Winter Night Trail Run | Saturday 23rd January 2027 – From 5:10pm | Cowdray Estate

Saturday 23rd January 2027 | HEADTORCHES REQUIRED | Race Information 2026 

Start Times: Kids 3km 5:10pm  | 10km & 5km CaniRun all start at 5:35hrs (when last kids finish) | 10km 5:40pm 10km | 5km (incl 12-15yr Juniors) 5:45pm.

Entry Fees: 5km: £20:50 | 5km CaniRun £22:50 | 10km: £26:50 |10km CaniRun £28:50 | Kids 3km (6-11yrs) £12 | Junior (12-15 yrs) £16:50 (In the event of bad weather the event will be held Sat 30th Jan 2027)

The 3km kids run will take place first and only when all children have finished this run will the other races start. The kids race will be led and swept by mountain bike riders and there will also be hi-vis safety marshals running amongst the runners. Children will be issued with an LED safety bracelet.

Registration & number collection 3:30pm and 4:45pm.

Race HQ is The Walled Garden, Riverground Stables, Cowdray Park, Midhurst GU29 9AL

Parking options: Midhurst Rother College Car Pak (tbc). Alternative parking: 1. Midhurst, North Street, GU29 9DS (8am-6pm.  First hour free, 2nd hour 80p)   2. Grange Road, GU29 9LT (8am-6pm 2hrs free. Distance 0.5mile walk 15min) . There is street parking and limited parking at Cowdray Farm Shop Car Park Distance 0.5mile walk 15min. Please leave plenty of time to park and walk to the start. PARKING GUIDE 

Maps: All courses are subject to change depending on weather conditions. Run Course 5km 1 x Lap | 10k 2 x Laps | 3km Kids Run | Essential Tips & Stretches and Massage Booking

The Winter Night Run is back for a fourth year as part of Cowdray’s ‘Run The Seasons’ series. We have a special night-time run, starting at the Cowdray Ruins and followed by warming drinks, soup, and delicious snacks at the Cowdray Heritage Visitor Centre.  Both routes are through the park area and around the river. Head torches are mandatory. It’s Burns Night (or thereabouts) so expect something special. 

Part of the children’s series held over the Autumn, Winter, Spring & Summer events. 3km Kids Runs are for 6-11 years, 5km Junior Runs are for 12-15 years (based on age on race day). 15% discount if you enter all 4 Junior or Kids races (on the same order). Parents can run with their child in the 3km race, especially the younger ones. 3 of the 4 races count towards the Series final.

Runners will have the choice of taking on either a 10km, 5km or dog-friendly course across the world famous polo lawns at night to the illuminated ruins, before returning to the Walled Garden and heritage site. The route is more or less flat apart from a couple of gradual climbs.  The majority of the course is on bridleways & footpaths around the River Rother, but there are some sections on private tracks within the estate which are accessible only on race day.

Footing for this run is good, depending on the weather, but YOU DO NEED a head torch to illuminate the trails and especially the river trail which can get quite high depending on weather conditions. Clear skies should offer runners a unique experience as the estate lies within the South Downs National Park which is an International Dark Sky Reserve. You should be able to see familiar and unfamiliar constellations,  the moon and visible planets, satellites and shooting stars – but also make sure you pay attention to where you’re running !

The course will be marked/marshalled with reflective signs, glow sticks and the brilliant Sussex Search & Rescue Team who we use at all our events. There’s plenty of online advice on the best head torches to buy; entry level light head torches with 500 lumens cost around £30, but you’ll find plenty of uses for one during the winter!