EXTREME RUNNING

London to Brighton Course

Stage 1:

The race begins at 6am on Blackheath, overlooking Greenwich, the River Thames, the City of London and Canary Wharf. After making your way across Blackheath heading South this part of the run, inevitably, has some road work. Running out towards Bromley, Common, you pass farmland for the first time as you approach Hayes. Going down out of this part of North Kent, you will stay by the road until you reach Keston Common. It is just about 9.5 miles to the check-point here just before you commence proper off-road/trail running.

Stage 2:

From Keston you pass along trails towards the famous airport at Biggin Hill - forever remembered for its incumbents' heroics in the second world war. There is a slightly hilly section here, there is no use pretending otherwise (some runs would call it undulating), on the Surrey Downs as you go down towards the M25 as this becomes proper, cross-country, trail running. However, the views are worth it because unless the weather is particularly bad, you will be able to see the South Downs, close to the finish, in the distance. You can see and hear the London Orbital Motorway (the M25) just in front of you at this point but should be thoroughly enjoying the views, flora and fauna that greet you on the trail. This part of Surrey, so close to London, is remarkably quiet and you will be met by only a few walkers and farmers. Crossing the motorway and the old London orbital road you head through woodland to The Chart and down to Guildables - our second drinks station and checkpoint at about 18.5 miles.This must be reached in less than 4hrs to be allowed to carry on.

Stage 3:

Moving on from Chart southwards, the land drops away to your right as you leave the North Downs behind. You can be assured now that not only have you truly left London far behind but will have almost made half way by the next checkpoint. Continuing over the River Eden, past the quaintly named Dormansland you go up and over one of the last significant hills before Ditchling Beacon (more of this later) with aircraft passing over you as they prepare to land at Gatwick Airport to the West. There is a nice wide track on a long and comfortable downhill section to the third checkpoint on the road in the car park at Forest Row at just over 30 miles. You must reach this checkpoint by 6 hours 45 minutes from the start time to be able to continue.

Stage 4:

This part of the run starts on quiet road as it goes across the A264 trunk road and down past the Weir Wood Reservoir and into the beautiful Ashdown Forest. The tracks through the woods are criss-crossed with paths so use your compass carefully here to avoid getting lost. Gradually heading South-West, this ultra-run takes you through quite beautiful country (our favourite part of the route), on track over bridge and ford to the next stop/station at Horsted Keynes. You are more likely to meet fellow travellers on horse-back on this section than foot - so don't startle them with your agressive pace. This is check-point four at just over 36.5 miles and you have to reach this point by a generous 8 and a half hours from the start or you will have to withdraw from this ultra event.

Stage 5:

Crossing through the village, you go on easy track again until you reach Town Place and pass through fine farmland and from there over the Bluebell (steam) Railway of the Low Weald. This is flat country, but rich in pasture and hedgerows, as you steadily progress over tracks closer to the Downs in front of you. From Chailey Common you have fairly easy map reading to the last checkpoint near to East Chiltington and this would be, but for the distance you have travelled, the easiest part of the course. Looking ahead on this part, you can see the physical and mental barrier that is the South Downs, your last real challenge before reaching the sea. This, the last stop is about 46miles from Greenwich and must be reached in 10 hours 45 minutes after the start to continue.

Stage 6:

With just over 10 miles to the finish, yes that is Ditchling Beacon in front of you (to the right) - it's the slight hump above the other hills to the South-West. You make your way along over the railway and through the woods to Allington Farm, crossing (by permission on race day only) to Blackcap. At the top, take some time to look back towards the North Downs and beyond and try to trace your route. Look forward and you will see that it is (almost) all downhill to the sea. Running across to Falmer, close to Sussex University, you climb slightly up to Brighton race course and from there down to the sea front, The run ends on the beach in Madeira Drive on the Eastern edge of the White Air Extreme Sports festival. See you there after just over 56 miles which must be reached by 7pm.

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