South Downs Way Ultra Run
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Event overview
The South Downs Way Ultra Run is a guided 30-mile trail run that starts and finishes at Harting Down in West Sussex. The route follows sections of the South Downs Way and nearby trails, passing Beacon Hill, Cocking Down and Kingley Vale, and includes sections of the Sussex Border Path, Shipwrights Way and Staunton Way. Kingley Vale contains a grove of veteran yew trees noted in the route description.
The event is run as a group rather than a race. The organiser provides an experienced trail and ultra running guide who leads the route and can answer running questions during the run. The route is managed by the guide and finishes back at Harting Down.
Logistics and requirements
The stated cost is £45 per person. Two dates are listed: 12 October 2025 and 28 February 2026. Parking is available and the meeting location is a short run or taxi ride from a train station. Full logistical details and a kit list are provided to participants before the run.
Participants are advised to have completed at least 22 miles in training and to be able to sustain an average trail pace of about 10 minutes per mile (6 minutes per km). An alcohol-free beer may be offered at the end of the run, subject to availability. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.