Hever Castle Ultra Runs 2023

COURSE GUIDE

HEVER CASTLE ULTRA RUNS

SUNDAY 9TH JULY 2023

“Start by doing what is necessary, then do what is possible, and suddenly, you’re doing the impossible.”

Saint Francis of Assisi

“Simply fantastic.”

Rachel, 2022 50 Miler Finisher

“This is a tough course! Really varied and amazing scenery from Beachy Head to rolling countryside at Ashdown Forest.”

David, 2021 50 Miler Finisher

Dear Competitor,

Signed up or thinking of signing up to one of these epic challenges? This guide will provide you with all the information you need about our two ultra runs - The 50 Miler from Eastbourne Pier to Hever Castle, and The 34 Miler from The Ram Inn, Firle to Hever Castle - which take place this year on Sunday 9th July 2023.

This course is close to my heart. I mapped and completed the route to celebrate my 50th birthday during the 2020 pandemic and it combines several of the best, and my favourite trail routes in the South East of England.

Our goal is to ensure you have the best race experience possible and for your loved ones to have a great time supporting you along the route and celebrating with you in our festival village.

We wish you all the best for your training and pre-race preparations and we look forward to seeing you at the start line for a race to remember.

Brian Adcock Race Director

YOUR RACE INFORMATION

RACE INFORMATION

THE COURSE

The 50 and 34 mile ultra runs are a wonderful amalgamation of a number of local running routes. The linear route climbs 1,143m and takes in the South Downs, the Sussex Ouse Valley Way and the Ashdown Forest, finishing on the idyllic Hever Castle estate.

This route was conceived in the dark days of the 2020 lockdown and first undertaken by five men and one dog (pictured) in August of the same year. It was to mark the 50th birthday of Race Director Brian Adcock (centre) and raised £10,000 for Macmillan Cancer Research.

The race route travels from the start at Eastbourne Pier along the promenade to the start of the South Downs Way (SDW) path. It then follows the SDW path to Birling Gap and then up and over the Seven Sisters to the Seven Sisters Visitor Centre. From here, still following the SDW the route tracks north to Alfriston and then heads west almost to the Firle Beacon before descending to the Ram Inn and the quintessential village of Firle. From here, the route heads north through Glynde and at Barcombe Mills joins the Sussex Ouse Valley Way. Once the rural idyll of Fletching is made, competitors are on the home stretch. A stiff challenge up and over the Ashdown Forest brings participants to the ancient parish of Chiddingstone and finally the back gate of Hever Castle with a well-earned trot around the grounds and the Finish Line as the prize. Read detailed route description here.

EASTBOURNE PIER - THE 50 MILER START

Runners will form up on the Eastbourne Promenade and the start line will be immediately in front of the entrance to the pier. On the klaxon runners head off down the promenade in a westerly direction for 2km. At the Italian Gardens take the path uphill to the right and then pass Bede Prep School on your left hand side before heading off-road and steeply uphill onto the South Downs Way (SDW) proper. A 3K climb uphill takes the runners to Beachy Head and a stunning view of the Channel, Eastbourne and The Seven Sisters. At 7.5K you will pass the Belle Tout Lighthouse (now a B&B) and then descend downhill to Birling Gap at 9K. A 4K stretch on the stunning Seven Sisters will see you descend to Cuckmere Haven and then make the 1st Feed Station at the Seven Sisters Country Park Visitors Centre at just over 14K.

FROM FRISTON TO FIRLE

Pass through the Friston car park heading to the NW corner to pick up the public footpath. After 100 yards take the left hand fork of paths and this will descend down onto the Litlington Road. Follow this lane with Friston Forest on your right hand side for just under 3K before turning left onto a public footpath just after the village signpost for Litlington. Cross over the River Cuckmere and then head uphill to the group of houses

that are roadside on White Way. Turn right and follow this road into the village of Alfriston for 2K. Once on the High Street take the first left on Weavers Lane heading uphill and then taking the 2nd left onto Kings Ride. This tarmac road becomes track at the edge of the village and continues straight on. Head uphill for 3K on the SDW path and then another 2.5K on the top of the downs before descending at a right hand fork downhill to the village of Firle and the second feed station at the Ram Inn at 26.5K. This is where the 34 Miler competitors will join the race.

