EVENT GUIDE
Sparkling Run
Saturday 28 June 2025
SPARKLING RUN EVENT GUIDE
Your safety and event enjoyment are of the utmost importance to us. Please take some time to read through our Event Guide ahead of arriving at Sparkling Run.
DATE & TIMING
SPARKLING RUN at Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens takes place on Saturday 28th June.
- 4pm - arrivals and bib number collection
- 5pm - 10km start time
- 5pm - food & drink available for any spectators attending
- 6pm - live music starts
- 10pm - event closes
PLEASE NOTE - THERE WILL NOT BE A TANNOY SYSTEM for announcements at the start. We are asked to kindly keep our noise levels to a minimum to respect the neighbours and residents of Leonardslee Gardens.
THE START, FINISH & BBQ
- The start of the run will be located outside the main house, next to the Wine Garden outdoor venue/seated area.
- The run will finish on the lawns behind the main house.
- The barbecue will be served from two stations, in The Courtyard Cafe and in The Clocktower Kitchen.
- The band will be playing outside these areas.
Please note there will not be toilets at the start / finish; toilets can be found by the Clocktower Cafe and the main entrance to Leonardslee Gardens.
(Please see below on claiming your free glass of sparkling wine and accessing the barbecue.)
START AREA / TIMING
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 Wine Garden which is in the main courtyard area by the house and cafes. THEY 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 4pm. Please try to arrive in good time to avoid queues.
PARKING & PASSES
As an event we pay to use Leonardslee Gardens car park, so every car must book a car parking pass. If you have not booked a parking pass you can purchase them on event day.
You must purchase a car parking pass as the car park is monitored by parking attendants.
These will be emailed to you to print out and bring with you. Please display this in your car. If you misplace your pass, please come to the Info Area in plenty of time, as detailed below.
Please understand that the process of parking can take 10-15mins on event day so please leave with plenty of time.
It's a 15-20minute walk from the car park to the start area so please arrive in plenty of time.
You can book parking passes on our registration platform, or on the day from the venue (although this process requires you to download an app.)
SPECTATOR PASSES
You can pay to bring friends or family along with you who want to cheer you on and enjoy the barbecue with you post-run.
Please note all runners and spectators / attendees must be 18+ years old.
Your spectators will need to collect a running number from race pack collection as their physical ticket to the event (yes, even though they are not running!) This will have their BBQ ticket and drinks token attached.
They will collect from the desk that corresponds to the name of the person who booked their pass.
Please bring booking confirmation number(s) with you to show the staff on arrival at the main reception who will be checking you in.
BARBECUE / FREE GLASS OF FIZZ
Your bib number will have two detachable strips for the barbecue 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 barbecue and glass of sparkling wine.
If you have any allergies, please contact us support@heritagetrailseries.zendesk.com
INFO AREA
If you have any queries please head to our Info Area in the Courtyard Cafe when you arrive at Leonardslee Gardens.
CUPLESS EVENT - 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: 2km, 5km, 7km and finish.
Sparkling wine samples will be supplied in small sample measure cups.
TOILETS
As part of our efforts to remain as sustainable as possible, we will not be hiring in event toilets. Leonardslee Gardens are used to have 1,000’s of visitors daily and have ample facilities.
There is a big block of toilets by the entrance to the Gardens, and toilets by the cafe within the grounds. Please arrive early in case of queues to use the toilets.
BAGGAGE
We will have a baggage area in the Wine Garden 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
The event will finish on the lawns behind the main house. You will be given a finisher medal by our volunteer team.
If you feel unwell after your 10km, please seek medical assistance from the First Aid team at the finish.
LOCATION & TRAVEL
Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens is located at :
Brighton Road
Lower Beeding, Horsham
RH13 6PP
ROUTE INFO
The Leonardslee 10km 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 see a map here.
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 Leonardslee Gardens 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?
The gardens are very well protected from the elements but the English weather can be very unfair. Our suggestion is to plan for all types of weather.
50% of the route is on hard packed gravel or tarmac paths, suitable for all types of running shoe.
50% of the route is off-road on grass and through woodland and best suited to off-road trainers.
The route drains very well - however, 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 are very happy for you to run with headphones but please be aware that 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.
- Please note: If you come with an with extendable lead you will be provided a short lead upon entry, with a £10 refundable deposit. Your extendable lead will be returned after your visit.
- 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 gardens.
- Dogs are not allowed in The Clocktower Kitchen and Leonardslee House. Guide dogs only. Dogs are welcome in the Courtyard Café and Doll’s House Museum.
Thank you for reading.
If you have any further questions about the event please check the FAQs section.
We wish you a peaceful, enjoyable and unforgettable time at
Heritage Trail Series.
Thank you to the team at Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens for helping to make this event possible.
A significant amount of work has gone in to creating a running event at this truly remarkable venue, which is designed primarily for walking and admiring the views, unbelievable sculptures, plants and wildlife.
We could not have achieved this without the support from the team at Leonardslee.
