Run Barns Green Half Marathon, 10K and 5k

Through closed roads around the Barns Green, Itchingfield and Christ Hospital area west of Horsham, with fabulous views of the countryside including part of the race through the famous Christs Hospital school. Music bands are placed around the route and there are always hundreds of spectators and water stations along the route of both ratces

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Runners will receive a runners pack with timing device approximately 7-14 days before the race or alternatively can collect on the day. There is entertainment on the day, fairground, music throughout the route

• All runners receive a finisher medal

Start Time: 10:05 am

The Half Marathon is the oldest race in the Run Barns Green portfolio. It began in 1982 just after the first ever London Marathon. It has been run every year since then with the exception of 1987 when there was the great storm, and in 2020 when the pandemic struck. 2022 was the 40th anniversary of the race.

The Race Route
The race route begins on Muntham Drive outside the Village Hall and Social Club in the centre of Barns Green. The route goes down to the village crossroads and then along Two Mile Ash Road for a mile and a half leaving the village and heading towards Horsham. The route then turns sharp left over the old railway bridge crossing the South Downs Link by the Bax Castle Pub and proceeds towards Christ’s Hospital for another mile. Dropping down towards Christ’s Hospital the route then takes a very sharp left turn through the East Gates of Christ’s Hospital School and into the school grounds. The runners enter the school grounds where there is the first water station and then get to run along the picturesque school avenue before exiting the school grounds through the West Gates. The route then turns left over the railway bridge and heads towards Weston’s Farm before turning left and joining the main road and heading back towards Barns Green.

There is a slight incline before taking a right turn into Itchingfield heading towards the church. As the runners reach the bend they turn left by the old Barns Green Primary School into the back lane and proceed along this for a mile passing Barns Green Rugby Club on the right before reaching the grounds of Muntham House School. The runners go through the school grounds and there is a short section of grass before rejoining the road out of the school and back onto Muntham Drive and past the start-finish line in the centre of Barns Green where there is the second drinks station.

This is the start of the second loop of the race. Once again the runners go over the crossroads but this time just before they leave the village they turn right into Trout Lane. A short way down Trout Lane is the halfway point of the race. The route then continues out of the village for a mile down to Brookes Green where there is a left turn at the junction. Runners are really in the country now and there is a 2-mile section of the race through the wooded lanes towards Dragons Green. As the runners approach Dragons Green there is another drinks station. The route reaches the Dragon’s Green pub before turning and heading back for a couple of miles towards the finish skirting Southwater. The final drinks station is at the junction of the route into Southwater and the runners then continue back towards the village rejoining Two Mile Ash Road but running in the opposite direction from the first loop. After a mile and a half, the runners re-enter Barns Green with the finish in sight and head over the crossroads and up to the start/finish line.

• Important Information Regarding Headphones
• The wearing of in-ear headphones such as Air Pods, or similar devices, (other than those medically prescribed), is not permitted in races as per UKA Rule 240 S 5. If you are seen in the race wearing in-ear or over ear headphones in the race, you will be disqualified.
• Note – Bone Conducting headphones that sit in front of the ears are allowed, but any other Bone Conducting or Open Ear headphones are NOT allowed. If you are seen in the race wearing these headphones in the race, you will be disqualified.

Start Time: 10:25 am

The Run Barns Green 10K, established in 2016, celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. This popular race takes you through the charming West Sussex countryside, providing a perfect challenge for both competitive runners and those new to the sport. Join us in marking this milestone and be part of a vibrant community on race day.

The 10K Race Route
The race route begins on Muntham Drive outside the Village Hall and Social Club in the centre of Barns Green. The route goes down to the village crossroads and then along Two Mile Ash Road for a mile and a half leaving the village and heading towards Horsham. The route then turns sharp left over the old railway bridge crossing the South Downs Link by the Bax Castle Pub and proceeds towards Christ’s Hospital for another mile.

Dropping down towards Christ’s Hospital the route then takes a very sharp left turn through the East Gates of Christ’s Hospital School and into the school grounds. The runners enter the school grounds where there is a water station and then get to run along the picturesque school avenue before branching left off the avenue separating from the half marathon route for a short while and going along a road through the school playing fields before rejoining the half marathon route and exiting the school grounds through the West Gates. The route then turns left over the railway bridge and heads towards Weston’s Farm before turning left and joining the main road and heading back towards Barns Green.

