Pennington Flash and Canal Loop

This 7.17 km loop is almost completely flat, combining a section of road running with paved paths around Pennington Flash and alongside the canal. As a straightforward loop with consistent surfaces underfoot, you can start from any point. The entirely paved route means road shoes are the correct choice, and it serves well as a reliable circuit for a tempo effort or a measured training run.

If you run it clockwise from the St Helens Road area, you’ll first get the urban section out of the way before the route opens up onto the paths around Pennington Flash. You’ll follow the shoreline for a stretch, then connect via Slag Lane to the canal towpath. This final third of the run is a straight, traffic-free line along the water that brings you back towards your starting area in Leigh.

Despite the proximity to the water and the nature reserve, the footing is predictable throughout. All paths are paved or hard-packed, so you won’t encounter any mud or technical trail sections even after heavy rain. It’s a functional local’s loop that gives you some waterside running without needing to change out of your road shoes or worry about difficult ground.