10k Run Newark: Scenic Railway Trail to Cotham

Route Overview & Local Insights

Clocking in at a precise 9.5km, this out-and-back route offers a flat and fast surface perfect for runners looking to maintain a steady tempo or clear their heads. Starting at Hawton Lane, the trail follows a beautifully maintained former railway corridor toward Cotham, providing a 100% paved transition through the Newark and Sherwood countryside. With 0m of vertical ascent, it is an ideal training ground for beginners looking to conquer the 10k distance or for seasoned athletes aiming for a personal best on a low-impact, traffic-free surface. You'll enjoy an unobstructed path that cuts a straight line through green corridors, offering shelter from the wind and a scenic escape from the bustle of town.

The Newark and Sherwood district is steeped in English history, and this particular stretch of railway path serves as a living legacy of the region's industrial past. Once part of a vital transit network, the line has been reclaimed by nature and local communities as a "green lung" connecting Newark to the surrounding rural landscape. As you head toward the Newark Road near Cotham, you are running through lands once dominated by agricultural trade and historic civil war encampments. Today, the route is a quiet haven for local wildlife; keep an eye out for birds of prey soaring over the adjacent fields or the seasonal wildflowers that line the embankment, providing a serene backdrop for your daily miles.