South Downs Way 100

The South Downs Way 100 is a 100 mile foot race taking in the entire South Downs Way National Trail. The South Downs boast stunning rolling hills, ancient forts, picturesque villiages and expansive views across Southern England. The course travels along the chalk ridgeway, starting just outside of Winchester, the capital city of Saxon England and heading due east until the trail ends in Eastbourne. The South Downs tower over Southern England affording runners awe inspiring views north across the Weald and south across the coast and the Channel. 

The course is 100 miles in length and has 12,700 feet of gain. The ascents and descents do not exceed 800 feet in any one climb due to the highest point on the downs sitting at that altitude. In terms of terrain, 85% of each course is on trail and around 15% on the road. The trail varies between open grassland, woodland single/ double track, crushed gravel/ dirt road and paved roads. The South Downs are formed largely of chalk and If it is wet in the lead up to the race or on race weekend itself, some sections will become muddy and, where the chalk is exposed, slippery and require due care and attention. The path can on occasion be quite rocky underfoot making some sections moderately technical in the wet or dry.