11 Mar 24 by James Elson

Hundred Hills 50km 2024 Preview

The 2024 season opener is upon us. The second edition of our Hundred Hills 50km kicks off this Saturday 16th March from 0900. As usual you can follow the race live via the website here - both the timing and tracking pages will be updated in due course. 

We welcome a record field of 500 to Stonor Park for this years' event, which many are hoping will be a little bit drier both overhead and underfoot vs the 2023 event where let's just say things got a bit slippery. 

On to the likely contenders for the top spots in both the womens and mens fields.

WOMEN

Sophie Biggs: Winner of our Chiltern Wonderland 50 in 2022 a year in which she also finished on the podium at the North Downs Way 50. In 2023 she raced ten ultras, eight of them in the UK and finished in the top five in all of them, only slipping outside of that at this event last March where she was sixth.

Sophie Biggs

Rachel Lindley: Fourth at our Wendover Woods Night 50km in 2023, in 2022 Rachel ran our 50 mile Slam and finished in the top six in all four events, including a podium at Chiltern Wonderland 50.

Rachel Lindley

Anna Klucnika: Twice ran under 3 hours for the Marathon last year, at both Chester and Manchester, as well as recording an 81 minute half at Cambridge, making her likely the fastest road runner in the field. It looks like she has just one 50km to her name up at Yorkshire Wolds, a race which she won and in fact beat all of the mens field too.

Victoria Henderson: Fifth at the Winter Downs 200 in December, Victoria goes to the other end of our distance range here! She has previously won the Testway Ultra, finished fifth at Wendover Woods Night 50km and eighth at the Autumn 100. 

In the hunt for top ten: Rebecca Ash, Catherine Hicks.

 

MEN

Centurion Head Coach and Team Runner Robbie Britton is back at a Centurion event for the first time since his win at the South Downs Way 100 in 2013. Prior to that he won our first ever event, the North Downs Way 100 in 2011 and finished second to Craig Holgate at the inaugural TP100, which earned him an England vest from which he has gone on to much international glory. Robbie is probably best known for being the British Mens 24hr Record holder - 277km which he ran in Turin early last year, but his range is what really sets him apart. He has won races all the way from 5km up to 24 hours and has the ability to race well on any surface. With plenty of trail and mountain in his regular racing and training as well as road and track. His 2:57 50km in 2022 makes him the fastest over this distance in the field. 2024 is off to a good start, with a win at the Anderson Trail 46km over a field of 250 at the end of February in Italy, which he now calls home.

Robbie Britton

Mark Darbyshire is another member of the Centurion Ultra Team and is without doubt at the very top of both his game, and the sport in the UK. His most recent outing saw him set another course record at the Arc of Attrition, winning the race by well over an hour in 18:51. He holds the course record at Lakeland 100, the North Downs Way 100 and the 13 Valleys Ultra. But he also dominates at shorter ultras too. Course record holder at Lakes Traverse and the Arc 50 he has won plenty of trail ultras in the marathon to 40 mile range in recent years too. 

Mark Darbyshire on route to another Arc of Attrition win (Photo: David Miller Photography)

Jacob James: Living just a few miles from Centurion HQ in Hertforshire, local speedster Jacob James has picked up plenty of wins, podiums and top tens at events ranging from 5km to 50 miles over the last few years. He has started 2024 well, with a third at the North Downs Ridge 50km. In 2023 he repeated that result, was third at Hurtwood 50km and second at the Maverick Chilterns X ultra on similar ground to this event. Second at the 2022 Chiltern Wonderland 50 has been his best Centurion result.

Kallum Pritchard: A man with real pace over shorter ultras. Winner of Country to Capital this year in 5:01, he also ran a sub 3 hour marathon around Wendover Woods in November 2023 to record a win there. Previous Robin Hood 100 mile champion.

Mark Potts: Possibly too short for Mark by around 200 miles. Mark has had a 6th, 5th and 8th in the last three editions of the Spine Race which is incredibly consistency especially there. He has also had Top 5 finishes at Lakes Traverse, Northern Traverse, Summer Spine, Hardwolds 80 and won the Spine Challenger.

In the hunt for top ten: Centurion Coach Jamie Pugh, David Hanna, Adam Lucas-Lucas, James Whetman, Joachim Hassel, Jason Leaf, Ben Hall, Thomas Wright.

7 Dec 23 by James Elson

Winter Downs 200 2023 Preview

We are extremely excited to kick off the inaugural edition of the Winter Downs 200 - our first ever 200 miler - next Wednesday 13th December. After 13 years, 55 x 100 milers, 38 x 50 milers and a dozen or so additional events, this is new ground for us and it feels like an exciting new step forward. 

The journey the participants will undertake is a 200 mile circuit of the North and South Downs, linked together by the Vanguard Way in the east, and the Wayfarers Walk and St. Swithuns Way in the west. The ciruit on the map looks either intimidatingly huge, or an incredible opportunity to traverse the best of Southern England - depending on your vantage point!

A sell out field of 100 runners will toe the line at this first edition. All applications were individually vetted for experience with minimum standards including 100 mile race finishes and/ or winter & mountain experience so the line up is full of some of the most experienced runners from our events but from further afield too. But as we turn to look at what could happen at the sharp end of the fields out on course, those who have gone beyond 100 before  (especially in winter) and know how to manage the multi-day impacts of sleep deprivation, fueling, long sections without support, navigation and 16+ hours of darkness each day - are the ones to keep an eye on as the race moves into the latter stages.

21 women are amongst the 100 starters which is a higher proportion of female entrants than at events such as the NDW100, which whilst low is still notable and excellent to see. 

But above all of this it is important to note that runners are allowed to run crewed, partially crewed or unsupported. That is entirely their choice. There are no separate categories but of course, those who choose to have a crew will have a very significant advantage in terms of options on changing clothes, nutrition & hydration needs and getting rest too. Only 20% of the field are choosing to run uncrewed and from what we know all of the potential front runners have support. 

Before we have a look at the likely overall contenders in both the womens and mens fields, there are one or two special cases we need to mention....

