14th June 2025
Background: The South Downs Way 100 is a one hundred mile race that follows most of the South Downs Way from the Matterley Bowl just outside Winchester through to Eastbourne Sports Park for a finish lap around the track.The time limit is 30 hours with interim cut-offs at each of the 12 aid stations. There are another 9 points where our crews could meet us as well. There is 3800m (12700ft) of elevation which is a bit of a contrast to last month’s Thames Path (with 650m or 1900ft). Apologies for mixing standards but it’s a 100 mile race so I have used some “old money” references to distances, however I work mostly in metric for my races so there are also some kilometre mentions too.
Race report:
We parked in our campervan at the starting location, the picturesque Matterley Bowl just outside of Winchester on Friday afternoon. There were several reasons behind the decision to do that, rather than turn up on Saturday morning even though we live about 30 minutes away, which mainly centred on reducing my stress levels. Getting there early meant that I could register, relax and hopefully get a good night’s sleep ahead of the early start (spoiler: that didn’t happen). The race was in two waves with the faster of the 532 runners setting off at 5.30am and my wave at 6.30am (I know my place!)
It was a lovely afternoon and great to share some of the atmosphere as well as grab an ice cream which I labelled as carb loading. In addition to being part of the Centurion Grand Slam of 100 milers, the race is now part of the Gran Canaria World Trail Majors (https://worldtrailmajors.com/) which meant there was some more live streaming coverage and interviews with the elite runners. There was a lovely buzz around the event village but all too soon it was time to head off to bed. Unfortunately my back rebelled against the van bed,and I was trying to find a pose to relax it most of the night while Caroline was snoring her head off, but gave up when the early risers joined the dawn chorus with their chatter. I had to be up at 5am anyway to take my meds in order to make sure they hit the spot before the start.
After the Thames Path, where I’d had an overnight wobble due to underfuelling, we’d had a think about my race nutrition and added fruit pouches to the mix (having tested a few to make sure). So the fuelling plan was to have tailwind in my bottles topped up every 10 miles or so (depending on aid stations/crew checkpoints) with giant skittles and fruit pouches to up the calorie content. I would also grab some fruit from the aid stations too – which was a shame as there was so much more on offer at them provided by the unstinting volunteers but I had to keep the digestion moving without protein so the meds would not be hindered. I’d also been to the GP to try and sort out my undercarriage as it had also been quite a hindrance for the Thames Path. So far it seemed to be behaving itself so I crossed my fingers and hoped it would stay that way. The training between the Thames Path and South Downs hadn’t been ideal. My feet and achilles were swollen and painful so I had to take a week off, then after some shorter runs I tried a 20km “out and back” towards Cocking but the achilles hurt again so I’d let them cool off for another week. I was praying that they lasted the distance this time around.
The weather forecast the previous day had been “interesting” (see below) but on the day we only had a bit of a shower which didn’t cool the underlying warmth
As our wave was massing we were treated to the first wave running past as they completed their loops around the Matterley Estate before heading off onto the South Downs Way.
The race briefing from James passed in a blur and all too soon we started and headed off uphill to spiral our way around the bowl. It was mainly single track with the odd passing space but we all seemed to have the same plan – walk the uphills, and jog the rest. There was some good chatter amongst the familiar faces which helped settle the early nerves, and I found that my descending “skills” – i.e. no brakes and fast feet – were working well.
After leaving Matterley, the trail is quite fast and easy going on the way to the first checkpoint at Beacon Hill Beeches (11.4 miles). I was aiming for a finish time of around 27 hours and our early pace was giving an ETA of about 20! However, I had planned to get to Queen Elizabeth Country Park (QECP) as soon as possible before the heat of the day would sap my speed. As with the Thames Path, Shelagh and I planned to do the first half together – she’s great at overcoming the apathy that I suffer with and gets me to jog and run a lot more than I would normally. She had really suffered from blisters on the Thames Path and we hoped her strategy for this race would pay dividends.
At the checkpoint I said a quick hello to Claire who I’d known since a long overnight stint on an aid station on the Thames a few years ago, but it was a bit manic as always at that point due to the number of runners arriving at once to top up bottles and grab food as we set off to QECP.
