The Lock Challenge

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About
Move from lock to lock along the Cotswold canals. With 5 and 10 mile options to run or walk, as well as an accessible 3/4k option and paddle boarding (yes, thats right!) there really is something for everyone.
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10 Miles, Accessible Route, 5 Miles, and 1 more
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Calendar
10:00am Sat 13th May 2023 - 11:00am Sat 13th May 2023
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LocationPin
Stonehouse, United Kingdom
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Star
4.5
(89 Reviews)
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Where and when
Location
Church Ln, Stonehouse GL10 3QP, UK
Start times
11:00am Sat 13th May 2023
5k :
11:00am
10:00am Sat 13th May 2023
10 Miles:
10:00am |
Accessible Route:
10:00am
10:30am Sat 13th May 2023
5 Miles:
10:30am
Event summary
Here are the distances available for The Lock Challenge
5k
Distance
5km
£10
10 Miles
Distance
10mi
£10 - £25
5 Miles
Distance
5mi
£10
Accessible Route
Distance
4km
free
Route information
Cotswold Canals Connected is a multi-partnership organisation committed to restoring the Stroudwater Navigation Canal from Ocean Jubilee Bridge, Stonehouse to Saul Junction to connect with the Gloucester and Sharpness canal. This project is dedicated to unlocking the incredible canal archive, celebrating local heritage, encouraging wildlife to thrive, and making the canals accessible to all.
The Lock Challenge is part of Cotswold Canals Connected’s Canal Spring Festival (13th & 14th May 2023) and brings you a choice of a 10 mile, 5 mile or 5 kilometre run or walk. The day will also include an accessible route up to 3k, which is open to all!
All of the running and walking routes follow the River Frome on the outward journey and the existing Stroudwater Navigation Canal on the way back.
The 10 and 5 mile routes also include a section where the ‘Missing Mile’ section of canal will be in three years time. In addition, the 10 mile route continues along the river all the way to Saul Junction, where the Stroudwater Navigation Canal joins the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal.
The accessible route heads along the scenic, already restored, Stroudwater Navigation Canal towards Stroud.
Parking will be available at Bond's Mill, GL10 3RF.
09:00 – 09:45am
All walkers (10 mile, 5 mile and 5km) start
10:00 am
10 mile run starts
10:30 am
5 mile run starts
11:00 am
5k run starts
10:00 - 11:00
Accessible route starts
What's included
  • Timed results (not for accessible route)
  • Drink and snack
  • Bespoke finisher’s medal
  • On-course hydration stations
  • Marked and marshalled routes
Train
How to get there
Church Ln, Stonehouse GL10 3QP, UK
Get full directionsExternalLink
Parking
Parking will be available at Bond's Mill, GL10 3RF.
Parking in the privately owned Car Parks X & Y at Bond’s Mill Business Estate is subject to capacity. The landlord nor its managing agents accept no responsibility for loss or damage to vehicles or their contents within these car parks. Vehicles parked at owner’s risk.
What3Words
Please use the following to locate the event site: W3W - canal.bookcases.purely
Event day logistics
09:00 – 09:45am
All walkers (10 mile, 5 mile and 5km) start
10:00 am
10 mile run starts
10:30 am
5 mile run starts
11:00 am
5k run starts
10:00 - 11:00
Accessible route starts
Age Requirements
Entrants must be 17 and older to enter the 10 miles, 16 and older to enter the 5 miles, and 15 and older to enter the 5k.
Cotswold Canals Connected's logo
Cotswold Canals Connected
View more Cotswold Canals Connected eventsExternalLink
FAQs
Whats the age requirement for Lock Challenge?
Entrants must be 17 and older to enter the 10 miles, 16 and older to enter the 5 miles, and 15 and older to enter the 5k.
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Do I have to run at the Lock Challenge?
Not at all, there are options to walk if you'd rather.
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Where does the Lock Challenge start?
All routes start at St Cyr's Church, Stonehouse.
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Reviews
4.5
89 reviews
karen
Star
4.3
Did the race in 2023
10 mile runner. Course mostly trail - fields, grass, footpaths (and mud!) Plenty of marshal's but quite a few took the wrong turning at one point ending up on 11 miles! Nice to have 3 water station's- the mid one with sweets, sports drinks & full fat coke! Registration in a lovely old church with plenty of tea & delicious cakes at the end. Plenty of walkers too & popular with locals. Not sure many had travelled for it like we had. Would definitely think about doing again. An option of t-shirts, especially for runners, would be nice.
katherine
Star
2.0
Did the race in 2023
It wasn’t 5 miles, it was 10.25km. Mixing mike’s and I’m wasn’t helpful. Registration was slow. The course was mostly really nice but it would have been difficult for any more people due to the number of stiles, kissing gates and rabbit tracks through fields. The tunnels under the M5 were unlit, very slippy and unpleasant. Learning from what went well and what didn’t would make this a better event if it is run again.
ali
Star
4.7
Did the race in 2023
A trail run through fields & woodland, following the river & along canal paths.Missed an arrow so added an extra hill but otherwise a very well organised & friendly event for all abilities. Fantastic refreshments put on by the church. I hope they raised a lot in donations.
julia
Star
5.0
Did the race in 2023
Enjoyed it. Not as many people taking part as I expected. Lots of work for those organising. Better publicity next time perhaps.
michael
Star
5.0
Did the race in 2023
Nice easy walk for us. Well organised with checkpoints and marshals. Enjoyable day, teas in the church were excellent.
amanda
Star
5.0
Did the race in 2023
This was a great event, well organised , great marshalling and would definitely do this one again
vicky
Star
3.0
Did the race in 2023
The course was actually 10k not 5 miles as stated and the two tunnels on route were incredibly wet and muddy making them dangerously slippery especially in the dark. Overall an ok race at a good price.
jan
Star
5.0
Did the race in 2023
Note that the lock challenge is not running along by canals as I assumed, it is full cross country running across fields and mud and definitely needs trail shoes!
joanna
Star
3.7
Did the race in 2023
It was great to take part in an event in such a lovely part of the county that I hadn't previously explored. I had expected from the route description that we would spend most of the 10 miles at the river or canal's edge rather than across fields which were challenging in terrain, especially when we couldn't see where our feet were landing. The last tunnel section had the potential to be quite dangerous with the combination of wet, slippy mud and darkness. The marshalls were friendly and helpful. There was one key point where the path split that I felt should have had a marshall as a number of runners in front of me went thd wrong way. The volunteers in the church serving tea and cake did a great job and were much appreciated.
jackie
Star
4.0
Did the race in 2023
I didn't like having to keep making way for the Runners, lost the markets for end of 5 mile walk. Also fell down rabbit/fox hole concealed by the long grass! Was also hoping we would gain further insight to the Canal future.
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