Test Track Ten Races

The Test Track Ten Races are St. Luke’s Hospice’s flagship running event organised annually in partnership with Ford Britain Trust and has been embraced by local runners since 2013.

The event takes place on Saturday 16th May 2026 opening at 8am with the Fun Run starting at 9am and the 10 mile and 10k races starting at 10am. Once again hosted by Ford Britain Trust at their Dunton Headquarters in Laindon Essex, the venue providing a unique, challenging and almost traffic free running experience to participants with full access the actual Test Track that is otherwise inaccessible to the public. Spectators are also welcome and will have a unique opportunity to see areas of the Ford site normally prohibited to the general public.

The Test Track Ten Races is a UKA licenced event with the following distances available on the day:

10 mile (accredited and timed)
10 km (accredited and timed)
2.5 km Fun Run

All participants who complete the 10 mile or 10 km race will receive their official running time and all participants who complete the 10 mile, 10 km or Fun Run course will receive a medal.

We have also added to this year’s event a fancy dress category. A trophy will be awarded to the first male and female to cross the finish line in fancy dress for both the 10 Mile and 10km races.

Groups and corporate teams are also encouraged to register and participate in our 10km race with the winning team announced 48 hours after the event and presented with a trophy at a mutually convenient time.

The Test Track Ten Races are a much-loved event and have grown over the last 13 years. Fully accessible to casual and club runners, wheelchair users and walkers, entrants can enjoy the course location and its unique variety of lengths. We believe that sport and activity should be accessible for all and are proud to be able to offer wheelchair users the opportunity to also participant in all races. The courses are suitable for any form of wheelchair, however we recommend the use of an IPC-approved racing chairs or Race Runners.

Online registration is now closed but you can still register for a race on the day of the event. Registration for the Fun Run closes at 8:45am and registration for the 10mile closes at 9:30am

Your fundraising

Your fundraising while running the Test Track Ten Races could help us to continue caring for local people and their families, impacting the lives of many people in our community like those who have chosen to share their stories. You could create a fundraising page on JustGiving* and let all your friends and family know about this fantastic event you are about to take part in. Our Fundraising team are also here to support you on your fundraising journey.

Help to reduce the use of single-use plastics

We will no longer distribute single-use plastic bottles at our events. There will be water available for refilling bottles or recyclable cups, but we encourage you to bring your own bottle or purchase our exclusive St. Luke’s Hospice BPA free reusable bottle, which are available to purchase when you register online for the Test Track Ten Races.

Family fun on the day

There will be a variety of food, drink and shopping stalls available on the day to keep loved ones of all ages entertained. During the races spectating is permitted on the track at the start/finish line.