The views as we dropped towards Exton were stunning, and then it was a wriggly path through the trees before getting back onto the clear track. I stumbled on a root and as Shelagh started to comment she tripped over the same root!
As we bimbled along with the skies clearing and the temperature rising we chatted with Sam and Becky. If things went to plan it would be their first 100 mile finish so I imparted my usual wisdom about not going too fast in the heat of the day – whilst fully aware that we were going faster than I felt would be ideal! We also discussed miles vs kilometers in long races – I work in kilometers as they go past quicker. I also use Parkruns units because I can gauge how much time the remaining distance is going to take based on my easy pace around QE Parkrun. Look, it helps those long hours go by, ok? As usual with long races, we would share more parts of the trail with Sam and Becky as the day progressed.
It’s a steep 150 metre climb up Old Winchester Hill before doing a slight dog-leg past the coffee van (who gave Shelagh a cereal bar on the proviso that she finished the race) and then descending to Meon Springs where there was a handy toilet. Not so handy if you leave your poles behind…
After retrieving them from over the toilet door (thanks to the gent that took up residence after me) we headed off up to the ridge that leads from the Sustainability Centre along to Butser Hill. It’s part of my usual training runs, which leads me onto my feelings about the South Downs Way: It is a beautiful route with spectacular views, but I didn’t like it as much as some. I think it was because I live nearby (familiarity breeding contempt?) and also because the going underfoot is rock hard. And often with hard rocks – and I have the scars on my knee to prove it. However for this race I’d changed my shoes to a pair of Salomon Ultraglide 3s and they have changed my opinion to actually liking the route. The extra cushioning saved my feet from the usual beating they suffer when traversing that chalk and flint terrrain.
As we neared QECP realised I’d forgotten my 11am meds but thought I’d take them shortly – and then promptly forgot.
As we passed the Round House at Butser there was Nigel from the tri club waiting at one of the gates. It was great to say hello before heading off down the hill.
As we descended Butser Hill I overtook a few runners. Thanks to years of mountain marathons I was confident to take the brakes off and let gravity do the work. Free speed took me down the hill in no time to QECP aid station (23.4 miles – 5:28:06 477th) where Caroline and my daughter Hannah were waiting with some fresh bottles, and a wet cloth for my neck – although Caroline didn’t appreciate being given my dripping wet t-shirt that I’d swapped for a vest top. Hannah was on her lunch break which consisted of cake (obviously a chip off the old block!). At QE there was an option to bypass the aid station which meant I missed out on salted watermelon (must try that at some point) and Laure’s fantastic care. Budgie and Paula, my two pacers who were going to meet me after halfway were also waiting beside the aid station and it was great to see that they were both on top form – something to look forward to later! Budgie had cycled up to QECP and as he cycled through the park he bumped into Shelagh. She didn’t recognise him in his bike helmet and glasses, and Budgie in his usual inimitable style effusively greeted and hugged her. At which point she asked “who are you?”
I needed the loo again and as I jogged into the QECP carpark I bumped into another triathlete, Jo who was going to be popping up a few times to cheer me on. As I rejoined the route, I met up with Shelagh again and we headed off up through the trees to head East out of the park, but not before bumping into yet more triathletes, Suzanne and Mark on their bikes. It was quite a morale boost to see everyone and I’m grateful for all the support I get from the club. I finally remembered my meds about an hour late, but luckily the descent of Butser Hill had reduced the dopamine demand so it worked out ok in the end.
The trail from QECP to Harting Down is a bit of a grind. There is a lot of road, and the bits of track are lumpy and dusty in the heat. We went through the aid station at South Harting (28 miles 2:22:37 476th) quite quickly (many thanks for that squash and coke) and I was grateful to get onto the grassy paths that run along the ridge.
