Eridge Park, Eridge Green, near Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 9JT
The Eridge 10 Trail Challenge has been hosted by Tunbridge Wells Harriers on the historic Eridge Estate for over 25 years, with the kind permission of the Harriers Club Patron, the Marquis of Abergavenny and the Nevill Estate.
While the course has had some minor changes over the years, there are many well loved features that have been on the route every year the race has taken place. The race offers the opportunity to run on a single lap, traffic-free course over this private estate and features include the historic deer park, three beautiful lakes, a Saxon hill fort topped with a Victorian folly and ancient woodland.
Renowned as a challenging ten mile cross country race, with support around the course by friendly volunteer marshals from Tunbridge Wells Harriers, it is equally well known and loved for the free beer and cake provided to all participants at the finish line.
Prizes will be awarded to the first three finishers, male and female; first veteran male in M40, M50, M60 and M70; first veteran female in F35, F45, F55; plus prizes for the first male and female teams.
Entry Fee: £28 – £35. Full details on the Nice Work event page.
Minimum age: 17 years
Run under UK Athletics rules. Permit number: TBC
Photographs from the 2025 event can be viewed here
About the Race
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
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!
Race Day Instructions
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
Your race number will be allocated alphabetically by surname for you to collect on the day at HQ by 10:15am. No runner will be permitted to start without a race number.
How to get there
The postcode for your Satnav is TN3 9JT (OS grid ref 564358), W3W Location (to park entrance): ///chugging.shaped.rods
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 arrows 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.
