Tonbridge Half Marathon sponsored by Porsche

?  I almost clicked on it thinking it;d be the course map - then I read the first few words.......................

To see the course on Google Maps, click the link below.  More details will be added in due course.

 I'd better do this as its very local to me.

Nice testing route you have there  I train around most of it.

Going through Leigh village could be interesting with the traffic, I assume the Police are going to help as its a busy road.

Good assumption but not the case, I'm afraid.  The rules have changes and the police are no longer allowed to help with such events.  It all has to be done through Traffic Management Orders (for road closures) and by marshalls on the day.  It will be an interesting test of our organisational skills!  We are currerntly working on the management of the race through Leigh.  Kent Highways and Kent Police are giving us a lot of help and advice.  See you there!

Andy Blundell Race Director

I am wondering how undulating/hilly this course is, anyone give me clues?  Looks like it could be a nice race maybe. 

I've entered this event today, bearing in mind I've lived in Tonbridge all my life I thought it best to give it a go!

 Just taken a good look round the course and thought I'd pick up on the undulating/hilly question:

Within 1/2 mile of the start is a long slow climb of a decent gradient, followed by 2 short sharp but very steep hills with the benefit of a downhill immediately after.

After a relatively flat mile or so there is a long steep climb into Leigh before a very steep downhill under the railway station into the village.

From here you head out for several miles of relatively flat nice tree covered countryside before heading back into Leigh from Hildenborough.

You then rejoin the route for a final 2-3 miles back into Tonbridge covering the same route as before...so you'll have a couple of absolute killer hills approx 10-12 miles in that will be enough to test anyone, but again you have the benefit of coming down the other side of them again.

Looks a good choice to me, the only question I really have of the course is the suitability of sending all the runners up and around molescroft way, doesn't really seem a suitable road to me and I can only assume its been included to get the distance right? 

I live in Tonbridge and I had a look at this course. I agree with Adam with regards to the hills - I don't see this as being an easy one. I am at the stage of running where predominantly flat is my best chance, so the hills involved here are a killer for me. Maybe in a couple of years time with a few more miles and challenges under my belt ....

Good luck to those that run it - will be interested in your post race reports

A Tonbridge Half.  Fantastic! 

It looks a good fun course, set to rival Tunbridge Wells and Maidstone for 'undulation'. 

Only comment at this stage is that it seems a shame it doesn't have a final sprint through town and a start and end at the castle like yesterday's Castle Ride 100 with 1,000+ cyclists.  If it did it could grow to rival Reading's finishing atmosphere in the Madjewski Staduium!

Come on Bob Colclough 2; go for it!

Grandadnohair - I am knackered from doing the bedgebury 10k on saturday, not realising how many hills would be involved there, so I think september will be far too early for me in my advancing years/running career !

But good luck to all who fancy it .

Thanks to Adam for a good description of the ups and downs of the course.  The steeper hills are quite short and the longer hill on the way out from Tonbridge is relatively gentle.  For those who prefer a flat course, this isn't, but for those who prefer a bit of variety and challenge, I think it will be a good course.  It hasn't got the long killer hill of the Tunbridge Wells Half, nor is it as flat as the Paddock Wood one.  Undulating describes it well, although the middle third, the loop round Leigh, is nice and flat.

We would have liked to have a finish through the town, but the traffic management and road closure implications of this are very considerable and we were advised to stay out of the town centre.  Brook Street provides a good long finishing straight though and I'm sure the crowds will be very enthusiastic and vociferous!

Bob - go for it!  I did Kilimanjaro back in January and I'm 64 this year - knackered when I reached the top but what a great feeling!  It will be a lovely time of the year and probably not too hot.  It's the inaugural Tonbridge Half - your chance to take part in a unique event.

Andy Blundell Race Director

Andy,

I will be 51 and I really struggled in my previous 2 half marathons, especially the run to the beat that had a nasty HILL !  I'll see how my running goes over the next 2 months, when I also have another 10k, (and after the footbal fixtures are published !) and then i'll asess how i have been doing and then decide. I agree that it would be great to be in the inaugral event, but I wouldn't want to enter  and then not complete.

I see that the online entries finish on sept 23 - is there a limit to the number of entrants ?

Bob Colclough 2

You're 51?  You are a mere stripling of a youth! 

I didn't start running until 3 years ago when I was 56.  Sure it wasn't easy to get into it, but now I'm doing around 20 miles a week and 7 or 8 events a year.  I'm certainly not fast (PBs are anly 57 min 10k; 2:10 Half Marathon; and 5:59 for the 2010 London Marathon), but I do my best and go out to enjoy myself, not to kill myself.  My current ambition is to get into the London Marathon in 2012, when I will be 60, and get round in under 4:30!

I'll be running Tonbridge with my two daughters and possibly even my son and my wife if they can be persuaded - the whole family.  It'll be fantastic!

So come on, go for it!  We'll meet you on the start line!

Andy

I suspected that was the reason for not going through town.  But then, this is only the first year.  Maybe in the future as the run grows in fame and popularity?

Thanks for all the hard work I'm sure you're doing.  We're looking forward to it

Grandadnohair,

Your 10k and half pb's are still a lot better than mine ! But I am hoping to improve. Maybe in 10 years I might be able to keep up with you !

I'll wait and see how I do over the next couple of months, and If I am improving (Endurance, not really bothered about super fast times although some time improvement would be appreciated !) then I will most likely line up alongside you !

Bob -

 We are limiting the race to 1000 entrants and we are up to 529 as of this morning.  Don't leave it too long to decide whether to enter!

Andy, is the limit definately 1000 ? 

There are other sites contracting this, eg the run britain website and the good run guide say 2000?   

I was holding back from entering as I dont usually enter races until a few weeks before, and not sure what commitments/other races i'm doing around that time.  However, if the limit is only 1000  I will probably have to make a decision now as the entries are nearly up to 700.

Thanks.