Scadbury Park Nature Reserve lies on the eastern edge of Chislehurst, overlooking the River Cray, comprising 300 acres of protected habitat set within beautiful countryside that is free for the public to explore and enjoy. 

It is also the location of the perfectly formed Chislehurst Half Marathon that is held on a 50% road/50% trail course through the historic parks and commons of the leafy London Borough of Bromley.

This year's race on Sunday 21 May 2023 had 341 finishers in just over three hours and was dominated by athletes who can best be described as experienced. All the runners were rewarded with one of the commemorative medals and a banana from the huge wheel of bananas at the finish (see below).

The top three men were M40 Barry Stephenson (Dartford Harriers, 1:14:37), M40 Jay Lidbetter (Striders of Croydon, 1:17:51) and M45 Andy Bond (Dulwich Runners, 1:19:35). Only these three beat 80 minutes on the testing course with its many hills, notably at 17km and on the final run to the finish.

The women's champion for 2023 returned to the Glebe Football Club (formerly Old Elthamians) in fifth place overall. W35 master Andrea Clement (Blackheath & Bromley Harriers, 1:21:04) was around a mile clear of Rachel Boswell (Thames Hare & Hounds, 1:27:27) and W40 Amy Clements (Kent AC, 1:28:01).

The surplus from race entries is donated to the Maypole Project. Since the inaugural Chislehurst Half Marathon was held in 2016 more than £20,000 has been raised. The Maypole Project, based in Orpington, requires funds to continue its work of supporting the families of children with complex illnesses and you can find out more about the charity's work here.

Full results are available at runABC South race listing here.

Images courtesy Chislehurst Half Marathon on Facebook