Get Active

From family fun and outdoor pursuits to hosting major sports events, Medway has much to offer the active visitor.

From elite-level sport and community events to sports centres, running trails, tennis courts, and cycle routes, Medway has much to offer the active visitor.

Medway is passionate about sport and offers a host of opportunities for people to play, compete, or spectate.

The Strand outdoor pool in Gillingham

Sports centres and swimming pools

Medway’s sports centres offer everything for the active visitor.

There are five swimming pools, including three fitness pools and a competition pool with a diving pit at Medway Park, plus an outdoor pool at The Strand Leisure Park.

At The Strand, you can also enjoy crazy golf, playground equipment, and the popular miniature railway during the summer.

You can also enjoy a day membership at any of Medway Council's four gyms, take part in more than 150 fitness classes each week, hire courts for badminton, squash, or table tennis, or play on the 3G pitches at Strood Soccer Centre.

For more information and location details, visit the sports centres pages.

Running

Why not join Medway’s parkrun at the Great Lines Heritage Park in Gillingham?

Parkrun is a timed 5km run held every Saturday at 9am. There’s also a Junior parkrun on Sunday mornings at The Strand in Gillingham. Registration is free, and once registered, you can take part in any parkrun event across the country.

You’ll also find a number of one-mile routes in Medway’s parks and open spaces, as well as marked running routes at Capstone Country Park.

Other ideas for getting active

Medway also boasts an ice rink, karting track, dry ski slope, bowling alley, trampoline parks, and watersports centres. There are several country parks, including Capstone Country Park, which features trim trails, a BMX track, running routes, and bridleways. If you want to get out and about on your bike, explore Medway’s extensive network of cycle routes.

The Medway Mile takes place every July

Community events

Medway hosts three mass participation events each year: The Big Splash - a celebration of aquatic activities, The Big Ride, and the Medway Mile. All three offer exciting opportunities for the community and visitors to get active and have fun.

The Medway Mile has become a popular annual event, taking place at Medway Park and Gillingham’s Great Lines Heritage Park.

Spectate

Medway is rapidly gaining recognition as a premier destination for major sporting events.

The Modern Pentathlon World Cup in 2010 marked Medway’s debut as a host of global sporting events. Thousands of spectators enjoyed four days of competition featuring the world’s top multisport athletes, including world and Olympic champions.

Since then, Medway has hosted a range of major events, including the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup and European Championships, international handball, sitting volleyball, national swimming, cycling, futsal, judo, and basketball competitions, as well as the Modern Pentathlon European Championships.

Medway is also home to a number of sports clubs that compete in national leagues or offer exciting opportunities for spectators.

Gillingham FC – Football: Gillingham FC play their home games at MEMS Priestfield Stadium. For fixtures and ticket information, visit their website
Gillingham Ladies FC – Football: Gillingham Ladies FC play their home games at Chatham Town FC or Priestfield Stadium. For fixtures and ticket information, visit the Gillingham Ladies website.
Chatham Town FC – Football: Chatham Town FC compete in the Ryman League North Division, playing their home games at The Sports Ground on Maidstone Road. For fixtures and ticket information, visit the Chatham Town FC website.
Black Lion Swimming Club: Medway Park is home to the club, which represents national and regional swimmers and hosts over 40 swimming galas throughout the year.
Holcombe Hockey Club – Hockey: Holcombe Hockey Club’s men’s and ladies’ teams play top-flight hockey, with both squads featuring international players. Fixtures and information are available on the club website, and spectators are welcome at all home games.
Invicta Dynamos – Ice Hockey: The Dynamos play their home games at Planet Ice in Gillingham.
Invicta Dynamics – Ice Hockey: Invicta Dynamics is the only ladies’ ice hockey team in Kent. They play their home games at Planet Ice in Gillingham. Fixtures and information are available on their website.

For more Get Active activities, events, and exercise opportunities, visit the council’s dedicated webpage.