Five distances and a vineyard finish: Hambledon Hilly returns on Saturday
The Hambledon Hilly returns to its PO7 vineyard course on 19 September, with family runs, three longer trail distances and entries closing Wednesday evening.
Runners, families and supporters have until Wednesday evening to enter this year’s Hambledon Hilly, which returns to Hambledon Vineyard on Saturday 19 September.
The community trail-running event offers five distances, from 1km and 2km family runs to 5km, 10km and a self-navigated 20km trail race. Every route starts and finishes at race headquarters inside the Hambledon Wine Estate, PO7 4RY.
The organiser says the 2026 event is the Hambledon Hilly’s 11th edition. It is being held in aid of Brain Tumour Research and Hambledon Primary School, while the vineyard team plans to serve food and drink at race headquarters through the afternoon.
What residents can enter
The 1km and 2km races cost £5 each and stay on footpaths and trails within the vineyard estate. Children may be accompanied by an adult at no extra charge. Their scheduled start times are 9.35am for the 1km and 9.50am for the 2km.
The 5km costs £13 and starts at 10.45am. Its course uses quiet lanes and trails through Hambledon village before finishing on the estate. The 10km, priced at £18, follows a longer village-and-trail route, starts at 10.30am and has a water station at the halfway point.
For experienced trail runners, the 20km starts first at 9.30am and costs £20. The organiser describes it as self-sufficient and self-navigated, with sparse course markings and marshals only at busy road crossings. Entrants must check the live mandatory-kit requirements rather than relying on a summary: the organiser says these include the route downloaded to a watch or phone, water and weather-appropriate gear.
What to know before race day
Online entries are due to close at 11.59pm on Wednesday 16 September. The registration page should be checked before making plans, because availability can change.
Race numbers are due to be collected from 8.30am at the large white marquee behind the Vineyard Restaurant. Parking is listed as available on the estate, with marshals directing arrivals. The races are chip timed, every runner is due to receive a memento and trophies are planned for the first three in the listed male and female categories.
Prize-giving is scheduled for 10.15am for the 1km and 2km events and noon for the adult races. An optional technical event T-shirt costs £10 during entry.
The main vineyard visitor centre is also expected to open for tours, tastings and dining, but those are separate from race entry and the organiser advises booking with the vineyard well in advance.
Residents should read the full route and safety information before entering, particularly for the self-navigated 20km. Weather arrangements, the final kit list and any last-minute changes should also be checked on the organiser’s website.
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