Live tracking for the race is available from 0800 Wednesday 13th December via the tracking page here

We will also be covering the race with regular video highlights so stay tuned to our instagram and YouTube Channels for more. 

LEGENDS

Not a term to be thrown around lightly in this sport but there are two athletes we need to draw attention to. 

Ian Maddieson: At the age of 81, Ian becomes the oldest person ever to toe the line at one of our in person events. This year, he finished the Jackpot 100 in 37:15 and then went on to cover 241km in 72 hours at the Six Days in the Dome event in the US. British by birth, Ian lives out in New Mexico and during his extended stay in the US clocked up no less than 15 finishes at Western States amongst well over 150 other ultras including scores of 100 milers. 

John Fanshawe: At 77 John is the second oldest runner in the field. He is however, much like Ken Fancett a few years his junior, a world class runner. He is the current V75 12hr, 24hr (180km) and 100 mile World Record holder with a time of 20:33. He is running internationally in his age group at the marathon distance clocking a 3:55 in 2022.

John Fanshawe (Photo c/o Stuart March)

WOMEN

Edwina Sutton: ******Edit 10/12/23 Eddie has withdrawn from the start list for 2023***** Eddie Sutton first came on to the Centurion scene back in 2013 when she had her first tilt at the South Downs Way 50. A career in Iron distance triathlon had preceded that, and she quickly became part of both our Ultra Team and our Coaching Team - roles which she still holds today! Although that first race didn't end well, she came back the following year and ran 7:09 on the course for a win and a course record that would stand for a long time. After some time out around the birth of her third child Evie, Eddie came back to win the Chiltern Wonderland 50 and finish second in the British 100km Champs in 2016. Since then she has raced a variety of distances and formats, running her first 100 at the Autumn 100 in 2019 where she finished second. Earlier this year, she ran the Spine Race and finished third in a time 125 hours, adding substantially to her resume in the process.

Edwina Sutton on Cross Fell (Photo: James Elson)

Laura Swanton-Rouvelin: Laura is one of the more experienced winter and long distance racers in the field, but coupled with her speed and success over a variety of distances will mean she will be one to watch here. She began with us in 2017, finishing third at the NDW100, before running the Grand Slam of 100s in 2018 - where she finished on the podium at all four, including a win at the fourth and final race - the Autumn 100. In 2019 she won the Arc of Attrition. In 2020 she placed second there in another fine run. Meanwhile she picked up a course record at Chiltern Wonderland and won the Ridgeway Challenge. More recently she has gone longer. With a fourth place at the Winter Spine in 2022, followed up with a second at this years Summer Spine and top ten finishes at races like Lakeland 100 and the West Highland Way Race along the way.

Laura Swanton-Rouvelin on route to her CW50 course record (Photo c/o Stuart March)

Ally Whitlock: Ally's ultra career began with the NDW50 in 2017 and since then she has gone on to steadily improve at a range of distances over time with some super results. More recently she has raced on different terrain and run winter events with success too. Fourth at the SDW50 and SDW100 in 2021, she was then fifth at the TP100 in 2022 before running her best result to date, a second at the Autumn 100 in 18:27. This year she finished third at Wendover Woods 100 and had top ten finishes at both Arc 50 and the Summer Spine Sprint distance.

Rebecca Lane: Another Grand Slam 100 mile finisher, in 2019, Rebecca has a raft of wins and podiums at long distance events, some of which will stand her in very good stead here in terms of both course knowledge but also conditions and terrain. Stand out performances include third at the SDW100, a win at the Chiltern Way Ultra (214km) in 38 hours and third at Winter Spine Challenger in 40 hours in 2020.

Sarah Place: Sarah has built up her resume from 50-100km in 2017 (her best finish with us was an eighth at the SDW50 in 8:44) , through her 100 mile debut at the TP100 in 2018 and on to more recent finishes at the next level of events in terms of difficulty including UTMB, Arc of Attrition and Madeira Island Ultra Trail. 

Danielle Harris: Danielle ran our Grand Slam of 100s last year, nipping under 24 hours in all of them with the exception of the NDW100 and postin gtwo top ten finishes along the way. This year she's already finished two of the tougher 100 milers out there, the Arc of Attrition and Wendover Woods 100. Livlng locally to the course, her knowledge of the route and past race experience will set her up well.

Sophie Bennett: Sophie finished her first 100 miler at Wendover Woods 100 this summer, alongside Danielle - a very impressive debut. Then went on to a fifth place at UTMR - Mischabel 100km in September. Last year she came home twelfth at the Dragons Back too.  

Sophie Bennett and Danielle Harris finishing Wendover Woods 100 in July (Photo c/o Pierre Papet)

MEN

Mark Darbyshire: *****Edit 10th December - Mark has withdrawn from the race with a positive covid test this morning***** Our Centurion Ultra Team man is at the top of the tree when it comes to UK 100 mile racing. After several solid runs at the Beacons Ultra he burst onto the longer scene at the NDW100 in 2019 where he ran home for a huge win and course record that still stands - 15:19. In 2021 he shattered the seemingly untouchable Lakeland 100 course record by 40 minutes, winning the race in 19:10. He also won several other races that year including UTS100km. In 2022 he then took the Arc of Attrition record down to 19:12, a time that still stands 45 minutes faster than anyone elses. Third at Penyagolosa. 19th at UTMB where things went wrong (!!!) and second at Ultra Trail Atlas Toubkal all followed amongst a raft of shorter race wins and podiums. This year he ran home for an Arc 50 record to kick start the year. Then won the Lakes Traverse and then took the win at the inaugural 13 Valleys 180km race around the Lake District by a mere 7 hours.

Mark Darbyshire (Photo c/o: Steve Ashworth Media)

Ry Webb: Ry has been around Centurion events since the very beginning, he ran the inaugural NDW50 in 2011! Since then he's done a host of different events around the world but always seems to come back to include one or two of our events each year, along the way. He joined our team and our coaching team a few years ago and promptly went and won the NDW50 in a course record time (since broken by a tiny margin this year). That followed years where he ran the 50 mile Slam, landing on the podium at all four events. Ran a 100 mile PB at our Track 100 of 13:24. And won the competitive Lakes in a Day ultra. As he stepped up onto the international scene he's had some great results but none better than his fourth place at Leadville Trail 100 this past summer. 