As we approached the cafe Jo popped up again for another sweaty hug (glutton for punishment) and we headed into the field with the aid station where Caroline was also waiting (Cocking Aid station 36.6 miles 8:48:27 459th). The day was getting hotter so it was time to slow the pace to avoid overheating on the way to the next aid station at Houghton Farm. It’s a long hot climb up out of Cocking but the trail does pass through some woods near Graffham Down for a break from the sun. We were running with Sam and Becky again, and Becky was asking me about some of the non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s and how to manage them because her dad has it too. We then emerged into the heat for the descent to the cafe at Littleton Farm where Jo was waiting again. After grabbing a hatful of cold water from the tap it was across the A285 and up the hill towards the radio masts at Glatting Beacon. On the way I got chatting to an Icelandic runner who had lived at Burgess Hill until he was one. Liz (yes, another member of the tri club) was waiting for me at the Beacon. Shelagh remarked that it was like running with a celebrity – if only! After passing over Bignor Hill it was the stony descent to Houghton Farm (45 miles 11:35:38 453rd) where I’d taken a big tumble on a training run last year (one of the knee scars to remind me). Again, I grabbed some fruit and a cup of coke while studiously ignoring the rest of the food – unfortunately the meds had to come first.
Caroline was waiting for me with a frozen smoothie. She’d had a quick snooze and didn’t have time for my requested ice cream so had put a fruit pouch in the van icebox – and I think that was the better option! After a quick loo stop in the van I headed off to catch up with Shelagh, but just after crossing over the Arun, Jo popped up again for the final time and last sweaty hug before I headed off up to Rackham Hill.
Just after that was the halfway crew point at Kithurst Hill and this was where I was due to meet Paula, who was going to pace me for the next 20 miles. As we jogged towards the car park, I could see something on the path…and then I just burst out laughing.
After topping up quickly we headed off towards the main “half way” aid station at Washington (55 miles 13:37:09 426th). Shelagh picked up her pacer too, and we headed off separately for the rest of the race. We’ve crammed in a lot of races together since a random chat on the South Downs Way 50 back in April 2023 started a great friendship.
The run route departed from the SDW at this point so we could descend to the village hall. As we crossed on the bridge over the A24 Paula stopped but none of the cars below tooted her. We told other runners as we went past them that they were obviously hallucinating about the cracker. I didn’t need to go into the aid station as we met Caroline outside. I swapped my vest for a t-shirt and picked up my headtorches while Paula ditched her fancy dress. We then had the steep climb for nearly 200 metres height gain up to the picturesque Chanctonbury Hill, where I successfully failed to take a photograph, mainly because I was moving well. Paula’s assessment was that I was bombing it. I just felt really good considering we were over 50 miles into the race.
From the ridge we again descended to the next checkpoint at Botolphs (60.9 miles 15:35:06 375th out of 462 ), where we would then cross the River Adur and the A283. The aid station was in a field rather than in the layby and seemed better for it. As I grabbed some fruit and a cup of coke I stopped to put a compeed on a blister on the side of my big toe. It was niggling but wasn’t on the main pressure point so didn’t impact on my progress.
As we crossed over the Adur the air was full of wildlife so my protein avoidance strategy didn’t quite go to plan as it was impossible to avoid swallowing some.
We safely crossed both the river and the main road and headed up towards Truleigh Hill. The YHA at the top is usually an aid station for other races but was closed for the night as we passed by. The ridge undulates for about 4km as it heads towards Devils Dyke where Caroline was waiting. I’d wanted something to clear my mouth of the endless sugary snacks that I’d been shoving in for over 12 hours and she managed to find what I requested – which turned out to be the largest bottle of ginger beer possible!
Heading down the hills towards Saddlescombe Farm we passed a runner sitting beside the path fast asleep. His pacer said he was ok but it was only about 11pm so we didn’t rate his chances of finishing too highly if he was struggling to stay awake so early. As a complete contrast, I was wide awake – mainly thanks to Paula who didn’t flag at all while keeping the banter level top notch.
At Saddlescombe Farm aid station (66.6 miles 17:04:50 352nd) there was the usual array of chairs which I try to avoid but I did stuff my face with fruit and nipped to the loo. My pee was an interestingly dark shade so I made a note to increase the fluids. I think it was the amount of sweat that had caused it rather than lack of intake and at least I actually needed a pee.
After the aid station it was again uphill (notice the recurring pattern) before dropping down to Pyecombe to cross the A23. We then skirted the golf club as we climbed to meet Caroline and Budgie near the Jack and Jill windmills where my pacers would swap for the final 30 miles.
