Green Belt Relay · 2026

Report

28 May

There are some races that sit quietly in the calendar, known mostly within running circles yet spoken about with near-mythical affection by those who have experienced them. The Green Belt Relay is one of those events.

For one weekend each May, clubs from across London and the South East set off on a remarkable two-day journey around the edge of the capital. Twenty-two stages. Around 220 miles. Towpaths, trails, hills, country lanes, villages and muddy fields. A relay that somehow feels both fiercely competitive and wonderfully relaxed at exactly the same time.

Organised with extraordinary dedication by Peter and Alex Kennedy, alongside Stragglers Running Club and a tireless team of volunteers, the event begins at Hampton Court before tracing a huge loop through Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Essex and Kent, eventually returning to Bushy Park Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon.

On paper, it is an endurance relay. In reality, it is a rolling celebration of club running at its very best.

We hear first from Clare Day, making her Green Belt Relay debut:

So many people have said to me that the Green Belt Relay is the “highlight” of their year. I resolved that this would be the year to find out why. I was hoping that Cecily was also going to be running her first Green Belt and that we could be Basildon roomies. Unfortunately a twisted ankle meant she made a late withdrawal.

I was delighted to be part of the Ranelagh Rebels mixed team, led by Ann, and I was generously given stages 11 and 21, which are relatively short stages with low difficulty ratings. There was no pressure to get a time - so my aim was to enjoy. One of my main worries was navigation; I can still get lost in Richmond Park. In preparation, I watched the helpful videos several times and did a half-recce of one stage. I shouldn't have worried. The routes were clearly marked and I could almost always see the runner in front.

The organisation of the whole weekend was amazing. There was never any time pressure and it was great to go to many other stages to drop off /collect, cheer and marshal. Thank you to Maia and Clare (and Alex) for excellent driving, navigation and answering my many questions en route!

Despite having been a Ranelagh member for about 10 years, there were plenty of runners who I hadn't really spoken to before. It was really nice to share minibus rides with so many team members. Everybody was really supportive and the weekend Spotify track list provided lots of talking points (when we weren’t discussing running). We found some interesting cafes to stop for tea and refreshments and I don’t think that I have ever visited as many public / pub toilets in one weekend before!

The runs - well, Stage 11 was cold and damp - not at all like the video I had been studying. I ran on adrenaline and the desire to not keep everyone in Mini Bus A waiting too long to get to Bella Italia and Basildon. I was pleased to be first in my age group (I must admit I was the only V55 W though). Sunday’s Stage 21 was sunnier (when we set off). A scenic canal-side route to Walton on Thames where a finishing arch awaited me - thank you!

What a weekend! Will I do it again? I hope so.

Once again, Ranelagh arrived in force, with four teams - the Rapids, Roses, Rebels and Super-Vs - taking on one of the club’s most inclusive and spirited weekends of the year.

Veterans and first-timers lined up side by side, supported by an incredible team of drivers, marshals and organisers who somehow kept dozens of runners moving around the M25 with impressive precision.

Across two days of muddy fields, canal paths, sausage rolls, flapjacks and far too much coffee, friendships were forged between stage handovers and packed minibus journeys. It is little wonder that, for many first-timers, the GBR quickly becomes an instant favourite.

And yes, Pete Vox once again made sure nobody left without at least one unforgettable visual memory.

We hear from James Stokes, also making his GBR debut:

“When I put my name down for the GBR, I wasn't entirely sure what I'd signed up for. But running around the edge of London sounded like it would provide a bit of a change from running around the edge of Richmond Park.

It turned out I'd signed up for one of the best weekends of running in the calendar, featuring some genuinely beautiful countryside and Pete Vox in yellow lycra shorts that cannot be unseen.

In the GBR, teams of 11 runners take on 22 stages across Saturday and Sunday. The terrain ranges from canal towpaths to the Surrey Hills, so there's something for everyone. I ran Stage 5 through the Chilterns, the longest leg of the weekend with a couple of sizeable climbs, and Stage 12 starting in Blackmore, which wound through flatter countryside before finishing through woodland. Both were fantastic.

With four Ranelagh teams, plus drivers and support crews, there was a strong club turnout, making the weekend a brilliant opportunity to meet people outside your normal training group. A huge thank you is owed to Bec, Narissa and all the drivers who kept everything moving smoothly. Getting 44 runners to the right place at the right time around the outskirts of London is no easy task.

The GBR was challenging, sociable and brilliantly memorable. It showed the club at its absolute best. I’d love to try different stages next year, although I’ll happily leave the yellow lycra shorts to Pete.”

Yet amid all the camaraderie, pit stops and minibus chaos, the Green Belt Relay remains fiercely competitive; Ranelagh arriving with serious ambitions across the board.

