Bedgebury Half Marathon & 10k

Race Location
The Walled Garden, Bedgebury National Pinetum & Forest, Bedgebury Road, Goudhurst, Kent, TN17 2SJ 

Race HQ
The Race HQ will be located at the Walled Garden. Please follow signs from the car park to Race HQ. 

Timings on race day
Race HQ & Registration opens: 07:30
Junior Run Start: 08:30
Race Director's Briefing on the start line: 08:50
Race Start (half marathon & 10k): 09:00

Bag Drop
You are welcome to leave your bag at the unmanned baggage drop at Race HQ, however, this is done at your own risk and discretion. The team will not handle your bags and you will be responsible for labelling them clearly.

Facilities
Unfortunately, there are no changing facilities available at this site so we recommend arriving ready to run!

Parking
Your vehicle admission fee is included with your race entry fee. Please follow Marshal instructions when entering the car park.

Car parking for runners has been arranged at the Walled Garden with overflow available within the main car park at Bedgebury Forest. There are approximately 150 parking spaces available on a first come, first served basis.

If travelling to Bedgebury from the A21, please follow the signs past the main entrance of Bedgebury for a further half mile where the walled garden will be located on the right-hand side of the road. If travelling to the event from Goudhurst, the Walled Garden is located on the left-hand side around a mile from the forest main offices. 

Please note that parking only applies until 1:00pm so if you plan to spend the entire day at Bedgebury then you will need to purchase a ticket.

Toilets
Toilet facilities will be located in the walled garden area and will be signposted. There are also public toilet facilities located at the Visitor's Centre and café area. Please note, there will be no toilet facilities provided on the course. 

Headphones
Only bone conducting headphones are permitted at this event.

 

The start & finish
Both distances start and finish in the same location and this is close to the Race HQ.

About the course
This is a fairly challenging route with those competing in the half marathon completing two laps and those in the 10k distance completing only one lap. You should expect a mixture of mostly hard track and some forest trails. However, if the weather prior to race-day has been particularly wet, expect it to be muddy and please be aware that the pathways may be slippery. Please look out for protruding tree roots, low branches, uneven and slippery surfaces. 

Other route users
Please be aware that you are sharing the paths with other walkers, runners and cyclists, many of whom live locally. We ask that you race with care and remain courteous at all times.

 

Recommended Kit & Footwear
We recommend trail shoes for this race, if you have them. Otherwise your favourite running shoes will be fine but race with care, staying alert for any potential slip hazards. Please keep an eye on the forecast and dress appropriately for the conditions, bringing a spare set of clothes (and socks!) if needed.

Litter
Please do NOT drop litter. Bins will be provided, so please dispose of any litter correctly or take it home with you.

Water Stations
As well as a water station at the end of the race, there will be additional water stations on the course at approximately every 3 mile. Please note, if you have used a specific brand of energy gel or supplement in your training, then we would recommend that you do not change your program and bring these with you rather than deviate from your usual routine. Whilst we will ensure that our water stations are well supplied, runners should ensure that they are fully hydrated and also consider carrying their own water.

Going Green
To help reduce the carbon footprint of this race, we would like to encourage all our runners to bring their own camel packs or reusable cups for this race. Our teams at the water stations will be happy to fill any receptacle that you might bring with you so that you stay hydrated and racing fit! If you are able to car share, then this would be wonderful!

Your route & marshals...
Your course will be clearly marked using large route arrows and directional cones, as well as being marshalled throughout. Please listen and obey all marshal instructions given. There will be a sweep marshal which will follow the last runner to make sure that no one is left on the route. All marshals will remain in place until stood down by the sweep marshal.

Spectators
We always welcome anyone that would like to cheer on our runners and join the good spirit of the race by lending their encouragement and support.

 

We are proud to invite our junior racers to the start line for their very own dedicated event so that they can experience the thrill of race day for themselves.

The approximately 2k race will take place at 08:30, before the main race.

This race will be chip timed and all runners will receive a finishers medal. There will be a trophy on offer for 1st boy & girl. Race numbers are only available for collection on the day. 

Parents are responsible for collecting their children at the finish line. And, if parents are accompanying younger racers then no additional entry is required. However, participating parents will not receive a chip time or medal.

We hope that you will join us in supporting our young runners with uproarious cheers as they cross the finish line!

 

Medals & Prizes
There will be a bespoke medal awarded to all finishers of the half marathon & 10k.

Trophy with e-certificates & £5 voucher prize for 1st, 2nd & 3rd male & female winners (both distances)
E-certificates and £5 voucher prize for 1st male & female age group categories (both distances)
E-certificates and £5 voucher prize for 1st male junior & female junior (both distances)

Weather permitting, the presentation will take place approximately 45 - 60 minutes after the first runner has crossed the finish line and when all the prize winners have arrived home.

Please listen for announcements from your Race Director.

Results
Live and provisional results will be available on the Nice Work website asap after the race. If you have any questions regarding the live results, please ensure that you have emailed this through to us by midday on the following Thursday. Any changes submitted after this time will not be included in the final results.