To make the most out of your Worthing RUN-FEST weekend we have teamed up with the official tourism arm for the area – Time for Worthing to put together a 48 hours weekend guide. Worthing’s laid back creative vibe and award-winning restaurants and bars overlooking the sea makes it the ideal weekend break destination for runners. Highlights might include – a converted Horse Box Sauna on the beach or browsing the East Beach Artists Studios.
Voted the Times newspaper number one seaside destination that ‘everyone’s going to be talking about in Summer 2022’, here’s our suggestions to make the most of your visit to Worthing:
Accommodation: As the official hotel for Worthing RUN-FEST – The Chatsworth, will be offering runners offers the perfect pre-race breakfast to fuel that PB from 7am. Runners may also like to take advantage of a later check-out facility of 1pm at no additional charge.
There are many other options at other Worthing Hotels
How to get to Worthing: Tips to plan your journey here
Day 1
If you’re feeling hearty and want to live like a local you could join the brave Worthing folk who like to start the day with an icy dip in the sea… cold sea swimming has become increasingly popular over lock down with reports of improved mental well being. Beware though – you need to ease yourself into cold sea dips – it’s best to start in the summer and keep going all year (temperatures can fall as low as 8 degrees in March and April), always dip with a friend and always check the sea state to ensure calm seas.
Breakfast – Whether you’ve dipped or not, you’ll want to start the day as you mean to go on – try Malt Cafe, Finch or the Orchard Cafe are amongst others for a tip top brekkie – all serving great coffee, traditional favourites plus vegan and veggie options. If you want a morning walk or cycle then we recommend hiring a bike and heading along to beach front Sea Lane Cafe.
| Beach Front Cafe | Restaurant | Worthing | Sea Lane Cafe Visit Sea Lane Cafe on the beach at Goring By Sea for breakfast, lunch, cream teas & ice creams; seafront restaurant in Worthing, West Sussex; visit today |
Morning – Why not do a pre race shake out by joining the friendly runners at the Worthing parkrun. The run starts at 9am and the course is flat but do save some energy for the next day! https://www.parkrun.org.uk/worthing/
Worthing has a great section of Independent shops, all run by friendly locals.
For last minute running gear pop along to The Run Shop.
Also check out Heavy Gretel, Inspired, Colonnade House and East Beach Studios for pieces by local artists and makers and Encore Antiques, Badger Books and Reginald Ballam for vintage and antique finds.
Lunch – Pop along to Finch Bar & Eatery on Warwick Street for great coffee and a tasty selection of food, plus an option for sunny alfresco seating if the weather permits!
Afternoon – Weather and sea state permitting, after lunch you might want to take advantage of nearby Stand-up Paddle Board hire from K66 – Nick and the crew will be happy to fit you out with wetsuits and can offer lessons and guidance for beginners. Alternatively head along towards the Burlington Hotel and you’ll find Fire, Salt and Sea – a converted horsebox sauna right on the beach – pop up and basic (be ready to change in a small tent) but with deck chairs and a firepit chill out area – it doesn’t get much more invigorating than dashing from the hot sauna to dip in the cold sea – book in advance to reserve your slot.
Evening – Feel at home in the Dome Cinema. Why not rest your legs up at one of the oldest working cinemas in the UK, first opened in April 1911 – The Dome Cinema is a grade II listed building showing all the latest blockbusters in a vintage setting.
Dinner – Family owned Crab Shack is now something of a Worthing institution. Voted in the top 10 of Europe’s Best Beach Restaurants – Guardian 2019. Indoor or alfresco – with blankets and if you’re lucky a hot water bottle to keep you cosy. Worthing is home to some amazing restaurants where you can carbo load for the big day.
Day 2
Sunday – Race Day.
10am onwards – “After the show, it’s the after party @ Level 1!”
All runners will get a free glass of Prosecco or 1/2 pint of Pravha from 10am at Level 1. We have teamed up to provide some amazing music so we can celebrate in style!
Afternoon/ Evening – Round off the day with a pint of local ale at one of our many craft ale pubs – The Brooksteed Ale House, The Brewhouse and Kitchen, tiny Anchored in Worthing or The Georgie Fin and a Sussex pub dinner at one of our many top pubs New Amsterdam, The Corner House or the Cow and Oak.
We hope you have a great weekend in Worthing! For more information please visit Time for Worthing.