Ry Webb (Photo: Steve Ashworth Media)

Sam Skinner: Sam has had a great 2023 with an eighth at the Arc Of Attrition and a fifth at Lakeland 100, both in the 22-23 hour range. Prior to that he took fourth at the Dragons Back 2022, second at Race to the King and third at Race Across Snowdonia amonst many other solid finishes. 

Nicholas Smith: Had an oustanding run recently at the Self Transcendence 24hr in Battersea where he set a new 100 mile PB of 14:06, stopping there rather than pushing on for the full 24. That followed a second at WW50 in the summer and a sixth at the NDW50 in May. In 2020 he won the Robin Hood 100 in 17:23. 

Sebastian Betouret: Our 2021 Wendover Woods 100 Champion. Seb has done a lot over the years and specialises especially of late, in doing the very toughest of races out there. He finished PicAPica this summer - the race with possibly the steepest profile of any 100km+ ultra (aside perhaps Barkley), and then backed that up with a run out at a 24hr track race! In the past he's done well at some of the biggest races including Grand Raid Reunion, Tor Des Geants and UTS100 amongst many many others. Picking up good results at shorter races along the way too. Just two weeks ago he was second at Copthorne 100km around Box Hill.

Fumiaki Imamura: A prolific racer, Fumiaki has so far in 2023 clocked up at least 9 ultra finishes including wins at Stort 30 and Essex 100 mile. But has also gained experience in the super long, finishing Northern Traverse and UTS 100 mile too. 

James White: James was 16th at the Winter Spine Race in 2023, in a time of 117 hours. In 2022 he was 9th at the Autumn 100 in 17:09 and has previously finished well at both Tor Des Geants and Swiss Peaks 360. He has more experience than most in the 200 mile+ arena.

David Pryce: David ran our inaugural SDW100 in 2012. Since then he has come and gone from regular racing but somehow always seems to be able to turn out great results. Some may remember he even won the Piece of String Fun Run back in the day! In 2023 he has already won the Devon Coast Coast Ultra over 112 miles. Last year he had a solid run out at Autumn 100 with an 18:30 finish. Prior to that he won the Chiltern Way ultra (214km) twice and even ran home second at the Thames Path 100 in a 100 mile PB of 16:56 back in 2014.

Once again:

Live tracking for the race is available from 0800 Wednesday 13th December via the tracking page here

We will also be covering the race with regular video highlights so stay tuned to our instagram and YouTube Channels for more.  

Good to luck to all of our runners!

10 Oct 23 by James Elson

Autumn 100 2023 Race Preview

This is the twelfth edition of what is arguably our fastest trail 100, and possibly the fastest in the land. Four, 25 mile out and backs utilising both the Ridgeway and Thames Path National Trails make this a super race for runners and volunteers to enjoy together, with the camaraderie and community feel at the heart of this low key, end of season celebration.

Within the field of 250 runners, 18 are hoping to complete their 100 mile Grand Slam, the current standings are here. But one even more special achievement is in the offing, with Ken Fancett looking to complete his tenth Grand Slam, 42nd 100 mile race with us, his 61st all time Centurion event and 100th liftetime 100 mile race finish. You can listen to a podcast with Ken discussing his career from just last week, here

Ken Fancett

Here's a quick look at the likley leading contenders for the overall positions on the day.

WOMEN

Sarah Page: Winner of our SDW100 earlier this year, a breakout result although she also took top honours at the Ultra X Spring Series 75km earlier this year.

Sarah Page at the 2023 SDW100

Alex Marshall: Alex has wins at literally dozens of lower key ultras but going long, over the last year has a 16:39 for 100 miles on the track and a 17:23 100 miler at the Essex 100 on trails amongst many other achievements.

Melissa Montague: A prolific racer, Melissa placed second at this years Wendover Woods 100, before taking third at the Kennett and Avon Canal Race just three weeks later! She was fifth here in 2022, and has won or podiumed at many other ultras over the years, with stand outs amongst those at GUCR and the Ridgeway 86. 

Claire Kanja

Claire Kanja: Claire has finished this event three times, with a best of second place in 2020, in a time of 20:06. This year she already has a fourth at SDW50 and a fifth at WW50 to her name. 

Laura McGill 

Laura McGill: Laura picked up second place at the Chiltern Wonderland 50 just four weeks ago in this same area and that followed a sixth at the SDW50 earlier this year. Last year her longer flatter effort at the TP100 resulted in a ninth place finish.

Ruth Hawkins: 2020 SVP100km winner Ruth went on to second place at the Thames Trot in 2021 in a time of 7:02 for the win.

Annabel Cremin: Winner of the Spine Challenger all the way back in 2015, she is no stranger to long hard events. She finished sixth at the UTS 100 mile this year. 

MEN

Peter Windross: Pete heads up the 2023 Mens Grand Slam standings and is going for his fourth Grand Slam finish. He was second here in the second fastest time ever back in 2020 - 13:59, missing out on the win by 10 seconds. He's won or finished second at all of our 100 milers in the past and this year has a 14th, an 8th and a 4th behind him so far.

Pete Windross at the 2022 A100

Geoff Cheshire: Geoff won the TP100 earlier this year in 14:18, which considering the conditions may have been his best run to date. He ran 14:31 here for second in 2019. Past wins include the Chiltern Wonderland 50 and Race to the Stones. This year he was also seventh at Lakeland 100.

Rob Forbes: Third at this years Lakeland 100, in a sub 21 hour finish putting him amongst the fastest ever on that course. Rob has enjoyed success at a range of distances and formats over the years from the desert to the trails and back to the roads. Course record holder at Cotswold Way Century, winner of Race to the Stones, a second at the SDW50 and a Top Ten at Ultra Trail Cape Town are stand out results. 

Justin Montague: Justin won the Kennett and Avon Canal Race in a scorching 24:30 back in July, having had to drop out of the WW100 with injury. He was second at this race last year in 15:13 and is running as well as ever, which is saying something as this man has been competing at the top end in ultras for 14 years, with more wins and podiums than you can shake a stick at.

