Andrew Disley added an event to the calendar.

North Downs Trail Run (52 min journey) - Escape from the Smoke once lockdown is lifted

Date: Sat 5 December 2020
Time: 08:36

Provisional - subject to new Covid 19 rules (whatever they may be) and cancellation

Here is the plan for an escape from the Big Smoke once lockdown is lifted.

(A low budget follow up to Mark's North Downs Mk I run.)

Get the 08:36 Thameslink train from Kentish Town, change at Blackfriars and arrive at Merstham 52 minutes later.

You are yards from the North Downs Path. You have a choice, east or west, out and back (recommended as £9.40 Off- Peak return.) or something more complicated. Run as far as you want, turn round and go back.

If you go west it is about 10 miles to Box Hill, if you wanted you could get the train back from Westhumble, or 20 miles return. Going east you go towards Woldingham and Tilsey.

There is a GPX file here:

https://centurionrunning.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/races/gpx/c3fe9681669f03f7cc91fade0ef1a46c.gpx

Assume it will be muddy.

(Groups to be organised nearer the time once rules clearer.)

Elizabeth Aryeetey Yay 😁!

Eamon Byrne Great Andrew. I will join you

Katherine Atkinson Yay! Missed out on the last one because I had to take my cat to the vet!

Andrew Disley Here are the joining instructions for any late entries: -----Original Message----- From: Andrew Disley <andrew-disley@live.co.uk> Sent: 29 November 2020 16:09 To: Andrew Disley <andrew-disley@live.co.uk> Subject: FW: North Downs Way - Sat 5/12 Afternoon all. I hope you are well. I'm not aware of any reasons why we shouldn't go ahead with this - so here are your joining instructions. GETTING THERE Run starts at 09:30 from Merstham station. Options to get there include: Direct Thameslink train to Merstham arriving 09:28 leaving: London St Pancras International 08:45 Farringdon 08:49 Blackfriars 08:53 London Bridge 09:00 Train from Kentish Town 08:36 - change (same platform) at St Pancras International to get on above. KIT I would recommend trail shoes and a waterproof. Also carry dry clothes to change into at the end in case it is cold and wet and you have to wait for a train. Fluids and snacks too. (There is a petrol station in Merstham and a cafe on Box Hill but not a lot otherwise.) GPX file I'm afraid I can't attach files to this e-mail but you can find a GPX file of the NDW here. https://www.centurionrunning.com/races/north-downs-way-50-2021 RUNNING GROUPS I will try and work something out. Can you let me know: a) How far you want to run eg 10, 15 or 20 miles? b) Do you want to return from Merstham or Box Hill and West Humble (Merstham to Box Hill and West Humble is about 10 miles)? c) Can you navigate or do you want to be with somebody who claims they can? E-mail with any questions. Let me know if you are not going to make it. Any problems on the day my number is 07900 407992. Please socially distance - whatever that means. Best wishes, Andrew

John Armstrong Has Andrew managed to work something out? I guess we'll all find out when we get to Merstham!

Andrew Disley Will sort out groups in Merstham. Everybody will be catered for - pinky promise! Weather looks dry but cold. See you tomorrow.