VIA GLYNDEBOURNE OPERA HOUSE - THE 34 MILER START

Runners for the 34 miler will form at the Ram Inn feed station. The start line is immediately after the feed station. On the klaxon, the runners will head north, joining the 50 milers. Head North out of the village for 500m until you hit the A27 and then turn left on the footpath adjacent to the road until you get to the traffic island that provides the safest place to cross. Having crossed over the main road, turn left and continue on the pedestrian footpath for a further 300m before taking the first right turn that is a minor road. This will take you into the village of Glynde at 29K. Follow the road (Lacy’s Hill) through the village and onwards to the north for 3K passing the Glyndebourne Opera House on your right in the process. At the high point of this road and just past a layby, turn right onto a public footpath heading North East. After 50m pass a large wind turbine and then look out for the kissing gate on your left hand side that puts you into the adjacent field but travelling in the same direction. Follow the path around the edge of the field and then descend via a series of stiles to the town of Ringmer. In the town follow Springett Avenue until you arrive at a row of shops and then cut diagonally through the car park before crossing over the B2192 and following the path to the church. Pass through the churchyard and then follow Ham Lane out to the A26. Go straight over the A26 and continue straight on for 30m until you pick up a metalled road called Old Uckfield Lane. Turn right here and follow the road for 100m before taking a pubic footpath adjacent to a row of conifer trees off the left. Pass through 2 fields and then turn right on Wellingham Lane. Follow this road for 100m or so and then just after a right hand bend in the road and in amongst a small group of houses take a public footpath off to your left. Follow this for approx 700m

and this will bring you to Barcombe Mills Road. Turn left on the road for 100m and then take a right turn just after a public car park and head towards the mills themselves. Just before the first bridge take a right on a footpath and this is you on the Sussex Ouse Valley Way. Follow this path, crossing over the river on a footbridge after 1K, until you arrive at the Anchor Inn, the third feed station, at 38.5K.

OVER THE RIVER OUSE

Continue on the Sussex Ouse Valley Way for a further 3.5km before turning left on a footpath at 41K and heading towards a couple of farm houses. Circumnavigate the farm houses in an anti-clockwise direction and then continue on a footpath across a large field heading for a small wood in the distance. At the wood you will arrive at a metalled road called Sharpsbridge Lane, turn right here and follow the road for 2K, crossing over the River Ouse once more. On a right hand bend take the public footpath off to your left and follow this for 1K passing two fields before making your crossing of the A272. At the crossing take the left hand of the two driveways directly opposite which is also a public right of way, Follow this around the back of a house, cross a grass airstrip and pick up the obvious footpath that will take you through 3 fields and into the village of Fletching. Circle the cricket pitch and then turn left on the metalled road that will take you past the church and into the village high street. 200m up the high street on your right hand side is the village hall and your 4th feed station at 47.5K.

ONTO THE ASHDOWN FOREST

Head north out of the village for approximately 800m before coming to an offset crossroads where you head straight on up Bell Lane. After 500m turn right onto a track called Clapwater Lane that twists and turns before passing a group of houses and then turning into a footpath across fields for 800m. At Down Street turn right for 200m and then left onto Picketts Lane for 1K. At the A22 turn right for 100m and then immediately left onto Tylers Lane for 800m. At the next T-junction turn right onto Cackle Street and then after 100m follow the obvious track off to the left that leads you up onto the Ashdown Forest. After 100m pass through a gate

and then soon after take the left hand fork in the track and follow this path for 2.5K, keeping the large valley to your left as you ascend to Hollies Car Park. Once in the car park cross over Crowborough Road and then take the path off to the left keeping Ellison’s Pond on your right hand side. Head uphill to the prominent Camp Hill Clump at the top of the hill and then take your second left heading due north for a further 1K and passing through Bushy Willows Car Park. Cross over the B2026 and then head north for approx. 20m before taking the right hand fork in the paths and following this for a further 600m to Black Hill Car Park and the 5th Feed Station at 58K.