Matt Gallagher: Very consistent over our 100 milers in recent years. This year finished fourth at the TP100 in 15:34. Last year, seventh at this event in 16:34 and fourth at the NDW100. The year prior, seventh at the TP100.

Andrea Fraquelli: Outsider role, but a 2:29 marathon indicates he has some speed to mix it up a little.

 

Follow the race live from 0900 Saturday 14th October via the link here.

Another glorious weekend awaits with the eighth annual Chiltern Wonderland 50 upon us. 250 runners will descend on Goring on Thames to see if they can complete this stunning trail 50 mile loop and it's circa 6000ft of climbing to make it back inside the 13 hour cut off.

Below is a quick look at the likely leading contenders. Live tracking will be available as always from 0830 on Saturday 16th September via the link here (will be updated to the CW50 table just before race day).

WOMEN

Sam Amend: Needs no introduction. Twice Track 100 winner with two British 100 mile records set with a best of 14:10 for 100 miles. Other Centurion wins include NDW50, TP100 and WW50. Has represented GB at all ultra distances on the road and track 50km, 100km and 24hr.

Sophie Biggs: Last years champion finished in 7:55 for her debut Centurion win, after a third place at the NDW50 earlier in the year. Sophie was sixth at the Hundred Hills 50km back in March and has since gone on to a win at Maverick X Ultra - Peak District and a third at the Serpent Trail 50km.

Amy Sole: Amy leads our 2023 Grand Slam 50 mile standings with an eighth, a fifth and a third at the previous three 50s so far this year. Second at the Arc 50 in 2022 as well, she is incredibly consistent over this distance on trail.

Laura Mcgill: Laura was third here in 2022 and finished sixth at the South Downs Way 50 earlier this year. 

Tamsin Neale: Fourth here last year, she then went on to finish sixth at the 2022 Autumn 100. This year she kicked off with a fifth place at our Hundred Hills 50km.

Stacey Sangster: Second at the 2022 South Downs Way 50 and later fourth at the Wendover Woods 50. 

Emily Newton: 10 ultras already in 2023 alone, including 3 wins and 8 podiums. 7:24 for 50 miles at Manchester to Liverpool 50 mile a stand out time.

MEN

Gatsby Fitzgerland: Our 50 mile Grand Slam leader has come home sixth, third and fourth in this years' preceeding 50 milers with us. Incredible consistency. 

Allan Clarke: Third at SDW100 in June, which followed a fifth at the Lakes Traverse 100km earlier in the spring.

Ciaran Mcaneny: 16:17 at our Track 100 earlier this year and previously ran 80km in 6 hours on the track as his qualifier for that event.

Ash Varley: Ash has been getting faster year on year, with 2022's results including a 7:05 for seventh at the SDW50 and then top tens at the TP100 and SDW100. Previously second place at the NDW100 back in 2020. He was also top ten at Wendover Woods 50 this past July.

Rob Feline: Fifth at the NDW50 earlier this year. Winner of the Fox Ultra and Weald Challenge Ultra in 2021.

Tom Hedges: Going for a third finish here, was a way back in 2022 but started this year with a strong fifth at Hundred Hills 50km.

25 Jul 23 by James Elson

NDW100 2023 Race Preview

This years North Downs Way 100 is the 13th edition of our original event and our 103rd all time ultra. Traditionally the most challenging of the 100 milers that make up our Grand Slam, in 2023 a diversion to avoid the Medway Crossing which is closed to foot traffic for the rest of 2023, makes the course around 2 miles shorter and gives all of the runners a slight break - none more so than those chasing the cut offs towards the back.

Here's a quick look at the likely contenders for fast times and overall positions.

WOMEN:

Jen Wood: Jen was second at the SDW50 earlier this year in a superb 7:29. She's won three of the other five ultras against her name on DUV and has a superb 12hr PB of 130km.

Jen Wood finished second at the SDW50 earlier this year

Susie Whatmough: Suzy won our Wendover Woods Night 50km last year, but had fine performances at Lakes in a Day (fourth), and the Beachy Head Ultra (second) too. This year she finished seventh at the hugely competitive Six Foot Track in Australia as well as second at the Kong Lakes Ultra Long Course in June.

Laura Watts: Regular Centurion runner Laura won the Leeds Liverpool Canal Race last year - 130 miles in a little over 28 hours. She's also previously won the Kennett and Avon Canal Race. In early July this year she finished 12th at Badwater, her second finish there in as many years so she will need to bounce back fast!

 

MEN

Pete Windross: Pete is going for his seventh finish here and his 23rd Centurion 100 mile finish in the process. He's won the TP100 and SDW100 but not this one.... yet. So far he's gone 64th, 10th, 4th, 5th, 3rd and then was 2nd last year. He's also dropped out having led the race. It feels like surely this is his moment, after a solid 4th at the SDW100 in June.

Pete Windross is back and will be looking for that elusive win

Matt Gallagher: Fourth at the TP100 earlier this year followed a fourth at the NDW100 in 2022 and a seventh at the Autumn 100 last October - all in superb times. 

Ryan Whelan: The Hong Kong based athlete has done really well at events out there over recent years as well as a few on UK soil. Notably, third at the Hong Kong Four Trails earlier this year, undoubtedly one of the toughest events anywhere in a little over 56 hours. He was also Fifth at Trailwalker earlier this year, 

Ben Goddard: Fourth at the NDW50 in 2022 and fifth at the SDW50 earlier this year. He has just tuned up with a sub 5 hour finish at the Wendover Woods Night 50km.

Benjamin Hall: Second at the Pilgrim Challenge on this trail earlier this year, a race he has won in the past. Previous top ten finisher at the SDW50.

 

Follow all of the action live via the tracker availabe on the homepage from 0700 on Saturday 5th August.

4 Jul 23 by James Elson

Wendover Woods Weekender Preview

The Wendover Woods Weekender is upon us and we are set to welcome possibly the biggest in person gathering of our community that we've ever had.

The events form the backbone of the weekend, but we also welcome guest speakers and brands as well as hosting workshops and guided runs. The Centurion Running Pop Up Store will open throughout and there are food and drink options available too.   

