This page contains many of the routes the Wreake Runners run on a club night. Our club runs generally begin and end at the Catholic Church Hall on Broad Street in Syston, LE7 1GH. Our winter road routes range from 5 to 10 miles covering Syston, Thurmaston, and touching on north Leicester and Birstall. In the spring and summer months we venture off road along the many scenic footpaths and trails in the Syston area and beyond. We encourage as much variety as possible and for members to share new routes for us to experience together.
| Route | Name | Distance | Terrain | Description | Link to map & route description |
| 1a | Sileby to Seagrave – Ally Anderson | 5 miles | mixed | a lovely route on road and through fields | https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2039932?units=miles |
| 1b | Sileby-Cossington-Seagrave – Ally Anderson | 8 miles | mixed | a lovely route on road and through fields, but this extends from the shorter route 1b, making it 8 miles | https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2039929?units=miles |
| 1c | Badgers Sett – Newton Linford Loop shorter route – Reb | 10k | road | a fun and scenic route through Bradgate park that is challenging with some hill work | https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2132621?units=km |
| 1d | Badgers Sett – Newton Linford Loop longer route – Reb | 12.7k | road | A longer version of the Bradgate Park, Newton Linford, Anstey and back to Badgers Sett | https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2153605 https://maps.app.goo.gl/ofYBgEvGgKTk6ZBx7 |
| 1e | Birstall hills toothbrush by Reb | 8k | road | a challenging route with ALL the hills of Birstall | https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2114673?units=km |
| 1f | Birstall hills toothbrush by Reb | 10k | road | a longer version of the Birstall hills toothbrush | https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2114679?units=km%22 |
| 1g | Thurmaston without earls way – Marsha’s route | 8k | road | A flat local Thurmaston route, without Earls way, with some simple familiar streets around Thurmaston. This one has an added loop to take it just over 5 miles. | https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2153973?units=miles |
| 1h | Capt Carmichael Thurmaston Route – flat long | 7 miles | road | A flat local Thurmaston route, without Earls way, with some simple familiar streets around Thurmaston. This is a 7 mile option. | https://www.strava.com/routes/3063510871184477448 |
| 1j | Capt Carmichael Thurmaston Route – flat short | 5 miles | road | A flat local Thurmaston route, without Earls way, with some simple familiar streets around Thurmaston. This is just under 5 miles. | https://www.strava.com/routes/3063511875880089864 |
| 2a | John White Scraptoft fun | 5.5 / 6.5 miles | off road/track | A fun and undulating at times route that goes through the lovely countryside near Scraptoft and touching the sides of Houghton. | Wreake Scraptoft 5.5 Mile Route – 9km Running Route near Scraptoft (ID: 1944309) (plotaroute.com) https://www.plotaroute.com/route/1944303?units=miles Meet The White House Pub 375 Scraptoft Ln, Leicester LE7 9SE |
| 2b | Off road from Ratcliffe track | 3.2 miles | mixed, mainly off road | A lovely little route from the track that crosses the a46 | Off Road From Ratcliffe Crossing A46 Twice – 5km Running Route near Ratcliffe on the Wreake (ID: 2179168) (plotaroute.com) |
| 2c | Syston to Queiniborough and back along Fosse way | 5.2 miles | road | An alternative road session instead of WR4 to Beedles | https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2186947 |
| 2d | Syston to Rothley and along A46 | 6.6 miles | road | Road route along canal to Cossington, and up to Rothley. Along A6 to A46 and underneath road near sewage works. Go along wide footpath on A46 and the along Wanlip road to Hope and anchor pub | https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2186988 |
| 2e | Church hall to Wooly mamouth lake – long | 7.3m | road | A flat enjoyable route along the canal into Watermead to the Wooly mamouth lake. The return loop takes in the opposite side of the lakes | https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2187991 |
| 2f | Church hall to Wooly mamouth lake – short | 5.1m | road | A shorter version of route 2e, that cuts through the middle of the duck lakes and returns on opposite side of the lakes | https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2188000 |
| 2g | Ratcliffe track to Cossington meadows | 5.5m | off road | A great route downhill with a loop in the nature reserve. The second half you go back up Blackberry lane. | https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2188380 |
