Ten Years of the Hambledon Hilly

How It Started

Just over ten years ago, Joe Perold came up with the idea of launching a small running event in Hambledon. Danny Rowland, John Fox-Robinson and Chris Crowe offered to help.

Over crisps and wine, they sketched out a plan to create a short race for local children and hoped they might get a few ‘grown-up’ villagers to contest a 10km run. Mainly, they hoped the Hilly's costs would be covered by the income from race fees and a bit of sponsorship.

The First Hambledon Hilly

In 2015 the first Hambledon Hilly was held, and the event was fortunate enough to attract a few runners from further afield, including the Denmead Striders running club. Over the years since, the Hilly has raised thousands of pounds for Hambledon Primary School and other charities.

More recently, David Tester has joined the organising committee, alongside a wider group of helpers who are crucial to the Hilly's enduring success.

2025: A Landmark Year at the Vineyard

In 2025 the Hambledon Hilly moved up to Hambledon Vineyard for the first time, with nearly 300 runners competing across five different races — a significant expansion from previous years. That year also saw the introduction of a 20km race: two gruelling laps of the infamous 10km route. The winner was Julian Manning, a man who has triumphed in the 10km race eight times, and who has won enough Hambledon Vineyard Classic Cuvée to fill a bath over the past decade.

With a start and finish at the top of the vineyard, 2025 meant a punishing uphill finish for every race. That year's Hilly also included two brand new routes around the vineyard for the children.

• 1km: Thomas Mackie (boys), Iona Mclean (girls)
• 2km: Duncan Mclean (boys), Esther Chisholm (girls)
• 5km: Jonathan Pillinger-Cork (men, third year running), Harriet Rowberry (women)
• 10km: Jack Collins (men), Kayleigh Giles (women) — two new champions
• 20km: Julian Manning (men), Sam Morris (women)

Having the Hambledon Hilly based up at the vineyard was a welcome change. The vineyard team were hugely supportive, both on the day and in the lead-up to the event, preparing the marquee, stocking the bar and helping with parking arrangements.

Thank You

Thanks once again to our primary sponsor, De Mellow & Co, who provided a large team of runners, volunteers and race marshals, with De Mellow's Mark Watkiss kindly handing out the trophies.

We're also grateful for the ongoing support from the Country House Company and Hartridges Soft Drinks, along with the Friends of Hambledon, who provided coffees, teas and snacks. Finally, a massive thanks to all the volunteers and marshals from the village and beyond. The Hambledon Hilly depends on the generosity and kindness of Hambledon folk, and the success of the event is a testament to the unique character of the village.