If you would like to register, click here.
The South Downs National Park, although only designated a National Park in 2010, has been enjoyed by walkers and cyclists for decades. Our route starts in the market town of Arundel and follows 100km of the famously scenic South Downs Way. We trek over rolling hills and high ridges dotted with long barrows and ancient earthworks, often accompanied by magnificent vistas down to the sea. We tackle stiff climbs and descents before our spectacular final stretch over the famous white chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters, finishing on the highest chalk sea cliff in England – the beautiful headland of Beachy Head, near Eastbourne.
This is an extreme event over rolling downs and cliffs; at 100km, it forms an enormous challenge for walkers as it is a continuous trek through day and night.
The walk itself is being managed by the renowned fundraising group, Discover Adventure. All participants will pay a registration fee of £80 and commit to raising at least £200 in sponsorship for the Dame Vera Lynn Trust. Your registration fee will give you the security of experienced officials along the way including light snacks and regular water stations along with medical back-up if those blisters prove to be a problem.
Guide Itinerary:
Starting in the historic market town of Arundel. We follow the River Arun upstream, through an area of wetlands. Turning east at Amberley we face our first steep climb up onto the Downs. Near Washington we descend briefly, only to have to climb up again to Chanctonbury Ring (242m). Crossing the River Adur we then climb steeply up the other side, onto the top of the downs again and head for our halfway point, and highest point of the day, Ditchling Beacon (248m).
We continue to the west side of Lewes and head towards the Downs. We then skirt round the pretty village of Rodmell, descending to cross the River Ouse. We climb up high again, steeply at first and then more gradually to Beddingham Hill and its twin radio masts. The land drops away steeply inland to form deep combes; the views are very picturesque and you can soak them up as you stop to catch your breath! On we go to Firle Beacon which gives us a fine vantage point of the route ahead. We have a chance to eat and rest again before continuing to Alfriston, one more hill stands in-between us and the village itself – Bostal Hill.
In Alfriston we take the route south and follow the Cuckmere River all the way to the spectacular chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters taking in Birling Gap before our final destination at Beachy Head.
To register your interest and take part in this challenge please follow the link here.