There is a slight incline before once again separating from the half marathon route and then going straight on for the final 1.5 kilometres downhill into the village finishing beside the green in Sandhills Road.

• Important Information Regarding Headphones
• The wearing of in-ear headphones such as Air Pods, or similar devices, (other than those medically prescribed), is not permitted in races as per UKA Rule 240 S 5. If you are seen in the race wearing in-ear or over ear headphones in the race, you will be disqualified.
• Note – Bone Conducting headphones that sit in front of the ears are allowed, but any other Bone Conducting or Open Ear headphones are NOT allowed. If you are seen in the race wearing these headphones in the race, you will be disqualified.

Start Time: 09:55 am

The Run Barns Green 5K, introduced in 2023, offers a perfect race for all abilities. Enjoy a scenic route through the beautiful West Sussex countryside, making it an exciting event for both new and experienced runners. Join the vibrant community and experience the thrill of race day.

The 5K Race Route
The route starts on Muntham Drive outside the Village Hall and Social Club in the centre of Barns Green.

Unlike the Half Marathon and the 10K, the route starts with the runners going away from the crossroads up to the entrance to Muntham House School.

The route goes through Muntham House School and onto the long lane at the top of the hill past Barns Green Rugby Club on the left and all the way along to the old Barns Green Primary School in Itchingfield. Runners then continue straight along the road across the top of Fulfords Hill for 500 metres past St Nicolas Church before taking a u-turn and then following the road back round to the junction with Weston’s Hill. Here runners turn right on to the road and continue straight for about 500 metres along the top of the hill before completing the final 1 kilometre downhill into the village finishing beside the green on Sandhills Road.

• Important Information Regarding Headphones
• The wearing of in-ear headphones such as Air Pods, or similar devices, (other than those medically prescribed), is not permitted in races as per UKA Rule 240 S 5. If you are seen in the race wearing in-ear or over ear headphones in the race, you will be disqualified.
• Note – Bone Conducting headphones that sit in front of the ears are allowed, but any other Bone Conducting or Open Ear headphones are NOT allowed. If you are seen in the race wearing these headphones in the race, you will be disqualified.

Start Time: 12:30 pm
The Jennings Junior Jog, named after the long-term Chairman and Race Director of Run Barns Green Vernon Jennings, who died in February 2022, takes place on the Village Green at around 12:30 pm on race day, the 27th of September. It will give primary-aged youngsters aged 4-11 the chance to compete in a colour run with all those taking part getting a medal.

Can I defer my place to 2027?
If you are injured and unable to run, we can defer your entry to the 2026 as long as we are notified by 6pm on Thursday 24th September 2026. We will send you details of how to register for 2027 after the 2026 race, but please note a payment of £5 administration fee is required.

Can I transfer my entry down a race from Half or 10K to 10K or 5K?
Entrants are allowed to swap from the half marathon or 10k to the 10k or 5k up until noon on Friday 25th September 2026. No refund of the higher entry cost will be given. Please note, if you change distances after noon on 8th September 2026 you will need to collect a new race number and timing tag at race HQ either on Saturday 26th September between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm or on Sunday 27th September before the races. You cannot race with the old number and you will be disqualified if you try to run with an incorrect number.

Can I transfer my entry up a race from 5K or 10K to 10K or Half?
Entrants are allowed to swap from the 5k or 10k to the 10k or half marathon up until noon on Friday 25th September 2026 on payment of the additional entry fee. Please note, if you change distances after noon on 8th September 2026 you will need to collect a new race number and timing tag at race HQ either on Saturday 26th September between 10.00 am and 4.00 pm or on Sunday 27th September before the races. You cannot race with the old number and you will be disqualified if you try to run with an incorrect number

Can I transfer my entry to another runner?
Entrants are allowed to transfer their entry to another runner up until 6pm on Thursday 24th September 2026. There is a £5 administration fee for this change. If the transfer has not been processed, you cannot race with another runner’s number, and any entrant(s) found doing so will be disqualified.

Storage facilities are in the Village Hall and will be clearly signposted where to drop off and where to collect. Please leave anything you don’t need in your vehicle is possible.

Massage / physio is available on the Village Green