DOWN THE OLD RAILWAY LINE

Exit the car park and turn left for 20m on the B2188 before turning left and regaining the track heading north. Descend for 3K on a mix of tracks and paths before reaching a metalled road and a short and steep climb. At 61.5K you will come to a fork in the road, take the left hand fork and then pick up the footpath that handrails a driveway for approx. 300m. Back on the metalled road head due north for 2K before passing a church on your right hand side and descending steeply downhill to the Withyham Road. At the T-junction turn left for 30m crossing over a bridge and then take a footpath off to the right that heads in a straight line across two open fields. At the Hartfield Track (old railway line) take a right and follow this for 500m before turning left onto Beech Green Lane. Cross over the River Medway and head north for 500m uphill before turning right at a large pond just before 66K. Follow this track/ road for 1K due north until coming to a footpath that takes you to the right hand side of large barn. This footpath will become road again after a further 600m and lead you to a T-junction on the A264. Take a left here and head uphill for 500m before turning left down Ironchurch Lane (signposted to Blackham). A further 500m on this road will lead you to the 6th and final feed station at Blackham Church just over 69K.

TO THE FINISH LINE - FOR THE 50 MILER AND THE 34 MILER

Head west on Sussex Lane for 200m before turning right down a road that leads to a farm. Just before the entrance to the farm turn right on a footpath and then cross a railway

line at a pedestrian crossing point. Follow the footpath to the north and then keep a small valley on your left hand side as you continue to head north, passing over a couple of stiles and keeping a building on your left hand side. Join this building’s driveway to make Bassets Lane and turn left. After 30m take a right hand path and head steeply uphill into an open field. Pass through a series of fields, cross a minor road and then, after a further flat field turn right onto Rywell Road and follow this downhill to the Rock Inn. Continue down this road for 1.2K and then turn left onto a footpath. Follow this footpath for 300m before taking the right hand fork just after a kissing gate. You have approx. 6km to go from here and will be joining the marathon route that the full iron distance competitors are using so look out for some company! You’ll head up and over a farmer’s field and then pass the Chiddingstone Rec on your right before arriving at Chiddingstone High Street. Turn left here and head past the school and the pub before entering Chiddingstone Castle by the back gates. Run through the gardens of the castle before entering a wooded area on a wellmade track. Make your way up through a horse cross-country course before entering the grounds of Hever Castle via Park Wood. A circumnavigation of Hever Lake and a brief glimpse of the castle will see you to the finishing straight and the end of your epic run.

MAPS

View

SCHEDULE

The timings you need to know pre, during and post race.

REGISTRATION

Registration check-in takes place at Hever Castle on either Saturday evening or on Sunday morning at the start location of your race. Exact times will be shared in the Race Information Pack two weeks before the event.

FINISH LINE BAGS

Finish bags can be deposited at either registration, please attach the extra wristband provided with your bib number onto your bag. These can be collected from the event village. Your finish bag may be a maximum of 50 litres in size. You will need a complete change of dry clothes to put on once you have completed the race. We also suggest you pack some warm clothing including a good jacket and a bobble hat as the wind can whistle through the finish area!

START LOCATION

THE 50 MILER

Start Point: Eastbourne Pier

Grid Reference: TV 61757 98907

What Three Words: Curvy Housework Await

THE 34 MILER

Start Point: The Ram Inn, Firle

Grid Reference: TQ 46891 07375

What Three Words: Colder Impulses Claw FINISH LOCATION

Finish Point: Hever Castle in Lake View field overlooking the lake and Italianate Loggia

Grid Reference: TQ 48315 45061

What Three Words: Twice Star Silk

START TIMES

COACH TRANSPORT FROM HEVER

There will be a coach transport from Hever VIII pub outside Hever Castle at around 0400hrs to The 50 Miler Start Line in Eastbourne. Timings will be confirmed via an email sent closer to the event day. Please email us - operations@castleraceseries. com - to let us know if you would like transport.

