Tonbridge Bean

A Game of Hunted around the lake

This summer, I’ve made it my mission to try as many of the outdoor sports and activities in Tonbridge as possible. And, to tell the Tonbridge Bean readers all about it – what to expect, how much it costs and local tips.

This evening’s outdoor activity in Tonbridge was one of our go-to ways to make a run a bit more fun. No fancy gear, no sign-up required – just me, my partner, and a slightly silly game we’ve come to call Hunted.

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The Who, What, How

The who? Me (running at a fairly standard slow plod of a pace) and my partner (who is annoyingly fast).

The what? A game of chase. I get a five-minute head start, then he sets off to try and catch me.

The how? We ran the usual Parkrun route around Tonbridge Park and the lake – minus the double back bit in the park. I started at the loos near the park, headed across the bridge, dipped under the railway bridge, then followed the path around the lake.

The Experience

There’s something satisfying about having a goal – even if that goal is “don’t get caught for as long as possible.” I set off at a steady jog, trying to ignore the countdown in my head. The park was fairly quiet at 18:00, just a few dog walkers and evening strollers.

I had to stop briefly to chat to a lady asking about park closing times. Then I paused again – couldn’t resist snapping a photo of the lake with the light hitting just right.

He caught me just as I rounded the far end of the lake – right at the Parkrun halfway point. I heard him before I saw him. Then the words: “Your time on the run is over.” He found that far too satisfying.

I like to think I might’ve made it further if I hadn’t stopped, but realistically, it was probably just my running. Still, it made a routine jog feel more like a game – and it got us both outside.

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Where + How

Practical info for anyone who wants to try it:

• 📍 Tonbridge Park to Tonbridge Lake
• 💰 Free – just bring your trainers
• 📆 Anytime – though evenings are always nice
• 🕒 30 minutes or so, for the slower runners like me

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My Takeaway

Running on your own is good for clearing your head. Running with someone chasing you? Stressful, but fun.

Not everything outdoors needs to be fancy. Sometimes a loop around the lake, a silly game, and a bit of competitive banter is all you need.

Ratings

Here’s my quick rating of this outdoor activity in Tonbridge:

• 🌿 Fresh Air Factor: 43
• 🧘 Zen Level: 2
• 🥵 Sweat Factor: 4
• 😅 Out of Comfort Zone?: It pushed me to run quicker than usual.
• ⭐ Would I Do It Again? Yes, a fun way to mix things up.

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My Local Tips

If you’re not into speed, make it about tactics – there are loads of sneaky short cuts, so you could really outfox the chaser.

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