Vanguard Way Marathon & Half Marathon

Name: Vanguard Way Marathon & Half Marathon
Start: 2023-08-06T08:30:00.000Z
End: 2023-08-06T08:30:00.000Z
Location: Coombe Rd, Croydon CR0 5RA, UK
Rating: 4.1

1 / 10

7 +

£40.00

About

The Vanguard Way Marathon & Half Marathon is an amazing trail event perfect for both walkers and runners. Participants should expect beautiful course that features woodlands, villages, and open country. Come for the amazing scenery, and exciting goodies and earn that bespoke finisher's medal - great value!

Marathon and Half Marathon

View details

Sun, 6 Aug 2023

View logistics

Croydon, United Kingdom

View location

4.1
(9 Reviews)

All reviews

Perks of booking with Let's Do This

Best price guarantee

Official booking partner

We're #1 in customer satisfaction

The event experience

😍

Scenery

Based on location and reviews

🏞

Elevation

5 to 20m elevation gain per km

Invite friends, earn credit

After booking your event, invite your friends to join you and you'll get £5 credit if they make it their first Let's Do This booking.

Where and when

Location

Coombe Rd, Croydon CR0 5RA, UK

Start times

Sun, 6 Aug 2023

Marathon:

9:30am |

Half Marathon:

9:30am

Races summary

Here's what races are available for Vanguard Way Marathon & Half Marathon

Marathon

26.2mi

£40.00

Half Marathon

13.1mi

£40.00

Route information

The route follows part of the Vanguard Way Route, a 66 mile trail from East Croydon to Newhaven on the South Coast. This event will see runners travelling a 13.1 mile out-and-back route along this stunning, and varied course.

Starting on the outskirts of Greater London the route passes through Surrey, Kent, and Sussex. Less than half an hour into the run you'll reach woodland and open countryside as you pass through historic houses at Coombe, through Selsdon Wood Nature Reserve, and the beautiful church of St Mary the Virgin at Farleigh.

With a tough, but achievable, climb to reach the highest point of the route at 853ft, the views will reward you as you head back down from the North Downs onto the North Downs Way National Trail and the Pilgrims' Way.

From here you'll see the Vanguard's commemorative plaque as you cross the Greenwich Meridian, and head into the wooded area of Greensand Ridge. Rounding out the 13.1 miles you'll reach Limpsfield where you'll turn around and enjoy the view all the way back.

What's included

Bespoke Finisher's Medal
1m2go Mug
1m2go Buff
Post-race goody bag
Additional food and snacks at the finish line
Chip-timed results
Bag drop
Aid Stations

How to get there

Coombe Rd, Croydon CR0 5RA, UK

Get full directions

Parking

There is free car parking at Lloyd Park which may only be available for 3-4 hours. Runners are encouraged to use the vast spaces of Melville Ave, Ballater Road, Castlemaine Ave and Croham Park Ave.

By Public Transport

Travelling to the event site is easily done by going to East Croyden train station and then travelling 3 tram stops to Lloyd Park. The destination on the tram will say New Addington – Route 3.

Event day logistics

07:45 Registration Opens

09:30 Marathon and Half Marathon start

*Please arrive with plenty of time before the start of your race to register, attach your race number and warm up.

Bag Drop

There will be Mens/Womens changing rooms open from 07:30 am (next to Pavillion Cafe). All bags can be left in these changing rooms, they will be locked until participants return

Aid Stations

Aid stations will be situated every 6 miles. If the weather plans to be particularly hot, please bring your own water with you to stay hydrated.

Toilets

There will be toilets in Lloyds Park but none along the route as it is essentially in the countryside. There will be a pub on route at the 6 & 20 mile marks if you are desperate.

1m2go

We provide runners with the ability to run marathons in beautiful and safe surroundings supported by enthusiastic volunteers who ensure all runners receive much needed encouragement as they navigate the ups and downs of the various courses. We welcome runners of all abilities. We are extremely excited with our NEW half marathon in Richmond Park, which will appeal to all runners who are either training for London Marathon, or just simply want to take part in a well-organised event.

View more 1m2go events

Spectator Info

Spectators are encouraged to watch the event at Lloyd Park HQ where they can watch their friends and family cross the finish-line. The whole park is open and accessible to spectators.

