Park Explorer 1 - Sale Water Park
and surrounding area
Come and explore the Mersey Valley around Sale and Chorlton at our series of MapRun Park Explorer events based at Sale Water Park.
If you have never run with a map before, want to practice your navigation, fancy exploring the local area, or just want a run with a difference, sign up and get yourself down to Sale Water Park.
Sat 07th Feb 2026
Type of event: Local
Type of terrain: Parkland, Urban
Info updated: 20th Jan
Pre Event Info
The entry fee includes a waterproof course map and there will be help on hand to explain how to use the MapRun App and get you started on your adventure.
There will be courses from 3km to 10km suitable for all abilities and ages and great fun for families, small groups or solo runners alike.
We will be based by the Tree Tops Café where you can find a selection of hot and cold snacks and drinks before or after your run.
Go to Racesignup today to take advantage of our 50% discount for these events.
Location
Nearest town: Sale
- Grid Ref: SJ807924
- Postcode: M33 2LX
- Latitude: 53.42868
- Longitude: -2.29315
- Google Map
- Streetmap (OS 50k)
- Bing Map (OS 50k)
- OpenStreetMap
Directions / Parking
Signed Trafford Water Park from Junction 6 of the M60.
what3words: ///engage.spite.fumes
Registration & Start Times
| Enquiries Open | 12:45 |
| First Starts | 13:00 |
| Last Starts | 14:00 |
| Courses Close | 15:00 |
Course Information
Three MapRun courses will be available:
Short - 3km
Medium - 6km
Long - 10km
Course distances are approximate based on optimal route choice.
Some course options go into urban areas – under 16s must be accompanied by a responsible adult if running these courses.
The courses are 'Line Courses' where you navigate between control points in order, following a set course.
Printed Maps of Courses will be provided for use with the MapRun app on a GPS enabled smartphone (or similar) device.
Please download the MapRun app in advance from your devices App store.
Explanation of colour courses
- White are very easy with all controls on paths. They are mainly used by 6-10 year olds and family groups.
- Yellow use simple linear features like paths, walls and streams. They are mainly used by under 12’s and family groups.
- Orange progress to basic use of the compass and route choice. They are ideal for novice adults or experienced youngsters.
- Light Green are ideal for improvers as the navigational difficulty begins to increase and uses simple contours and point features.
- Green are used mostly by experienced under 18’s and adults wanting a short but challenging course with a very hard navigational difficulty.
- Blue are a longer, more physically demanding course in comparison to the green. The distances are more varied between controls and the course attracts experienced orienteers.
- Brown & Black are very physically demanding and have a very hard navigational difficulty. They are for experienced orienteers only.
- Score means visiting as many controls as possible in any order in a specific time, like 45mins.
Entry Details
Registration and payment via Racesignup.
Senior Non MDOC Member: £3.00
Junior Non MDOC Member: £1.50
The entry fee includes a waterproof course map and there will be help on hand to explain how to use the MapRun App and get you started on your adventure.
There will be courses from 3km to 10km suitable for all abilities and ages and great fun for families, small groups or solo runners alike.
We will be based by the Tree Tops Café where you can find a selection of hot and cold snacks and drinks before or after your run.
Go to Racesignup today to take advantage of our 50% discount for these events.
Terrain Description
Courses will explore the footpaths and parkland of Sale Water Park, Chorlton Ees and Chorlton Water Park with some longer courses covering surrounding urban streets.
Some paths may be muddy – trail shoes or trainers with good grip are recommended.
A compass is not essential but feel free to bring one if you want to practice using one to help your navigation.
Facilities
The assembly is located next to the Tree Tops Café which serves a mixture of hot and cold drinks and snacks – closes at 16:00.
Free Public Toilets are available next to Assembly area.
Dogs allowed?
Dogs are allowed in the area and on courses if kept on a lead.
Contacts / Officials
Series Co-ordinator: David Wathey
Enquiries to
Safety and Risk
A comprehensive risk assessment will have been carried out by the organiser, but participants take part at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety during the event.
Privacy: when entering our events your name may appear in the results section of this website or in newspaper reports.
Read our privacy policy to see how we look after your personal data.