About the Winter Dronfield Relay 2024 (organised by Dronfield Running Club)

Each team is made up of 6 runners with a pair running together on each of the 3 legs of the course. The race covers a total of around 15 miles through the countryside around Dronfield and Coal Aston with each leg being approximately 5 miles long.

It is a low key event with a focus on enjoying the run and socialising afterwards rather than cut and thrust competition. All teams will be handicapped based on the individual’s 5k or 10k times so every team has a decent chance of victory. The Handicapping means that there will be a staggered start to the first leg, with the aim of all the teams finishing about the same time. Solo runners will also have a time handicap (if people want to go as a group, they can set off at any time after their start time, as long as they will finish before 1pm).

The main differences to the summer version are 1) the Winter route will instead go anti-clockwise, and 2) the start and finish will be at Coal Aston in the park behind the Royal Oak & Coal Aston Community Hall.

Teams – race day instructions and notes

These links open a PDF in a new window

• Leg 1 teams – Coal Aston to the Angel at Holmesfield
• Leg 2 teams – the George and Dragon at Holmesfield to Dronfield bottom
• Leg 3 teams – Dronfield Bottom to Coal Aston
• Solo runners

Legs summary

Strava links and GPX download links are below

Leg 1 – Coal Aston to Holmesfield, finishing in front of the Angel Pub (7.7km / 221m)
Leg 2 – the George and Dragon finishing on Chesterfield Road opposite the layby at Dronfield bottom (7.8km / 168m)
Leg 3 – the corner of Chesterfield Road and Half Acre Lane, finishing near the Coal Aston Community Hall / Royal Oak (7.0km / 217m)

The small changes in start and finish points for the legs means that runners will not need to cross the busy roads at the end of their legs.

Race info

• Race date: Saturday 28th December 2024
• Start / finish: Coal Aston in the park behind the Royal Oak & Coal Aston Community Hall (What Three Words or Google Maps)
• Route: The race follows the route of the Dronfield 2000 Rotary Walk anti-clockwise
• Event start time: 10am (solo) & 10:30am onwards (teams)
• Team start times: teams will be handicapped based on their 10k times
• Route (PDF): Click here
• Organiser: Dronfield Running Club / Phil Howson
• About: 3 legs, circular route. Each leg is about 4 – 4.5 miles. Teams of 6 running in pairs or solo
• Terrain: Mainly off-road through woods, fields and on trails, some tarmac
• Kit requirements: FRA min. kit and mobile phone should be carried
• Teams: 6 runners per team running in pairs

Post race social: After the race, take your race number to the Royal Oak for a free festive drink (standard pint / small glass wine / soft drink)

Note: FRA min. kit is full body waterproofs with hood (waterproof trousers and jacket, both with taped seams), hat, gloves, whistle, compass, paper copy of the route, and emergency food

Dronfield Relay / Dronfield 2000 Rotary Walk – full route

OS map

About the Dronfield 2000 Rotary Walk

The Dronfield 2000 Rotary Walk is a millennium project by the Rotary Club of Dronfield (now run and managed by the Dronfield Heritage Trust). The route of the 14.5 miles circular Walk is well marked in both directions, however, clockwise seems to be the most common direction.

Officially, the start is in Coal Aston, however, we normally start in Holmesfield

The route is mainly off-road and takes you through open countryside and through woodland. It can be an extremely muddy route at some times of the year