Event Guide for
Sparkling Run at Rathfinny Wine Estate
Saturday 5 September 2026
Your safety and event enjoyment are of the utmost importance to us.
Please take some time to read through our Event Guide ahead of the event.
DATE & TIMING
SPARKLING RUN at Rathfinny Wine Estate takes place on Saturday 5th September 2026.
12pm - arrivals, bib number collection and live music starts
1pm - 5/10km start time
1.30pm - food & drink service begins
6pm - wine cellar closes
6.30pm - event closes
PARKING & DROP OFF POINT
Parking is bookable here.
Please understand that the process of parking can take 10-15mins on event day so please leave with plenty of time.
There will be a drop-off point for taxis etc. at the entrance to the Estate in the first lay by on the left. This will be sign-posted with marshals.
THE START
The start of the run will be located next to the Cellar Door shop located here on the estate.
We will not have start corrals but please note that the running / walking route follows a narrow path quite early into the event, so if you want to run for a good time please position yourself close to the front of the start corral as passing people in the first 400m will be limited.
PLEASE NOTE WE WILL NOT BE TIMING THIS EVENT - PLEASE RECORD YOUR OWN TIME IF YOU REQUIRE.
PLEASE NOTE - YOU MUST BRING YOUR OWN WATER BOTTLE FULL, READY TO REFILL DURING THE EVENT. WE WILL NOT BE PROVIDING CUPS.
COLLECTING YOUR NUMBER
Bib numbers must be collected from the Info Desk near the start area, outside the Cellar Door shop. Everything will be sign posted with marshals helping with directions.
Numbers WILL NOT BE POSTED.
Running numbers will be allocated according to surname. You can collect friends / family numbers.
PLEASE NOTE: These will be available to collect from 12pm. Please try to arrive in good time to avoid queues.
SPECTATORS
All spectator passes must have been pre-booked and have now sold out.
If you have pre-booked spectator passes please come to race pack collection to pick-up their food and drink vouchers.
Spectators can enjoy the grounds while you run, or watch the event from the wine cellar.
THE FINISH, FOOD & DRINK
The run will finish in front of the main building where the Cellar Door shop. Wine can be purchased from the Wine Cellar or from the food/drinks vendor near to the start area.
The food will be served here by Crocus Paella. The band will be playing here also.
Your bib number will have two detachable strips for the food and glass of sparkling wine. Please tear these off carefully after your run and hand them to the appropriate server to redeem.
Spectator Passes will include their token for the food and glass of sparkling wine.
If you have any allergies, please contact us support@heritagetrailseries.zendesk.com
- PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION REGARDING DIETARY REQUIREMENTS FROM THE CATERER:
> Nut allergy: The Tío Pepe Salad contains walnuts, whereas our Radish & Arugula Salad is nut free. Guests with a nut allergy should therefore choose the Radish & Arugula Salad. None of the paellas contain nuts.
> Gluten free: All of our paellas are naturally gluten free, so these guests will be catered for.
> Dairy free: The Chicken and Mushroom Paellas are dairy free. The Seafood Paella contains a seafood bouillon which includes milk.
> Vegetarian: The Mushroom Paella is suitable.
> No fish / No seafood / Shellfish allergy: The Mushroom or Chicken Paella would be suitable.
> No red meat (including pork): The Chicken Paella is suitable, as it doesn't contain chorizo.
INFO AREA
If you have any queries please head to our Info Area where race pack collection took place.
BRING A WATER BOTTLE
Please ensure you bring a water bottle to refill at stations on the route. We will not be providing cups.
Sparkling wine samples will be available at the sip stops at: 3.5km, 5km, 8.5km and finish.
Sparkling wine samples will be supplied in small sample measure cups.
TOILETS
The venue's toilets will be located near the race pack collection area and in front of the Wine Cellar.
BAGGAGE
We will have a baggage area at the start by race pack collection where you can leave your bags but the area will not be secure. If you have any valuables please leave them in your car or with a friend / family member. We will not be held responsible for any lost or misplaced items left in the baggage area.
MEDICAL TEAM
If you feel unwell during or after your 10km, please seek medical assistance from the First Aid team at the finish.
LOCATION
Rathfinny Wine Estate
Alfriston
Polegate, Sussex
BN26 5TU
ROUTE INFO
The route is over two laps. If you want to run just 5km, please only complete one lap. (Please note we are not offering 5km tickets.)
You can find a GPX file here.
Sparkling wine samples will be available at the sip stops at: 3.5km, 5km, 8.5km and finish.
The route will be well marked out with signs on every turn and at regular intervals along the straight sections of the route. Volunteers and event staff will be placed on key junctions.
Please be warned that the route is hilly and in some places it may be quicker to walk. There are also some long or steep downhill sections which can be slippy.
Overall our advice is to enjoy your journey around Rathfinny and leave your PB for another day!
SAFETY
Trained First Aiders will be in place at the start and finish. If you become injured on the route or stop and need assistance, please try and locate the nearest course marshal or volunteer.
Please note that as this is a trail event, some of the course will be uneven underfoot and potentially slippy if it has been wet in recent days. Please take care and wear trail running shoes.
Please be considerate to the gardens and other users at all times. Please do not litter and take any drinks bottles or wrappers with you to a bin.
Take care on uneven terrain – whether on grass, trails or paths. Please be mindful of other participants, visitors to the garden, children, dogs, wildlife, garden maintenance teams.
Please ensure that you are fit enough to walk, jog, run the distance.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
Our suggestion is to plan for all types of weather.
A significant proportion of the event route is on grass. If it is raining while the event is taking place or there has been rain overnight / heavy rain during the week then the route may be slippy and muddy in places.
We would therefore recommend you wear trail running shoes to take part in Heritage Trail Series. The route can accommodate road running shoes but please be warned that there may be sections where you will need to walk if you do not have shoes with good grip.
HEADPHONES
We would prefer that you do not run with headphones as they impact our ability to communicate with you.
CANICROSS / DOGS
START TIME
Canicross runners will start 5mins after the main block of runners have started.
For the non-dog lovers amongst us please respect that it is not often that people can do an event with their dog.
ON THE LEAD AT ALL TIMES
Control of your dog is required at all times.
- Dog on leads at all times and keep the lead short.
- At any ‘pinch points’ or busy areas on the route, PLEASE refrain from overtaking unless it is safe for you AND YOUR DOG to do so. Consider other runners BEFORE any competitiveness and rash decision making.
- If a situation occurs the owner of the dog will be held responsible.
INSURANCE
- The rightful owner of a dog is required to have liability insurance (or family insurance) for any damages that their dog may commit, or injuries that the dog may cause.
- The event will be covered by public liability insurance as standard.
- We do not accept any liability for damage caused to third party property by our competitors dogs or the competitors themselves.
- We also will not accept any liability for injury caused to third parties by our competitors or their dogs.
WELFARE
- We advise you build your dog’s distance up over several weeks/months.
- Always carry water with you just in case it is needed and suitable dog drinking vessel.
- Familiarise yourself with your dog’s normal behaviour while running, prior to the event. If at any time they show any signs they are struggling or pulling to one side, immediately find shade and stop and give them some water.
VENUE RULES
- Please clean up after your dog and dispose of their mess using biodegradable bags. Please place in the doggie bins located in the estate.