The 34 miler athletes will need to make their own way to the start line at Firle.

The 50 Miler will start at 06:00 and The 34 Miler will start at 08:00. The start lines will remain open for 1 hour after that for any latecomers. Your time will only start when you and your tracker crosses the physical start line of the course.

CUT OFFS

The 50 Miler must be completed in 17 hours. The 34 Miler must be completed in 15 hours.

There are additional cut offs at each feed station on route. See the feed station table here for full details.

TIMING & TRACKING

GPS trackers will be used on this race to help participants see their time, organisers see their whereabouts and supporters to follow their athlete.

TIMING & GPS TRACKER

All competitors will be issued with a Geo Tracks GPS tracker which will also act as their timing device. This must be kept with the athlete at all times either on their person or in their backpack.

This GPS tracker has three uses;

1) it will provide the participant with an overall time and various split times for their race;

2) it will provide the race organisers with the ability to track each participant and know their exact whereabouts on the course at all times;

3) it will provide supporters the ability to track their athlete, via a Live View URL, along the route to make support and logistics for family and friends a lot easier.

Please ensure you return the GPS tracker at the finish point. If you retire early please also drop the tracker off at the finish or at a feed station.

GPS TRACKING WEBSITE AND APP

Geo Tracks also provide an iphone app that is the perfect aid to navigation. The app centres on your GPS tracker icon and shows the route to follow.

Live route maps can be found here:

The 50 Miler / The 34 Miler

(Please note tracker icons will appear on the day of the event)

To download the Geo Tracks iphone app please click this link

GPX ROUTE

It is highly recommended that participants download the GPX file for the event and upload to an electronic navigation device such as a GPS watch.

RELAY TEAMS

Both The 50 Miler and The 34 Miler courses can be completed by individuals or as part of a relay team.

CHANGE OVERS

The competitor change overs take place at the feed stations along the route.

Teams have to make their own way to each feed station and the transfer can happen at any of them. The location and distances for these are listed on page 23.

TRAVEL

Relay members will need to make their own way to their chosen feed station for their race start.

Once relay members have reached their finish feed station, they will need to make their own way back to Hever Castle.

TIMING & TRACKING

For accurate timing and tracking along the route, team members will need to pass their tracker over to the next team member at the point of change over.

FEED STATIONS

The Castle Race Series will be working with fuelling partner, Precision Fuel & Hydration to provide you with comprehensive food and drink stations.

FEED STATIONS

There will be six feed stations, including the finish, along the length of the course. Hot drinks are available at the Seven Sisters Visitor Centre, Fletching Village Hall and the Finish. Hot food at the finish only.

The feed stations are at the following locations:

14K - 50 Miler

Seven Sisters Country Park Visitors Centre

27K - 50 Miler / 0K - 34 Miler

The Ram Inn at Firle

39K - 50 Miler / 12K - 34 Miler

The Anchor Inn, Balcombe Mills

48K - 50 Miler / 21K - 34 Miler

Fletching Village Hall

59K - 50 Miler / 32K - 34 Miler

Black Hill Car Park, Ashdown Forest

70K - 50 Miler / 43K - 34 Miler

All Saints Church Blackham

80K- 50 Miler / 53K - 34 Miler

Hever Castle Finish Line

WHAT’S AVAILABLE

The team of volunteers will have a selection of food and drink available for you including the following:

– Water

– Salted nuts/ biscuits

– Jelly Babies

- PF 30 Energy Gels

- PF 30 Energy Chews

- Pre-mixed bottles PH 1000 electrolyte drink

- 1/2 Bananas (peeled)

– Sandwiches and wraps

– Coca-cola (flat)

Drinks from these stations will be prepared in paper cups and bottles.

Hot drinks are available at Fletching Village Hall and the Finish Line.

Hot food is available at the Finish Line only.

Feed Stations and their associated toilets to be accessed only by competitors.

LITTER

No litter to be dropped anywhere on the course.

See feed station table for full details here

RESPECT FOR ALL

Please respect all other competitors, event staff and members of the public as you race.

