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The South Downs Way - Devil's Challenge

04-May-2019 South Downs Way, Hampshire, UK (England)

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2 REVIEWS
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Trail Race Race Terrain
156KM / 97Miles
3 Days - 150 Runners

DIFFICULTY Race Difficulty Intermediate  

Entry From £170 GBP
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Take in some of England's most breathtaking countryside between Winchester, our original capital city, and the distinctive white chalk cliffs at Eastbourne.

Encompassing visible prehistory, picturesque villages and stunning wildlife, the South Downs Way is the perfect challenge for those training for events like the Marathon des Sables, or who simply want to experience some of the best views in the country.

Fully catered 'indoor camping' in a sports hall or similar with shower facilities. Refreshments at the end of each day with tea, coffee, cakes and cold drinks. Evening meal and breakfast included, drinks and other items available for purchase.

Evening speaker to be announced. A chance to relax and recover from the day and enjoy the company of like minded runners/walkers!

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Event Organiser
Annie Dougall

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Beginner

Elevation: Very little change < 500 metres. Benign running terrain, not technical.

Suitable for: First ultra runners completing a marathon or doing regular long distance running in the last six months.

Intermediate

Elevation: Increase of up to 1000 metres

Suitable for: Runners who have completed at least one ultra distance race (or similar event) or are doing long distance running (>26 miles) regularly, with elevation shown.

Advanced

Elevation: Increase of up to 1500 metres

Suitable for: Runners who have completed several ultra distances or similar events, or are doing long distance running regularly, with elevation shown.

Expert

Elevation: Increase of up to 2000 metres with some challenging climatic conditions (e.g. ice, snow, humidity or heat) and or technical terrain

Suitable for: Experienced runners who have completed at least regular ultra distances in last 12 months, or are doing regular long distance running (>50 miles) with elevation and conditions shown (where possible). Admission to these races may be subject to evidence of recent qualifying race participation and recent medical examination certificate. Check with the race organiser regarding entry requirements.

Brutal

Elevation: Increase of up to 2000 metres with very challenging climatic conditions (e.g. ice, snow, humidity, heat or at high altitude) and or technical terrain.

Suitable for: Very experienced long distance ultra runners (min 3 years’ experience) or are doing regular long distance running (>50 miles) with elevation and conditions shown (where possible). Admission to these races is often subject to evidence of recent qualifying race participation and recent medical examination certificate. Purchase of specialist kit is often recommended for these races.

Review The South Downs Way - Devil's Challenge

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Lori

11:30 12-09-18

I ran this in 2018. I'm definitely not an experienced ultra runner or even runner. Yes, I completed the MdS in 2017 but this was my first ultra run/race since then so to say I was a bit nervous was an understatement. Still, I pitched up on the Saturday morning for registration and was immediately put at ease by the team. It's not a huge field so you won't be lost in the crowd. I'd transferred from the runners'walkers group to the walkers group as I thought I would be really slow after not being able to train properly but happily I managed to run quite a bit of the three days. The race was held over that lovely hot May bank holiday weekend and the aide stations surpassed themselves over the whole three days - plenty of snacks, water, squash and even coke to drink and water and ice to throw down your top and soak your hat in. If you have specific dietary requirements you can even arrange to have your own food at the checkpoints.

As the race is run from Winchester to Eastbourne, following the South Downs Way, there are plenty of signposts to point you in the right direction if navigation is not your strong point, although a map is helpful in a few places. Is it hilly? Yes, it's hilly, very, and poles are a great idea, especially if it's your first hilly trail ultra or you're not very good with hills, but equally there are some great flat and downhill sections where you can pick up speed and the views are outstanding. For the slower runners, you'll be surprised how fast you can go on the downhill and flat sections as your legs recover from all the uphill.

For those who have never done an ultra or a multi-day event, this is a fabulous race to ease yourself in with. The cut-offs are extremely generous and as you will be staying in school halls, etc, overnight, you can ease in gently with carrying a pack and nutrition on the go. Breakfast (Sun, Mon) and dinner (Fri, Sat, Sun) is provided - if you ticked that option on sign-up. As your kit/grab bag is transported for you, you can run with as much or as little as you want, provided you have the compulsory items on you at all times.

Everyone (both organisers and other runners) is super friendly and go out of their way to make the race is as enjoyable as possible no matter what level you are at.

If you are nervous of doing an ultra for the first time or are just worried you are too slow to do one, give it a go, you really won't regret it and I guarantee you will go back again - I am.

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SpontaneousPlan

10:44 02-10-17

I ran this race in it's first year, 2017. The Devil's Challenge is a new 3 day race from Extreme Energy following the South Downs Way from Winchester to Eastbourne. There's a certain quality you expect from XNRG races and this one doesn't fail to deliver. XNRG races are well marked, have great check points at regular intervals and always have a great vibe to them. Between stages there is indoor camping in the form of blow-up mattresses and sleeping bags on school hall floors. This equipment is transported for you so you only need to carry your race gear on each stage. Breakfast and dinner is provided (as long as you select the catering option on registration) but there's always the opportunity to nip out to the local pub or pizza place if you know how to fuel like a champ.

Many of you will be familiar with the South Downs Way national trail, especially if you've done the Centurion 50 or 100 mile races. If you're new to the area or have never run this trail it's the perfect way to get yourself accustomed. It's fair to say the SDW is undulating, quite often if you're not going up you're going down, but the majority of the course is runnable so not much in the way of power hiking needed here.

A really great weekend of running topped of with a cracking finish along the Seven Sisters.

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