earlier.
05:20:00 Do not start earlier than: 8:00am
05:10:00 Do not start earlier than: 8:10am
05:00:00 Do not start earlier than: 8:20am
04:50:00 Do not start earlier than: 8:30am
04:40:00 Do not start earlier than: 8:40am
04:30:00 Do not start earlier than: 8:50am
04:20:00 Do not start earlier than: 9:00am
04:10:00 Do not start earlier than: 9:30am
04:00:00 Do not start earlier than: 9:30am
03:50:00 Do not start earlier than: 9:30am
03:40:00 Do not start earlier than: 10.30am
03:30:00 Do not start earlier than: 10:30am
03:20:00 Do not start earlier than: 10:30am
03:10:00 Do not start earlier than: 10:30am
03:00:00 Do not start earlier than: 10:30am
02:50:00 Do not start earlier than: 10:30am
Timing start gate closes at approx 10.35am.
So as an example, if you think your fastest possible time is likely to be 4 hours and 20 minutes, you should aim to start at 9.00am or slightly later but not earlier. If you then run flat out and achieve a fast time of 4:20 you will arrive at the finish line at 1.20pm in the afternoon. If you are a bit slower than 4:20 then you will arrive sometime after 1.20pm. If you find the running difficult then the good thing is that you will have an extra 2 hours and 40 minutes to make the finish before the cut off times. Ideally we want to have all the runners back before 4.00pm.
If you are a fast runner going for a PB, it will be in your best interests to start as close as possible to 10.30am. For example if your estimate of your best time is 3:50 you could set off at 9.30am but you may decide instead to set off around 10.30am because this will keep you behind the main pack and you will not need to overtake as many runners.
Please do not start the race earlier than you should. If you are naughty and you leave early you will encounter the following difficulties:
- If you get ahead of everyone, the marshals may not be ready for you and you may get lost.
- If you get ahead of everyone, the water stations might not be ready to top you up with water.
- If you arrive at the finish before 1.20pm Giles and the reception team will be very grumpy. They may decide to disqualify you and they may decide not to give you a t-shirt.
If you do leave early, please keep in mind that towards the end the fast runners will be overtaking you. Please do all you can to give way to fast runners where ever possible.
If you want a strategy to get a fast time – please work it all out and realise that leaving at 10.30am will be your best strategy.
If you are going to use the early bus, this will leave Winchester at 7.00am and will arrive at Salisbury (Laverstock) at 8:10am. Once there it will probably take about 15 minutes to process in which case your start time will not be earlier than 8:25am. If you want an earlier start time you will need to make your own travel arrangements to Salisbury (Laverstock). Please remember that you can drive to Salisbury, park your car, run to Winchester and then get one of the afternoon buses back to Salisbury.
Over Taking Rules
The major challenge for all of us is going to be over taking. For 90% of the route the track is wide and so over taking will not be a problem. However, 10% of the track is narrow and overtaking (and maintaining social distancing) will be difficult.
Please note that the Clarendon is not a road race where lots of runners are aiming for the fastest possible time. The Clarendon is more of an experience event. We want everyone to run from Salisbury to Winchester and have a great time.
If you are a fast runner and you catch up to a slow runner on a narrow section please be patient and respect their desire to maintain social distancing. Please be polite and encouraging at all times. Do keep a reasonable distance behind them. Do let them know that you are hoping to overtake as soon as it is convenient. Then wait until they are able to safely move aside when space allows. If you have to wait a long time then please accept that this is just part of the experience.
If you are running along and a fast runner comes up behind you, initially you may not realise. Hopefully the fast runner will politely let you know that he or she would like to overtake when convenient. Please do not feel pressurized. Please acknowledge that you know they are behind you and that you are looking for a convenient place to pull over. When a convenient opportunity presents itself, please pull over and wave them past.
The most difficult area will be Hoplands (near the 8 miles to go mark) as we have a 500m stretch of narrow path. We also have a 400m stretch near Sparsholt (after the 3 miles to go sign). Most of the other narrow sections are relatively short so much less of a problem.
Overtaking will sometimes be easy to achieve and sometimes it will be difficult. Please play your part. Always be polite and encouraging. Please help everyone to have a great day.
Route
You can see the marathon route by clicking https://www.myfreedevsite.com/clarendonmap_2023/.
Cut off times
If on the day you find you are running very slowly, you may be directed by a marshal to leave the course and accept a lift to Winchester. We have a large number of marshals along the route and it is not fair to keep them out on the course for an extended period. To be allowed to stay in the race you must make it to the drinks stations by the required times. Please see these times listed below. Please note that if you are a slow runner you should make sure you take your earliest permitted start to ensure you reach the drinks stations within the cut off time.
Drink stations and Cut Off Times
Drink stations are located at the following locations. In the past these have been good places for spectators to see the runners but due to the traffic congestion in the area we are now asking spectators not to drive around the course hoping to see their friends.
Please note the cut off times listed below for each drinks station on the second half of the course. Please ensure you stay ahead of these times. If you find the going difficult and you slip behind these times, please speak to a marshal and request a lift to save time.
- Station 1 - Clarendon Estate (near the palace ruins), Grid Ref SU181301.
- Station 2 - Pitton Village Hall, Grid Ref SU213312.
- Station 3 - Winterslow Recreation Ground, Grid Ref SU237328.
- Station 4 - Buckholt Farm, Grid Ref SU277322.
- Station 5 - Broughton, Rectory Lane, Grid Ref SU308330, Cut off time 13:15.
-
Station 6 - Houghton, Grid Ref SU338316.
Approx 11.1 miles to go. Cut off time 13:40. -
Station 7 - Kings Somborne (near The Old Vicarage), Grid Ref SU361311.
Approx 9.3 miles to go. Cut off time 14:00. -
Station 8 - Ashley Road, Grid Ref SU390297.
Approx 7 miles to go. Cut off time 14.30. -
Station 9 - Farley Mount Monument, Grid Ref SU407292.
Approx 5.6 miles to go. Cut off time 14:45. -
Station 10 - West Wood (on the northern side), Grid Ref SU418304.
Approx 5.0 miles to go. Cut off time 15:00. -
Station 11 - West Wood (south side, near the road), Grid Ref SU424294.
Approx 3.5 miles to go. Cut off time 15:15. -
Station 12 - Ham Green, Near the Cattery, Grid Ref SU435305.
Approx 2.7 miles to go. Cut off time 15:25. -
Station 13 - Dean corner, Grid Ref SU443306.
Approx 2.0 miles to go. Cut off time 15:30. -
Station 14 - Lanham Lane, Grid Ref SU 444297.
Approx 1.2 miles to go. Cut off time 15:35. -
Station 15 - Pinsent Scout Camp Entrance, Grid Ref SU451297.
Approx 0.8 miles to go. Cut off time 15:50.
Click here for further information.