--- Welcome to the 55th Punchbowl Marathon --- Sunday 8 February 2026   Marshals Walk* Final Details, Route Description & GPX files now available for download in 'Routes' section below.

Congratulations on looking at this event that passes through some of the best of the Surrey countryside.  Regular entrants should be aware that the 2026 routes have some major changes so, make sure you download and bring with you the 2026 route description (and gpx file if using).  Read all the way down this page and hopefully it should answer all your questions and any concerns.  We look forward to seeing you in February!

Event Details

The Punchbowl Marathon is a challenge walk (or run) on the footpaths and bridleways of Surrey. Two routes are offered - 30 and 20 miles - both passing around the scenic Devil's Punchbowl with the 30 visiting Elstead, Frensham Ponds and Seale, passing over Crooksbury Hill and the commons of Hankley, Elstead, Puttenham, Ockley and Frensham. The shorter 20 mile route bypasses Seale & Crooksbury Hill.

ENTRANTS should note that this event is not a race and does not follow a marked route. It is a cross country event open to walkers, runners & joggers in which you need to follow a detailed route description. If you happen to go wrong then you might well need map-reading skills to get yourself back on route. The event, which normally takes place on the second Sunday in February, can be subject to the vagaries of winter weather. Should the need arise then any changes to the event will be posted on this site and emailed to the email address given during the on-line entry process.

Start / Finish

Will be at the Village Hall at Tilford, Surrey, GU10 2DA (SU 872 433). 

You may start at any time between 0730 and 0900. Faster entrants please plan your start time around the checkpoint opening times, checkpoints will not open early. Slower walkers should start early, especially on the 30 mile route.  All to have started by 0900 and all to finish by 1800

Parking

There is ample firm car-parking in fields a short distance from the venue (one of the main reasons for moving to this location and so avoiding the boggy grass verge on the main road at Witley!).

The village of Tilford is the venue for the event and it’s important we show respect to the local residents and businesses so PLEASE park ONLY in the Event’s Designated Car Park*. In particular DO NOT park in the roads around the village green, the small car park between the green & the river or the Stockbridge parking area all marked in red on the map below. NOTE that parking at the Village Hall is for marshals ONLY

*The Event’s Designated Car Park is situated about 500y from Tilford Village Hall on private land at SU873429 (marked Stonehills on OS Explorer maps).  

Access is a short distance along the byway from where it crosses the road at SU874429 - look for LDWA signs on verge. Proceed west along the byway (reasonable surface) for 130y to FL then TL thru gate & follow signs & directions of CP marshals to parking area.

Requirements

You are required to carry a cup/mug, compass, route description, map case & whistle, hat & gloves, waterproofs, good torch for 5pm+ finishers, warm clothing.

You are also required to carry maps or printed map sections covering the route. Both routes are covered by Landranger 186 or Explorer OL33 (formerly 133) & 145. If you use electronic mapping then this is the coverage you will need.

Registration

Tilford Village Hall, Tilford, Surrey, GU10 2DA (SU 872 433).

Registration open: 0700 - 0830

Routes

There are 2 routes, 20 and 30 miles. Details are now available for download:- Final_Details.pdf  Route Description.docx  20mi.gpx  30mi.gpx.   Note that there are significant changes to both routes this year.

*GPX files are provided as support only. The definitive descriptor of the routes remains the written Route Description. Also note that the GPX files define the route(s) in an anticlockwise direction.

Checkpoints

There are 3 checkpoints (2 on the 20 mile route) providing drinks and light refreshments and, as always, a friendly welcome. Refreshments are also available at the Start with a light meal at the Finish. Bring your own cup/mug. There may be one or more numbers check along either route.

Please note that if you arrive at a checkpoint before its scheduled opening time you will need to wait.

If you have special dietary requirements (other than vegetarian) you should plan to carry your own food/drink as necessary.

Results & Certificates

Certificates will be awarded to all who complete their chosen distance passing through all relevant checkpoints and number checks and finish in the allotted time. Once the event is finished results will appear on the LDWA's Public Results

Certificates, for those who successfully complete the event, will be emailed to the email address given at entry within a week or so after the event.

Entry

Entry is on-line only (postal/SEF entries are not accepted) with an event limit of 400. ENTER HERE!. Positively no entries on the day. The event does NOT operate a waiting list. Entry fee for LDWA members (Individual and Family only) is £13 and for non-members £31*. Entrants may withdraw up until midnight on Thursday 29 January 2026 by emailing Fabian4 Support.   A refund of the entry fee will be issued, minus the standard Fabian4 refund processing charges.  Closing date for entries is 31st January (although event is very likely to be full well before this date). No refunds after 29 January 2026.

Our events are open to those aged 18 or over. Parents/guardians of those below this age are requested to contact the organiser to discuss their entry. Under 18s MUST be accompanied by an adult throughout the event.

*Why not join the LDWA (from £15 for a year) and enter this and all LDWA events at member rates. As a member you will also receive a copy of our Strider publication plus many other benefits.

**Note that LDWA membership details are checked at entry. Please ensure you enter your details correctly.  If you receive an error message then carefully read what it suggests.  If you are unsure of your membership details then logon to LDWA Membership to check what the LDWA has on record.  If you can’t logon then please email the LDWA Membership Secretary for assistance - NOT the event organiser.

Please note that once you have entered 

If your name does not appear on Fabian4's entry list you have NOT entered.  

If you believe you have entered but are not listed then you should contact Fabian4 quoting your entry reference no. as shown on your confirmation email. 

If you did not receive a confirmation email (check your spam) but can see your name on Fabian4's entry list then you supplied an incorrect email address and we will not be able to send you a certificate, or notify you when the Route Description and GPX etc become available. You will have to contact Fabian4 to get them to correct your email address - NOT the organiser.

Do NOT just turn up saying you did enter. All administration will have been completed and you cannot enter on the day - so please sort out any problems before you arrive.

Conditions of Entry

By entering the event you agree to the conditions of entry. Please do read these conditions carefully (they includes safety information), don’t just tick the box when you enter, We want to ensure that we minimise the risks and all walkers and runners must be aware of their responsibilities as entrants and the requirements that may be checked before they are allowed to start the event. 

Entrants data will be stored on a computer (in accordance with LDWA national data protection guidelines) and used solely for the purposes of LDWA and this event and will not be shared with anyone else.  By default entrant names will be published on the results pages unless, in making your entry, you ask for your identity to be withheld.

Dogs are not permitted on this event.

You are reminded of the 'no substitutions' rule. If your name does not appear on the entry list then you are not eligible to take part. 

Friends, Family & Supporters

Supporters and friends can follow the progress of (up to 10) selected participants at Public Results by selecting 'follow participants'. If you have supporters on the event you should ask them to bookmark this location on their smarthphone/tablets prior to leaving home. Please ask them to respect the task of the timekeepers and to refer to the Public Results for information about you.

Organiser

The Punchbowl Marathon is organised by the Surrey LDWA committee on behalf of the Surrey Group.

Marshals Walk*

The Marshals' Walk (30/20 miles) is only open to those who have volunteered to help on the event itself or to those contributing in some other significant way. Certificates are awarded to those successfully completing the Marshals Walk. So if you are unable to do the actual event but would like to help and thus be eligible to do the Marshals Walk please contact the event organiser. Marshals will be notified of the date of this walk.