FAQs

How do I get my race photographs from the Vanguard Way Marathon & Half Marathon?

Race photos will be emailed to all runners after the event.

How do I find my results from the Vanguard Way Marathon & Half Marathon?

Results will be emailed to runners after the event as well as posted onto the VGW Marathon website.

Will the event be COVID-19 secure?

Yes, there will be a number of measures in place including masks and face coverings, hand sanitiser stations, gloves and social distancing.

When will I get my medal from the Vanguard Way Marathon & Half Marathon?

Medals will be posted to participants after the event.

Reviews

4.1

9 reviews

paul

4.0

Did the race in 2022

I think losing your way was common with the course, I heard people say it before as well as after the course. It's the most difficult half marathon I've done, as I am used to road/track/path running and this was very much woodlands.The water station was not at 6 miles as suggested, it was more like 7 miles. Which almost destroyed my drive given I was exhausted as had bought no water as I knew I could make 6 miles. I'll certainly be doing another half marathon, I'm just don't think it will be this one, ever again, and that is not because of the organizers, it's because of the course.

4.0

Did the race in 2022

Really enjoyable day out. Some steep hills with rewarding views at the topThere was some grumbles around navigation. There was lots of markings with red/white tape and I had the GPX file on my Garmin. I followed someone who has run the event before so I had no issues, Thanks Debbie :-)The only way I could see to improve in future might be some signs with arrows on them that I have seen at some other events. Race director and all the volunteers were brilliant

attila

5.0

Did the race in 2022

Amazing race organisers and marshals did a great job keeping us safe in the heat. Thank you!

julia

5.0

Did the race in 2022

I've ran this 4 times. It's absolutely brilliant. Ut brutal, so tough but an excellent cardio workout. It is so well organised and plenty of water and food, but the best part is the magnificent views, absolutely breathtaking. It's such a friendly event. The race director and volunteers are really lovely, kind, supportive and encouraging. There is a risk that one might get lost, so I would suggest baring this in mind, by being prepared, however this does add to the excitement and fun of the day. I have got lost 4 times! I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in todays marathon. It was a brilliant day, lovely to see so many smiling faces and I really look forward to returning next year 😀 Thank you so much indeed ❤

james

3.7

Did the race in 2022

Marking of course could be better or provide paper maps as online map not great when zoom in

jonathan

5.0

Did the race in 2022

Best running experience ever

5.0

Did the race in 2019

Superb course. Lots of extra arrows and directional signs this year.The water stations are about 6 miles apart, and it was a very warm day. T-shirt is quality

Graeme H

4.0

Did the race in 2019

Fab course, probably 2nd hardest marathon to date( 76th today) got lost a couple of times, but hey ho

Elsa. S

1.0

Did the race in 2019

Not enough Marshalls throughout the course. Only water station at 6 miles on a humid day like today it needed more. No marshalling on the way back. Really lonely course if you are on your own. If you were to get hurt nobody would know where you are. We nearly tripped a few times from the loose stones, tree roots. Huge overgrown section where we were stung by bramble, stinging nettles. The section leading to mile 6 which by the way is the only mile sign, is so narrow and uneven ground that all the half marathon runners that were making their way back again, we had to keep stop and wait for them to go past. Signalling and marking were very poor we took the wrong turn a few times. Was not impressed with the course, marshalling or organisation of this event

Less reviews

Vanguard Way Marathon & Half Marathon

Marathon and Half Marathon

Sun, 6 Aug 2023

Croydon, United Kingdom

4.1
(9 Reviews)

Perks of booking with Let's Do This

Invite friends, earn credit

Sun, 6 Aug 2023

Running Event Distances

Running Event Types

Running in London Parks

Popular Categories

Company

Policies

Office

Follow Us

Vanguard Way Marathon & Half Marathon

Marathon and Half Marathon

Sun, 6 Aug 2023

Croydon, United Kingdom

4.1(9 Reviews)

Perks of booking with Let's Do This

Invite friends, earn credit

Sun, 6 Aug 2023

Running Event Distances

Running Event Types

Running in London Parks

Popular Categories

Company

Policies

Office

Follow Us

4.1
(9 Reviews)