Runners ready to discover Petworth event

The Affinion-sponsored event takes in the best of the West Sussex countryside, offering the chance to run 5k, 10k and half-marathon distances across the stunning park.

An exclusive half-marathon route also takes you through the private Leconfield Estate.

With a grand finish in front of the beautiful Petworth House and a packed sports festival, organisers say it is sure to be a great day out for the whole family and the perfect way to bring half-term to a close.

Registration opens at 8.30am and the Discovery Half starts at 10am, followed by the Discovery 10k at 10.30am.

Then at 11am the Discovery 5k starts, 15 minutes before the Discovery Youth event.

Prizegiving is timed for 12.30pm with a kids’ fun run starting at 1pm.

Entry is free for spectators, who can watch the start and finish of the races within the Sports Festival.

Refreshments, music, retail and a variety of different activities will be on offer for everybody to enjoy.

Here’s a guide to the route for each event:

Discovery 5k

Starting within the sports festival, a small incline in the first kilometre will provide runners with spectacular views out across the park. Enjoy a flat section around the Upper Pond, to take in Petworth House in all its glory, before heading downhill into the park, spotting herds of fallow deer. The route passes by the Lower Pond, before a final gradual climb. It’s then all downhill for a finish in front of the house.

Discovery 10k

Following the same initial route as the Discovery 5k, the route will split after 3.5k. This will allow 10k runners to discover what the 700-acre deer park has to offer as the route follows grass paths and trails to all edges of the park. Passing through open parkland, the main climb of the route comes at the halfway point. It is short and sharp but opens up panoramic views, runners can even spot Petworth House in the distance. Enjoy the downhill section and the scenery when passing by the picturesque Lower Pond, before the final stretch to the finish line.

Discovery Half

Half marathon runners will discover not only what the park has to offer, but enjoy exclusive access to the Leconfield estate. Following the Discovery 10k, the route will split just before 7k, when runners will follow the chalk path to enter the estate.

Runners will twist and turn through the woodland areas and pass by picturesque lakes over the flattest part of the route. A road crossing at 13k at the estate exit will lead to Upperton Common to follow narrower trails through the woods.

Runners will re-enter the park at the highest point on the route, offering breathtaking views. It’s downhill from here, and the parkland opens up again. After passing the Lower Pond, runners will have a short climb and then a downhill straight to the finish line.

To view Discovery Run route maps, please visit http://www.thediscoveryrun.com/route/

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