The South Downs Way 100 returns for its thirteenth edition over the weekend of 8th – 9th June 2024, a weekend which sees two races in the Gran Canaria World Trail Majors. 100 miles (161 km) of incredible trails with 13,000 ft (4000 m) elevation, the route follows the South Downs Way National Trail from Winchester in the west to Eastbourne in the east.
The race is considered a perfect first 100-mile distance. Runners have 30 hours to complete the fully course-marked route with 13 aid stations, two drop bag points, and pacers and crew allowed (all of this is not so common in UK races!). It is also perfect for a fast 100-mile ultra trail.
The South Downs Way, combining History and Nature
Established in 2010, The South Downs are the United Kingdom’s newest National Park but the history of the South Downs goes back much further in time. Humans have used the tracks that have been linked to form the South Downs Way for over 8000 years, following the spines of hills made it a safer and drier route than the wetter lowlands.
The trail is dotted with Iron Age forts such as Old Winchester Hill, Cissbury Ring and Ditchling Beacon, which at mile 72 (115 km) in the race is one of the most famous hills on the trail and was used to warn Queen Elizabeth I of the Spanish Armada that could be seen sailing up the English Channel.
The South Downs Way passes through a varied landscape of protected habitats including internationally important chalk rivers, internationally rare species rich chalk grasslands and beautiful ancient woodland. The Trail passes through or passes by 5 National Nature Reserves and dozens of Sites of Special Scientific Interest where you can enjoy stunning wildlife at close hand.
South Downs Way Ultra, more historical than the 13th edition
The South Downs Way 100 is the third generation of point-to-point racing on the South Downs Way. One of 16 National Trails in the UK. Established in 1972 the trail started in Buriton, and was 80 miles long. Racing started in 1983 and ran for 14 Editions.
It stood as one of the world’s premier ultra distance trail events and acted as the World Trail Championships from 1990 to 1997. In 1987 the route was extended to 100 miles and that is the route the race uses to this day.
The South Downs Way 100 was established in 2012 and after two years running in the opposite direction changed to the West to East format and has grown to be one of the most important races on the UK ultra calendar.
What will 2024 deliver?
500 runners from 25 countries will toe the line on what will be the sixth stop of the Gran Canaria World Trail Majors Series, starting just two hours before the Swiss Canyon Trail in an exciting double-header weekend.
The race has always attracted the best of British trail and ultrarunners, but with a new partnership through the Gran Canaria World Trail Majors the race has become more visible to a global audience for the first time. The race has grown organically and sustainably since 2012 to sit at the top of the tree in the top three field sizes for UK 100 mile races, every year.
The women’s course record was initially owned by Jean Beaumont in 16:56, a kiwi runner who had had a lot of success on more mountainous 100 milers. That stood until 2022 when Bethan Male lowered it to 16:49 in what remains the course record today.
In 2014 an astonishing run from Mark Perkins set a men’s course record of 14:03, a time which has not been bettered since. At that time, Mark was at the vanguard of the UK scene running 12 hours for 100 miles on the track and 13 hours for the win at Berlin 100, before 14 hours here put him on an untouchable pedestal. In fact, nobody has come with 25 minutes of Mark’s time since!
Women’s Favourites
We all know surprises can happen in ultra racing, but based on statistics and current form, there are three favorites among the women’s field.
Nicole Bitter (USA, Altra, ITRA 732), multiple top ten finisher at Western States Endurance Race, three times winner at Rocky Raccoon 100 with a best of 14:22 and winner of the Black Canyons 100K 2017. In 2024 she has won three races already including Rocky Raccoon 50 but unfortunately dropped out from Mt.FUJI 100 past April.
Cat Simpson (UK, 573), second at this race last year and a two time finisher of this race, Great Britain 24hr team runner and Centurion Ultra Team member, Cat has a string of accolades to her name including a win at Grand Union Canal 145 mile Race, fifth at Spartatlon and a 100 mile PB of 15:34 set at Crawley 24hr.
