These are two single-loop events around the trails of East 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. The 100 milers will continue out to Findon before looping back towards Lewes and then Eastbourne. The 55 milers will start looping back towards the start at this point. The views are spectacular, and the course is a combination of grass trails, farm tracks and woodland paths.
There is 7,700 ft of elevation to navigate in the 55 miles and 14,000ft in the 100, 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, fog, freezing temperatures and snow. East Sussex in paticular, 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.
If you like this race, you might like the South Downs 100k
