44th South Shropshire Circular - 26 miles

Oswestry, United Kingdom

Expected February 2028

Our best guess from a single past year. We'll firm it up when the organiser confirms.

Distance

41.8km

Climb

Hilly·1,030m

Start Time

08:00

Cutoff

10 hours

Terrain

Mixed

From last year's edition. Details may change once confirmed.

Overview

The South Shropshire Circular starts and finishes in Oswestry, heading out from a mass start in Cae Glas Park for a 26 mile circuit with around 3,380 feet of climbing through scenic and testing border countryside. Entrants check in at the Memorial Hall from 06:45 for registration, a simple breakfast and the issue of the route description, which must be plotted onto OS Explorer 240 and navigated by map and compass. The day is split into four legs with three serviced checkpoints, one basic and two with toilets, hot drinks and food, and a ten hour limit keeps everyone moving. Nothing is published in advance and the route differs each year, with no GPX files issued, so a paper map and compass form part of the mandatory kit. Hot food, hot drinks and a certificate wait back in Oswestry.

A completely different route every year
Three serviced checkpoints, two with toilets, hot drinks and food
Scenic and testing Shropshire border countryside
Mass start from Cae Glas Park in Oswestry
Hot food, hot drinks and a certificate at the finish

The practical side

Start / Finish

Start

Mass start in Cae Glas Park, Oswestry, a 4 minute walk from check in at the Oswestry Memorial Hall

Finish

Oswestry Memorial Hall, Smithfield Street, Oswestry SY11 2EG

Terrain

Scenic and testing countryside in the Shropshire borders around Oswestry, on a mix of paths, tracks, bridleways and field paths, with roughly 3,380 feet of climbing over the 26 miles.

Route

A different route every year. The route description is issued on the morning of the event and must be plotted onto OS Explorer 240 (Oswestry/Croesowalt) at 1:25,000. The route is divided into four legs with three serviced checkpoints, one basic and two with toilets, hot drinks and food. The route is neither given out nor published before the morning of the event.

Race Day

Registration, a simple breakfast and collection of the route description from 06:45 at the Oswestry Memorial Hall; briefing at 07:45; mass start at 08:00 from nearby Cae Glas Park. The route runs over four legs with three serviced checkpoints, and a 10 hour limit applies. Hot food, hot drinks and a certificate await back at Oswestry.

Good to know

What to bring

Mug (no cups are provided at checkpoints)

Walking boots or event/fell running shoes with sound, well-studded soles

Complete body and leg covering (running shorts with tights are acceptable)

Wind and waterproof jacket

Waterproof over-trousers

Spare inner garment such as a fleece jacket

Hat

Gloves

Survival bag

Emergency food and drink

Torch

Basic first aid kit

Compass

Whistle

OS Explorer sheet 240 (Oswestry/Croesowalt) map

Bring a mug

Recommended

What you get

Finisher certificate

Simple breakfast before the start

Route description issued on the morning of the event

Certificate at the finish

Food after the finishHot food and hot drinks are served at the finish in the Oswestry Memorial Hall

On the day

Toilets

Food vendors

Marshals on course

First aid on course

Parking · PaidA large public car park is right by the Memorial Hall (Oswestry Central Car Park). It takes cash and cards and can be booked in advance through the Oswestry Town Council website to save time in the morning; current prices are listed there. Lift sharing is encouraged.

Aid stations · 3Checkpoint 1: basic refreshments · Checkpoint 2: toilets, hot drinks and food · Checkpoint 3: toilets, hot drinks and food · Wandering Wintertime Wobble: Tea & toast at the start, one checkpoint with hot drinks & snacks. Hot food at the finish. · 44th South Shropshire Circular: Tea & toast at the start. Hot meal at the end. CPs on route, one basic checkpoint with water and snacks, one with toilets, hot drinks & food. · Corvedale Cake Walk: Hot drinks available at start, full refreshments at CP's ie cakes (of course) sandwiches & drinks. At finish hot dogs are served. All proceeds will go to Holdgate & Eaton church communities.

Course markingNo. The route is not marked. You plot the coordinates from the route description onto the required map and navigate the course yourself using map and compass skills.

Before you enter

RefundsYes, a full refund less the SiEntries administrative costs is available until 30 January 2027. After that date any refund is at the discretion of the organiser.

If the race is cancelledThe event is run under the SiEntries event cancellation policy, available via the SiEntries event page

Minimum ageYes. Entries are only accepted from people aged 18 or older on the day of the event.

DogsNo, dogs must not be brought on this event.

Time limitYes. There is a 10 hour limit from the 08:00 mass start, so entrants need to be back in Oswestry by 18:00.

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44th South Shropshire Circular - 26 miles

Overview

The practical side

Good to know

Do I have to be an LDWA member to take part?

Can I start early or late?

Will I be able to see the route before the day?

What map do I need to bring?

Can I use a GPS device instead of a map?

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