Discover Run routes announced

The inaugural Discovery Run is coming to Petworth Park on the 30th May and details of the 5k, 10k and half marathon trail routes have now been confirmed.

In addition to these runs, there will also be a 1.5km Discovery Fun Run for kids, refreshments, a Sports Festival including a variety of ’have a go’ activities for the whole family to enjoy, plus music and retail.

The car park will open at 8:30am, with races starting from 10:00am. For full details of what will be on offer please visit www.thediscoveryrun.com.

Louise Cornish, Discovery Run race director, said, “We are very excited by the routes on offer with a challenge for everyone, from four year olds on the Fun Run to participants after a more challenging half marathon exploring new terrain.”

Discovery 5km route details
Starting within the Sports Festival, a small incline in the first km will provide runners with spectacular views out across the park. Enjoy a flat section around the upper pond, to take in Petworth House in all of its glory, before heading downhill into the park, spotting herds of fallow deer. The route then passes by the lower pond, before a final gradual climb. It’s then all downhill for a magnificent finish in front of the house.

Discovery 10km route details
Following the same initial route as the Discovery 5km, the route will split after 3.5km. This will allow the 10k runners to discover what the 700-acre deer park has to offer, as the route follows grass paths and trails to all edges of the park. Passing through open parkland, the main climb of the route comes at the half-way point; it is short and sharp but opens up panoramic views, runners can even spot Petworth House in the distance. Enjoy the downhill section and the scenery when passing by the picturesque lower pond, before the final stretch to the finish line.

Discovery Half route details
The Half Marathon runners will discover not only what the park has to offer, but enjoy exclusive access to the Leconfield Estate. Following the Discovery 10km, the route will split just before 7km, when runners will follow the ‘chalk path’ to enter the estate. Runners will twist and turn through the woodland areas and pass by picturesque lakes over the flattest part of the route.  A road crossing at 13km at the estate exit will lead to Upperton Common to follow the narrower trails through the woods. Runners will re-enter the park at the highest point on the route, offering breath-taking views.  It’s downhill from here, and the parkland opens up again. After passing the lower pond, runners will have a short climb and then a downhill straight to the finish line.

To view Discovery Run route maps, please click here.