Our connection with Farleigh Wallop goes back almost to the beginning of Blended Trails.

In 2021, one of our first pop-up runs took place around Ellisfield, following public rights of way through part of the Farleigh Wallop Estate. Some of those original trails still form part of The Wallop today.

A connection made through another Blended event later led to an invitation to host an event on the estate. We already knew some of the landscape, but suddenly we could explore parts we’d never previously been able to access and connect them with trails we’d been running for years.

We’re incredibly grateful to the Farleigh Wallop Estate for allowing us to host The Wallop, for their continued support, and for giving our runners the opportunity to experience some of the beautiful parts of the estate that aren’t normally accessible to the public.

Creating The Wallop

Creating new routes is one of my favourite parts of Blended.

I enjoy sitting down with a paper OS map and seeing how the wider network of trails fits together. Then I’ll start plotting digitally before Jo and I head out to run individual sections.

The Wallop went through three iterations. We’d explore a section, come back, change something, connect another trail and head out again.

Some of our favourite trails were deeper inside the private woodland, where substantial forestry tracks take you away from roads and everyday noise. But not every trail we enjoy running ourselves necessarily belongs in an event. We consider the terrain, footing, time of year and how runners will safely navigate the course.

Eventually we lock the route in and take the Blended Run Crew out to run it.

What do we want to hear afterwards?

Beautiful. Hilly. Tough. Challenging. Rewarding.

“Great organisation in an absolutely amazing location. Stunning countryside not normally accessible to the public. Well done Blended trails”

Ultimately: that’s a great route.

A Trail Challenge

The Wallop isn’t an easy half marathon.

It’s 21 kilometres of rural trail at the end of November, with meaningful elevation and ground conditions that can add considerably to the challenge.

Mud is part of Wallop. So are hills. Sometimes so are rain and wind.

“What a truly beautiful route. It was an incredibly tough run – very wet, mucky, hilly and exhausting; everything I could want in a run.”

But challenging doesn’t need to mean intimidating.

If you’re regularly comfortable running 10–15K and fancy stepping up to something different, Wallop could be your next challenge. There’s no cut-off time, our tail runners aren’t there to hurry anyone along, and our marshals and Run Crew are there to support you.

Jo and I are hands-on throughout, alongside the Run Crew — a trusted part of Blended who support our guided running and help with everything from event set-up and marshalling to tail running.

Bringing it all together

As Wallop approaches, we spend more time back on the estate. Part of that is practical, but I also genuinely enjoy being there. Being outside is incredibly grounding, and returning to familiar trails brings back memories while giving us new ideas for improving the event.

The final preparation takes two days. More than 150 route markers are positioned around the course while we set up the start, finish and venue. On event morning, two water stations go out and our marshals and Run Crew take their positions.

For 2026, everything comes back to a new event hub in an open-sided agricultural barn.

It’s rustic, rural and feels right for Wallop.

Twenty-one kilometres after leaving it, you’ll come back to the barn. The Run Crew will be waiting, the cowbells will be going and there’ll be hot drinks waiting.

One runner summed up the experience:

“Lovely event, weather and underfoot conditions were challenging. Route was all off road with some lovely scenery. Really well organised and the size of the entry gives it a very personalised feel.”

That’s The Wallop — a challenging trail run in a beautiful setting, with a friendly, personal atmosphere and plenty of support along the way.

The Wallop returns to Farleigh Wallop on Saturday 28 November 2026.

We’d love to see you there. Come and take on The Wallop with us.

Grab your ticket here

Ollie