23rd June 2023 - Save the date - Entries opening soon!
Why run at Westonbirt
Westonbirt is the National Arboretum, home to over 2,500 different species of tree! This includes 5 national collections, including rare trees from across the world. The route is incredibly beautiful, varied and interesting as you run through the different areas dedicated to specific species. The solid terrain underfoot gives you a surface more akin to a solid road surface, with all the beauty of a trail run.
Westonbirt is a great relaxing family day out with lots of activities for children too. As part of your race ticket you are welcome to stay and enjoy the arboretum for the whole day, and family, friends and supporters can gain access to the arboretum for just £5/car when travelling with a runner, for special access before 9am, and stay for the day too. Normal visitor ticket prices will be payable after 9am.
Essentials
When:Sunday 2nd July 2023. Start Times are from 08:00, please see the Provisional Schedule for details.
Register: Register (coming soon) for the 1 Mile (£10-£12), 5km (£20), 10km (£25) and Half Marathon (£35). The minimum age for the half marathon is 17, for the 10km is 14, for the 5km is 12, there is no minimum age for the fun run.
Group discounts: Find out more here. 10-19 runners save 15%, 20-49 runners save 20%, 50+ runners save 25%. Runners can include any mix of distances to reach the 10 runner minimum, everyone just needs to be racing on the same date.
Distances: We have a 1 Mile Fun Run, 5km, 10km and Half Marathon races to choose from. There are no cut offs, though please note the races are not open to pure walkers, but we always welcome people who will do a mix of run, jog and walk their way around our routes. Register here.
Format: We set off runners in waves of ~100 runners so everyone has plenty of space to enjoy their run. When you register you will be given the option to select a wave, please share your wave selection with your friends or family so you can start together.
Drinks Stations: There are no drinks station on the 5km. There is 1 feast station on the 10km and 3 feast stations on the Half Marathon. There will be water, electrolyte to drink and a mix of food including GF, DF and vegan snacks around the course and again at the finish.
Medals: All runners of 5km and longer distances will take home a large 10cm x 10cm, 2 sided medal specific to this event. Fun run medals may be a mix of designs.
Terrain: The vast majority of the routes are on solid stone forest paths. The routes are largely very flat, with only a couple of little rises and falls. All our courses are very comprehensively marked and well marshalled so you can relax and enjoy your run.
Transport & Parking: Westonbirt is 30mins from Bristol, 40mins from Bath, 60mins from Cardiff, 1hr 45mins from London. There is on site parking which is £5/car (payable to Westonbirt) and includes FREE access for the day for all spectators in the car. Visitor tickets are usually £11/adult so this is a bargain! The nearest train station is Kemble, which is 9 miles from Westonbirt.
Other Info
Facilities: There are on site toilets and many wonderful places to eat. There is a bag drop. There are no changing rooms.
Photos: Professional photos will be available to purchase within 48hrs of the event from our photographer's website here.
Buggy or Canicross runners: The routes are suitable for buggy runners but this event is not open to canicross runners.
Spectators: There is a £5/car parking charge (payable to Westonbirt) which gives FREE access to the arboretum for the day for all spectators in the car. Visitor tickets are usually £11/adult so this is a bargain. Dogs are welcome to visit too, though please be aware that some areas of the arboretum are not open to dogs.
FAQs: Please see our FAQ Page if you have any more questions and you can contact us from there is you would still like assistance.
All our finishers receive a top of the range custom medal as well as a buffet of fresh fruit and other tasty treats. We also recognise a few of the speedy runners on the following basis.
Prize Categories
Top 3 male and top 3 female
First U20 male and female
First 20-39 male and female
First 40-49 male and female
First 50-59 male and female
First 60-69 male and female
First 70+ male and female
The final number of prizes awarded is determined by the number of finishers for each gender in a given race distance. If there are more than 100 finishers then the full range range of awards are made as shown above. If there are less than 50-100 finishers then the top 3 finishers overall will be awarded a prize. If there are less than 50 then only the winner will be awarded a prize. We do not have any winner's prizes for any of the children's events as would like to keep this participation focused.
There is no on the day prize giving because of the multi wave, multi start time format of the events. Prize winners will be contacted mid week via email.
