The Martian Race

JUN
21
2026
Join the Martian Race at Horsell Common, running through the historic sandpits tied to H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds. Distances range from a 2 km kids dash to a 21 km half marathon on scenic mixed terrain, run by volunteers for local charities.
Sun 21 Jun 2026
Half Marathon 10 kilometers 5 kilometers

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The Martian Race at Horsell Common

The Martian Race is scheduled for 21 June 2026 at Horsell Common, Surrey. The event is organised by Woking Lions and run entirely by volunteers. Proceeds are distributed to local charities; the 2025 event raised over £20,000. The race is in its seventh year and the route passes through the historic sandpits on Horsell Common, a site linked to H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds. Horsell Common is privately owned common land with public access and almost half is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Organisers state they aim to minimise environmental impact, run litter-free events and reduce single-use plastics.

Distances, course and event details

  • 2 km Mini Martian Kids Race
  • 5 km Martian Race
  • 10 km Martian Race
  • 21 km Martian Race (half marathon)

The course is an off-road, mixed-terrain trail that includes heathland, meadows, wetlands, woodland and boardwalks, with sections through the sandpits. Feedback from participants notes narrow single-width paths in places, exposed tree roots and varied surfaces. The event features marshals and course signage; many reviews mention parking and village facilities, food and drink stalls, and finish-area services. Reported entry prices range from £7 to £31. The event has an aggregate rating of 4.8 from 286 reviews. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.

Half Marathon
21k Martian Race 2026
10 km
10k Martian Race 2026
5 km
5k Martian Race 2026
2k Mini Martian Kids Race 2026