| 2h | John White alternative Scraptoft routes | 4.4m 6.6m 8.3m | road | A selection of fun road routes around Scraptoft. Short, medium and long distances to choose from | short – https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2204572 medium – https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2204563 long – https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2204569 |
| 2j | Syston to Ringway in Queniborough | 6 m | road | Around the back of Syston including new estate and then to Queniborough where you go around the ringway before heading back to base | Syston To Queniborough Ringway Return – 10km Running Route near Syston (ID: 2383133) (plotaroute.com) |
| 3a | Cossington river route | 6m | off road (with a short road section) | A lovely route that follows the river through the nature reserve | https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2233565 |
| 3b | Cossington to quarry | 6.7m | mixed terrain | follow the river to the momument in Mountsorrel and through the quarry path and back along river | https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2233560 |
| 3c | Church to Rothley | 6.3m | road | church to canal and up to Rothley where you return along A46 | Church To Rothley – 10km Running Route near Syston (ID: 2246525) (plotaroute.com) |
| 3d | Church to Cossington | 4.3m | road | a shorter version of 3c with an out and back but return to hope and anchor pub to come back the same as the longer route | Shorter Church To Cossington – 7km Running Route near Syston (ID: 2246588) (plotaroute.com) |
| 3e | Gaddesby Gallop | 5.3m | off road | the fun winter route without the swim | Gaddesby Pub Run – 9km Walking Route near Gaddesby (ID: 1985298) (plotaroute.com) |
| 3f | Gaddesby to Ashby Folville | 4.3m | road | Road alternative | https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2255762 |
| 3g | Scraptoft to Keyham by John White | 5.6m | mixed | Scraptoft to Keyham with hill | https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2267696 |
| 3h | Simon plotted Frisby routes | 3/5/7 miles | mixed | Frisby Flyer routes | https://www.strava.com/routes/3100856964996159010 https://www.strava.com/routes/3100850201776304674 https://www.strava.com/routes/3100859423813565892 |
| 3j | Thurmaston and no Earls way | 6.2 miles | road | Thurmaston loop | Thurmaston 10k No Earls Way – 10km Running Route near Syston (ID: 2466685) (plotaroute.com) |
| 4a | Short Hungarton | 3.78 miles | road | alternative Hungarton | https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2295032 |
| 4b | medium Hungarton | 5.7 miles | road | alternative Hungarton | https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2295027 |
| 4c | Rachel Ridgemere route | 4.7 miles | mixed | shorter route | https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2318572 |
| 4d | Rachel Ridgemere route | 6 miles | mixed | medium route | https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2318584 |
| 4e | Rachel Ridgemere route | 6.8 miles | mixed | long route | https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2318590 |
| 4f | Watermead September route | 5.6 miles | road | can make different routes | Watermead Sept Road Route From Church – 9km Walking Route near Syston (ID: 2370028) (plotaroute.com) |
| 4g | Syston Toothbrush long route | 6.75 miles | road | longer | Long Syston Toothbrush – 11km Running Route near Syston (ID: 2382339) (plotaroute.com) |
| 4h | Syston Toothbrush | 5 miles | road | shorter route | Syston Toothbruch – 8km Running Route near Syston (ID: 2382329) (plotaroute.com) |
| 4j | Rothley hill reps | 5 miles | road | can make longer or shorter depending on amount of loops | Rothley Hill Reps – 8km Running Route near Rothley (ID: 2466710) (plotaroute.com) |
| 5a | John W. Thurnby | 7.6 miles | road | Thurnby – Bushby long route | https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2071866?units=miles |
| 5b | John W. Thurnby | 4.8 miles | road | Thurnby – Bushby short route | https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2071878?units=miles |
| 5c | Reb Birstall | 6 miles | road | Reb xmas lights Birstall 2023 short | https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2461331?units=km |
| 5d | Reb Birstall | 7.2 miles | road | Reb xmas lights Birstall 2023 long | https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2461338?units=km |
| 5e | Thurmaston Flyover | 6.5 miles | road | longer route over flyover | Thurmaston Over Flyover Past Sainsburys – 10km Running Route near Syston (ID: 2466606) (plotaroute.com) |
| 5f | Thurmaston | 6.5 | road | reverse flyover route | Thurmaston Via Humberstone Road Reverse – 11km Running Route near Syston (ID: 2466609) (plotaroute.com) |
| 5g | Queniborough | 5.5 miles | road | alternative road route for off road three club challenge | https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2602021 |