Karen Benway (USA, 551), third at Quebec Mega Trail in 2022, has three top ten finishes at the competitive Vermont 100 miler, fifth at Tahoe Rim Trail 100 mile in 2023 and has a host of other top ten and podium finishes at US ultras to her name including a fourth at JFK50.
Finally, a special note for legendary status. Elaine Battson became the first person to complete ten editions of the South Downs Way 100, in 2023 and earned her 1000 mile buckle there. She will be going for her eleventh finish at this event.
Men, some of the best from the UK
There is a strong home field on the men’s race that will compete for the honor of winning the first UK race of the Gran Canaria World Trail Majors. Numbers might mean nothing and we get a surprise, but our top contenders are.
Geoff Cheshire (UK, 769), has been a stones throw from nailing this race twice and he is hungry to get it right this third time. Geoff is course record holder at the Centurion Autumn 100 where he ran 13:58; also won the Thames Path 100 last year in 14:18.
Peter Windross (UK, 756), champion in 2021 and second in 2022 with a best of 15:05 on this course, Pete has also won the Centurion Autumn 100 and Thames Path 100, a race he finished fourth at just a few weeks ago.
Dan Lawson (UK, 713), recently finished second at the Centurion South Downs Way 50, a race he led until a couple of km’s from the finish. His highlights include but are not limited to at least half a dozen Team Great Britain 24hr including a European Champs gold in 2016; Grand Union Canal Race record holder; World V50 100 mile record holder with a 12:37; winner of Ultrabalaton, Ultra Trail Gobi, third at Badwater, second at Spartathlon the list just goes on and on. Even at 51 years old, Dan is a serious contender for the win.
Jez Bragg (UK), a past winner of UTMB (2010!) and a best of third at Western States, Jez was at the pinnacle of the sport globally for many years. He raced for Great Britain on both the road and the trails and really excelled across a variety of distances and terrain types. In the last few years work and family have taken priority but it truly is an honour to have him making a longer run come back here.
Other top contenders include Rob Payne, Team GB 24hr runner was 2023 Wendover Woods 50 Champion, won the North Downs Way 50 and finished second at the NDW100. Matt Hammerton (UK, 759) is the current course record holder at Wendover Night 50km and third in Ultra-Trail Snowdonia 2022. James Turner (UK, Soar, 748) is 6:34 for 100km while on the trails he has placed well at other events on the South Downs from Marathon through to 100km.
Dave Phillips was the winner of the Northern Traverse 190 mile race in April and the Summer Spine in 2023 in 77 hours. Sam Skinner who finished second at Winter Downs 200 in December and the South Downs Way 100 is his back yard and he knows the area well.
Lastly, a legend status goes to Ken Fancett, gunning for his 102nd 100 mile finish and this will be his tenth South Downs Way 100 and he will go home with the 1000 mile buckle at the finish. Ken is 75 years young.
How to follow the South Downs Way 100
The event can be followed on streaming as well as on social media and live tracking.
Web: https://www.centurionrunning.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/centurionrunning
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/centurionrunning
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/centurionrunner
Streaming (English): https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=IakjxsKYPc0
and https://www.youtube.com/@WorldTrailMajors/streams
Results: https://www.centurionrunning.com/reports
Leaderboard/Live Results: https://results.opentracking.co.uk/event/SDW100-2024
GPS Tracking: https://live.opentracking.co.uk/SDW100-2024/
About World Trail Majors
World Trail Majors is a non-profit association formed by ten independent trail running races with the aim of promoting the sport in a diverse, sustainable, and respectful way that aims to safeguard the original spirit of Trail/Ultra running. The association is formed by Anta Hong Kong 100 Ultramarathon, Black Canyon Ultras, The North Face Transgrancanaria, Mt. Fuji 100, MIUT – Madeira Island Ultra-Trail, Swiss Canyon Trail, South Downs Way 100, Quebec Mega Trail, Grand Raid des Pyrenees and RMB Ultra-Trail Cape Town. 2024 is the inaugural year for this race series.