WTF: The Marathon - Course Guide

You will be issued with step by step directions on the day, but we have put together some stage information and maps that will give you a feel for the route and what to expect.

Much of the route is made up of existing Walk Tonbridge walks so we recommend that you practice using some of these, so that you are familiar with the directions and terrain!

Stage 1 - Tonbridge Baptist Church to The Chaser, Shipbourne
(4.49/7.19 km)

You will take your first steps from TBC, the home of our festival charity Sustain. Your entry will be raising money for this amazing charity, which provides emergency food parcels to those experiencing short term need.

Leaving suburban Tonbridge behind, the route quickly leads you into the countryside as you close in on mile one. Three miles in you will face their first hill of the route, a punchy number which will offer an early test to all but the most seasoned walker.

The Chaser Inn is the first checkpoint of the route, where you will have the opportunity to refill water bottles, use the loo and touch base with our volunteers.

Stage 2 - The Chaser to The Kentish Rifleman, Dunks Green
(2.66 miles /4.27 km)

Leaving Shipbourne you will hit the five mile mark as you make the big climb from Shipbourne up to Plaxtol. This is one of the most scenic sections of the route, offering up views right the way across the valley, but there won’t be much time for selfies at the top. This hill is a beast, so remember to pace yourself!

As you leave the pretty village of Plaxtol, the route goes off road once more, cutting down a quiet footpath and then crossing meadow, before snaking along quiet country lanes that lead you to the Kentish Rifleman.

Stage 3 - The Kentish Rifleman to The Chaser Inn
(1.35 miles /2.16 km)

Measuring just under 1.5 miles this is the shortest leg of the route as you double back through the woods to The Chaser Inn. This section will give a good indication of your pace walking pace as the walk leaders have a chance of coming face to face with the stragglers!

Stage 4 - The Chaser Inn to The Bell
(5.55 miles/ 8.88 km)

A beautiful but challenging section of the route, sees the marathon pass through Dene Park, where you’ll pass the 10 mile mark. A good time here would be 3 hours, but this will depend on the conditions.

The endless trees will provide welcome shade if the sun is out, but above all else you need to hope the paths stay dry. The slightest of rain in the build up to the marathon could make this a tricky section of the walk, if the going is soft underfoot.

From Dene Park the route heads towards Hadlow, continuing downhill and then cutting through the grounds of the college and through the village. As you set eyes upon Hadlow Tower, you will know you are near the halfway mark!

Following the river Bourne into Golden Green, the route continues to The Bell Inn. Once more you can refill water bottles, freshen up or stop for lunch on the picnic benches here.

Stage 5 - The Bell to The Poacher and Partridge
(3.44/5.5 km)

Legs will be getting tired at this point, so you will welcome another flat section of the course. There will be a few stiles to contend with, as well as a river crossing, but there will be no wet feet unless it rains!

The route will pass through fields and orchards as they make their way through traditional Kentish countryside, before emerging at The Poacher - a pub that features on a number of our self-guided walks. This is our top pick for lunch if you are taking a leisurely approach to the marathon.

Stage 6 - The Poacher to Town Lock
(3.95 miles/6.32 km)

This is the stage that will see you try and break the back of the marathon before the marathon breaks you!

A long walk along the river, will lead you back into Tonbridge for the first time since mile 1, giving friends and family the opportunity to cheer you on as you pass through the town centre.

Our volunteers will also give you a much needed morale boost on mile 22 as they meet you at Town Lock to check on your progress.

Stage 7 - Town Lock to Barden Lake
(2.03 miles/3.26 km)

Follow the river Medway out of town and then continue through Tonbridge Park and past Tonbridge Swimming Pool - both locations have toilets. The route leads you out to the far corners of the park, before following another section along the river and into the wilds of Haysden Country Park. After completing half a lap of the Barden Lake you will find find our team of volunteers ready to welcome you.

Stage 8 - Barden Lake/Hawden Bungalow
(1.55 miles/247 km)

After completing a lap of the lake, you’ll head along the black path to The Powdermills (once an old gunpowder factory) before continuing downhill to Hawden Bungalow, the final checkpoint of our route.

Once checked in you’ll be able to stop at our pop up tea room. Raising money for Sustain food and fuel bank our team will be serving up delicious cakes with a cuppa, so you can load up on calories for the home stretch.

Stage 7 - Hawden Bungalow to Tonbridge
(1.52 miles / 2.44 km)

By this point you will be dreaming off a hot bath, ice packs and probably a foot massage!

One final push will see you journey back to Tonbridge across the fields. At mile 25 you may catch sight of The Parish Church tower in the distance as Tonbridge comes into view.

The final mile of the route is through the grounds of Tonbridge School and into The Slade.

As the castle looms down on you, there will just be a few steps to go of this epic route.

Continue round to the Tonbridge Old Fire Station and Friends and family will be there to offer a rapturous welcome and a heroes return as you are awarded your coveted WTF medal!