KIT AND LOGISTICS

This area of the post is specifically designed to look at the detail of all aspects of the kit, footwear, apparel, nutrition and miscellaneous items that you need to think about in order to compete safely and successfully in the Spine Races or indeed, for winter in the mountains.

Resources and Advice

Click here to find all of the recommended kit available on our ultrarunning store.

Click here to watch a longform video going into all of the kit for the Spine Race with James Elson (YouTube) - see also embedded below.
Click here to watch the 2025 Upper Body Layering System Update Video
Click here to watch the 2025 Lower Body Layering System Update Video
Click here to watch the 2025 Footwear Update Video
Click here to watch the 2025 Sleep System Update Video
Click here to read James' race report from 2023. 
Click here to read the in depth look into the appropriate kit for the Spine Races. 
Click here to listen to James' recap podcast of the 2023 event.
Click here to listen to a British Ultrarunning Podcast conversation between James, Dan, five time finisher Matt Neale and 2023 Mens Race Winner Damian Hall.

This video accompanies this post, going into further detail on all of the items below as well as the drop bag and how to think about packing for the race.

Clearly a huge caveat needs to be placed at this juncture. Every single person emerging from the Spine will have a different view on kit, how in functions, what minimum requirements are vs what you actually need to carry.

You need to think very carefully about what you need to carry/ have access to and not just what's on the mandatory kit list. The kit list is there as a safety net and often just in case of emergency. What you actually require to stay safe and perform well at the Spine Race goes far beyond it.

We also need to be realistic about cost and what you do and don't need to buy. Some of the kit is very expensive plus there is of course a large energy cost to production and transport in a lot of cases. So consider what you have already that is fit for purpose, what can be borrowed and what can be hired. As time goes on and we are able to put the time and resource into it, hiring kit is something we'd like to get into - many already do this. The facebook group here is a valuable resource in borrowing kit or getting advice on how to look after it.

Cheaper alternatives are available for everything, always look at the compromise though: Weight vs Packability vs Price. We've picked out the best balance of those three things, in our opinion.

And on that note - as a retailer of ultrarunning gear, all that happened as we went sourcing the best kit, was that we started to stock it. So that we could pass on a collection of kit that was all in one place for runners interested in the race - with first hand, real world advice. We don't stock it all but we're getting there. All of the links take you to the best place to find each product. It might seem salesy but believe me when I say I think the biggest saving is actually hopefully on people's time trying to find good advice and being able to ask questions about kit/ shop from us at the same time. We're here for the detail.

However, we are not the authority on Spine Race kit. If you have any questions or want to check if what you have meets kit requirements for the race, then you should contact the Spine Race and Lindley Chambers who heads up their kit side of things, via his email [email protected] . You can also read his advice and tips on kit and kit check on this page here.

What I've done here is distilled down my experience not just at the Spine but of a nearly two decades of racing in all conditions, utilising a wide range of winter kit over and over again - as well as organising more 100(+) mile ultra distance events than anyone else in the country! I know there will be some people who have no idea of who I am so I have included a short bio at the end of this post.

This kit has been used, not actually mainly in racing but in training and on days out on the hill, in winter. You must get used to using the kit, particularly working out what footwear and what layering systems work for you. I am around 65kg, 5ft7 and without tooting my own horn, tend to move towards the mid to the front of the pack in events. I would say days out over the Wainwrights in winter were a turning point for me. Learning to read the forecast, particularly with regards to wind speeds at height, anticipate clothing requirements, navigate in the dark and mist with map and compass and scramble/ climb very difficult ground - these are the skills that make me feel most comfortable in terrible weather. A lot of my racing might also seem irrelevant but you draw on the experience of everything that has gone before, in events like the Spine. Races/ Rounds I've run that help contribute to choices here include Tor Des Geants, Arc of Attrition, Lakeland 100, Western States, Bob Graham, Paddy Buckley, Charlie Ramsay, Leadville, Lakeland, 4Deserts Series (antarctica being the most cold weather specific). But more so things like the Wainwrights in winter, crossing Iceland on foot and many long days out by myself. 

Finally you will find kit suggestions and comments throughout this text which features my own kit. Firstly from two of our team runners - Debbie Martin-Consani who has finished the race twice including a win at the 2022 edition. And Edwina Sutton who finished third in the 2023 race. Finally, from 2023 Mens winner Damian Hall.

A link to the full mandatory kit list for 2024 (and 2025) is available here. All of the below kit meets the criteria for the event. 

