HILLIER gardens 10k
Sunday 11th October 2026
Hillier Gardens 10k 2026
Welcome to the first ever Hillier Gardens 10k and one of the south’s most picturesque 10k’s based at the beautiful Hillier Gardens, Romsey. The arboretum was created in 1953 and this is the very first time that a race has been given permission to be held in the beautiful and nationally acclaimed Hillier Gardens providing you with a unique opportunity to be the first runners to race and enjoy the autumn colours of the gardens.
Your autumn run, on this flat/undulating course, starts in, and takes you through the glorious gardens. To keep the tree theme going, you will then continue your run on and out and back section in Ampfield Woods before returning to the Hillier Gardens to finish your run -around 5km of the route will be in the gardens.
We are thrilled to have been given special permission by Hillier Gardens to stage the event in October, one of their most most popular months for visitors to enjoy the autumnal colours. In partnership with Chandlers Ford Swifts and the many local community groups and organisations who help us to stage the event, we are delighted to welcome you to one of the regions most picturesque 10k’s in October 2026.
This year we celebrate Hillier Gardens magnificent oak trees that will be reflects on the medal, t-shirt and race numbers. All runners will receive a bespoke medal and we have agreed with Hillier Gardens that all runners get FREE entry into the stunning gardens after their run – so why not plan an autumn picnic or coffee and cake to celebrate your achievement and make some unique running memories.
We are currently creating the design for the t-shirt that will reflect the autumn leaf colours of the oak tree leaves. The design will be revealed soon.
Location
Sir Harold Hillier Arboretum, Ampfield, Romsey SO51 0QA
Date & Time
The event will start at 9am on Sunday 11 October 2026 from within Hillier Gardens.
The Route
10km road course with the start and finish in Hillier Gardens. View a map of the route
Facilities
Venue Facilities include: Refreshments, information, toilets, bag storage, free car parking, pre /post race massage, t-shirt collection.
Age Requirement
In accordance with UKA Rules you must be aged 15 or over on the day of the race.
Entry Closing Date
Entries close on Sunday 4 October (or earlier if the entry limit is reached)
Medals and T-shirts
This year there will again be a commemorative race medal included in the entry fee for all finishers.
Increasingly, many runners have asked for an option to take part in the race but not to receive a t-shirt for cost or sustainability reasons. So this year, we have provided an option to take part without receiving a t-shirt.
Runners who would like to receive a high tech t-shirt memento can add a t-shirt to their basket for just £6.00 when they enter. T-shirt sizes XS, Small, Medium, Large, XL and XXL sizes will be available. This will need to be ordered by the end of August.
Transfers
How to transfer your entry to someone else:
- Tap on Manage Entry
- Sign in with your email address and password
- Against your entry tap Transfer
- Provide the email address of the person who is taking your place
- They will get an email with instructions on how to take up their place. You will get a copy of that email.
Please note that you are responsible for any transaction between you and the person taking your place.
Race Rules
Your number will include a chip timing strip on the back of the number.
The races will be held under the UK Athletics rules. Race Permit Number: tbc
T&C's
Please do not take part if you have any COVID-19 symptoms or are required to self-isolate under the current government guidance or have been contacted by the NHS and asked to quarantine even if you are not displaying any symptoms.
When Running Mania sell an entry on behalf of a race or event, be it paid by online credit card transaction or by a cheque and entry form in the post it is done on a NO REFUND basis.
Why an event can’t refund?
Did you know that between 10% and 20% of entrants choose not to turn up on race day. If an event had to make refunds to all these entrants, budgeting would be impossible and most, if not all events, would not take place.
Cancellation: We reserve the right to cancel, delay or postpone the event due to unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances outside of our control. In such a case we will endeavour to inform participants as quickly as possible. Where cancellation is outside of our control we will not be liable for any inconvenience, expenses, costs, losses or damages suffered by participants.
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