Hospice Run Tunbridge Wells: 10 Roads Shut on 20 September

The Hospice in the Weald Run returns to Royal Tunbridge Wells on Sunday 20 September, its 20th year. Ten roads on the west side of town will be closed to through traffic from 9am to 12.30pm while it runs.

This year, every pound raised will be doubled, up to £100,000. The hospice says the Freddie Green and Family Charitable Foundation is providing the match funding. (Hospice in the Weald, Hospice Run 2026)

The races and start times

The event village opens at 8am at the Lower Common Cricket Ground. Runners choose one of four routes.

The minimum ages are new this year. The hospice says it had not enforced age limits before, and has now aligned them with England Athletics guidance. They are a condition of entry, with no exceptions.

The courses pass the Spa Valley Railway line and High Rocks. The half marathon branches off the 10k route and rejoins it at Castle Road for the finish. The hospice has published each route on Plotaroute: 5k, 10k and half marathon.

Which roads close

Kent County Council has published its intention to make a temporary order for the run. The closures apply from 9am to 12.30pm only:

• Church Road, between Mount Ephraim and London Road
• Mount Ephraim, between Church Road and Bishops Down
• Bishops Down, between Mount Ephraim and Langton Road
• Langton Road, between Bishops Down and Holmewood Ridge
• Holmewood Ridge, all of it
• Broom Lane, between Holmewood Ridge and Hillswood Road
• High Rocks Lane, between Tea Garden Lane and Hungershall Park
• Hungershall Park, all of it
• Major Yorks Road, between Nevill Park and London Road
• Castle Road, all of it

The signed diversion for through traffic is long. In order, it runs via:

• the A26 London Road and A26 Eridge Road
• Summersales Hill and Lye Green
• the B2188 Plumyfeather Lane, Cherry Gardens Hill and Hendal Hill
• the B2110 Withyham Road and Groombridge Hill
• the A264 Langton Road, back into town

(Kent County Council temporary traffic regulation notices, published 27 August 2026)

The hospice says marshals can only advise drivers and cannot stop traffic. Emergency vehicles will be given access to the route.

Why the money matters

Hospice in the Weald says it needs to raise more than £10 million every year to provide its care. It asks each runner to raise £100. By its own figures, a team of five raising £150 each could fund its entire therapies team for a day.

Savills in Tunbridge Wells is sponsoring the run for the 20th year, the hospice says. (Hospice in the Weald, Hospice Run 2026)

What it means for you

• If you drive on the west side of town on Sunday morning, avoid the ten roads above between 9am and 12.30pm, or allow time for the diversion.
• If you want to run, you have not missed it. The hospice says you can still register on the day, at a slightly higher price than booking in advance. Entry fees are non-refundable.
• Pre-paid T-shirts must be collected from the hospice at Pembury by Wednesday 16 September. Otherwise, T-shirts will be on sale in the event village while stocks last.
• Headphones are not allowed on the course. Bone-conducting headsets are.
• If you want to watch, the event village on the Lower Common opens at 8am, with toilets on site.

Other closures this month are on our Tunbridge Wells roadworks and travel page, and town-centre car parks are on our parking in Tunbridge Wells page.

Sources: Hospice in the Weald, Hospice Run 2026 event page, read 11 September 2026, for the date, venue, start times, routes, minimum ages, match funding, fundraising figures, sponsor, registration, T-shirt and safety details; Kent County Council, Tunbridge Wells temporary traffic regulation notices, published 27 August 2026, for the ten closures, their hours and the diversion route. The council’s notice said it intended to make the order; if the council changes it, we will update this page.