FUELLING & HYDRATION 50 MILE RUN

Failing to fuel and hydrate appropriately is a leading cause of underperformance in ultra marathons.

Your plan should focus on ensuring that you take in enough carbohydrate, fluid and sodium to fuel the work required and keep you hydrated. These are the 3 key elements of a solid fueling plan, everything else should be considered secondary to understanding and hitting these numbers.

BEFORE THE RACE

Fuel

What to do

Hydration

What to do

- Your race pack will include a packet of our strongest electrolyte drink, PH 1500

https://visit.pfandh.com/37Ve5vn

- Mix it into 500ml of water and aim to drink it about ~60-90 mins before you start

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- This is known as ‘preloading’ and it can significantly improve your performance

- Finish your drink ~45 mins before you start to allow your gut to absorb it

- Drink the electrolytes in water you’d have drunk anyway so you don’t overdo it DON’T just drink lots of water before a race!

https://visit.pfandh.com/355YFU1

- Aim to carb load in the day or two before your event, to top off your stored energy (glycogen) levels

- Eat an energy gel in the final 15 mins or so before you start. This'll provide additional fuel to be utilised in the early stages and increase your focus and energy levels

Why?

- Carb-loading is a well-known tactic used by endurance athletes

- Think of your glycogen stores as the fuel you have in the tank before a long journey. The more you start with, the longer you can keep going before you need to top-up

- Simple carbs taken in the last 15 mins will hit your bloodstream around the start of the race, increasing energy availability just as energy use is ramping up in your body

- You can end up diluting your blood sodium levels, increasing the risk of a race-ruining condition called hyponatremia (low blood sodium levels)

Why?

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- It’ll boost your blood volume, a proven way to enhance performance during intense exercise, especially in the heat

- It’ll help your cardiovascular system cool you down and deliver oxygen to your working muscles. This reduces fatigue and enables you to maintain your performance for longer

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- PH 1500 electrolyte drink is a very effective preloader as it contains 3x more sodium than typical sports drinks

- Preloading may also help you avoid cramp, which can be triggered by sodium depletion

https://visit.pfandh.com/3wwpQCx

www.precisionfuelandhydration.com/castle

DURING THE RACE Fuel

What fuel is available at the feed stations?

- An hourly intake of ~60-90+ grams per hour is not something all athletes can achieve immediately and it can take a bit of time to build up to this rate of consumption, especially if you’ve been prone to suffering from GI issues in the past

https://www.precisionhydration.com/products/pf-30-gel/

- PF 30 Energy Gels. Each gel contains 30g of carbohydrate

Why?

https://www.precisionhydration.com/products/pf-30-chew/

- PF 30 Energy Chews, a mixture of Original and Mint & Lemon flavours. Each packet contains 30g of carbohydrate, delivered as 2 x 15g chews

- A selection of food and drink such as bananas (cut into thirds, about 9g of carb per third), flat coca-cola (about 10g of carb per 100ml) and jelly babies (or similar, about 5g of carb per sweet)

What to do

- When it comes to powering high intensity endurance exercise, carbohydrate is the main source of fuel used by your body

- Glycogen (stored carbohydrate) is a finite resource. 90-120 minutes of hard activity will generally deplete your stores enough to significantly compromise your performance. So, at some point, taking in carbs is necessary to maintain a high level of performance

Pro tips

https://www.precisionhydration.com/products/precision-fuel-sample-pack/#thecarbcalculator

- Use our Quick Carb Calculator to get an idea of how much carbohydrate you'll need per hour to perform at your best

- Select 'Run' as your sport to get advice best suited to running

- Depending on how long you're going to be running for and your intensity, you're going to benefit from some form of carbohydrate ingestion (~30-60g carb per hour)

- Some athletes racing a marathon will benefit from higher intakes of 60 to 90 grams of carbohydrate per hour, perhaps even more than 90g, as long as the amount consumed doesn’t cause stomach problems

- The higher the amount of carbohydrate you’re aiming to ingest, the more crucial ‘training your gut’ in the lead up to your race becomes