Footwear:

Clearly, managing your feet is one of the handful of major things to concentrate your energy on. For some time as a team we had been waiting on the La Sportiva Cyklon Cross GTX to come out. We'd sat in a team meeting back in April and Jono Wyatt had pulled a pair out and previous race winner and PW Record Holder - John Kelly - sitting to my right, had asked on the spot if he could possibly just take them home with him. They are effectively an insulated, waterproof, lightweight shoe - that looks like a boot due to the gaiter. The sole unit is La Spo's grippiest rubber. The upper is soft, warm and you can dial it in tight or back it off using the boa system. Then there is a Gore Tex gaiter coming up to ankle height, so effectively there are two waterproof layers to the shoe. This kind of shoe has moved the game on with regards to protection from winter/ very wet or cold conditions. It feels like you are wearing a lightweight shoe, whilst getting the protection of a mountain boot (not crampon compatible as the sole is not rigid enough - great with microspikes of course). Others were still wearing regular trail shoes and asking more of their socks but for me whether you are running up the front or scraping cut offs, this shoe does it all. The other model I had in my armoury was the La Sportiva Blizzard. This is again a Gore-Tex shoe with a debris gaiter, and has a metal stud matrix built into the sole unit - essentially built in nano-spikes so you can run across ice without issue (note these will not pass kit check, you still need a separate set of spikes or yaktrax).

The other component of course, is socks. I hadn't worn waterproof socks since the Last Desert Antarctica in 2008. But I got hold of some Dexshell Compression mudder socks and quite frankly they became the most important piece of kit I had. They are impermeable to both water, but also to debris. And at knee height you have to be in a very significant bog or river to get water in the top. If that does happen, they then insulate that water like a wetsuit, and keep your feet warm. 

I had no liner sock, just the Dexshell. I started in the Cyklon Cross. Because it was minus 2-3 in the valleys and 6-7 on the tops all week, every hard surface was covered in ice so I then used the Blizzards for Day 2 and 3. Before going back to the Cyklon Cross for the last two sections. 

All four of the runners mentioned on this post including myself, Debbie, Eddie and Damian all used the same DexShell sock for this race. 

2022 Womens race champion Debbie Martin-Consani used a liner sock in combination with the DexShell and had just as much success with her feet - Debbie talked about her foot route in a post-race intstagram post here. Liner socks should be thin, it is well worth experimenting with both options in your training. Damian Hall comments: 'I too use DexShells and tend to wear a toesock as a liner. The only problem I've had is from feet being too warm in conditions less severe'. Again, test them in training.

With the Dexshell Sock, and then the Cyklon Cross/ Blizzard I had zero blisters (i had one small bit of skin come off at the finish because i tore off a bit of preventative tape too soon with wet skin underneath), zero hot spots, never once got cold feet and always had the grip I needed. I took my shoes and socks off in at the 144 mile check point and the medic asked me where I'd washed my feet - they stayed that clean and clear. The Blizzards - after 40 or so hours began to make my feet tender, I think where the sole is more rigid and the spikes less forgivining but they were priceless for the icy rocks, hence the switch back to the Cyklon Cross. I take half a size up in both to allow space for the thicker Dexshell Sock. 

So as an N of 1 sure, but if you want to get through the Spine without foot issues, there's a good system to try. This is more of an invidivual area than almost any other part of your race strategy, besides nutrition.

Separate Spikes or Yaktrax are part of mandatory kit. Nanospikes won't pass kit check. I would always carry a Yaktrax for speed and weight, but also have my Kahtoola Microspikes in the drop bag. These are essentials for any winter mountain day anyway, will see plenty of use! I've had my Yaktrax since 2008, still going strong.

La Sportiva Cyklon Cross GTX - Unisex
Salomon S/Lab Genesis Spine as an alternative to the Cyklon Cross - Unisex
La Sportiva Blizzard
Dexshell Mudder Compression Socks
Kahtoola Microspike
Yaktrax

Freezing waterlogged paths - but no water ingress or foot problems. 

Kirk Yetholm: Completely blister free, dry feet. (Photo c/o Steve Ashworth)

Lower Body:

All through training including in sub zero temperatures for many hours, I'd worn one pair of tights and lightweight waterproof trousers. But in the race this was simply not enough. I ended up putting on a second pair of tights and then a waterproof trouser. I needed two pairs of tights to stay warm enough at the coldest times. Remembering then that these stayed largely dry through the race, I didn't touch my spare/ third pair but you need to carry one additional pair to that which you are wearing. I can't see getting away with less than three pairs of tights is viable, and a fourth would be wise.

As for the trousers, the Drizzle Pant (unisex) is a light, tapered running waterproof trouser, you feel like you can move fast in them. This was good for almost everything, you could put on a heavier Gore-Tex weight trouser in wetter weather however, that could be a valuable addition.

On the lower half, Damian Hall, moving on the whole much faster (than almost anyone else!) found that one pair of tights was often enough, with a pair of lightweight waterproof trousers over the top just for the very worst sections. But certainly for us slower movers a bit more protection is worth getting used to in training.

