Run Barns Green Half Marathon and 10K are back with a new 5K race added and improved medals this year, with the popular gold, silver and bronze versions awarded to the first 50 finishers in each category in both the half marathon and 10K races.

Sunday 24th September 2023 is the date to note for this award-winning runABC South Featured Event that is run by the community for the running community. Run Barns Green Half Marathon celebrated its 40th anniversary last year with 526 finishers in 2:46:37, led by Robert Brundish (Horsham Joggers, 1:12:28) and Penny Brook (unattached, 1:25:36).

The first winners in 1982 were John Leversedge (1:08:40) and Tracey Howard (1:19:55) and the course records are 1:04:28 by Edwin Kipyego (Kenya) in 2010 and 1:17:42 by Rebecca Moore (Worthing) in 2014.

The half marathon was recently voted the 8th best-organised event in the country in 2022 – the only race in the top 10 that is entirely run by volunteers. Chairman of Run Barns Green, Nigel Currie commented: “This is a terrific honour for Run Barns Green. To be voted the 8th best-organised event in the whole country is unbelievable. All the other events in the top 10 are managed by professional organisations and as a result, we were the top-placed event organised entirely by volunteers. It is a testimony to the village and all the people who gave up their time to support the event. Everyone who helps out in whatever capacity should be very proud indeed”.

Run Barns Green has also been awarded the British Association of Road Races (BARR) annual Committee Award in recognition for organisation, efficiency and coordination of running events and was rated Gold Standard for its event organisation.

The enlarged programme still includes the Jennings Junior Jog – a 750-metre colour run for youngsters aged 4-11, named after long-term Chairman and Race Director of Run Barns Green, Vernon Jennings.

The organisers have added more warm-up sessions plus Vegan food offerings and there is a greater focus on green initiatives. The three adult races are run on fully closed roads through the lanes of Barns Green, Itchingfield, Dragons Green and through the magnificent grounds of Christ’s Hospital School, taking in some of the most scenic countryside in West Sussex.

The official race charity will again be St Catherine’s Hospice which does such wonderful work in the local area and who Run Barns Green is delighted to be able to support.

Entry details at the Run Barns Green website here.

Previous results at the runABC South race listing here.

Image courtesy Run Barns Green