The Half Marathon starts from the village hall in Broughton (SO20 8AX). The run follows the Clarendon Way setting off 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 be able to register and collect your race number at the village hall in Broughton from 10.15am onwards.
For the half marathon we will have a mass start at 12.20pm.
Runners should be encouraged to join us for the 12.20pm mass start but we will allow some runners to leave early at a time of their own choosing if they wish to.
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 12.20pm.
The way this will work for the half 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 01:20:00
Fastest female 01:35:00
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 date (2019 or 2020). Then enter your name and click on your results.
Once you have 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 13:40 (1.40pm).
The timing gate at the startline will be open by 11.00am.
Walkers requiring between 4 and 5 hours should start at or before 11:00am.
Runners estimating a fastest possible time of 2 hours and 40 minutes should start at 11.00am or slightly later but not earlier.
02:40 Do not start earlier than: 11:00am
02:30 Do not start earlier than: 11:10am
02:20 Do not start earlier than: 11:20am
02:10 Do not start earlier than: 11:30am
02:00 Do not start earlier than: 11:40am
01:50 Do not start earlier than: 12:20pm
01:40 Do not start earlier than: 12:20pm
01:30 Do not start earlier than: 12:20pm
01:20 Do not start earlier than: 12:20pm
Timing start gate closes at 12:25pm
So as an example, if you think your fastest possible time is likely to be 2:10, you should aim to start at 11.30am or slightly later but not earlier. If you then run flat out and achieve a fast time of 2:10 you will arrive at the finish line at 1.40pm in the afternoon. If you are a bit slower than 2:00 then you will arrive after 1.40pm. If you find the running difficult then the good thing is that you will have an extra 2 hours and 20 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 12.20pm. For example if your estimate of your best time is 2:00 you could set off at 11.40am but you may decide instead to set off at 12.20pm because this will keep you behind the main pack and you will not need to overtake as many runners.
Please do not leave 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 1.40pm 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 want a strategy to get a fast time – please work it all out and realise that leaving at 12.20pm will be your best strategy.
If you are going to use the early bus, this will leave Winchester at 10.00am and will arrive at Broughton at 10.40am. Once there it will probably take about 15 minutes to process in which case your start time will not be earlier than 10.55am. If you are a walker and you want to start a bit earlier, you will need to make your own travel arrangements to Broughton. Please note that you can drive to Broughton, park your car, run to Winchester and then take the afternoon bus back to Broughton.
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 on the trail 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 from 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. To reduce the spread of the virus we are discouraging spectors but please note that we are not banning spectators.
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 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.