- Carry your own fuel on the second run if possible. Gels/chews weigh very little and this approach allows you to use some you’ve properly tested in training. It also means you won’t accidentally miss picking one at a busy feed station and can eat them whenever you like

- Generally speaking, the more energy you can consume in the early stages of the run, the stronger you’ll be able to finish, so don’t restrict your carb intake if you’re tolerating it well

Hydration

What hydration products are available at the feed stations?

https://www.precisionhydration.com/products/ph-1000-low-calorie-electrolyte-supplement/ https://visit.pfandh.com/3itxJRh

- PH 1000, a low-carb electrolyte drink containing 1,000mg of sodium per litre (~2x sodium found in typical sports drinks)

- Water

What to do

- An ultra marathon is too long to go without drinking, so you’re going to need to be knocking back a reasonable amount of fluids and electrolytes during the run

- The aim is to try to avoid under-drinking to the point that dehydration hampers your performance, whilst avoiding over-drinking, which can lead to hyponatremia (low blood sodium levels)

- During a 50-miler, you need to make a conscious effort to stay on top of your fluid and electrolyte replacement throughout to avoid dehydration derailing your race later on

- Most athletes will need to take in between 300ml and 750ml per hour during the race. The exact amount depends on the conditions, your own sweat rate and past experiences

- Experimenting within these guidelines, whilst learning to listen to your body, is the best way to work out how much you need to drink during a race

- On the day, factors such as your pace and the weather will influence what you actually need and you should adjust your intake according to how you feel as the race unfolds

Why

- Taking on board an appropriate amount of fluid and electrolytes is essential to maintaining your blood volume and supporting the cardiovascular effort you’ll be putting in

- Hydration is, of course, particularly important during longer events, when your net sweat losses can really mount up. That's especially the case if it'll be hot on the day

Pro tips

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/03/150304075220.htm

- Drinking from cups at feed stations can make it tricky to work out exactly how much fluid you’re consuming. As a rough guide, half a standard paper cup will give you ~100ml of water

- Squeeze aid station cups across the top to form a slit to pour water out of. This’ll reduce the amount that gets spilled

- It’s often faster overall to walk a few paces through feed stations to ensure you get enough fluids on board, rather than trying to drink from cups whilst running at full speed

https://visit.pfandh.com/3NgnhKY

- Consider carrying some blister-packed Electrolyte Capsules. Swallowing 2 capsules per 500ml of water you consume would deliver the same ratio of electrolytes to fluid as a bottle of PH 1000 from the feed stations

TRY THE ON-COURSE FUEL/HYDRATION IN TRAINING

"Nothing new on race day" has always been solid advice.

https://visit.pfandh.com/3iz4IDH

Grab a Castle Race Series Taster

- A 2015 study found that athletes who adequately replaced the sodium lost in their sweat finished a middle distance triathlon an average of 26 minutes faster than those who didn’t

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/03/150304075220.htm

Pack to thoroughly road-test the on-course fuel and hydration before your race.

Don't forget to use the code CASTLE to get 15% off your first order.

- As well as maintaining fluid balance, sodium plays an important role in the absorption of nutrients in the gut, maintaining cognitive function, nerve impulse transmission and in muscle contraction www.precisionfuelandhydration.com/castle

CHECKLIST FOR ADJUSTING YOUR INTAKE

Signs you may need to drink more include:

- Feeling thirsty/dry mouth

- Heart rate drifting upwards when compared to power output or effort

- Tight, twitchy or crampy muscles

Signs you may need to drink less include:

- Feeling bloated

- Feeling water ‘sloshing’ in your stomach

- Peeing too frequently

Signs you may need to increase your energy intake include:

- Hunger

- Attitude or mood deteriorating

- Craving sugar

Signs you may need to decrease your energy intake include:

- Feeling/being sick

- Bloating

- Upset stomach

QUESTIONS?

https://visit.pfandh.com/3D6Y5Sj

hello@pfandh.com

Book a free one-to-one video call with a fuelling expert at Precision Fuel & Hydration or email hello@pfandh.com www.precisionfuelandhydration.com/castle

THE COURSE & SUPPORT

All you need to keep you on track on race day.