The Rapids were defending last year’s GBR title against rivals Thames Hare & Hounds and Clapham Chasers, the Roses were aiming to remain the fastest women’s team, and the newly reformed Super-Vs were chasing the Old Timers prize. The Rebels were there to enjoy the weekend, but no less determined to run to the best of their abilities.

By the end of Saturday, all four teams were firmly in contention. The Rapids led the overall standings by less than five minutes, the Roses had opened up a strong advantage in the women’s race, and the Super-Vs produced one of the performances of the weekend, leading their category while sitting an extraordinary fifth overall after ten stages.

Day 2 dawned bright and early, and from the very first stage the battle for the Green Belt intensified. While the Roses and Super-Vs continued to strengthen their grip on their respective categories, the overall contest between the Rapids and Thames remained on a knife edge. With less than five minutes separating the teams overnight, every handover, climb and closing mile mattered.

Despite a determined effort from the Rapids on Sunday, Thames proved too strong, reclaiming the Green Belt title by 6 minutes and 14 seconds and securing the Kings of the Mountains award. The Rapids, meanwhile, claimed first place in the Open Men’s category after another superb performance at the sharp end of the race.

Ranelagh’s women capped off a dominant weekend by winning both the Women’s Plate and Queens of the Mountains titles, while the Super Vs completed a remarkable weekend by securing the Old Timers trophy and finishing an outstanding fifth overall against teams several years younger.

We hear next from David Lawley, 2026’s Men’s Team Captain:

What can you say about the GBR other than it’s epic, a very special kind of madness. At the end of last year, in what can only be described as a beer-fuelled lapse in judgement, I loudly launched “Project Super Vet”: a noble mission to win the Old Timers trophy (45+), plug a glaring gap in the trophy cabinet, and celebrate the depth of talent in that new(!) age category.

Somehow, in the same breath, or pint, I also found myself organising the Rapids men’s team. Massaging egos and hamstrings in equal measure. Careful what you wish for. Assembling the Super Vets was, frankly, the easy part. The club has an embarrassingly strong pool of runners in that category, inspiring, committed, and, crucially, mostly still able to drive… thanks to those coveted D1 licences. Logistics matter.

The Rapids, less straightforward. Such is the strength at the top end that stacking the Super Vets risks weakening the Rapids’ tilt at the Belt itself. A nice problem to have, but a problem nonetheless.

You’ll hear plenty about the minibus living: the hours on the road, the questionable sleep, the eating at odd times, and even the odd investment banking deal being closed mid-relay (yes, really). You’ll hear about running across pretty much every terrain imaginable, and the traditional Saturday night in BazVegas.

But perhaps less talked about is the camaraderie, the bubbling pressure cooker of a team event like this. The quiet dread of Day 2. The universal stiffness. The way everyone, at some point, questions their life choices. And then… the finish at Bushy Sports Centre. The slightly covert BYO picnic. The noise, the hugs, the relief — shared suffering turned joy. We did it. And everyone gave it their all.

I couldn’t be prouder of both men’s teams. There were some outstanding performances throughout. We didn’t quite reclaim the Belt, but when you look at the depth and quality of the competition, there’s absolutely no shame in that, quite the opposite. This week, I’ve found myself repeatedly going back to the photos of the Super Vets, the faces, the smiles, the sheer joy of holding that Old Timers trophy. It says everything about what this event means.

As for what comes next… I wish Ted and Mike T all the best as the baton is passed on. Consider this legally binding. Seconded. And now firmly written into the constitution.

Congratulations to all our teams for their fantastic efforts, including the non-racing Rebels who still ran their hearts out while providing endless support and encouragement throughout the weekend. The entire event was testament to the club coming together for their teams, for each other and for the shared spirit that makes the Green Belt Relay so special.

Thank you to everyone involved for the incredible support, especially the team captains, the brilliant drivers and navigators, and supporters including Andy Bickerstaff and Tom Reay.

We end with a summary from Rebecca Bissell, GBR 2026 team captain and organiser extraordinaire:

This year’s Green Belt Relay was the biggest ever edition of the event, with the maximum 60 teams taking part and plenty of competition throughout the weekend.

It was great to welcome back many familiar faces, and even better to introduce newcomers to the weird and wonderful world of GBR: Clare Day, Solene Pezot, Ben Hurley, James Stokes, Fiona Smith and Phil Collins.

At the sharp end of the race, it followed a familiar pattern to recent years, with Thames, Ranelagh and Chasers battling closely throughout the weekend. The lead changed hands multiple times before Thames narrowly took victory ahead of Ranelagh Rapids. Chasers sadly suffered an injury on Stage 11, which took them out of the running for the prizes.

Ranelagh dominated both the women’s competition and the Supervets (V45+) category, while Serpentine retained the V35+ “Walking Stick” vets prize. Burgess Hill once again claimed the “Toilet Seat” award for the slowest team to successfully complete the course.

