100km UTMB Badge
WINTER 55 MILE race
Saturday 2nd December 2023
Winter on the Downs 55 miles

This is a single loop event around the trails of East Sussex. Starting and finishing in the seaside town of Eastbourne, runners will begin over Beachy Head and the famous Seven Sisters before heading up towards Mount Harry, Blackcap and Lewes. The route then passes Mount Caburn, through Glynde and Firle before finishing back in Eastbourne. The views are spectacular, and the course is a combination of grass trails, farm tracks and woodland paths. There is 7,500 ft of elevation to navigate, but the route is generally very runnable and best described as rolling hills with some longer, steeper climbs also. The weather at this time of year can be unpredictable with anything from glorious crisp sunny days to strong winds, rain, sleet and snow. East Sussex, and the eastern side of the South Downs, lends itself to being ideal for a race at this time of year with it having probably the driest climate in the U.K. The terrain has fantastic drainage meaning although some places can and will become wet and muddy, it is generally speaking, very runnable all year round.

Runner in a full tracksuit and coat running at nighttime in the Winter 55 Mile Race
Start Location
Helen Garden, Eastbourne, BN20 7XL
Finish Location
Helen Garden, Eastbourne, BN20 7XL
Start & End Times
07:30 - 23:00
Minimum Age
20 years old
Qualifier Needed
QUALIFIER REQUIRED
(See below)
Aid Stations
7 stations
Elevation Profile
7,500ft ascent & Descent
Terrain
99% trail, 1% ROAD
Entry Fee
£89.00
*Instalment Payments Available

Entry & Qualification details

Entries are available on a first come, first served basis and once it is full, they will be closed. No waitlist will be in operation. In order to qualify you must have completed a marathon distance race within the cutoff time of that race. Entries will close 2 weeks prior to the race or once entry limits are reached.

Refund and Deferral Policy

Any time up until July 1st you are entitled to a 70% refund. After this point no refunds will be given. The only exception to this is pregnancy. In this case if you inform us before the race you will receive a full refund.

If you can no longer make the event, there is the option of deferring your place to 2024 or transferring it to another runner. This can only be done up until 2 weeks before race day and, not after. Please email neil@ukultra.co.uk if you wish to do either of these.

Elite Entries

We want highly competitive races at the sharp end of the fields and, welcome elite runners to come and compete for wins, course records and prize money. We do reserve places for elites and have packages in place to help. These are decided on an individual basis by the Race Director. If you are an elite runner and would like to take part then please email neil@ukultra.co.uk.

Runner in winter clothing jogging up a hill near nighttime
UTMB Index Logo
What is included?
  • A fantastic, fully signed and way marked route through the South Downs National Park
  • A bespoke UK Ultra finisher medal
  • Bespoke male and female winner trophies
  • Downloadable race photos
  • 6 well stocked aid stations
  • Food and drink at the finish line
  • Live GPS tracking and chip timing to track runners progress and times
  • Prizes for all male and female winners in vet categories
  • Event insurance
  • First Aid and Medical Cover
  • 15% discount at the Langham Eastbourne. Please see accommodation page.
  • An awesome day out on the trails!
  • Free shuttle bus from finish line to local hotels and Eastbourne Train Station