Hendy Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon ‘Open’ Training Runs
Sunday 19th January, Sunday 2nd February and Sunday 16th February 2025 – 10 a.m. SHARP!
An invitation to all those taking part in our forthcoming Tunbridge Wells Half on the 23rd February 2025 to once again join us for our popular ‘Open’ training run along the Forest Way starting and finishing at Withyham station, Station Road, Withyham (or What Three Words, eager.custodian.shorten). Everyone is welcome whether you belong to a club or not…just come along to share the experience together in a friendly and supportive group and get in some training miles.
We are aiming to have a number of pacers (to suit as many of you as possible) for somewhere between 1:40 ish and 2.30 ish pace each week and will run in the direction of Forest Row and back. However, if these particular paces don’t work for you, you are still welcome to run at ‘a pace that suits you,’ and hopefully there will be someone of a similar pace there to run alongside.
For those unfamiliar with the Forest Way, it is a Beeching era abandoned railway track with gravel paths and whilst ‘sticky’ in parts is negotiable in road shoes, even at this time of year. It’s largely flat, with some very gentle gradients and follows the River Medway valley through some beautiful countryside.
Parking is available on the grass verge near the start, or up towards the village school (some 300 metres away). Nevertheless, if you are coming with others, we urge you to car share and please park responsibly.
On the first Sunday, 19th January, we are hoping to do a 75 minute run; on the 2nd February, we aim to up this to 80 minutes; and then cut back to 70 minutes on the 16th February, as this will only be a week before the race itself. BUT should you choose to, you can turn back at any point and retrace your steps safely to the start.
If you have any questions, please email me at twhalf23@gmail.com I am looking forward to seeing you on the Forest Way on Sunday 19th January 2025!
Michael Youlton
Race Director