Hot spots on the Ikano Bank Robin Hood Marathon route

With the Ikano Bank Robin Hood Marathon and Half Marathon less than two months away we’ve got the lowdown on all the hot spots on the route that may be unknown to runners.

Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, Castle Road – Mile 2

Established in 1185 AD and resting against Castle Rock on which Nottingham Castle is built, the Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem is the oldest pub in Great Britain. Many people believe the pub is named ‘Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem’ because people made a trip to Jerusalem from here. In fact, the word ‘Trip’ or ‘Trypp’ is said to come from and old word for halt or stop.

Standard Hill, Lenton Road - Mile 2

On 22^nd August 1642, Charles I erected his standard on a spot now marked by an inscribed stone in the centre of the roadway near Nottingham Castle and ever afterwards known as Standard Hill. This signaled the beginning of the English Civil War.

Raleigh Bikes, Triumph Road – Mile 4

If there is one brand that Nottingham is most famous for, it has to be Raleigh. Thousands were employed at the factories on Triumph Road in the 60s. The last bike with ‘Made in Nottingham’ engraved on the frame was built and produced in 2002.

Wollaton Hall, Lime Tree Avenue – Mile 6

In 2012, Wollaton Hall was chosen by Warner Bros as the set of Wayne Manor in the latest Batman film, The Dark Night Rises. In DC Comics, Wayne Manor is a fictional setting and the personal residence of Bruce Wayne, aka Batman. The residence is typically depicted as a huge mansion on grounds outside Gotham City.

Jubilee Campus, Wollaton Road – Mile 8

Jubilee Campus, belonging to the University of Nottingham is a fine example of brownfield regeneration and has impeccable green credentials.

The environmentally-friendly nature of the campus and its buildings have been a big factor in the awards its received, including: The Millennium Marque Award for Environmental Excellence, British Construction Industry Building Project of the Year, Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Journal Sustainability Award, Civic Trust Award for Sustainability and Lord Mayor’s Award for Urban Design.

Nottingham Castle, Castle Boulevard – Mile 11

Nottingham Castle is the site at the heart of the legend of Robin Hood. It was used by the Sheriff of Nottingham as a court and had Robin Hood ever been caught, it was most likely he would’ve been brought here to face his sentence.

Notts County Football Club, Meadow Lane – Mile 13

Notts County Football Club, now universally recognised as The World’s Oldest Football League Club, was formed in 1862. Official formation followed two years later as the Notts Football Club. Pre-dating The Football Association, the club initially played matches of its own devising at Park Hollow, inside the grounds of the old Nottingham Castle. In 1864, the decision was made to take on outside opposition from both England and Scotland, which led to a move away from the club’s initial home to allow for larger crowds. 

Trent Bridge – Mile 26

Why is the name ‘Trent Bridge’ and not ‘Nottingham Bridge’? The reason is that when Trent Bridge first came into being, Nottingham was a long way from it, a mile or more across open country. Early passengers would’ve crossed the Trent by a ford or possibly would ferry themselves across in primitive canoes. But, when Edward the Elder, son of Alfred the Great, captured Nottingham in 924 he built a bridge across the Trent somewhere in this neighbourhood.