There are plenty of places to run in the New Forest, but not many organised races get to explore this particular corner of it.

Totton Running Club's New Forest Stinger returns on Sunday 22 November, offering 10 miles of undulating trails through the countryside around Fritham.

The event starts from Ocknell Campsite and takes runners into a section of the New Forest that the organisers describe as one of the few areas used by running events. It's a relatively small affair too, with entries limited to just 301 runners.

And there's an interesting reason why this race is a little different. Forestry England places strict conditions on organised events to protect the New Forest's sensitive landscape, with the Stinger now following approved trails and paths to comply with those requirements.

That makes the opportunity to race here rather special. Instead of a large field pounding through a busy town centre, runners can expect a mainly trail based challenge through the forest, with an undulating course providing plenty to think about over ten miles.

The event has an established following. In 2024, Southampton AC's Tom Cully won in 1:03:30, with clubmate Ellie Monks leading the women home in 1:06:59. The race returned again in 2025, with Totton Running Club reporting positive feedback from participants.

Race headquarters opens at 8:00am, with the 10:00am start located approximately one kilometre away. Finishers receive a medal and goody bag, while prizes recognise leading runners and age category performances.

Entries remain open for November, offering another opportunity to experience a part of the New Forest that doesn't often feature on the racing calendar.

You can enter now via the runABC race hub.

Image courtesy runABC Creative.