From an organisational perspective, the weekend ran incredibly smoothly. Huge thanks go to all our drivers: Maia Rushby, Clare Fowler, Alex Ring, Dave Lawley, Ted Mockett, Mike Thomas, Hadi Khatamizadeh, Ben Hurley, Rick Jenner, Mark Herbert, Sarah Carnwath and Andrew McLauchlan — along with Chief Transportation Officer Narissa Vox. Without you, the weekend simply wouldn’t happen.

Thank you as well to everyone who brought the cheer, energy and team spirit to the marshalling points and water stops. There’s nothing quite like cheering on Ranelagh runners — and occasionally others, provided they’re behind us. Special mention must also go to the Hydro Vox 2000 team (Pete & Narissa). Some images from the weekend, particularly transparent yellow cycling shorts, may take a while to recover from!

Thank you to our team captains; Dave Lawley (Super-Vs), Aoife Kilpatrick (Women's), Anne Kearey (Mixed Team) and Jonny Smith (Men's), who kept us all on track over the weekend.

Huge congratulations go to our Ranelagh Roses, who delivered an outstanding performance:

1st Women’s Team
13th overall out of 60 teams
Total time: 26:21:18

It was a dominant victory, with a clear margin back to second place, and reflected a superb team effort across all 22 stages. Stage wins from Aoife Kilpatrick, Sarah Palmer (twice) and Suzy Whatmough.

Ranelagh demonstrated strength and depth throughout the squad with excellent performances across both open and age-group categories. A brilliant example of teamwork, strength in depth and smart racing across the entire weekend.

Race report by Narissa Vox, with contributions by
Clare Day, James Stokes, Dave Lawley & Rebecca Bissell
Image credits: Team GBR 2026

GBR 2026 Stages & Runners

1 Hampton Court Palace > Staines | 12.7 miles | James Whistler, Andrew McLauchlan, Sarah Cogswell & Graham Weller
2 Staines > Boveney Church | 9.42 miles | Matt Hirschler, Phil Andrews, Edel McKeever & Hadi Khatamizadeh
3 Boveney > Little Marlow | 11.2 miles | Ross MacDonald, Simon Martin, Aoife Kilpatrick & Rick Jenner
4 Little Marlow > Great Kingshill | 11.2 miles | Jonathan Smith, Vaughan Ramsay, Sarah Palmer & Ben Hurley
5 Great Kingshill > Chipperfield | 11.5 miles | Marc Leyshon, James Stokes, Lucy Charkin & Andy Starr
6 Chipperfield > St Albans | 8.5 miles | Eirin McDaid, Solene Pezot, Fiona Smith & David Lawley
7 St Albans > Letty Green | 11.6 miles | Ted Mockett, Rachel Revett, Lizzie Broughton & James Riley
8 Letty’s Green > Dobb’s Weir | 10.7 miles | Peter Robbins, Ann Kearey, Rebecca Bissell & Mike Thomas
9 Dobb’s Weir > High Beach | 10.2 miles | Peter Cook, Paula Maguire, Suzy Whatmough & Jonathan Moores
10 High Beach > Toot Hill | 9 miles | Mark Herbert, Neil Rae, Claire Warner & Ed Smith
11 Toot Hill > Blackmore | 7.5 miles | Nick Twomey, Clare Day, Sarah Carnwath & Phil Collins
12 Blackmore > Thorndon Park | 10.75 miles | Matt Hirschler, James Stokes, Sarah Palmer & Hadi Khatamizadeh
13 Thorndon Park > Cranham | 6.6 miles | Eirin McDaid, Rachel Revett, Sarah Carnwath & Jonathan Moore
14 Cranham > Davy Down | 8.2 miles | Ted Mockett, Andrew McLauchlan, Lizzie Broughton & Rick Jenner
15 Stone Lodge > Lullingstone | 9.4 miles | Jonathan Smith, Vaughan Ramsey, Claire Warner & Ed Smith
16 Lullingstone > Tatsfield | 13.1 miles | Peter Robbins, Ann Kearey, Suzy Whatmough & James Riley
17 Tatsfield > Merstham | 10.5 miles | Peter Cook, Neil Rae, Aoife Kilpatrick & Mike Thomas
18 Merstham > Burford Bridge | 9.7 miles | Marc Leyshon, Phil Andrews, Rebecca Bissell & David Lawley
19 Burford Bridge > West Hanger | 8.4 miles | Ross MacDonald, Paula Maguire, Lucy Charkin & Graham Weller
20 West Hanger > Ripley | 6 miles | Mark Herbert, Simon Martin, Fiona Smith & Ben Hurley
21 Ripley > Walton Beach | 8.4 miles | James Whistler, Clare Day, Sarah Cogswell & Andy Starr
22 Walton Beach > Hawker Centre | 8.1 miles | Nick Twomey, Solene Pezot, Edel McKeever & Phil Collins