Eridge Park 10 Trail Challenge – 22nd September 2024

Tunbridge Wells Harriers are delighted that the Eridge Park 10 Trail Challenge has come 1st in the Runner’s World UK’s Best 50 Races of 2009 listing, as announced in the February 2010 issue of the magazine. The event also came away from the 2010 Runner’s World Personal Best Awards with the ‘Most Improved Event’ trophy.

The race is reported as “always a favourite of off-road veterans, a few tweaks to the route this year have seen this race rocket to the top of the charts. The route is traffic-free, the views are varied but uniformly captivating, and runners can’t get enough of the steep, narrow climbs and copious quantities of mud.”

Here’s what some of the runners who have taken part in the event before have said on the Runner’s World website:

“This is what Sunday mornings were made for. Excellent race in every department.”

“Unmissable, a great experience in every respect.”

“Great muddy fun. Tie your laces tight and enjoy.”

“My new favourite race!”

The course, our toughest, remains the same as last year – the New Gully leads the descent to the biggest of the three lakes; the beautiful second lake sits serenely at the foot of the first long climb which leads you to the infamous Cheeky’s Bog; rewarded soon after by Water Station 1 and the restorative freewheeling down Heavenly Hill; open grassland takes you straight into the Lost Wood (with stream crossing) to emerge at the base of the climb to the stunning location of Coronation Clump via the back-bending access to Watership Up!; take another gulp of water here and a deep breath before your descent to the Tomb of the Unknown Harrier and the Leap of Death before the long (and we mean long!) climb to the delightful ‘damsel-in-distress’ tower at Saxonbury 659 (the highest point) and more refreshment; down to the Wood Yard and out into the open once again you pass Bee House en route to Howey’s Hollows for a roller-coaster ride through woodland and maybe the odd ‘damp patch’; now on the perimeter deer-fence you face perhaps the biggest challenge – up Deeply Steep (expletives deleted!); but hey, our final water squad are there at the top for encouragement and jelly babies to send you on your long way down, down the Slippery Slope which continues on to Lake Magical and finally the boundary fence of Eridge Cricket Ground to the finish!

Tunbridge Wells Harriers will be delighted to welcome you to the Eridge Park 10.  The race has always had its dedicated followers, lured by its reputation for scenic, varied and rough terrain.  We must stress that special permission has been granted for this event and that the land over which most of it takes place remains at all other times strictly private.

Race numbers & free race T-shirt

Your race number will be allocated alphabetically by surname for you to collect on the day at HQ along with your T-shirt by 10:15am.  No runner will be permitted to start without a race number.  Additional T-shirts (if available) can be purchased for £10.

How to get there

The postcode for your Satnav is TN3 9JT (OS grid ref 564358) 

Take the A26 south of Tunbridge Wells approx. 3 miles to Eridge Green (40 mph).  After passing the Nevill Crest & Gun pub, turn left in 150m, opposite the Church.  If approaching from Crowborough /Eridge Station, the entrance is 100m past the bus stop on the right.

Come by train to either Tunbridge Wells Central and taxi to event or to Eridge station where it is a gentle 1.5mile jog on the A26 North to the park.

Course marking

The course is marshalled by our dedicated club members and friends and marked with red hazard tape in the trees, yellow flags and blue arrows on the ground.  Four drinks stations and retirement points will be provided, plus first aid.

It is important not to stray from the marked route and to treat livestock, crops and machinery with respect; leave no litter; cause no fire; or make any unnecessary noise.  Enjoy the privilege of using the park, its life and work.

Race HQ

At race HQ there is ample off-road parking handled with military precision by our expert team.  There are no changing facilities but Portaloos will be provided. Our hospitality suite will again be dispensing a complimentary pint of delicious brown rehydration fluid (Larkins Traditional 3.4% abv), water and homemade cakes.

Prizes

Prizes/trophies for 1st, 2nd & 3rd male and female winners.
Prizes/trophies for 1st male and female age group categories.
Prizes/trophies for 1st male and female affiliated team (three to count)

Results

We will be providing provisional results in time for the afternoon but if you have to rush off, full results will be available here during the week.