WHAT WE DO
A concern for potential new runners is keeping up.
But don't worry, we welcome runners of all ages and abilities.
Our members include social runners, where friendship is more important than speed as well as competitive runners who regularly race in club colours. You'll find details of the Sussex Grand Prix and East Sussex Cross-country league on this website as well as our flagship Bewl 15/5 mile race which we organise annually.
We also run a ‘Couch to 5k’ course - our most recent course ran during September 2025 on Saturday mornings with a wonderful group of newbies - we're planning our next course in Spring 2026 - email us wadhurstrunners@gmail.com to book!
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If you’d like to come along and give the club a go, feel free to join us on
one of our "three times a week" runs. There's no charge for a couple of trial runs!
WEEKLY RUNS
We're always pleased to welcome and meet new members, especially to our regular club runs. If you want to come along, just drop us a line at wadhurstrunners@gmail.com in advance, to let us know which session you'd like to join, so we can welcome you and help you find your (running) feet.
TUESDAYS
Meeting at the Uplands Sports Centre on Wadhurst High Street at 7:15pm.
We usually run two groups depending on how fast you want to go and run for about 50-60 minutes.
In winter we follow the quiet unlit country lanes around Wadhurst - you need a torch and ideally high-viz clothing. The club will provide a reflective mesh running vest to all members.
In summer we explore the glorious local countryside along footpaths and trails.
WEDNESDAYS
Meeting every Wednesday at 9:30am, usually at the visitor centre in Bedgebury Pinetum, where we aim to run 10k along their all year forest trails.
We do sometimes meet in other locations. When we do we inform members via the club’s ‘Waddies Runs’ WhatsApp group.
SUNDAYS
Meeting at 9am at the Uplands Sports Centre car park. Distance is usually between 7 and 9 miles.
Occasionally we venture further afield, in the last year we have been to the South Downs & Beachy Head, Winchelsea and Rye Harbour and the Weald Challenge route in Chiddingly. Any changes are notified to members on the club’s ‘Waddies Runs' WhatsApp group.
Waddies exploring the Sussex Downs on a Sunday morning run​
LOCAL RACES
We're fortunate to live in a part of the world that's stacked with running races.
Most weekends you'll find a Waddie or few running somewhere, some more competitively than others!
Here's a few of our favourites coming up in 2026 in addition to the Sussex Grand Prix & Cross-Country:
25th January 2026
22nd February 2026
12th April 2026
26th April 2026
10th May 2026
7th June 2026
19th June 2026
21st June 2026
26th July 2026
13th September 2026
Ashdown Forest 10 & 5 mile Link
Hendy Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon Link
Brighton Marathon Link
Bluebell 10k & 10 mile Trail run Link
Seaford 10k Link
Weald Challenge Half Marathon Link
Robertsbridge Midsummer 10k & 5k Link
Hawkhurst 10k & 5k Link
PARKRUN
Our local parkrun is at Bedgebury Pinetum. Wadhurst Runners has the largest number of runners of all clubs represented at the parkrun.
For many joining the club is a next step after gaining confidence by completing this challenging parkrun.
COUCH TO 5K
SOCIAL EVENTS
New or returning to running? Why not join our Couch to 5K challenge and get fit, have some fun and meet new people?
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Our structured 9 week course will take you through the steps to help you, by adopting a run/walk method approach, where the walking intervals will get shorter
and the running intervals get longer, building your strength and stamina to complete your first 5K run!
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Our first four courses were a great success, with all participants reaching their goal. Our most recent course "ran" in Wadhurst during September 2025 on Saturday mornings, led by an England Athletics accredited coach and enthusiastic volunteers, these sessions will take place in the picturesque surroundings of Wadhurst, winding along footpaths and country lanes.
Email us if you'd like to join in our next course in Spring 2026, and we'll be with you, every step of the way.
Wadhurst Runners enjoy many social events - a summer handicap (the last three years hosted at Lakedown Brewery) and many seasonal events around Christmas, with our Annual Christmas Party and Christmas Fun Run which is hosted locally, followed by festive refreshments!
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Every year we hold an Annual Awards Dinner to highlight both club and individual achievements. This is a great opportunity to celebrate with everyone!
We also encourage non-competitive fun runs to explore new routes, scenery and a decent café en route, and for those who are interested in going further afield, nationwide and overseas runs, half and full marathons.
In late February 2026, a large group of Waddies are heading to Alicante for some warm weather, tapas and the small matter of the local 10k/half marathon.
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There's always something going on, from vineyard visits to opera outings - our "Waddies Chatter" What's App group is the go-to platform for all Waddies related gossip and news!
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