Rediscovering trails: Haywards Heath to Wivelsfield (Draft)

 IT HAS DONE nothing but rain recently, which makes trails running a little more challenging due to the level of water and mud.   The risk of slipping and falling increases and when you are going out it's best to go with other people of, at least, make sure someone knows where you are going, always carry your phone.

This wasn't really planned as a trails run, as such, more of a means to an end!   I needed to go over to Wivelsfield to drop my car off at Barnard and Brough to have serviced and MoT.   I decided to drop it all and run back to Haywards Heath, which is not the first time that I have done this.

The main road is dangerous, as you reach the bottom of Fox Hill it's a straight road, but it's fast and road is covered in pot holes.   You really don't want to be stuck in that position, so the best move is to take the run onto the trails from Fox Hill up to Wivelsfield.

Car dropped off I headed out of Wivelsfield and towards Church Lane, this is putting me through the small village past the church and local houses, towards the end of the lane where the trails start.

First part through the gates which is really mulched down with bark to keep it all easy to walk on and heading towards the first style.   This was where I realised how much rain has come down, the field was pretty water logged and muddy, but this is the fun of going out on the trails.

I was on a downward hill run with a lot of water and mud, heading for the far end of the field where I could see the next style.   Feet either sinking deep into the mud or sliding it was an interesting experience, with a little working involved.

Once through the style it was an easy run until the uphill part heading towards Fox Hill.   There are a couple of styles with a little gate to the side, they were actually underwater, so I got my trainings underwater and worked my round them.

Fox Hill was easy as it's a main path with a big uphill towards home.   I was thinking about the trails run at the time and decided I had not had enough of them, so I cut down Hurstwood Lane and entered the trails on Colwell Lane.   This was going to drop me onto the Lewes Road.

Colwell Lane is a good uphill trials run, due to the nature of the lane it's not too muddy or waterlogged, part way I passed a farm with a barn full of rubbish.   Couldn't help but notice a skeleton standing there watching my progress with a plane above it.   It's amazing what you find on a trails run.

At the top of the lane I turned towards Scaynes Hill, going out for a run with Sarah Bonwick a little while ago she showed me a footpath that goes back into trails and back towards home.   The perfect end to the run.

Having used the run to drop my car off at the garage meant that I had the pleasure of running it again in the opposite direction.   I did learn that if I was going to do that again, which is very likely, to put a fresh pair of trainings in the boot of the car along with baggy gym wear.   That way I won't cover my car in mud! 

Michael escapes Meriden

THIS IS an amazing story about local athlete Michael Burke that I covered in the local paper The Mid Sussex Times.   I was having a conversation with Michael during a yoga session and asked if he wanted it covered.   The story then developed from there.

The story is covered in the photograph below, but the text is recreated below, if it's difficult to read. 

ESCAPE FROM Meriden is an ultra-marathon challenge that doesn't have conventional barriers.   The start point is Meriden Village, Warwickshire near the ancient stone cross marking England's traditional centre.

This year the event celebrated their 10th anniversary with an extended 48 hour cut-off point.

The race begins at midnight Saturday, and participants have to run, walk and crawl as far as possible in any direction for 48 hours.   The distance is then measured as the "crow flies", a straight line from the starting line to the point the athlete finished at the 48-hour mark.

 

There are few rules to the race: no advice, no checkpoint or marshals, must avoid private land and roads without pavements.   This is a unique ultra-endurance challenge where route planning (terrain, food, and sleep) is crucial for maximum distance from the start line.

 

Haywards Heath athlete Michael Burke took part in the event and completed it running for 47 hours as he was awake from 8am Friday to 1am on Monday, except for 15 minutes' sleep.

Michael came an incredible 2nd place covering 234.75km actual or - as the "crow flies" - 198km.   Michael had support built into his run at selected points from his brother Tom.

 

A couple of weeks before the event Michae3l was ill and it was uncertain if he would be able to run.   It wasn't until Wednesday the week before that Michael made the decision he was it fit to take part.

 

He said, "I was really happy with finishing in 2nd place.   My aim was to run the distance driving was 153 miles.

 

Michael was running for charity supporting Combat Stress and you can support him by clicking here.

 

National Runnig Show 2026

THIS YEAR I had the opportunity to attend the National Running show, being held at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham.   With three other members of Haywards Heath Harriers we purchased the advance tickets and were looking forward to the day.

I have never been to a running show, and having retired in November I had nothing to stop me going!  I booked the train in advance, had a couple of sandwiches, two bags of crisps and a protein bar ready and just looked forward to spending the day with good friends, and a great day out.

