Headed briefly uphill from Tarnbrook at 10.46am before cresting the first hill to begin the long, lovely descent through the Forest of Bowland. This was by far the most scenic section of the route, it's an AONB after all. Navigation was fairly straightforward, sticking close to the river and following the signposts, as well as a few of the old stone markers (pictured), which were great to see.
Working my way down through Garstang the route flattened out and the scenery got a little bit plainer, but was making good progress and legs felt good as I reached St Michael's on Wyre and got onto the Fylde. A section of continual flat and muddy fields followed, before rejoining the road at Out Rawcliffe where the route heads down to reunite with the river.
From there to Shard bridge was probably the worst section of the route for actual running - hopping over rivulets on the floodplain and stomping a path through reeds alongside the river, it was a bit of a slog to say the least. I crossed the bridge with heavy legs and finished the last of my water, as, like an idiot, I only brought 1.5 litres.
From the roundabout at Skippool the route is really straightforward, hugging the bank past Wyre Estate Country Park and then on towards Fleetwood Marsh before the final stretch up to the lighthouse. The lack of water came back to bite me for this last 5km as I bonked pretty badly and had to grit my teeth through to the finish.
Good day out, great experience to follow a river from source to mouth and absolutely bags of potential to set a much faster time than I did!