Test Way Relay 2026

We are trilled to host the return of the much-loved Test Way Relay offering the perfect opportunity to team up with friends and take on the 7 leg challenge.

The Test Way is a 44-mile long-distance footpath in England that stretches from Walbury Hill in West Berkshire to Eling in Hampshire, largely tracing the path of the River Test.

It goes through the towns of Romsey and Totton, as well as the villages of Linkenholt, Ibthorpe, Hurstbourne Tarrant, St Mary Bourne, Longparish, Forton, Wherwell, Chilbolton, Stockbridge, Horsebridge, and Mottisfont. The footpath's southern terminus is at Eling Quay.

The trail also runs next to Horsebridge railway station. A significant portion of the path between Kimbridge and Chilbolton follows the old Andover and Redbridge Railway route.

The Test Way Relay began in 1986, initially organised by Romsey Road Runners' David Nixon, and later by various local clubs such as Hardley Runners, with Totton Running Club being the most recent organiser. The 44-mile route from Inkpen to Totton was divided into an 8-stage relay. Unfortunately, the last competitive run took place in 2014.

This year, we will start further along the Testway at Linkenholt Activity Centre, offering parking and a dry race headquarters. Runners will kick off their team's first leg in this 7-leg relay, covering a distance of 7-12km, depending on the specific leg, and finishing at the Salmon Leap pub in Totton.

Leg 1 Linkenholt to Stoke Hill 10.8k/6.71 miles

Leg 2 Stoke Hill to Middleton Farm 10.2k/6.33 miles

Leg 3 Middleton Farm to Wherwell 8.3k/5.15 miles

Leg 4 Wherwell to Stockbridge 7.8km/4.84 miles

Leg 5 Stockbridge to Mottisfont 9.1km/5.65 miles

Leg 6 Mottisfont to Romsey 9.1km/5.65 miles

Leg 7 Romsey to Totton 11.9km/7.39 miles

Total 67.1 km/41.7 Miles

START: Linkenholt Activity Centre, Linkenholt, Andover, Hampshire, SP11 0EA Parking is available at the start.

START TIME: Teams will receive staggered start times according to their estimated completion time for the course, If you wish to start earlier than 8am, please reach out to us at info@outthererunningltd.com and we will do our upmost to support. Our goal is for everyone to finish at the Salmon Leap pub in Totton between 5-6pm, allowing us to avoid high tide across the boards! We will have an opportunity to start teams earlier to allow time to avoid the high tide. Once signed up, we will email you a form to complete with estimated finishing times.

FINISH: The Salmon Leap pub, Totton, SO40 3BR.

TEAMS: The course consists of 7 segments ranging from 7 to 12 km, so it's ideal for each team to have 7 members. Teams must arrange their own transportation for the event day. More information about the legs will be found in the documents attached

TEAM CAPTAINS: Each team is required to appoint a captain who will handle the team's logistics on the day and organise the running order.

ROUTE: The Test Way is a long-distance, rolling footpath that is primarily off-road and marked with Test Way signs. These signs may not always be clear, and we will not have marshals stationed along the route. If unsure, please familiarize yourself with your section before the event. 

The route features diverse terrain, so anticipate encountering roots, holes, stones, overhanging branches, traffic, livestock, members of the public, cyclists, dog-walkers, barbed-wire fences, stiles, road crossings, and vegetation growing along or over the paths. It's not a hardcore trail, so unless the weather has been particularly wet, road shoes should suffice. The starting locations for each leg are provided as What3Words to the team captains to avoid confusion. We will have a team at each handover point to record times for each leg and ensure a smooth transition.

MANDATORY KIT: Every runner must have a fully charged mobile phone with the Race Directors’ contact numbers saved. This is mandated by our insurance and our Risk Assessment to conduct the event. First aiders will be present on the course and at the finish line.

SAFETY: In addition to the required equipment mentioned above, please exercise caution on the trails and especially at road crossings. Each team captain will be asked to set up a WhatsApp group to share their location with the team as a precautionary measure. If you choose to withdraw, you MUST inform your team captain, who will then relay that information to the RD.

Entry includes

• Prize for all Teams

• Prizes for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place team winners

• Timed Results

• Water Stations (Leg handovers)

• Fully marked course

• Course marshals at critical points only (Self navigation is recommended & GPX files available to download)

• On-site First Aid

• 10% of ticket proceeds donated to charity

Facilities at the start

• Toilets

• Hot and Cold Drinks

• Refreshments

Event day logistics

Linkenholt Activity Center, Linkenholt, Andover, Hampshire, SP11 0EA

Timings

• Parking opens at 6:00am

• Race Briefing at 07:45

• Early Phase - 7am (Contact Us)

*Please arrive at least 45-60 minutes before your race's start time to allow ample time for parking, registration, race pack collection, attaching your race number and warm-up.

Race Pack

• Race packs must be collected from the registration desk on the morning of the event

Cut-Off Time

• Our goal is for everyone to finish at the Salmon Leap pub in Totton between 5-6pm, allowing us to avoid high tide across the boards!

• Course marshals will be stationed throughout to assist and monitor runners

Age Restriction

All Events Follow RULE 141 S 5 UKA – TRAIL RUNNING which sets out the maximum distances permitted for younger athletes.

Maximum distances permitted under this rule are as follows:

Age under 12 years.   3,000m

Age 12-13 years.        5,000m

Age 14-15 years.         6,000m

Age 16                       10,000m

Age 17                       25,000m

Age 18-19                   45,000m

Age 20 and over.       No maximum distance

Suggested resources (Not Mandatory)

• Trail running shoes

• Backpack or waist pack

• Waterproof jacket (in case of inclement weather)

• Mobile phone for emergency contacts

• Capacity to carry 250ml of liquid – kindly bring a collapsible cup or water bottle as we aim to reduce waste (Paper cups will be available for those without)

Race Rules

• If you wish to withdraw from the race, please inform a Marshal for assistance

• No buggies are allowed on the course with participants due to insurance and permit restrictions

Spectator Information

• Supporters are encouraged to attend and cheer on the runners.

• Plenty of suitable viewing spots along the course but please respect local parking restrictions.

• If supporters bring a dog, ensure it remains leashed in the start field at all times.