This is a single loop event around the trails of East Sussex and West Sussex. Starting and finishing in the seaside town of Eastbourne, runners will begin over Beachy Head and the famous Seven Sisters before heading up towards Plumpton and out towards Findon along the South Downs Way. The route then loops back around towards Lewes before finishing back in Eastbourne. The views are spectacular, and the course is a combination of grass trails, farm tracks and woodland/chalk paths. There is 14000 ft of elevation to navigate, but the route is generally very runnable and best described as rolling hills with some longer, steeper climbs also. The weather at this time of year can be unpredictable with anything from glorious crisp sunny days to strong winds, rain, sleet, thick fog, freezing conditions and snow. East Sussex in particular, and the eastern side of the South Downs, lends itself to being ideal for a race at this time of year with it having probably the driest climate in the U.K. The terrain has fantastic drainage meaning although some places can and will become wet and muddy, it is generally speaking, very runnable all year round.
This race will also form part of the new South Downs Triple Crown challenge starting in 2025 if you wish to enter.
https://www.ukultra.co.uk/south-downs-triple-crown
Permit: Our permits are granted through the ARC. Permit number: ARC/24/0715
Entry & Qualification details
In order to qualify you must have completed at least a 50 mile/100k trail race, or preferably 100 mile trail race, within the past 3 years and have experience of nighttime/Winter trail running. Entries will close 1 week prior to the race or once entry limits are reached. Runners can enter before achieving this qualifier but it must be updated before race day. Please get in touch by emailing neil@ukultra.co.uk if this applies to you.
Refund and Deferral Policy
Any time up until October 5th you are entitled to a 70% refund. After this point no refunds will be given. The only exception to this is pregnancy. In this case if you inform us before the race you will receive a full refund.
If you can no longer make the event, there is the option of deferring your place to 2025 or transferring it to another runner. This can only be done up until 1 week before race day and, not after. Please email neil@ukultra.co.uk if you wish to do either of these.
Elite Entries
We want highly competitive races at the sharp end of the fields and, welcome elite runners to come and compete for wins and course records. We do reserve places for elites and have packages in place to help. These are decided on an individual basis by the Race Director. If you are an elite runner and would like to take part then please email neil@ukultra.co.uk.
- A fantastic, fully signed and way marked route through the South Downs National Park
- A bespoke UK Ultra finisher buckle
- Male and female winner trophies
- Downloadable race photos
- 13 well stocked aid stations
- Food and drink at the finish line
- Live GPS tracking and chip timing to track runners progress and times
- 5 ITRA points
- This is a UTMB Index race
- Prizes for all male and female winners in vet categories
- Event insurance
- First Aid and Medical Cover
- 15% discount at the Langham Eastbourne. Please see accommodation page.
- Free shuttle bus from finish line to local hotels and Eastbourne Train Station