ENTER HERE

The Winter Night Run is back for a second year as part of Cowdray’s ‘Run The Seasons’ series, celebrating all things Christmassy as it coincides with Cowdray’s Xmas Fare at the Farm Shop. 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. 

Runners will have the choice of taking on either a 10km, 5km or dog-friendly canicross course across the world famous polo lawns at night to the illuminated ruins, before returning to the Walled Garden and heritage site.

Unlike our tough Autumn run, this one 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 !

Night running is a fun experience and by starting at 5pm, most runners will be done and dusted by 6:30pm and ready for the Strictly or just the pub and a curry!

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!

What you need to know:

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

Parking options: Race starts at 5pm.  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

Entry Fees:

5km: £19:50.  5km Canicross £21:50

10km: £25:50 .  10km Canicross: £27:50

Race numbers can be collected on the day.. HEAD TORCHES ARE MANDATORY

Maps: Run Course 5km 1 x Lap | 10k 2 x Laps

Historic Results: Search ‘Cowdray’ at Results Base