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The Course

The course is 5000m (5K) long. The course is almost two laps along the top, middle and bottom of the scenic Gorleston Cliffs. The start area is at the North end at the top while the finish is below on the lower level. This means you only have to climb the Cliffs ONCE!

Please remember that the parkrun uses shared paths. For the continued success of the event, please give way to other park users. This won't hurt your time, it won't stop you from getting a PB and it will make sure everyone continues to to enjoy the event.

Please, wherever possible walk, jog, cycle or use public transport when attending the event. If you do have to drive, please consider car-sharing to reduce our impact on both the environment and other park users.  Please also watch out for other park users when arriving and leaving. Parking is limited so try to arrive early.

Parking is available on the Cliff top roadside and near the shops at the lower level. These shops include a Cafe where we can meet afterwards and other ones which send ice creams drinks etc. As the paths are sometimes narrow, people with dogs are not welcome unless the dogs are under control and on a short lead.

Course Safety

The Gorleston Cliffs parkrun is a fun, free event organised by volunteers for the benefit of everyone. We wish to make the run as safe as possible, so runners, spectators and helpers are asked to take care about the following:

  • Please be considerate to the park and other park users at all times.
  • Please arrive by foot, by pedal-power or by public transport if you can - your efforts help to reduce our impact on the park and the planet.
  • Please consider volunteering to help occasionally - this event survives only because of your generosity - please vist the volunteer page for more information.
  • Take care near roads and car parks - some vehicles drive very quickly. Please congregate away from the cars and be careful in particular if you have children. If you’re driving to the run, please drive carefully even if you’re late!
  • When running, take care on uneven surfaces - whether on grass or on tarmac. Watch out for cyclists, other runners, pedestrians, children, deer, dogs, vehicles, park maintenance work, falling branches, bollards, posts and other obstacles around the course.
  • Runners with dogs are welcome, but please keep dogs on a short lead or harness and under control throughout the event.
  • Runners pushing buggies are also welcome, but please take extreme care of other runners around you. If possible start from the back of the field and try to keep to one side of the main body of runners.
  • Please make sure you’re fit enough to run 5k (3.1 miles) – if you’re in any doubt, please consult your doctor.
  • Remember to warm up before the run.
  • If you see a runner with a serious problem, please stop to help them out and get help as soon as possible.
  • If you’re watching, keep clear of runners on the course, and look after any children and dogs you may have with you.
  • While rare, Lyme Disease is present in areas where deer live, and occasionally passed to human’s through infected ticks. See NHS Choices website for more about Lyme Disease, and how to deal with ticks.
  • This is a free training event, so all run and attend at their own risk.

We hope these tips help to ensure that Gorleston Cliffs parkrun is fun and safe for everyone.

Age Grading

All parkrun events use Age Grading to help athletes compare results.

Age Grading takes your time and uses the world record time for your sex and age group to produce a score (a percentage). This score allows you to compare your personal performance against other people's performances even though they might be a different age and a different sex to you - the higher the score the better the performance. The scores can also be compared across different run distances - to allow you to, for example, compare a 5km time against a marathon.

For more information, please see the Running For Fitness website.

Course Map

Getting There

From Lowestoft, A12

Straight on at the lights at the entrance to the James Paget University Hospital, then RIGHT at the next set of lights into Bridge Road (sp Seafront). At the T-junction, turn left onto Marine parade and in about 200m (just after the "Ravine") park on the roadside. The START is near the grass areas behind the hedge.

From Beccles/Bungay, A143

Continue through Bradwell crossroads (lights) and in one mile at lights, take left fork towards Great Yarmouth. TAKE CARE as you join the A12. AT THE FIRST ROUNDABOUT take 4th exit (returning on A12). At the next roundabout (in ~1 mile) take the first exit, and then at the T-junction turn right. Follow the road round to the left an on to the Marine Parade. Parking available on the roadside. The START is near the grass areas behind the hedge.

From Norwich, A47

At the first roundabout, take the third exit onto the A12. Continue straight on at two further roundabouts. Then, at the next roundabout (in ~1 mile) take the first exit, and then at the T-junction turn right. Follow the road round to the left and onto Marine Parade. Parking available on the roadside. The START is near the grass areas behind the hedge.

Where ever you're coming from please park with consideration for local residents.

Directions to cliffs lower level

If you want to get to or park near to the finish:
  • BY FOOT take either steps or sloping footpaths from the start area down to the shops cafe etc.
  • BY CAR at the North end of Marine Parade turn left along Avondale Road. Turn right at the end and continue carefully for ~500m and after a pedestrian crossing, turn right into Englands Lane (Opposite Police Station). At the NARROW end take care and go straight on. Follow the road round to the right (near river) and right again in front of the Ocean Rooms. Parking is along to the left, round this corner and toward the shops/cafe area.