Hospice Run 5K

Race Description

Starting and finishing at Lower Common Cricket Ground in Tunbridge Wells, the Hospice Run 5K is the shorter of two closed-road distances at this well-loved Kent charity event, run in support of Hospice in the Weald, which provides free palliative care to people with terminal illness across Kent and East Sussex. 2026 marks the race's 20th anniversary.

The course takes in some of the town's best-known scenery on fully closed roads — no traffic to contend with, just a genuinely scenic route past the Spa Valley Railway line and the striking rock formations at High Rocks. It's a friendly, approachable distance, often chosen by newer runners taking on their first organised race, alongside plenty of regulars who come back year after year for the atmosphere as much as the run itself.

The whole event is built around more than just the race itself — an event village opens from early morning with food, drink, and entertainment, including a live drumming band that keeps the atmosphere lively throughout the morning. Every finisher receives a medal, and the route is fully marshalled and chip-timed, giving it a genuinely professional feel despite its community roots.

Beyond the running, the real purpose of the day is fundraising — entry fees and sponsorship go directly toward hospice care for local families facing terminal illness, and the event has a strong track record of community support, with local businesses regularly getting involved as sponsors and volunteers. For a 5K that combines a proper race experience with a genuinely worthwhile cause and a real sense of occasion, it's hard to beat locally.