Big Night Out Winchester 12k

The Big Night Out 12km is a circular trail run starting and finishing at Winchester Athletics Track in Bar End, Winchester. Leaving the track under cover of darkness, runners head out of the city and onto the South Downs Way before crossing onto MOD land at Deacons Hill, where the route joins the Pilgrims Trail and heads back towards Winchester via St Catherines Hill. The final stretch follows the Itchen Way along the river back to the track. The terrain is genuine off-road trail throughout, on chalk downland tracks and riverside paths, with rolling climbs rather than one major hill, making it noticeably less demanding than the longer 22km route it shares part of its course with. Head torches are compulsory given the after-dark start, and the course is fully signed with fluorescent markers. It's a good introduction to night trail running in the scenic countryside surrounding the historic city.