Run Barns Green is Back!
Estimated reading time 3 minutes
Run Barns Green returned on Sunday 26th September after the 2020 event had to be cancelled. It was the 39th anniversary of the event and around 1300 runners registered for the two races, the Half Marathon and the 10k. The weather was kind and once again the Green in Barns Green was alive and thronging with people enjoying the opportunity to be out and about. There was a funfair, lots of different stalls and steel band music to keep everyone entertained.
The two races were started by local Horsham MP Jeremy Quin. The Half Marathon started at 10am and the 10k at 10.20am. It was so good to see the enthusiasm of all the runners as they got the chance to run again in a proper race after all the delays and cancellations caused by Covid.
Run Barns Green is organised entirely by volunteers and this year things were made even more complicated by all the additional Covid safety regulations and rules. On race day around 150 people from in and around the village volunteer in a whole range of different capacities, marshalling, manning car parks, preparing food for the volunteers, putting out all the signage and barriers that are required. Lots of different groups, societies and sports clubs help out with a variety of jobs such as manning the drinks stations on the race routes. It is a huge effort from everyone but it is all worth it to see the excitement on the faces of the runners when they cross the finish line pick up their medal and then realise they have done a personal best time.
The races are scrutinised closely by various authorities but once again Run Barns Green was awarded a Gold rating by BARR for outstanding race organisation, a real feather in the cap for everyone involved. There was a new sponsor of the event this year, Architectural Plants and they helped to add some style to the event by creating a wonderful tree lined funnel at the start and finish area. The official charity was St Catherine’s Hospice and once again lots of money was raised for the wonderful work that they do.
So, another great event from Run Barns Green and early bird entries are already open for next year’s race which will take place on Sunday 25th September 2022.
The men’s Half Marathon was won by Paul Navesey from City of Portsmouth AC in a time of 1hr 10.26, a repeat of his win in 2019. Neil Boniface was second and Parick Acaye was third. In the women’s race Clare Richer came first in a time of 1hr 30.12. Elspeth Turner and Daisy Burchfield both from Horsham Blue Star Harriers came second and third. In the 10k races, the first woman across the line was Sophie Gunning in a time of 40 mins 42, Maisie Boast from Horsham Blue Star Harriers was second and Johanna Terry third. In the men’s 10k Patrick Martin came first in a time of 32mins 44, Gary Tomlinson from Horsham Joggers came second and Bradley Burke from Horsham Blue Star Harriers third.
