Walk Tonbridge Festival
The Marathon
19 September 2021
Four teams. 17 Walkers. 26.2 miles
An early start at Tonbridge Baptist Church, the starting point for the Walk Tonbridge marathon.
TBC is also the home to Sustain food bank, our designated festival charity.
The walkers arrived from 06:30 for registration and a safety briefing, not to mention bacon rolls and a coffee!
Kindly cooked by volunteer chef Cotas Arnas Charalambous and James Pavlou (Walk Tonbridge).
The walkers were ready and waiting for their 07:15 departure!
The 'Tonbridge Mums' were one of four teams taking part. (L-R) Natasha Stille, Lauren Pau and Emma Carrington.
Event sponsor and supporter, Victoria Sampson (CooperBurnett solicitor) was on hand to oversee the start of the walk!
'Tonbridge Mums' , just over a mile into the Walk Tonbridge Marathon at Trench Farm, Hildenborough
Team Sargeant were close behind, as they made their way through Shipbourne Church yard.
Team Cooper Burnett led the early stage of the race, making great time for the first 6 miles.
Team Crowe were next as they arrived at Shipbourne.
Katy Hildson (CooperBurnett LLP) and Vicki Haynes (right) were on duty at the first checkpoint at The Chaser Inn Shipbourne.
One of the biggest challenges of the Walk Tonbridge Marathon route was this punishing hill at Fairlawne Park.
The walkers took it in their stride though...
Team Sargeant even had time for a photo call! Pic (L-R): Simon Smith, Michelle Wederell, Lauren Tucker, Jane Croxton and Les Bullock.
Conditions under foot were a little damp to begin with..
but the weather was the least of their concerns!
Check point volunteers Katie Gillam and Carla Loveday (CooperBurnett solicitors) were ready and waiting at checkpoint 2: The Kentish Rifleman.
Team Cooper Burnett were the first to arrive, but didn't hang about for long!
Team Crowe led the chasing pack, with Team Sergeant and Tonbridge Mums, just behind.
The Kentish Rifleman opened their doors early to provide the walkers with a loo stop and fresh water where required.
Not too mention a chat with one of our volunteer checkpoint staff!
There was also the opportunity to refuel...
before hitting the road once more!
As the route looped round The Kentish Rifleman...
The next leg was one of the shortest legs of the course
before heading back to The Chaser, Shipbourne.
'Tonbridge Mums' picked up some support along the way.
Although there was no shortage of encouragement from our volunteers!
As the morning warmed up, the walkers enjoyed some beautiful views, such as this one from Clearhedges Wood
Checkpoint 4 was at The Rose Revived, Hadlow
The pub loaned us use of their pretty garden.
Whilst we waited for the walkers to arrive...
Tonbridge Mums were the first to reach the pub - taking the lead from CooperBurnett.
Team Sargeant at The Rose Revived, Hadlow. Pic: Michelle Wederell, Les Bullock, Lauren Tucker, Jane Croxton and Simon Smith.
Joseph Oates (CooperBurnett) gets Team CB back on course
A little trail of walkers can be seen in the distance as they head for check point 5 - The Bell Inn, Golden Green
The Bell Inn, marked the halfway mark, as the walkers passed the 13 mile mark
Paula and James Pavlou (Walk Tonbridge) were on hand to check on the walkers progress and support the Walk Tonbridge family fun day, one of the 'fringe' events of the Walk Tonbridge Festival.
The fun day was organised by Clare Tanner (manager of The Bell Inn). As well as entertaining the walkers, the event raised money for Sustain foodbank and The British Legion.
Victoria Sampson (CooperBurnett LLP) joined in the spirit of things - meeting the Royal West Kent Queens Own living history group.
Costa popped by too!
Singer Tom Carradine was on the piano, playing classic songs and geeing on the walkers!
'Tonbridge Mums' had some welcome support! (L-R) Victoria Sampson, Paula Pavlou, Emma Carrington, Lauren Pau and Natasha Stille.
Meanwhile at The Poacher and Partridge, Cooper Burnett were taking care of check point 6. (L-R) Carla Loveday, Jon Rowe, Glenn Webb and Katie Hilsdon.
Carla (front) captures a selfie with Victoria, Jon and Katie (L-R).
Sarah Strong (Team CB) kept smiling, even through the penultimate stage. A challenging section between Tudeley and Leigh via Tonbridge and Haysden Country Park.
Tonbridge Mums arrive at the Plough Inn, the final check point of the walk.
Just as 'Team CB' were leaving...
There were drinks on hand, but the wet weather saw our volunteers camped out inside!
'The Orchard tea room' - a pop up café manned by volunteers Mark Johnson (L) and Anne Elder (second left) served as bonus feed station.
The 'Orchard Tea Room' enjoyed lots of visitors throughout the day, raising hundreds of pounds for Sustain.
Mark kept the tea and cake coming!
Tonbridge Mums were joined by fellow mum Louise Cameron for the final part of their epic walk, but not before a glass of bubbles!
There were more bubbles waiting for the walkers at Tonbridge Castle - the finish line!
Along with a coveted WTF medal!
Sarah, Gareth and Joe (team CooperBurnett) were the first through the castle gate!
Tonbridge Mums, Lauren Pau is given a helping hand across the finish line.
Followed by Natasha Stille who waited for some help from her family before completing her marathon.
'Tonbridge Mums' celebrate completing the Walk Tonbridge Marathon at Tonbridge Castle (L-R) Natasha Stille, Lauren Pau and Emma Carrington
Team Sargeant approach the finish line!
Team Sargeant still smiling! (L-R) Les Bullock, Simon Smith, Lauren Tucker, Michelle Wederell and Jane Croxton.
Team Crowe were relieved to be sat down at last! (L-R) Simon Crookston, Mike Bird, Zoe Hitchcock, Alison Fairman, Phil Reynolds
James Pavlou (Walk Tonbridge), presents a finishers medal to Zoe Hitchcock of Team Crowe.
Victoria Sampson and Joseph Oates partners of our event supporter CooperBurnett solicitors reflect on a great day.
The dream team! Walk Tonbridge marathon organisers: (L-R) Katy Hilsdon (CooperBurnett), Paula Pavlou (Walk Tonbridge), James Pavlou (Walk Tonbridge), Angela Ward (Angela Ward Media) and Victoria Sampson (Cooper Burnett).