THE organisers of the new-look New Forest Marathon have revealed its spectacular multi-terrain route.

With six months to go before the popular event returns in a new guise, Andy Daish and Chris Farr have plotted the outline of the new 26.2 mile course.

Beginning at the New Forest Showground at New Park, Brockenhurst, the circular route follows woodland trails through Ober Water and Wilverley Inclosure as well as the villages of Brockenhurst and Sway.

It is one of four routes being organised for September 13, with a half marathon and 10k and 5k races also planned.

Daish, of Ora Events, said: “We’re hoping for more than 5,000 runners across the four events. We’re very pleased with the routes, they’ll give people the full New Forest experience.

The marathon is approximately 50/50 on and off-road and includes stunning views which will be an inspiration for tired legs.

“We’ll have a festival-like feel at the showground, with space for 100 businesses making up a trade village, and no shortage of car parking.”

This will be the 32nd New Forest Marathon, the first 31 of which began in New Milton before the event was cancelled last year due to financial difficulties.

It has raised £1.25m for charities in the past and while it is being run as a commercial venture it is retaining the original event’s charitable ethos.

Anxious to avoid the controversy of the Wiggle-sponsored cycling events, Daish and Farr have spent six months planning the course to keep as many people happy as possible.

It was also due to include Burley before the verderers requested that it does not and will be confirmed by UK Athletics nearer the time. 

“We’re also ensuring the runners have gone through Brockenhurst high street before the shops open so as to cause as little inconvenience as possible,” said Daish, who is looking for a major sponsor for the event.

“Like the original course, it follows the road to Sway and one of the attractions is that it’s not easy. While the original course was mostly on-road this will be more of an even split, with the New Forest’s cycle network and bridleways also forming part of it.

“There are still plenty of hills though and it will go through a couple of fords – hopefully the Brockenhurst Watersplash will be down to a trickle on the day!”

For more details, log on to newforestmarathon.co.uk or follow @NFMarathon on Twitter.