Chilham Chase, Britain's oldest fun run, comes to the castle
05:46, 03 July 2019
updated: 08:36, 03 July 2019
Britain’s oldest recorded ‘fun run’ returns to a Kent castle this weekend.
The Chilham Chase will be played out at Chilham Castle on Saturday, July 6, just as Sir Dudley Digges stated in his will in 1639, when he decreed that runners needed to be "of good conversation".
Some 200 runners took part last year - all in good conversation, naturally - over the two mile course around the estate. Several of the old horse jumps on the course are included and there are obstacles such as a sack race and three legged race to jolly things along.
Many runners choose to don fancy dress for the day and there's a top prize of £100 for the first team home as well as other prizes including the youngest and oldest competing and the best dressed.
There will also be a chill out area and live music on the stage on the lower lawn and face painting, a bouncy castle and vintage MGs, as well as plenty of food and drink.
Jody Foulds from the organising committee said: “We’re really looking forward to welcoming everyone to this year’s event which we hope will be even bigger and better than last year. There’s something for everyone, whether you want to take part in the race itself or simply come along to enjoy the fun.”
Full details and tickets are available at chilham-castle.co.uk/events. Proceeds will be donated to local charities.