The train set off from Haywards Heath at 07:42 and we headed for Victoria Railway station.    Quick change to the Victoria Line on the London Underground heading for Euston, which would take approximately 9 minutes.    Grabbed a coffee at the railway station with a bag of almond croissants before getting on the Avanti train to Birmingham International.

It was all shaping up to be a "grand day out".   I don't think I have ever been to Euston Railway Station before, I love finding new bits of London and walking around the area, unfortunately we just had time get to the train.

I didn't realise that the NEC was so close to the railway station, but it does make sense, you move from the station to the center all under cover, it's quite a walk!

Going into the vast area you know it's going to be a big event.   There were a number of lecture stages with events all published, the main theme seemed to be either Marathon or Ultra running, although I did manage to hear most of two sessions that covered inclusion in running.

There were many stalls and I managed to see all of them.   Spent some time at the England Athletics stall, Marion had volunteered some time there, so we dropped her off and met up later to have some lunch.

Although there were a lot of stalls there the big ones that I was really wanting to see were Adidas, Nike, Free Train, and Brooks.   None of them were there, the closest I got was Nike and that was just sun glasses.   I did stop at one staff, can't remember the brand but their running shoes looked good, after finding out the cost I thought I could get Brooks cheaper, so left it.

The disappointing factors around the show were the big names I wanted to find were not there, can't say there were many running celebrities there, and no freebies being handed out.   Taking all of that into consideration we still had a great day and got the train back with some "goodies" and looked forward to getting home.

WSFRL: Run Your Heart Out - Run 2026

I DON'T NORMALLY blog on races unless I run in them.   The 15th February I was booked into the Cancer Research 10km London Winter Run at the same time the West Sussex Fun Run League's second event of the season was taking place in Tilgate forest/park.   This is an important time for Haywards Heath Harriers walking away with the leagues first place over the last two years.

I am covering the run due to it's importance and I am writing reviews for the local paper, the Mid Sussex Times, as we go through the season.

SUNDAY 15th February saw Crawley Run Crew host their "Run Your Heart Out" 8km endurance race.   This is the second run of the season in the West Sussex Fun Run League calendar taking place in Tilgate forest/park over a multi terrain course. 

 

The League is comprised of 16 athletics clubs over Sussex with each club hosting one event over the year.   This equates to a massive 16 races of 80 miles.   Having won the league twice in the last two years Haywards Heath Harriers were joint second after the first race with Worthing Harriers.

There was a great turn out from the Harriers with 27 athletes on the starting line, aiming for as many points as [possible to ensure a good chance of victory at the end of the season.   Despite challenging wet and rainy conditions, which was boggy and winding around Tilgate Park, started and finished at K2 athletics track, taking in much of the local parkrun route along with tricky sections in Tilgate Forest.

 

Race two of the season saw Haywards Heath Harriers cement their position in econd place just 8 points behind the leaders Horsham Joggers, Worthing Harriers dropping to seventh place.   Horsham Joggers 125, Haywards Heath Harriers 117; Lancing Eagles 115; Chichester Runners 116. 

 

London Winter 10km Run 2026

 

SUNDAY 15th FEBRUARY 2026 I my did first run in Central London as part of the Cancer Research 10km London Winter Run.   All the roads closed, lots of entertainment on the course, and something that would be unbelievable.   I thought, "I'm in".   Unfortunately after signing up the dates for the West Sussex Fun Run League came out and one of the races clashed, so I had to miss out on a run around Tilgate park/forest in Crawley (there is a separate blog on this club run).

The run was due to start from Trafalgar Square, with Lord Admiral Nelson overseeing events.   The route going past such highlights as St. Paul's Cathedral, The Gherkin, and The Strand.   Other highlights include Somerset House, Covent Garden, and offers views of the London Eye and The Shard.   There was also entertainment zones such as "Penguin Party", "Husky High-Five" stations and live music.   The finish line is heading down to the War Rooms and just before Big Ben.   There was plenty to look forward to! 

I had everything ready the night before for the run and on the morning I was up early and heading for the railway station.   Due to engineering works there were no trains directly into Victoria and I had to divert to London Bridge, which was probably the best option anyway.   From there it was another train journey across to Charring Cross, if you know London then you know that Trafalgar Square is just around the corner from the station. 

As I walked from the railway station there was quite a strong wind, lots of rain, and freezing temperatures.   I had dressed the best way I could for the run (long sleeve top with padding at the front, leggings, and woolen finger less gloves with small hand warmers in them, I really appreciated those waiting for the run to start.

I got my act together  and headed for the start line, just outside the National Art Gallery and around the corner from the National Portrait Gallery.   There I was joined by Eddie "The Eagle" Edwards who was starting everybody off and managed a quick chat as the Winter Olympics are currently taking place in Italy.   It was so cold I had a hoodie with me, so tied it around my waist and ran with it (literally).   I was so pleased to have that at the finish line!

