The Stroud Trail Quarter Marathon,

.. although 7 miles and not exactly the quarter marathon, it is a great introduction to trail running and takes in some of the great Cotswold views at the same time.  Starting from the Stroud town centre, the Stroud Trail Quarter marathon joins the Cotswold Canal towpath to Capels Mill and under the Railway Viaduct, before taking a right and looking up towards Rodborough Fort.

The ascent of 450ft begins gradually, but increases in steepness to the fort and onto Rodborough Common (see picture right) , with fantastic views.  A mile or so later, a steep but short decent opens the run to St Chloe’s Woods and the great smell of wild garlic.

This a wonderful mile and half of trail running, before ascending out of the woods and up to the highest point of the Stroud Trail Quarter Marathon, Amberley, & Checkpoint (3.5M).

So heading across Minchinhampton Common, the course steers past the Bear of Rodborough Hotel, across to Rodborough Common and back to Rodborough Fort. The route now takes a steep descent from Rodborough Common towards Stroud, under the Railway Viaduct and onto the Thames/Severn Canal Path, west along the Towpath and into the Town Centre to the finish.

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