In the running, distances range from the kids race and 10 mile / one lap event on Sunday morning up to our ultra distance races. The Night 50km returns overnight Saturday into Sunday and with a start time of 2200 there is always some amazing fun to be had running through the woods under cover of darkness. All three of the shorter events are open for entries on the day. The 50 miler which forms part of our 50 mile Grand Slam and the 100 miler are closed and the entry lists are looking competitive, particularly in the womens 100 mile which should be incredible to watch.

Wendover Woods 100

The 100 miler kicks off Friday at 1000 and runs right through until Saturday at 1800 - a 32 hour cut off. 33 brave souls are aiming to add themselves to the list of just 38 finishers of this race to date. Amongst them is returning womens champion from the last edition in 2021 - Magda Strycharska. She will face strong competition in the form of several other leading ladies. Rachel Fawcett won the 50 here in 2021 in an impressive 9:08, improving on her second place finish the year before - she is also a two time champion of the Chiltern Wonderland 50. Ally Whitlock's most recent long effort was a second place at our 2022 Autumn 100. Melissa Montague who finished fifth at that same race and who has a huge back catalogue of wins, podiums and top tens at ultras of all distances. 

In the mens race, Justin Montague must go in as favourite. An ultra career spanning 12 years to date, he ran our second ever NDW100 back in 2012 and finished second. Last year he finished second at the Autumn 100 in a hair over 15 hours. Much like his wife Melissa in the womens race, he's had success at distances from 50km to the super long. Adrian Busolini was a late entrant, he finished fifth at the SDW100 just three weeks ago. A notable mention to Tom Hayward aiming to make it three out of three finishes at this event. 

Wendover Woods 50

The 50 kicks off at 0930 on Saturday, offering the 100 milers some company through their latter stages! With a 15 hour cut off, this one usually has runners coming home all the way to the wire. In the womens race, Amy Sole runs, she currently leads our Grand Slam 50 mile table. Samantha Lloyd, fourth here in 2018 and previous podium finisher at the SDW100 goes up against her.

In the mens race, stand out runner is GB 24hr international Rob Payne who was second here in 2019. Jack Oates also runs, he was an impressive 13th recently at the deeply competitive UTS50km - past winner of the Ben Nevis Sky Race and a host of lumpy 50km events. Gatsby Fitzgerald leads the mens Grand Slam 50 mile table from Matthew Selway and both run here of course. 

Other Events

The weekend will also see host to a range of Guest Speakers, Workshops and Talks

Our huge thanks to everyone involved, but especially our team of volunteers, many of whom will be up most of the weekend looking after the runners and campers. 

Follow all the races live via the tracker here (link will be updated Thursday 6th July).

7 Jun 23 by James Elson

SDW100 2023 Preview

The 2023 South Downs Way 100 is upon us. Kicking off at 0600 this Saturday 10th June into what is forecast to be the hottest weekend of the year so far, 400 runners will take on the most stunning of 100 mile courses in an attempt to reach the track in Eastbourne within the 30 hour time limit.

Here's a look at the likely contenders for the podium positions in both the womens and mens races.

WOMEN

Cat Simpson: Cat has quite the running CV covering road, track and trail. She's been second here before all the way back in 2016 but she's achieved so much since. She's represented GB over 24hrs, run a 15:34 100 mile PB on her way to a win at Crawley 24hr, won the GUCR, finished fifth at Spartathlon and popped under 3 hours for the marathon amongst many other things. She is one of three Centurion Ultra Team runners taking on the womens race here.

Cat Simpson (Photo: David Miller)

Eddie Sutton: Eddie is also part of our Centurion Ultra Team and much like Cat has a vast body of experience behind her. Eddie set the womens SDW50 Course Record at 7:09 back in 2014 at the second time of asking, this is her second attempt at the 100 after injury the first time around so based on precedent that bodes well for here. Since that time she has gone on to place second at the British 100km champs representing the England Team, won the Chiltern Wonderland 50, placed second at the Autumn 100 and performed highly in various Alpine ultras. She started 2023 with a bang finishing on the podium at the Spine Race. 

Eddie Sutton running this years Spine Race (Photo: Steve Ashworth)

Allie Bailey: Allie is also part of our Centurion Ultra Team and comes into this fresh off of the back of a win at the Wildhorse South Wales 200. She has finished this event twice before, once as the final part of the 2020 Grand Slam of 100s but she has progressed immensely since then and it will be great to see what she can do here.

Aoife Ni Mhaoileoin: Aoife has already raced three times in 2023 with fantastic results. 214km at Crawley 24hr for third, a second at the D33 ultra and fourth at Donadea 50km. She has plenty of ultra experience behind her over a wide range of distances and terrain types so this race should suit her.

Teresa Reason: Fifth at Wendover Woods 50 in 2021. In 2022 went on to second at Chiltern Ridge 50km, third at Serpent Trail 100km and fifth at Hurtwood 50km. She recently finished eighth at the inaugural Hundred Hills 50km.

Rosalind Wilson: Rosalind finished third at the Classic Quarter down in Cornwall last year and then fourth at EnduranceLife's Dorset Ultra. She is a 3:11 marathoner but this looks to be her first 100.

Sarah Page: Sarah won the Ultra X Spring Trail Series 75km in April of this year. 

MEN

Pete Windross: The ultimate consistent performer at our events. He has finished the race five times, he won it in 2021 in 15:30 and then bettered his time last year to come home in 15:05 but missed out on the win to Richard Mcdowell, by just 16 minutes. Previous winner of the Thames Path 100, our Grand Slam of 100s (which he has finished three times) and second at the Autumn 100 in 13:59, his 100 mile PB to date. His previous 100 this year at the Thames Path didn't go quite as well as those from 2022 so he will no doubt be looking to bounce back here.

Henrik Westerlin: Danish 24hr Team runner Henrik has a background in ultras across a variety of terrain types and distances. With us, his best was a win at the Autumn 100 in 14:02. This year he's already started well, with a solid finish at Transgrancanaria and then a win at the Lake Zuri 100km in Switzerland.

