Titsey Trail 10k

Cancellation of the 2020 Titsey Trail 10K

We’re sorry. We waited as long as we could, and then waited some more, but this year’s Titsey Trail 10K is cancelled. The date of next year’s race is still to be confirmed. There is currently a clash with the 2021 London Marathon which has moved to 3 October, the intended date for our race in 2121. As many of our organising clubs’ members act as volunteers for both races, it is likely that the 2021 Titsey Trail 10K will be moved to later in October. We will publicise our 2021 race date once we have this confirmed.

The Titsey Trail 10K is a complicated race to organise, with its intricate off-road route and the involvement of many local partners. With no sign that mass-start events like running races will be permitted by October, we have had to bow to the inevitable and stand down the organising teams. We will be back in 2021!

Many similar events are being cancelled and the charities which they support are taking a big hit. Every year our race raises about £6,000 for the benefit of local charities. We want to try and keep some fundraising going on, so we would like to invite you to contribute to one of the local causes which we had selected for this year’s race, namely the Tandridge Befriending Scheme, which provides friendship and companionship to those who are lonely or isolated, but is vulnerable to funding shortfalls.

Loneliness is a hidden problem. Not everyone has family or friends to fall back on or talk to. Those who are housebound due to illness or disability may not be able to take part in social activities and therefore lose contact with others. Confidence and self-esteem can be devastated by life changes such as bereavement or redundancy.

This charity relies on committed volunteer befrienders to make the scheme possible; they are the reason so many wonderful and positive friendships are made. Referrals to the Befriending Scheme come from a number of sources, including health and social services, local voluntary sector organisations, friends, family and individuals who are seeking support. The Scheme is in higher demand during this time of coronavirus lockdown, though funding opportunities are unfortunately fewer.

If the Titsey Trail 10K had been run this year, we would have expected to donate about £3,000 to the scheme. Please help us to keep at least some money flowing to this important local service by visiting the Tandridge Befriending Scheme ‘Justgiving’ page https://www.justgiving.com/tandridgevoluntaryaction and make a donation.

Simon Brooks

Race Director