Where does Vanguard Way Marathon take place?

Vanguard Way Marathon takes place in Croydon, UK.

What distances does Vanguard Way Marathon offer?

Entry options include: Half Marathon, Marathon.

How is Vanguard Way Marathon rated by runners?

Vanguard Way Marathon has an average rating of 4.36 out of 5 from 55 verified participant reviews on Racecheck.

What is Vanguard Way Marathon like?

Based on participant reviews, runners describe it as: Challenging (65% of reviews), Small & Intimate (74% of reviews), Urban & Nature Mix (55% of reviews), Hilly (67% of reviews).

Vanguard Way Marathon reviews

Name: Vanguard Way Marathon
Start: 2024-08-04
End: 2024-08-04
Location: Croydon, UK
Rating: 4.36

Kevin O.

4.1

· 2026 Marathon ·

This is well organised event and very friendly people a genuine community feel to it ,and overall a great course very scenic but you do need to have experience self navigating as well, although it is marked out it can be easy to miss one and take a wrong turn. This isn’t for t...

This is well organised event and very friendly people a genuine community feel to it ,and overall a great course very scenic but you do need to have experience self navigating as well, although it is marked out it can be easy to miss one and take a wrong turn. This isn’t for the faint hearted the marathon is very tough with substantial elevation and some very steep hills but ultimately it’s all worth it as it’s a very positive experience running this I would definitely recommend it.

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Johnny C.

5.0

· 2026 Marathon ·

2nd time doing the full marathon, it’s a tough course and always hot but really enjoyable. Very friendly event, staff and competitors relaxed and supportive, enough aid stations and a nice finish area in Lloyd park, definitely recommend

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Matthew G.

4.1

· 2026 Half marathon ·

Bag drop really well organised. Plenty of snacks and support at the aid stations. All the organisers and marshals were really friendly and helpful. The marshals helped a lot with crossing roads and warning about trams at the beginning of the race. Despite the signage, there we...

Bag drop really well organised. Plenty of snacks and support at the aid stations. All the organisers and marshals were really friendly and helpful. The marshals helped a lot with crossing roads and warning about trams at the beginning of the race. Despite the signage, there were still points where it was easy to get lost (especially at junctions). I'd suggest making sure there are tags shortly after each junction to make the directions very clear. There were bottlenecks along the very narrow paths near the turn-around point for the half marathon. I saw a horse come out of one of the narrow paths (though I was not blocked by it, presumably several other runners ahead of me were!)

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Laura P.

4.8

· 2026 Half marathon ·

Very friendly event! Well organised and lovely route! Thank you volunteers!

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Elaine B.

4.6

· 2026 Marathon ·

Great scenery (when I wasn’t looking at my feet) on typical North Downs type terrain. Easy to get to (very close to tram stop). Friendly staff and volunteers. Competitively priced. Friendly support from other runners on the out and back course. The T shirts were no...

Great scenery (when I wasn’t looking at my feet) on typical North Downs type terrain. Easy to get to (very close to tram stop). Friendly staff and volunteers. Competitively priced. Friendly support from other runners on the out and back course. The T shirts were not in female fit (but I have enough t shirts.)

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Michael W.

3.1

· 2025 Marathon ·

Overall, this was a very enjoyable and well-run race. One area to consider improving is the course signage, as clearer markers would help prevent novice runners from losing their way. Given the level of challenge, it’s well-suited to those with strong fitness and some navigation ...

Overall, this was a very enjoyable and well-run race. One area to consider improving is the course signage, as clearer markers would help prevent novice runners from losing their way. Given the level of challenge, it’s well-suited to those with strong fitness and some navigation experience.

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Cassie S.

3.9

· 2025 ·

The atmosphere of the running course and the super friendly support staff really made the event great, and memorable for me. I have already recommended this race to my peers as I think it is a fantastic route. I'm sure lots of people would not consider Croydon as a starting point...

The atmosphere of the running course and the super friendly support staff really made the event great, and memorable for me. I have already recommended this race to my peers as I think it is a fantastic route. I'm sure lots of people would not consider Croydon as a starting point for trail running - but we encountered around 95% trail all the way through which was great. Room for improvement is on the marking out of the trail - lots of people (including myself) got lost along the way, but luckily the participants seemed to figure out the correct path with each other to help. The other room for improvement is the aid stations, it didn;t feel like there was quite enough given the distance we were covering. But - the aid stations that were provided had some fantastic fuelling including fresh fruit, and like I say, the support staff along the way really made up for it. It was a brilliant run and I loved it - perhaps next year it's wise to advise runners there are quite a few narrow paths with brambles, so they may need to be careful in some parts! :)

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Thanks for your comments I will take all these on board and try and make the vgw easier to navigate for both beginners and experts going forward - thank you

Simon P.

4.4

· 2025 27.2 miles (due to error at the motorway turn) ·

This is a tough event. I was one of the slower competitors but the aid stations were manned even for me and well stocked. My only suggestions would be that there was a crate of water on the last leg - ie 3-4 miles from the finish. I took on some water at the 6.5miles to go point ...

This is a tough event. I was one of the slower competitors but the aid stations were manned even for me and well stocked. My only suggestions would be that there was a crate of water on the last leg - ie 3-4 miles from the finish. I took on some water at the 6.5miles to go point but it was a warm day so could have done with another nearer the finish. It was a warm day. I was not alone at going wrong at the "motorway" turning - a whole bunch did - I wonder if a marker/arrow there would be a good idea. The rest of the course was VERY well marked - enjoyed looking for the ribbons. Thanks for a great day - not sure if I will ever do it again but it feels like an achievement, even at an embarressingly slow pace.

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Phil R.

4.8

· 2025 Marathon ·

Great event and beautiful course. A must-do for any serious athlete! Loved the sections with stunning views. Great sense of achievement making it up those two massive climbs

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Pippa C.

3.8

· 2025 Half marathon ·

Good event but there were a couple of logistical hiccups that could be fine-tuned for future races. The team at the start and finish were fabulous. The venue was perfect. Course was challenging. The only thing that I felt could be improved was the signage. It was too easy to ta...

Good event but there were a couple of logistical hiccups that could be fine-tuned for future races. The team at the start and finish were fabulous. The venue was perfect. Course was challenging. The only thing that I felt could be improved was the signage. It was too easy to take the wrong turnings and getting lost alone was uncomfortable. The aid station was a little too far - I’d have preferred some water around 4 miles onto the run but understand logistically that wasn’t easy

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Vanguard Way Marathon