Henrik Westerlin

Jose Rodriguez: Comes in as a favourite after a superb win and course record at the North Downs Way 50 three weeks ago. His time of 6:33, the best we have seen in twelve editions of that event. He was fourth here in 2022 in 16:12 so he knows the course too. Will he be recovered enough to do it justice after just a three week lay off. 

Matt Gallagher: Matt has had some really solid consistent results in our 100s in recent years. He began with seventh at the TP100 in 2021, a fourth and a seventh at the NDW100 and A100 in 2022 and then a 15:34 for fourth at this years TP100 - his best time so far. He's had some good wins and podiums at shorter ultras along the way.

Steve Speirs: Steve is an ex-pat originally from Wales but residing in the US. He was second here in 2017 in 16:37, one of many fine results he's enjoyed over the years. Despite being 57 now, Steve has still got great pace, recently finishing sixth at Rocky Raccoon 100, his seventh finish there - in 17:19. He has a whole raft of wins, podiums and top tens amongst his huge back catalogue of ultra finishes.

Jacob James: Jacob was second at the 2022 Chiltern Wonderland 50 and finished the year with a second at Hurtwood 50km. Recently ran a 2:37 marathon PB at London. This is his first 100.

Frederick Levy: Fourth at the SDW50 earlier this year in 6:52.

Alex Sawbridge: Alex was fourth at the SDW50 earlier this year in 6:53, improving upon his tenth place there last year. 

Gatsby Fitzgerald: Gatsby was sixth at the SDW50 this year and then ran home third at the NDW50 last month, in 7:11 and 7:15 respectively. 

Mike Bisson: Mike ran a strong 100 at our Track event in 2021, finishing in 14:43. 

 

Follow the race live via the website here from 0600 Saturday.

14 May 23 by James Elson

NDW50 2023 Race Preview

The North Downs Way 50 - our first event back in August of 2011, is back for the twelfth edition this coming Saturday May 20th. 

Below is a quick look at the likely leading contenders in our second 50 mile event of the season. A record field of 350 runners are expected to make the start line, with the first wave going off at 0700 and the second at 0800. All runners have 13 hours to make it to the finish, as usual. Fingers crossed we get a brighter day after the rainy TP100 two weekends back!

WOMEN

Amy Sole: Amy finished eighth at the SDW50 in April, previously second at the Arc 50 in 2022 and winner of the RAT 50km the year before that.

Amy Sole running the SDW50 last month

Dawn Godwin: Fourth at our inaugural Hundred Hills 50km back in March. Dawn finished 11th at this race last year.

Natalie Bunce: Ran a 2:57 at the Manchester Marathon in April.  

Eileen Beach: Won the Maverick X Series Suffolk last year over 50km. 

Meriel Holden: 3:01 Marathon and fourth at the Maverick X South Downs ultra last year.

MEN 

Jose Rodriguez: Jose ran home fourth at the SDW100 last year in a time of 16:12. He started this year by finishing second at the North Downs Ridge 50km, missing out only to Lewis Ryan who won our SDW50 back in April. 

Jose Rodriguez finished fourth at last years SDW100

Joe O'Leary: Joe took third at the Spine Race in January in a little over four days. The Irish runner has also previously finished third at the Spine Challenger and twice podiumed at the Kerry Way Ultranite over 93km. This looks short for him!

Thomas Marchant: Third at last years Chiltern Wonderland 50 in 7:10.

Gatsby Fitzgerald: Sixth at the SDW50 in April in a time of 7:11. 50 mile PB of 6:33.

Jimmy Mould: Third here in 2021 in 7:16. Looks to have stuck to 50km races since then but has performed solidly in those making the podium in two.

Patrick Wightman: Fifth here in 2018 in 7:23 but does not look to have raced an ultra since.

Callum Job: 2:25 Marathon PB at London last month

Jono Wood: A couple of wins at the Copthorne 50km which takes place around Box Hill as well as a win at EnduranceLife's Exmoor CTS in 2021.

 

Join us live from 0700 on Saturday morning via the website here (Live Link will update to the NDW50 later this week).

2 May 23 by James Elson

2023 Thames Path 100 Preview

A record field of 320 runners is expected at this weekends' Thames Path 100 for the twelfth edition of the race.

The event attracts fast fields and recent winning times have been under 14 hours for the men and under 17 hours for the women. It's possible we will see a new level reached this coming weekend.

Conditions on the trail have been extremely wet through March and April, but as usual, things look to be drying out just in time - with the caveat that rain is expected to fall on Friday and Saturday though it shouldn't be too heavy. 

You can follow the race live via the tracking page here. Start time is 0900 this Saturday 6th May and the final cut off is Sunday at 1300 - 28 hours later.

Here is a look at the likely leading contenders in both the mens and womens races.

WOMEN

Melissa Venables: Melissa was our 2020 North Downs Way 100 Champion - a race that will live long in our memories as it was the first race after lockdown, in August of that year. British 100km Champion in 2016, Melissa has a raft of great results behind her, most recent being most applicable here - a win at the 145 mile Grand Union Canal Race.

Mel Venables

Line Caliskaner: Ran a massive 243km over 24 hours in Barcelona in March of this year, for the win. A performance which puts her amongst elite company indeed. Her 100 mile PB is 16:00 flat which she set as a split on route to a 220km run at Bislett 24hr last year. She has experience on the trail too and could be capable of something special here. 

Sharon Walker: Second at Race to the King in 2019 and third at Race to the Tower in 2022. This year she kicked off her ultra season with a seventh place at our inaugural Hundred Hills 50km.

Renee Haver: Renee was fourth here in 2021, before going on to a sixth place at the Autumn 100 later that year albeit in a faster time.

Emily Newton: Emily looks to be only three years into her ultra career but is off to a prolific start with 20 races in that time. In 2023 she has already run seven, recording six podiums and two wins. Amongst those a second at the Manchester to Liverpool 50 and her first 100 mile finish at the Arc of Attrition where she placed ninth.

Becky Atkinson: 2:55 Marathon PB and a regular sub 90 minute half. 

