Tag: NSRRA

The Cheddleton 10k is one of the most distinctive and long‑running races in the Staffordshire Moorlands, famous for its three‑lap rural course and its festive, community‑driven atmosphere.

The race has a strong charity focus and it embraces a fun, celebratory spirit — fancy dress is encouraged, and supporters line the village streets to cheer runners on.

Every finisher receives a Christmas pudding!

The Madeley Half Marathon has grown into one of Staffordshire’s most anticipated autumn road races, drawing runners who appreciate a scenic challenge with a friendly, local feel.

The event starts and finishes in Madeley village and follows a closed‑road route through the surrounding countryside. The course has quickly earned a reputation for its “legendary” new design, offering wide views, gentle undulations, and a rewarding mix of terrain that suits both newcomers to the half‑marathon distance and experienced club runners looking for a strong seasonal benchmark.

A 10k road race run on the country lanes of Werrington, just outside Stoke-on-Trent.

The route loops around rural lanes – scenic but undulating and will test pacing discipline.

It has a friendly feel with a junior race beforehand which adds to the family vibe.

The South Cheshire 20 is a well-established road race that serves as a premier training event for runners preparing for autumn marathons.

Known for its challenging profile and excellent organisation, the race is a single 20-mile loop through the scenic, rural lanes of South Cheshire and the Staffordshire border.

The course is officially described as “undulating,” but many runners consider it “relentlessly hilly.” It is not a mountain race, but the constant rolling terrain makes it much tougher than a flat city marathon.

The route passes through several picturesque villages, including Weston, Englesea Brook, Betley, Wrinehill, Audley, and Barthomley, before returning to the start.

The race takes place on open roads (not traffic-free), though the lanes are generally quiet country roads well-managed by marshals.

It usually falls about 4–6 weeks before major autumn marathons, making it the perfect “long run” with the added benefit of water stations, marshals, and competitive spirit. It is often used as a “calibration race” to test marathon pace and nutrition strategies.

There is typically a 4-hour cut-off time, though marshals are known for being supportive of those close to the limit.

Race 15 on the NSRRA fixture list.

The Denstone 10 is a relatively new but highly popular addition to the Staffordshire running circuit. It is a scenic, multi-terrain 10-mile race that starts and finishes at the historic Denstone College.

It is an out-and-back course. After leaving the college grounds, runners head through Denstone Village and join the Churnet Valley Way (the Oakamoor to Denstone Greenway). Mostly flat and fast, it follows the path of a disused railway line and canal, meaning much of the middle section is level and sheltered by woodland.

While the majority of the race is flat, there is a significant hill at the very end as you climb back up toward the finish line at the College.

On quiet sections of the Churnet Valley Way, you can often hear the screams and roars from the rollercoasters at the nearby Alton Towers.

Following other local races like the Trentham 10k, it focuses on being eco-friendly, often offering options like “No Medal” entries to reduce waste.

Race 14 on the NSRRA fixture list.

This is a popular charity road race known for its challenging hills and its legendary post-race buffet.

It is a two-lap, “undulating” (hilly) course that starts and finishes at Oulton Cricket Club (ST15 8US). It features roughly 600ft of elevation.

It is a mid-week evening race and it is famous for its friendly atmosphere and the free buffet provided for all runners in the cricket pavilion after the finish.

The race is organised by local sports photographer Mick Hall and raises significant funds for local charities.

Race 13 on the NSRRA fixture list.

The Trentham 10k is a historic and popular road race in Staffordshire, organised by the Trentham Running Club. It is has undergone significant changes in recent years to improve safety and sustainability.

For decades, the race was famous (or infamous) for the steep climb up to Beech Caves. However, due to traffic management issues, the course was redesigned in 2022.

The race now starts and finishes at Wedgwood Cricket Club in Barlaston (ST12 9ER).

While the “Big Beech” climb is gone, the new route is still described as “undulating” and challenging. It features a series of climbs and descents through the scenic country roads of Barlaston and the surrounding area.

The race concludes with a final burst back into the cricket ground.

Trentham Running Club has gained national recognition for its commitment to making the event eco-friendly. They have implemented several “green” initiatives:

• Cup-less/Plastic-free: They use paper cups and zero plastic bottles for water.
• Optional Medals: To reduce waste, runners can choose whether to pay for a medal during registration or opt for a “No Frills” entry.
• Sustainability: The club encourages car-sharing and carbon-offsets the lead vehicles used during the race.

Race 12 on the NSRRA fixtures list.

The Ipstones 5 is a multi-terrain course that includes a mix of quiet country lanes, grass, and woodland trails.

It is characterised by its “undulating” profile—a polite way of saying it is quite hilly. While there are no “mountainous” climbs, the constant ups and downs through the Staffordshire countryside make it a testing run for both beginners and seasoned club runners. In return it offers stunning views of the Churnet Valley and the surrounding Moorlands.

Race 11 on the NSRRA fixtures list.

This one lap 5‑mile route is a mix of trails, woodland paths, and gravel sections across Cannock Chase.
It’s not a flat road race—this is very much a trail‑style five‑miler, but still fast enough for competitive runners. Expect undulating terrain, shaded woodland stretches and the occasional muddy or wet patches depending on weather.

Race 10 on the NSRRA fixtures list.