| 5h | Swithland 6 route | 6 miles | road | as it says on the tin, the LRRL swithland 6 road route | https://www.strava.com/routes/3220316612527880526 |
| 5J | Church to Rothley along canal | 6.3 m | road | all road along canal up to a46 and return back down to church | https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2629019 |
| 6a | Church to Barkby and back | 5m | mixed | from church the reverse | https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2662837 |
| 6b | Queniborough to Barkby forest | 6.2m | off road with small road sections | start at new housing estate in queniborough then up road and across fields to cross over into barkby. Up to barkby forest via barkby thorpe lane and then back down into horse field into queniborough | https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2663026 |
| 6c | East Goscote to Rearsby | 3.9m | road | Leave from the public car park in East Goscote next to the Pub, where you will explore the streets all a glo with Xmas cheer. Head then to Rearsby before heading back along the Melton Road and enter East Goscote again to see yet more festive lights, including the ‘snow house’ | https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2823192 |
| Route | Name | Distance (miles) | terrain | Description | Link to map & route description |
| 1 | Syston loop | 5.5 / 6.6 m | Road | A route looping around Syston (longer option includes Queni) | ROUTE DESCRIPTION |
www.plotaroute.com/route/1403499
2Goscote n’ back5 / 7 mRoadAn out and back ish route to East Goscote (long option to Rearsby)ROUTE DESCRIPTION
www.plotaroute.com/route/1403522
3Thurmaston5.5 / 7.5 mRoadInto Thrum village, and back up Earls WayROUTE DESCRIPTION
www.plotaroute.com/route/1406361
4Wreake & Beedles5.5 / 6.5 mRoad & XCThis route combines a first half cross country section along the River Wreake, and second half faster road sectionROUTE DESCRIPTION
https://www.plotaroute.com/route/1407668
5Cossington3 / 5.5 / 8 mRoad & XCRiver to Cossington (& Sileby if going long), mixture of XC and road. Long river sections, caution possible floodingROUTE DESCRIPTION
www.plotaroute.com/route/1408610
6Rothley & Wanlip5.5 / 7.5 mRoad & XCRiver to Cossington, back via Wanlip, mixture of XC and road. Long river sections, caution possible floodingROUTE DESCRIPTION
www.plotaroute.com/route/1410830
7Watermead Park5.5 / 8mRoadLoop of the lakes – various short-cut options. Head torch needed in winter.ROUTE DESCRIPTION
https://www.plotaroute.com/route/1410844
8Queni5.1 / 7.7mRoad & XCFields to Queni and beyond if going long.ROUTE DESCRIPTION
https://www.plotaroute.com/route/1437177
9Barkby5 / 7mRoad & XCHead out east from road to trail to Barkby.ROUTE DESCRIPTION
https://www.plotaroute.com/route/1444904
10Barkby 25 / 8mRoad & XCHead out east from road to trail to Barkby, longer route through Barkby Holt woods, back downhill along RidgemereROUTE DESCRIPTION
https://www.plotaroute.com/route/1444932
11Barkby n’ Back
Road20 mins out to Barkby – how far down Holt Lane can you get? Recovery return.From Syston Catholic church
https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2163670
From Syston car park
https://www.plotaroute.com/route/1470051
12Cossington Meadows:6mRoad & XC
www.plotaroute.com/route/151457513Thrummy Fields5.5 / 7mmainly XC
https://www.plotaroute.com/route/152833714Frisby Flyer3/5/7mroad & XC
Wreake-Runners-Frisby-Flyer
Retro Wreake Routes
Retrieved from the Wreake archives, old club runs revived!
| 1 | Barkby & Lakes | 4.8 or 7.5 | Hub to Barkby, and longer to lakes | MAP |
| 2 | Queni & Ridgemere | 4.8 or 9 | Syston to Queni & Ridgemere, longer to S Croxton | MAP |
| 3 | Queni Coppice & Hall | 4.5, 6 or 7 | Syston to Queni – Coppice & back | MAP |
| 4 | Gaddesby | 5 or 7.5 | Queni towards Gaddesby | MAP |
| 5 | Rearsby Queni | 6 or 7.5 | GHW to Ratcliffe Rearsby Queni | MAP |
Wreake Ratcliffe Routes
We meet at Ratcliffe College often on Tuesday’s to use the fab running track. But there is often a cross-country route option if you prefer, 8 in fact!
1. Ratcliffe College 1 Seagrave_Sileby (4.78 / 6m / 7.5m)
2. Ratcliffe Track 2 Rearsby- 4m (4m)
3. Ratcliffe Track 3 Rearsby- 5.25m (5.25m)
4. Ratcliffe Track 4 Spinney Farm- 3.5m (3.5m)
5. Ratcliffe Track 5 Rearsby big loop- 6m (6m)
6. Dave P’s Volume 1 Route 6
7. Ratcliffe Track 7 Rearsby mill 5K (5k)
8. Ratcliffe Track 8 – 4.5m 4.5m
President Palmer’s Routes
We often run routes featured in Club President Dave Palmer’s book ‘Great Running and Walking Routes in Leicestershire‘. Some of the routes start and finish at a local pub, which makes it ideal if you wish to partake of some refreshment afterwards! There is a longer and shorter option for each route. It is spirally bound and A5 size for ease of use, and contains maps, photos and interesting facts along the way. Now in two volumes with 20 routes in Leicestershire, buy the book for route descriptions & photos.