Big West Sussex race has new name - and new sponsor

The event also has a new main sponsor, Architectural Plants, a specialist horticultural nursery in Pulborough who specialise in garden design and planting.

This week would have seen the 38th anniversary of the Barns Green Half Marathon, but the cancellation of this year’s events has given the organising committee the time to rebrand the races which for the last five years has included a 10k race and from 2021 will include a new race specially for kids.

Architectural Plants’ Pulborough nursery is set within 32 acres of open fields and surrounded by farmland overlooking the South Downs. Managing Director Guy Watts and his team are experts in plants.

Speaking about the sponsorship, Watts said: “Running and being active outdoors is an integral part of my lifestyle; it helps me clear my mind and maintain my discipline and focus on running the business. Exercise has proven health benefits as does horticulture which is why we feel this is the perfect partnership.

"Every Saturday I run the race route with my brother and have done so for many years. Race day is an important date in my calendar. I have always wanted to support this great local event and we can do that next year by greening up the route and promoting horticulture to my fellow runners. We are delighted to be the main sponsor of Run Barns Green”.

Vernon Jennings, Chairman of the Run Barns Green Committee, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Architectural Plants as our main sponsor. Their close links and understanding of our event has been so refreshing and they have shown tremendous enthusiasm and creativity in how they have approached this partnership which I am sure will be very successful.

"The new sponsorship with Architectural Plants is very timely as we launch our new Run Barns Green name and logo. The Barns Green Half Marathon has become a very established event in the local area over the last 38 years.

"However, in order to grow the event and provide greater options and variety for our runners, we introduced a separate 10k race in 2016 which has proved incredibly popular, and next year we will have a new race for the youngsters.

"It therefore seemed like the right time to introduce a more generic name for our events and we look forward to establishing the Run Barns Green name over the next few years."

This year’s races were due to take part on Sunday (September 27) and, pandemic permitting, Run Barns Green will launch on Sunday, September 26, 2021.