The ridge from the windmills goes past Ditchling Beacon and is quite runnable. Last time I’d been feeling a bit low so had plodded along but this time I was, in Budgie’s words, “quite bouncy”. The revised fuelling strategy had obviously paid dividends and my legs were not just doing the ultra shuffle but actually running properly. I did slow down on some of the rougher or slippier descents as I had no desire to take a tumble so far into the race. Shortly before Blackcap the SDW turns south and after a wiggle through the trees at Bunkershill drops steeply down to the 9th aid station in a barn at Housedean Farm (76.6 miles). While I grabbed a drink, Budgie had a marmite sandwich made for him by the volunteers and then we headed off southwards again over the A27.
It is a long curving climb from Housedean and we could see the headtorches strung out in front of us, and our pace meant that we kept reeling them in. Not that I was being competitive but every light in front of me became a target – and it’s been a long time since I had that feeling (or ability) in a race! We could hear the dawn chorus winding up into full swing as we headed South East along the ridge.
After curving round Swanborough Hill the SDW becomes a concrete track – “the yellow brick road” – for about 1.5km and for the first time ever, I ran the entire length of it. After a steep grassy descent we turned East again along “the worst farm track ever” and then crossed over the River Ouse and the railway bridge to arrive at Southease aid station (84 miles 21:41:52 281st) where I’d been a volunteer for the previous two races.
The sun was ascending into a clear sky as we met Caroline up at Firle Beacon. Unfortunately Budgie had to retire from the field at this point. He’d rolled his ankle a while ago but it was now swelling up and was impossible to run on. He’d done a sterling job and made sure that I didn’t slack off (as I’m wont to do on long runs).
I was determined to keep the level up and the last 14 miles went better than I dared hope. I was power hiking with my poles on the uphills and jogging the flats and properly running the downhills.
It was turning into a stunning sunrise
There were a lot of shuffling runners who I shot past on my way down into Alfriston and the penultimate aid station (91.6 miles 23:35:34 257th). I stopped briefly in the old chapel to top up my bottle then back out and over Windover Hill. As I left the aid station I passed one of the live stream cameras. I’d completely forgotten it was there otherwise I would have skipped down the path.
The descent into Jevington is a bit chossy, so the poles were occasionally deployed as I was fully focussed on making it to the finish without tripping up for the first time in years on a long run.
It was great to see Amanda and Geoff at the Jevington aid station (95.7 miles). Amanda is one big bundle of positivity and they gave me a massive boost for the final leg into Eastbourne. The last climb out of Jevington heads up Bourne Hill to the trig point overlooking the finish.
After turning left the path descends a narrow gulley then becomes a runnable path before hitting the streets of Eastbourne. I was still targeting anyone in front of me and pushed on as I overtook someone on King’s Drive, the final road before the finish.
The run in towards the sports ground is along a tarmac path for about ¾ of a kilometer and as I neared the sports ground I allowed myself to walk for a minute as I wanted to make sure I could run for the full lap of the track at the end. Just as I was approaching the turn to go into the sports ground I looked round to see someone running up behind me.
Nope! Not happening! So I put the pedal to the metal and ran into the sports ground and round the track to cross the line in 25 hours 28 minutes and 59 seconds, finishing 232nd.
Shelagh crossed the line in 28:43:27 taking over an hour off her previus finish. Sam and Becky got their finsher buckles too (with some emotional scenes at the finish for Sam).
The race went better than my wildest expectations. My pacers helped so much to maintain the momentum and Caroline kept me well fuelled. The weather was kind, my stomach behaved itself and the revised fuelling strategy worked well – so well I ran a negative split for the second half of the race. It was great to see so many of the triathlon club tribe around QE park, especially Jo popping up randomly for miles! A big thanks to all the volunteers who were so helpful all night long – especially those with the coke jugs aiming for the cup in my shaking hand…
Another contrast to the Thames Path was my recovery. After the Thames my ankles and achilles were swollen and painful for days whereas this time I could manage to run up and down stairs the next day (Budgie’s ankle has also recovered well after a week of ice).
Apparently the best way for me to train for a hilly 100 mile race is a flat 100 mile race a month beforehand. Who knew?
That’s two out of the five 100 milers completed with what could be the hardest one coming up next – the North Downs Way 100 on 9th August.