40th anniversary for Tunbridge Wells race
Early Bird offer ends soon for Kent's classic half marathon
The 40th anniversary Hendy Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon will set off from Tunbridge Wells Sports Centre, St John's Road at 9:00am on Sunday 19th February 2023 and the Early Bird fee of £26/£28 ends soon, so get your entry in now if you want to be part of one of the biggest UK running events organised by a running club – Tunbridge Wells Harriers in this instance.
Previous editions have literally weathered the storms and Covid cancellations in recent years, yet TWH are proud to announce that more than £200,000 has been donated to charities and worthy local causes from race surplus in the past 10 years. Once again, local charities in Tunbridge Wells will benefit from next year's profits.
Two years ago, Storm Dennis forced an hour delay to the start and despite some flooding on the course, the winners were Tunbridge Wells Harrier's Billy Hobbs (1:13:18) and W40 master Helen Gaunt, of Tonbridge AC, in 1:23:44. There were just under 1,000 finishers in 3:28:44 and you can read our runABC South 2020 race report here.
This February (2022) there were 832 finishers in 3:43:28 after the pandemic had put paid to the 2021 race, with a repeat victory for Helen Gaunt (1:23:22). Liam White (unattached, 1:13:40) won the race and since joined TWH and took his PB down to 1:11:15 at the Folkestone Half Marathon in September. Both will be hard to beat if they choose to defend.
Among the attractions at the Hendy Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon are the 'scenic' course that features a 300-foot ascent of Spring Hill at Fordcombe among several testing climbs. TWH provides experienced pacers for 1:30:00 to 2:20:00 runners. Bespoke medals (with engraving facilities available) and free technical race T-shirts are given to all finishers.
The Early Bird entry offer ends on Wednesday 21st December 2022. Full race and entry detail right here.
View previous results and reports at runABC South race listing here
Image of 2022 race courtesy Tunbridge Wells Harriers gallery.