 

MEN

Paul Maskell: Paul has been one of our most consitent Team GB 24 hour runners in recent years and his improvement is still coming. 265km in Verona in October with a 14:20 100 mile split was a PB for him. He has previously won many other classic ultras on trail too, however. Autumn 100, South Downs Way 100, GUCR, South West Traverse and the Arc of Attrition 100 amongst others.

Pete Windross: 2018 TP100 Champion, Pete has arguably been the most consistent 100 mile runner at our events over recent years. He has no less than 20 x 100 mile finishes to his name including six NDW100s, five SDW100s, five TP100s and four A100s. His PB came at the A100 in 2021 where he ran home in 13:59. In 2022 after setting some GB age group records at our Track 100, he finished second at the SDW100 and NDW100, before dropping with just the final leg to go in the A100. He is back for more!

Pete Windross

Harry Geddes: Harry was Pete's nemesis at A100 last October where he came past him on leg three to win the race in 14:52. He was also fourth here in 2020 so knows the course. 

Geoff Cheshire: Geoff was third here in 2020 in 15:22. That followed a second place at the Autumn 100 a year before where he ran 14:31. Prior to that he had already picked up wins at the Chiltern Wonderland 50 and Race to the Stones. In 2021 he ran home second at the North Downs Way 100 in a superb time of 17:07.

Brandon Talisesky: Brandon hails from the US, and has a number of race wins to his name from recent years, including at this distance, running 16:44 to take the crown at the Great New York Running Expo 100 mile. This year he has opened his account with a win at the Mid-Maryland 50km. 

Matt Gallagher: Seventh here in 2021 in 16:21. In 2022 he finished fourth at the NDW100 before running 16:34 for seventh at the A100.

Kallum Pritchard: Winner of the Robin Hood 100 in 2021 in 15:31.

Peter Abraham: Peter won the Self Transcendence 24hr at Tooting Bec with a total of 231km in 2021, where his 100 mile split was 14:37. He was also third at the Autumn 100 in 2017.

Barry Bryant: After 8 wins in 8 finishes in his ultra career, Barry went off super quick at the 2022 Autumn 100. Whilst things did not go his way, to his credit he muscled out a finish in 17:36 for tenth place. 

Alistair Fitch: The 2:38 marathoner (London 2021) was second at Race to the Tower in 2022.

20 Apr 23 by James Elson

Track 100 2023 Preview

This year marks the fourth edition of our Track 100 - the UK's only IAU Gold Label event. This race is really the only one of its kind, certainly in the UK and arguably globally. It attracts a very small, elite group of athletes looking specifically to set records - principally at the 100 mile distance but at other splits along the way including 50km, 6 hour, 50 mile, 100km and 12 hour. 

Camille Herron at the Track 100 in 2022 (Photo: David Miller)

In 2019, our first year, we weren't sure if the high standards and story behind the event would attract any interest at all, but eight athletes gave it their all. The mens race was won by Thomas Payn in 12:25 putting him 8th on the British all-time list. The womens race had only one finisher, Debbie Martin-Consani who pioneered the way for everyone to follow.

From there we decided to branch out. With several of our Centurion Ultra Team active members of the ultra set up with Team GB, we had the ability to reach out to other athletes in the 100km and 24hr disciplines to see if they wanted a shot at setting some National but possibly also Continental and even World marks. 

We of course, lost 2020 to covid but got our second event away in April 2021, with a lot of covid restrictions still in place. And the event morphed into something much bigger. All of a sudden runners were shooting for open and age group records at various levels and in total, 14 new marks were set. Aleksandr Sorokin's laid down a new 100 mile mens world record of 11:14, before he decided to push on and set a new 12 hour record as well, running 170.309km in that time. And of course Sam Amend set a new British womens 100 mile record of 14:34. 

In 2022, the ante was upped once again. This time we welcomed Aleksandr back to try to take on the world best 100km mark, having more recently taken the 24 hour world record too. And in the womens race, Camille Herron and Dominika Stelmach took each other on to try to shoot for several world marks, with Sam Amend back to try to improve her own British record. In the end, Aleks blew everyone away once again, running 4:53 for 50 miles he went on to break the 6 hour world record and then the 100km mens world record - coming home in 6:05. 

For Camille and Dominika, it was a tough day, but Dominika was able to set a World FV40 50 mile record of 5:51 and a World Age Group 6 hour record too. Sam Amend did improve her British mark and won the 100 mile race in 14:10. The mens race was won by Alex Whearity but in a superb 12:42, but second was Mike Stocks who broke the World MV50 100 mile record in 13:41. We also saw a first as Claudia Burrough raced her wheelchair and set new World bests at every one of the six marks along the way.

So in 2023 with some late withdrawals, we welcome an elite field of six men and three women, once again all with different ambitions.

In 2021 and 2022 the focus from a number of athletes was on the lower distances and marks but this time almost all of the athletes are shooting for the big one, the 100 mile.

WOMEN

Ingrid Lid: Ingrid has a 100 mile PB of 15:10 set at Bislett in 2021. She finished second at last years TP100, a result she also achieved in 2019. Her target here will be the Norwegian record of 14:25 held by Therese Falk.

Ingrid Lid at the 2022 TP100 where she placed second

Chavet Hills: Chavet hails from Denver, Colorado and has been a prolific racer over recent years. Stand out results have been wins at the Prairie Spirit 100 (twice) and Pony Express Trail 100 where she came home in 17:31. Her 100 mile PB is 16:46 from Daytona 100. She has raced numerous 24hr races and had great results at that format including a win at FANS 24hr, but also plenty of shorter ultras too.

Sarah Sawyer: Sarah has taken on a wide range of ultras in her 10 year career, shooting at a range of different distances and racing in a variety of different environments and terrain types. On the road and track, her standout performances have come at Spartathlon where she was fourth in 2019 and her best 24hr in Germany in 2020 where she ran 208km. In 2021 she raced here and made good progress until the final few hours where her pace dipped just too much for her to make the final 17 hour cut off and she heartbreakingly had to stop within 5km of the finish. She finished 2022 by running a solid 17:40 at Daytona 100.

