Sunday 14th July
Preview
5 miles out of Newmarket and the road and trail route for the day takes us through Dalham, a village dominated by the Hall and Stud of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the current ruler of Dubai, so we will try to look the part (see dress code).
After a slice of the Emirates in England we then come to a build from older money and a slice of Italy near St Edmundsbury, crossing through National Trust and joint venture weddings venue, the Italianate Ickworth Park, at mile 13. There’s a great art collection there.
Arriving in Bury St Edmunds, the Greene King brewery (with possible tour) is at mile 16 and St Edmundsbury Cathedral and the Abbey Gardens at mile 17.
It will be tempting to stop at Wyken Vineyards, mile 23, just off the route after Ixworth, where there is a fine fine dining reputation.
The day finishes at Knettishall Heath, an evocative location for me as it is the site of Suffolk Backyard Ultra where I ran 120 miles in 4 mile loops. If the Vineyard won’t have us for dinner then we’ll take a couple of Greene Kings out for a Heath picnic.
Landmarks:
8am Newmarket
9.15 Dalham (5 miles)
11.15am – 12.30 Ickworth Park (13 miles)
1.30 to 2pm Greene King Brewery (mile 16)
2.15 – 3pm St Edmundsbury Cathedral and Abbey Gardens (mile 17)
4.30 – 5.30 Wyken Vineyards (mile 23) [pizza stop]
7pm Knettishall Heath (mile 30)
Post run
Possible walking loop of the Suffolk Backyard Ultra route with Lindley Chambers
Fuel: Greene King – or other Suffolk brews (there are many), Musk sausages from Newmarket, farmshop jam and bread
Dress Code: Jockey Silks or Cap