401 Challenge in Ripon

Ben Smith who is running 401 marathons in 401 days came to Ripon on Saturday 14 May to run his 557th marathon.
I designed a route for him that showed him all the sights of Ripon and was made up of joined up club runs.
We met in St Marygate carpark and around 50 others turned up to welcome Ben, some to run, some to cycle and others just to meet him. Ben took the time to meet everyone and have selfies with them.
We ran through Sharow along the Ure to the racecourse where Caroline had set up a drink and cake station at about 6 miles before we headed along the canal to Littlethorpe. After that we headed along the Sanctury Way to Moorside dale and up Whitcliffe Lane. We ran past the Spinny and up to Howe Hill. We then ran down Howe Hill admiring the views of Fountains Abbey and Fountains hall before heading to the Visitor Centre for lunch.
After Lunch we ran the seven Bridges to Sam's seat, into Studley Royal and though the cross roads in the field. From there we ran up Bishopton and lark Lane before running alongside the cemetary and out to Palace Road. We crossed to the golf club and passed the tennis centre before joining the Ripon Rowel route along the Ure. Next was the Clock tower and the winter route of Kings Mead anf the Tax office. Along college road to Kirkby Road and turn back to Trinity Church and past the junior schools, the rugby and cricket fields and onto malorie Park. We turned down Borrage Lane crossed at Kwikfit and ran along the river back to Fishergreen, where we crossed the Skell and ran around the base of the cathedral past the old library and up Traffic light hill. with a turn around the market Square to enjoy the tudor buildings and obelisk it was time to turn down Kirkgate to enjoy the view of the cathedral to finish the 27 miles running back to the car park.
Everyone had a great day with people running their furthest distance and a few new marathoners were made.