Woodland Woggle 2025

by Rosie Oates

Hot and hilly were the buzz words of the day leading up to this popular and very pretty 10km trail run. The sun was shining over the Hampton Estate as the runners gathered prior to the start, a total of 33 FTRC (hopefully I counted correctly) were kitted up and ready to go after a quick team photo.

The start line was a short walk down hill and it was lovely to see all the pink and black tops clustered together.

The run starts with a hill, and the saying of ‘what goes up must come down’ was heard being uttered by many of the runners around us. Once up, there is more up! And stunning views cross Puttenham and the North Downs with many of the runners stopping to take in the view (and rest after yet another hill in the blazing heat!) I even managed to take a couple of photos whilst still running!!

With more ups and downs, bluebells, shouts of encouragement from the marshalls including lots of ‘well down Farnham Town’ ‘free suntans with every run’ and ‘keep going Farnham’ we were nearly back although not close enough to smell the bacon sandwiches. The Woggle famously finishes with a rewarding downhill kilometre before a final (little) hill up to the finish line. Coming through the finish with what felt like the whole of FTRC cheering us on was a great feeling, spurring us on for a sprint finish (and some great flying feet photos).

The Woggle isn’t a run for getting PBs, but it is friendly, hot and hilly, and running with the FTRC family makes for a great atmospheric day. Thanks go to Blackwater Valley Runners and 2nd Farnham Hale Scouts for putting on such a well organised event. Dusty, hot and comparing Strava stats, FTRC headed to the Princess Royal for well earned celebratory drinks.

A great morning, I thoroughly enjoyed my first Woodland Woggle (even if I was telling Tanya how much I hated hills the entire way round) and can’t wait for next year, hopefully without so much sun!