Final planning is being put in place for the 44th year of Run Barns Green – which will see hundreds of runners and many more spectators descend on the village on Sunday, September 27.

The Half Marathon startedin 1982 and this year will be the 10th anniversary of the 10k, which began in 2016. Since then a 5k race has been added as well as the Jennings Junior Jog, a coloured fun run for four to 11-year-olds.

Once again the number of people in the small village of Barns Green will triple as runners, friends and family come to take part and support Run Barns Green.

Barns Green is three miles south west of Horsham and the event is organised entirely by volunteers, with all surplus money raised at the event going to support organisations, societies and sports clubs in and around the village.

Horsham MP John Milne on the right starting the Half Marathon race at RBG last year

placeholder image — Horsham MP John Milne on the right starting the Half Marathon race at RBG last year

Each of the adult races take place on closed roads and all the races will have a proper warm-up led by Bluecoat Sports Club so that all runners get the chance to prepare their muscles before heading out for the races.

For all runners taking part there is plenty of free parking and for the adult races there is chip timing for each runner as well as pacemakers who will help runners to achieve their target finish time. Gold, silver and bronze medals are up for grabs in the three adult races.

Run Barns Green chairman Richard Oram said: “We are expecting over 2,000 runners for the adult races so it is going to be a very busy race day. Our event has become very popular and has gained numerous awards over the years.

"Every year the runners make particular mention of the marshals who are all volunteers and who all live in and around the village. They do a wonderful job keeping the runners safe and encouraging them round the route.”

The Jennings Junior Jog pictured last year

Online booking for the races close on Friday 25 but there will be an opportunity to register to run on the day, though you will need to get there early in order to secure a spot in your chosen race.

It is going to be very busy in the village on race day and the road closures begin at 9.30am so organisers are urging everyone to get into the village as early as possible.

The three adult races follow routes on closed roads through the lanes of Barns Green, Itchingfield, Dragons Green, and through the magnificent grounds of Christ’s Hospital School taking in some of the most scenic countryside in West Sussex.

Once again the official race charity will be St Catherine’s Hospice, who do such wonderful work in the area and who Run Barns Green are delighted to support.

On the Green, there will be a play area for kids, plenty of stalls and entertainment and this year a spectacular new Food Village has been created with a wide range of food.

Full event schedule for Sunday, September 27:

9.30am Road Closures active

9.40am Race warm up for 5K and Half Marathon races

9.50am Race Start 5K Race

10.05am Race Start Half Marathon race

10.10am Race warm up for 10K race

10.25am Race Start 10K race

10.30am Prizegiving 5K

12.00 Prizegiving 10K and Half Marathon

12.15pm Race warm up for Jennings Junior Jog

12.30pm Start of JJJ Colour Fun Run for kids

12.45pm End of Road Closures