This is a 10km run around Central London, all closed roads, I saw an opportunity here and managed to run 20 red lights in honor of the event!   Completed the run in one hour and 12 minutes.   I picked up my medal and headed to an Asian street food vendor and got some hot food and then found coffee.   Once full and feeling warmer I set off for Charring Cross feeling elated that I had completed the run, freezing cold, and very damp.

I was pleased when the train pulled into Haywards Heath railway station and I could see Sainsbury's through the window.   I walked to Clair Park where I had left my car and set my sights on home, looking forward to putting the heating on, stripping off the damp clothes, getting a hot shower and then just sitting back on the sofa with a large mug of tea and some cheese on toast.   It's the little things in life that mean the most.

 

Green Space Action Team - Lindfield Common

 IT HAS BEEN very cold recently with a light dusting of snow and lot of ice.   I woke up this morning and could see the shapes of the trees and branches behind the houses opposite, the rest was hidden in the mist.   Today was my fifth outing with the Green Space Team and the first session of 2026, and I was looking forward to it.

Lindfield Common isn't too far from where I live which means I can walk there for a change, getting some exercise and fresh air on the way.   I was looking forward to seeing who turns up for the first session of the year, the team never fails to deliver and there was a great turn out.   Glendale have managed to achieve a really good level of community engagement with some really positive ambassadors.

At the far end of the common there was a patch of self seeded silver birches that needed to cutting down, they had been left for some time.   To the side of those beyond the pail were some trees with broken branch's that had dropped down and hanging from the trees, they were surrounded by a lot of brambles that all needed cutting back and generally tidied up. 

The first objectives for the day were to remove the silver birch saplings, tie them up and shift them behind the bus shelter.   At a later date they would be collected and taken to East Grinstead to build dead hedges (nothing gets wasted here).   The second objective was to cut back the brambles and remove the broken branches.

Just under one hour into the job and all of the silver birch saplings had been removed and tied into bunches.   They were then moved to behind the bus shelter for collection.   Part of the group had already moved onto the brambles and the rest of the team then joined them to start removing the branches and using a saw to cut them into manageable chunks.

The rotting wood and parts of the tree branches were used for building wildlife habitats and the cut brambles piled up out of the way to break down naturally.   It appears that a similar scheme will be starting up soon in East Grinstead, the community engagement has work really well in Mid Sussex and no reason why it shouldn't be as successful on the other side of the county.   They will shortly have the materials for dead hedging to start them off.

Another very successful activity with the team, where we can really make a difference around the area, in a reasonably short period of time, for everybody to enjoy.   Looking at the upcoming activities, I think there is going to be plenty of opportunities to lean some new skills.

If you are interested in volunteering to help the Green Space Team, it's once a week on a Thursday between 10:00 and 12:00 (two hours).   You can email them direct for more information and they will send out dates, times, and locations.   You only need to attend the ones you can, there is no pressure.

Email:  rangers.midsussex@glendale-services.co.uk

 

J&M Ditchling Beacon 4th January

JUST BEFORE the Hangover 5 at Worthing I was invited to join J&M Runners on their annual New Years run on the South Downs.   They have run routes all over Mid Sussex taking people out regularly and this is their big once a year run, on a spectacular landscape.

The plan was to meet at the Jack and Jill windmill on Clayton Hill.   From there it is a straight run up hill to Ditchling Car Park.    This was the turning point, and the start of the return journey back to the windmills.   The second option was to run for 30 minutes, this could put you beyond the car park, but you turned at that point.    All runners should then be back at the windmill at about the same time.

I got up in the morning and it was cold as I got ready for the run, by the time I got to the South Downs, up high and in the open it was colder.   Knowing it was going to be cold I dressed for the weather, knowing that although cold, once we started moving I was going to warm up.

 There is something good for the soul in being up high and looking out over a large part of Sussex.   Running up hill, soon warmed you up and the cows had moved close to the path as the farmers were working with them.   Their hot breath forming a veil of steam as we ran past, going on to the frozen pond a bit further up the track.   I was glad when we got to a point where their was sunshine as I had lost feeling in my fingers!

This time of year is strange, the sun comes out, but it doesn't really warm you up, it's low in the sky pushing shadows across the landscape and blinding you in others.

This was a great run out, meeting some familiar people and new ones.   We went back via the Garden Centre just before Stone Pound Cross Roads for a deserved coffee and breakfast.

A lot of running is about the community, the people you meet along the way, you have that common ground that you start taking about and using.   I will look out for this run next year.