On the weekend of the 14th-15th June 2025 the seventh stop of the 2025 World Trail Majors Series brings together some of Britain’s best talent to face European and World opposition.
Stand-out names in British racing such as Julia Davis, Mark Darbyshire, Robbie Simpson, Lucy Gossage and Georgie Bruinvels are going to face up against world class competition from the likes of Claire Bannwarth, Tiago Vieira, Eduard Hernandez, Imogen Ainsworth and many more.
Add to this the countless up and coming talents and other well known runners in the extensive previews on the Centurion website and a level of live coverage not often seen at British events and it really is shaping up to be one of the biggest weekends in British ultra-running.
Could this be the year we see the longstanding course records of 14:03 and 16:49 come under attack in the 100 miler? Just how fast will sub 2:15 and sub 2:40 marathoners run the 50k course to set a fresh mark?
Photo: Centurion Running
The Events
The 100 mile event features 13,000 feet of climb and descent, traversing the South Downs Way National Trail from Winchester in the west to Eastbourne at the far eastern end of the National Park. Runners have 30 hours to complete the route. With twelve check points along the way, a marked course, drop bags at 54 and 76 miles as well as crew and pacers, this is the perfect opportunity for runners looking to take their first step into the world of 100 milers, or for those looking to run fast.
The 50km course starts at the natural amphitheatre of Matterley Bowl before exiting on the South Downs Way National Trail. The course features 3000ft of climb, but every inch of it fast and runnable for the leaders.
The sting is very much in the tail here as right before the turn to the finish, runners must first descend the side of and then climb back up Butser Hill before the fastest descent ever down the hill into the finish at Queen Elizabeth Country Park.
Photo: Centurion Running
Historic racing on a historic trail
Established in 2010, The South Downs are the UK’s newest National Park and runners are treated to one of the jewels of Southern England. But the history of the South Downs Way goes back very much farther.
Humans have been using the tracks that have been linked to form today’s SDW trail for over 8000 years, as its elevation made it a safer and drier route than the wetter lowlands.
The trail is dotted with Iron Age forts such as Old Winchester Hill and Cissbury Ring. Ditchling Beacon, mile 72 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 100 is the third generation of point to point racing on the South Downs Way. One of 16 National Trails across the UK, the SDW was the fifth to be established in 1972. Originally starting in Buriton, the SDW was 80 miles long and between 1983 and 1997, the South Downs 80 was held over 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. After the hiatus from the South Downs 80, the SDW100 was established in 2012 after two years running in the opposite direction and has remained one of the most important races on the UK calendar since.
How to follow the 2025 South Downs Way 100 & 50km
The event can be followed on streaming as well as on social media and live tracking. Once again the team will attempt to provide extensive live action and commentary on the day with Robbie Britton and Lowri Morgan presenting.
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Source: fastrunning.com