Run Reigate 10km Trails Run

I AM A big fan of Run Series based in Reigate, probably being born in Redhill and living there for the first 19 years of my life.   I discovered sometime ago that they had a half marathon in Reigate and ran their 10km, having just started running, coming back the next year for the half marathon.

Reigate was set to be my first half marathon, but they added Run Gatwick to their books and although I wasn't going to run it I got involved with a part of the planning and decided to give it a go.   This was my first half marathon.

This year Run Series decided to look at 5km and 10km trails run in Redhill.   This took place on the 20th February 2022 with a Spring run.   On the back of the success they followed it with a summer evening 5km and 10km run which took place on the 28th July 2022.

Gatton Park is a private school situated in extensive grounds just under the North Downs. The run consists of either a 5km or 10km run (two loops of the 5km). It starts at the back of Gatton House taking path and trails to the large lake and a ford. As you exit the lake you go up hill to a farm area and school grounds. This drops you back into the trails going past the horse stables and back to the finish or second loop.

Both 10km runs were run by myself and follow Haywards Heath Harrier Oliver Farr both of us have multiple attendances at Run Reigate Half Marathon and I have the same with Run Gatwick.

Oli had a great run crossing the finish line 27th at 52:01, followed by myself 106th at 01:04:26 achieving 6th in my category.

Run Reigate Trails is a complex run due to the a long harsh hill as you exit the lake, because it's a 5km route you have to run the hill twice for the 10km.   The 5km is an excellent run for people who have got their Parkrun and looking for something a more adventurous or looking for a challenging 10km.   It's a beauful run on private land just below the North Downs, which makes it exclusive.

 

WSFRL: Henfield Steven Stiles

SUNDAY JULY 24th saw the next run in the West Sussex Fun Run League calendar, hosted by Henfield Joggers. On a hot sunny day the banners from all 16 athletics clubs went up on Kings Field as athletes warmed up ready for the run.

I love the WSFRL because they are so varied in terms of terrain and distance.   Most of them are between 5km and 10km, there are cross country, trails, road and one is a beach run at littlehampton.   You are guaranteed 16 runs a year.

This is a beautiful four mile trails from from Kings Field onto the open roads for a short distance before starting the trails. The run went down the side of the river Arun with runners having to avoid ending up going down the embankments onto the flood plains and taking care on the cracked scorched pathways. This led into a short run along the Downs Link, a disused railway line that connects the South and North Downs before heading back to the finish line.

Henfield Parish Church have done a lot of work brining Ukrainian refugees into the community and one joined the event producing an amazing run.

Haywards Heath Harriers pulled together a team of 11 athletes who took part, with some great running from front runners Harvey Alcock and Andy Hind and Abigail Redd running a great race. There was some great teamwork from Sarah Hamilton and Micheal Parish pacing in the middle of the pack with Sarah making it to the finish line first.

WSFRL: Hove Hornets Stinger 10km

HOSTED BY Hove Hornets the next run in the West Sussex Fun Run League took place on July 10th 2022 on the South Downs with a gloriously tough 10km run.   With temperatures reaching 26 degrees, and no shade, this was going to be a challenging run.

Athletics clubs from all over Sussex joined together raising their standards by the rugby club in preparation for the run which starts on the green before heading for a 5km run uphill to the top of the South Downs.   The views from the top are inspiring as you turn and start coming back down through roads, footpaths and trails.

This is one of the most challenging runs in the WSFRL calendar, but worth doing for the experience and kudos of having achieved it. 

There was some great running from Haywards Heath Harriers with Andy Hind first across the post for the club followed by Julian Boyer and Barry Tullett.

Haywards Heath Harriers results:  Andy Hind, 00:42:19; Julian Boyer, 00:47:11; Barry Tullett, 00:49:43; James Smyth, 00:58:57; Sarah Hamilton, 01:10:42; Michael Parish 01:10:57; Carys Hind, 01:16:33; Richard Bates 01:19:36; Linda Tullett 01:22:47.

Wakehurst Willows Series

ONE OF the greatly missed runs since COVID restrictions has been the Wakehurst Willows.   Organised by Haywards Heath Harriers coaches Marion Hemsworth and Ian Dumbrell and in partnership with Wakehurst it's a beautiful 8km run around both a National Trust Property and a part of Kew Gardens.

This year it came back as a run series with two events starting on the 3rd July with the "Wee Willows" a 5km run around the main house and gardens.   And on 13th July it went into the "Wakehurst Willows" a 8km run.

After Wakehurst closed down for the evening and the public had left, the site locked down only allowing organisers, marshalls and runners on site.

This is a highlight on the run calendar with athletics clubs joining the run from all over Sussex as well as unaffiliated runners wanting to run the prestious grounds.   The Wee Willows was an amazing opportunity for new runners looking to run a 5km distance. 

A few weeks before the event Wakehurst wanted to publicise the run on their website.   So a group of us from Haywards Heath Harriers and J&M Running went along to help with the publicity shots.   We had access to the grounds and specific spots to run whilst photo's were taken and subsequently uploaded to the website and used in adverts.   Maybe I could get more modelling work, if only I didn't have a face for radio!   Payment was free coffee and cake in the Wakehurst cafe afterwards, perfect.

There was some great running from Haywards Heath Harriers with Paul Cousins first across the line for the club, followed by Pete Francis and Julian Boyer.    There was a real team effort displayed with several runnings pairing up Peter Francis and Julian Boyer coming in at 00:35:09, Steven Heath and Barry Tullett coming in at 00:38:05.