Saturday 5th December 2026. Plumpton Racecourse, West Sussex.
Saturday, December 5th 2026, Plumpton Racecourse
6am: Registration and kit check opens
7.45am: Registration and kit check closes
8am: Race start
2.30am: Race finishes
A fantastic, fully signed route through the South Downs National Park
A bespoke UK Ultra finisher medal
Bespoke male and female winner trophies
Free downloadable race photos
8 well stocked Aid Stations
Live GPS tracking and chip timing to track runners progress and times
Prizes for all male and female winners in vet categories 40+, 50+, 60+, 70+
Event insurance
First Aid and Medical Cover
UTMB and ITRA points
The course is best described as rolling hills with some longer steeper climbs. The terrain is made up grass trails, farm tracks, forest paths, and a few small sections of tarmac. In December, the trails will likely be soft, wet, muddy and possibly even frozen.
Yes, a qualifier is needed to enter.
In order to qualify you must have completed a minimum of a marathon within the cutoff time of that race within the last four years. Ideally this qualifier would be a trail marathon but this is not compulsory. This must be an official race where the results can be viewed online.
You must also have good experience of trail running in Winter time and, during darkness. Trail running experience in general and during Winter as well as in darkness is essential to having a good experience in this race. Please don't kid yourself.
The race has an overall cutoff time 0f 18.5 hours. There are no cutoffs for the first 28 miles but are at the Aid Stations after this.
There is free parking and camping, a large indoor area, toilets and changing rooms and a coffee van serving hot food and drinks.
Yes, there is plenty of parking available at the Racecourse.
There is Plumpton Train Station literally a 400 meter walk from Race HQ.
If travelling by road then Plumpton Racecourse is situated on Plumpton Lane only 1.5 miles off the B2116, and 8 miles from the A23, leaving at the Pyecombe services junction. Our signposted main entrance on Plumpton Lane is 200 yards beyond the bridge on the left (coming from Ditching) and 0.5 miles past the train station (coming through Plumpton Green), up the hill on the right.
This Yes, there are toilets available at all 8 Aid Stations along the route.
Yes. Runners must carry the following equipment with them at all times and will be disqualified for failing kit checks. Inspections will take place before, during, and after the race.
Fully charged mobile phone including the numbers for the Race Medic and Race Director which will be on your Race Number
Race pack to carry Mandatory Kit
Foil/survival blanket
Hydration system capable of holding one litre of liquid
Dry bag to go in race pack to keep items dry
Whistle
Headlamp and backup headlamp with a minimum of 300 Lumens each. Ideally 900 Lumens or more
At least one spare battery for each headlamp or charger pack so you can charge on the move if necessary
A GPS device or mobile with the route on. Even though the route will be marked, you must essentially be prepared to navigate it by yourself in case markers get tampered with or thick fog makes visibility difficult. While a mobile is sufficient, a watch with the route on is preferred
Warm gloves/mittens x 2 (It is not mandatory but if rain is forecast, then one of these pairs should be waterproof)
Warm hat (Buff not acceptable)
Base layer long sleeved top (If you wear one from the start then a second top must be carried in your race pack for emergency use and not worn from the start)
Waterproof jacket with a hood and taped seams (Must have a rating of at least 10,000mm)
A high visibility/reflective item that can be seen at night such as a rear flashing LED light, high visibility arm band, clothing with reflective properties
£50 cash and bank card. Alternatively a mobile payment service such as Apple Pay
Please make sure to bring warm dry clothes for when you finish, either with your crew or in your finish line bag
Foldable cup suitable for hot drinks as the race will be cup less
It is also recommended for runners that do not have a crew or drop bag, to carry spare socks just in case (This is not mandatory)
It is also recommended to bring dry clothes/shoes to go in a drop bag to mile 33 (Drop bags are not mandatory, so this is not mandatory but a very good idea especially if you don't have a crew for the day)
It is also recommended that you bring waterproof trousers (This is not mandatory)
There will be eight fully stocked Aid Stations.
As a minimum, the below will be available at all Aid Stations.
Bananas
Crisps
Dates
SIS Electrolyte tablets
Jam, cheese, cheese and pickle, tuna mayo, Marmite sandwiches (All made with vegan spread)
Homemade vegan/gluten free lemon drizzle cake
Sweets
Coke
Soreen
Christmas cake
Jaffa Cakes
Homemade flapjack (vegan)
Homemade energy balls (Vegan and nut free)
Sausage rolls (normal and vegan)
Homemade banana bread (Vegan and nut free)
Water
Hot drinks
Squash and Ribena
Yes, runners have the option of leaving a drop bag at the start which will be taken to the Aid Station at mile 27.9 and returned to Plumpton Racecourse after. A finish line bag can also be left at the start and collected when finished.
Yes, there is live timing and GPS tracking available to follow the runners. This will be available on the website in the days leading up to the event.
Crews are allowed for this event but not pacers.
There will be an experienced team of Race Medics available to runners before, during and after the event including First Aid Teams, Response Cars and Ambulances.