COURSE MARKINGS

The course is marked by a mixture of signs, some permanent, some Castle Race Series (CRS) branded and orange tape. After every change of direction or path, we will place orange tape a further 20m down the route as a check navigation protocol.

South Downs Way marker posts, which are fixed, come in different forms but always displaying the acorn which is the key symbol and guide on this part of the route as with all National Trails. In addition to the fixed markers as above, the course will also be marked with orange or white tape and CRS marker arrows. There are a number of road crossings to negotiate, some of them are extremely busy and will NOT be marshalled. It is the responsibility of the runner to negotiate all road crossings safely.

It is ultimately the runners responsibility to navigate the course successfully, with or without course markings. We strongly recommend that you take the time to recce the route before race day & carrying a map and compass are highly recommended for the event in case of an emergency.

for any runner, and a crew is not essential. Runners are responsible for their crew and must ensure that their behaviour does not adversely affect any of the other participants in the race.

You may run the course with different pacers on different legs if you choose.

MEDICAL SUPPORT

There will be a dedicated team of race medics available throughout the duration of the event day including static first aid teams and race ambulances. If you suffer an injury or accident that requires direct medical attention, the medics will be on hand to assist you. Contact numbers and full details of what to do in an emergency will be given to you in the Race Information Pack and 50 Mile Ultra Run Instruction again at race registration. Due to the nature of the course ie. often remote and far from roads, the medics may take some time to reach you, or potentially be out of contact tending to other runners. In those instances you should contact the emergency services on 999. Full instructions on what to do in an emergency can be found in your information pack.

CREW SUPPORT & PACERS

Runners are allowed to have a crew support and there are a number of excellent points on the route for this. However, the support you receive at the check points will be enough

SPORTS MASSAGE

Sports massage will be available by the Finish Line in the Event Village.

KIT

Here we have detailed the required and recommended kit for race day.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

90% of the course is on trail, therefore trail shoes are advised. There are sections of trail which can become very muddy in wet conditions. The South Downs are formed of chalk and are composed of significant sections of exposed and slippery chalk bed and rocks. These sections must be negotiated carefully in both the dry and the wet. The South Downs ridge is very exposed and in wind and rain runners can become cold quickly. Visibility can also be extremely poor under cloud cover.

– Warm Hat - Beanie Hat or Buff (either are accepted)

– Gloves

– Long sleeved base layer or fleece top - This must be carried separately from the start and kept dry, for use only in an emergency. Starting in 2 layers is not a substitute.

There will be kit spot checks prior to the race as well as during and at the finish. A time penalty of one hour will be imposed for any item found to be missing at any point on course.

MANDATORY KIT

Runners must therefore carry the following mandatory equipment at all times:

– Fully Charged Mobile Phone with the numbers for the Race Medic and Race Director (these will be provided at registration)

– Water Bottles/Bladder capable of carrying a minimum of 1 litre.

– Survival Blanket: 1.4m x 2m minimum

– Waterproof Jacket: Gore-tex or similar, minimum 10000mm+ & must have sealed seams.

– Whistle

– Headtorch or Primary Light Source

– Back Up Light source - Minimum 25 Lumens

RECOMMEDED KIT

In addition, we strongly recommend, the following items:

– Route Map - Should be a hard copy that you are able to navigate from and not a map on your phone

– Compass - This should be a separate physical compass and not electronic/ on your phone.

REWARDS

QUALIFICATION STANDARD

There is no requirement for qualification to enter this race but participants are reminded that the course is over arduous and hilly terrain. The organiser has implemented cut offs at each of the feed stations and, due to the welfare of staff out on the course, will have no hesitation about pulling anyone from the race if they fall behind these set times.

REWARDS

Geo Tracks tracking device

Finisher Medal

Finisher T-Shirt

Hot meal on completion with a pint of beer or glass of fizz

Trophy will be awarded to 1st placed male and female runners

FOR MORE INFORMATION

We look forward to seeing you on race day and wish you luck for your final preparations. If you need further infomation please visit our website: castleraceseries.com