Sarah Sawyer

MEN

Dan Lawson: Perhaps the most consistent high level performer on the UK scene since the golden days of Don Ritchie, Dan really has done it all and at 50, is still getting quicker. In years gone by Dan has excelled at the long stuff and in formats most similar to this event, he was European 24hr Champion in Albi in 2016. But just last year he exceded his winning distance there by a whopping 12km, running 273km in Verona for fifth place in the same competition. His list of race wins and accolades are too long to mention really. Stand out wins and podiums some as course records on the road/ flat trail at Ultrabalaton, Spartathlon, Badwater, GUCR. He is no stranger to multi day either with his LEJOG record one of his most impressive runs of all. In the past year has has also brought his 10km, half and full marathon times down. A Vet 50 World Record will be the minimum aim and in reality he is capable still, of going for much more besides.

Dan Lawson

Robert Hajnal: Robert comes into the event as the only runner with a declared focus on the 100km distance, with his sights set on the Romanian National Record. He is a storied ultrarunner with incredible success dating back for a decade or more. 9th at UTMB in 2022 followed 7th at Laveredo and a win at 100 miles of Istria. He has countless wins behind him and top ten showings at many of the worlds most competitive long trail ultras. On the road and track, he has a 50km PB of 3:08 and in March he covered 87km in 6 hours in Barcelona as part of his preparation. The Romanian record and time to beat is 6:41:07, from Iulian Filipov back in 2021.

Mark Innocenti: Mark ran 12:34 at the 2021 event in what was a supremely well executed run, that on any other day would have received all of the plaudits, had he not been beaten by a world record run by Aleksandr Sorokin. The Tring runner has steadily brought his marathon best down to 2:27 in London, 2022. This year he's already run 54:09 for 10 miles too. So the speed is all there, but he has accrued much ultra success now too. A 3:02 50km PB, plus wins at the Autumn 100 and Race to the King are stand outs, as was a 7:00 flat 100km performance at the British Champs in 2022. 

Mark Innocenti

Tristan Stephenson: Centurion Ultra Team runner Tristan, set the Thames Path 100 alight in 2022 when he ran home a clear winner in a second fastest all-time performance of 13:59. He has a second and third place at the Arc of Attrition 100 behind him. As well as wins at the South West Traverse and Serpent Trail 100km. His only other ultra distance track event ended early at Gloucester in 2021 but he is already off to a solid 2023 with a win at the EnduranceLife North Cornwall 50km and a big bank of training behind him.

Luka Videtic: Luka is truly a man of the road and track and has improved vastly over recent years. His 2022 season included a break through 265km performance at the IAU European 24hr Championships for 10th, where he recorded a 100 mile split of 13:39 along the way. 

Ciaran Mcaneny: Relatively new to ultrarunning, Ciaran qualified for the event after running 80km in 6 hours on the track in 2022.

 

To follow the race live head over to our Live link here. Lap splits and a live feed will be available from race morning.

4 Apr 23 by James Elson

2023 SDW50 Preview

The 2023 South Downs Way 50 is the eleventh edition of our traditional season opener. This year it was preceeded of course, by the Hundred Hills 50km and it was great to see so many building up to the longer races there.

Last year the womens race yielded the fourth fastest time ever, by Bethan Male who went on to set a new SDW100 record two months later. The mens race was closely fought but won in a time over an hour slower than Tom Evans' course record of 5:44. As we have seen, anything can happen here on what is truly a runners course. If the weather stays dry throughout the week and with a forecast of bright sunshine on the day, the recent wetter ground will largely dry up, leaving conditions good for fast racing.

Here is a look at the likely contenders in the womens and mens events.

WOMEN

Rebecca Di-Luzio: Winner of the UTS 100km in 2022 and took 9th place at Transgrancanaria Advanced earlier that year. Previous winner of Endurancelife CTS Sussex, on and around the SDW50 course.

Dani Battersby: Third here last year in 8 hours flat and went on to finish fourth at the SDW100 a few months later.

Jen Wood: Ran 129.7km in 12 hours at Gloucester in 2021, putting her seventh on the British Female List.

Amy Sole: Second at the 2022 Arc 50 and past winner of the RAT 50km, with several other podiums to her name at the Classic Quarter and Hurtwood 50km.

Alex Coomber: Second here all the way back in 2015 it is fantastic to welcome the Olympic Skeleton Bronze Medalist back to the race. Her most recent ultra result looks to be a second at the Serpent Trail 100km in 2021.

Rachel Dench: Rachel's third run here, but her first since 2017 when she finished fifth. She has lots of experience behind her, with several wins at events around this length. And she looks to be in good form off of a 2022 season where she won both the North Downs Ridge and Epping Forest 50km events.

Laura McGill: Finished third at the Chiltern Wonderland 50 in 2021.

Meriel Holden: 3:01 marathon PB, ran a 3:08 in London in 2021 and has a couple of more recent shorter ultras to her name.

MEN

Paddy Hamilton: Won the Pilgrims Challenge on the North Downs Way earlier this year. Race to the Stones winner in 2021. 2:23 marathoner though that was from Dublin in 2013.

Lewis Ryan: Lewis is a man with genuine pace, but also a good range. He has won races from 50km up to 100 miles, his most recent coming at the North Downs Ridge 50km a month or so ago where he ran home in 3:30. Marathon PB of 2:35.

Ben Goddard: Fourth at the NDW50 last year, the previous two time winner of the Fox Ultra looks to be the second fastest marathoner in the field with a PB of 2:26. Ran 2:34 at Rome just a few weeks ago.

Liam Mcintyre: A 2:29 marathoner (Manchester, 2022), his only ultra looks to be a win at Race to the Stones 100k, in 2018.

Gatsby Fitzgerald: Third at Manchester to Liverpool 50 last year in 6:33. 

Marius Posa: Best performance of second at Country to Capital (44 miles) in 5:28. Has recently run a 2:39 marathon (Valencia) and a 75 minute half.

 

A huge thank you to the volunteers who will make this event possible, numbering almost 100 over race weekend. And to the South Downs National Park and all of our landlords for allowing us to come back each year. 

Follow the race live over Saturday via the link here (this will switch over to SDW50 later this week).