Montane Slipstream Tight Mens | Womens - 3 Pairs
La Sportiva Drizzle Pant 
Montane Spirit Lite Gore-Tex Waterproof Trouser Mens | Womens

Upper Body:

This is a huge area, clearly. A good mountain layering system and an understanding of that is worth looking at. I know some runners will simply stick a Buffalo Jacket on and that'll cover almost anything they need. But I prefer the layering because it allows flexibility around conditions.

You should look at having a base layer. Two mid-layers - ideally a breathable fleece type material and a heavier weight fleece jacket, a primaloft jacket and two outer shells - a windproof and a waterproof.

For the majority of the Spine I had on six layers. Base Layer - La Sportiva Jubilee. Mid-weight fleece - the OMM Core Jacket which is super light, breathable and packs suprisingly small. A La Sportiva zip up fleece hoodie / Montane Protium Hooded Fleece. My La Sportiva Primaloft jacket. My Blizzard Windproof. A Montane Gore-Tex Active outer shell which I had on in the wet/ snow showers only. In training, I never had more than three layers on. But thermo-regulation goes out of the window several days in and you need to anticipate wearing far more than you ever will in preparation.

You then also need to have back ups for these layers. They will get wet at some stage. Having spares in your pack and your drop bag, is essential. Here's how and why.

Before a base layer for us men, Eddie Sutton adds 'this sports bra is thick (think free extra warmth) but has no seams and a large surface area to protect back. I had no chafing under arms or on back and it never felt wet so I didn’t get cold.'

A good base layer needs to be able to move moisture away from your body whilst insulating to a high degree here. The truth is at the Spine you are only really sweating up on climbs and even then if you are, you need to look at your effort level. I had several, one on me, one in the bag (that is the mandatory kit rule - one spare base layer not in use) and then a couple in the drop bag. 

A good quality Waterproof Jacket is obviously crucial. Whilst a 10k/10k lightweight jacket will pass kit check, it's absolutely inappropriate to start this race with something that lightweight. The minimum level I'd suggest for the race is Gore-Tex Active. Right now we have the privielege of being able to wear a Gore level jacket which weighs close to nothing. The jacket I had for the majority of the race was the Montane Phase Nano. This is the evolution of the Spine Jacket. They are both Gore-Tex Active which translates to much greater protection than any of the other lightweight (10k - 20k range) jackets, durable, adjustable hood and hem and extremely lightweight. The womens edition of the Phase Nano is not out until September 2023. So the Spine jacket for both men and women and then the Phase Nano Mens from Spring and Womens from Autumn 2023 are the pick of the bunch for me. 

Eddie Sutton comments 'I had run in a montane spine jacket for a few years size 10 one…then about a month before the race I purchased a size 12 one which I wore for the race and was so pleased I did. It enabled me to wear more layers underneath, I had more mobility and it was easier to get the hood up and down. I then took the size 10 in my drop bag ready to double layer if I needed to but we had a dry year!'

Some will point to needing heavier jackets than this - Gore-Tex Pro, higher denier grade material will stand up longer to bad weather, but that is personal preference - again weight vs packability vs protection - I believe Gore-Tex Active in these latest Montane jackets is the way forward. 

You could certainly argue the case for needing one or two spare jackets too - if you are soaked through and keen to leave a check point in a hurry. 

I would put a good windproof up there as just as important as a waterproof. There were times during the race where the wind was up to 40mph and on a -6 temperature reduced wind chill to -15. That cuts straight through a waterproof because of the nature of the material, where a windproof offers substantially more warmth/ protection. It still amazes me how a garment I use almost every day is so neglected in the running world. The Blizzard and Briza are nnot much over 100 grams and provide that layer of protection.

Finally the Primaloft layer, go for primaloft and not down. Primaloft still works as an insulating layer when it wets out but down does not. 

Inov8 Merino Long Sleeve Base Layer Mens | Womens
OMM Core Jacket Mens | Womens
Montane Protium Fleece Mens | Womens
Montane Phase Nano Mens | Womens
Montane Fireball Lite Mens | Womens
La Sportiva Blizzard Windproof (unisex)
M&S Reversible Seamless Sports Bra

Headwear:

The main way you will regulate your temperature during the race is by removing or adding hat/ headwear and hoods. Far simpler and quicker than removing layers. The Core Beanie from OMM is breathable, so you don't get a sweaty head. It weighs next to nothing and is made out of primaloft active. 

Another good option is a headband which allows your head to release the heat whilst ensuring you don't get cold ears, which can be a real issue.

Hoods up or down in conjunction with how cold / windy it is - the hood on your windproof being the main one to use.

I also wore a Weather Resistant/ Waterproof Cap for the first day when it rained hardest, just to re-inforce the peaked hood on the waterproof jacket and ensure rain stayed off of my face. 

Take plenty of buffs. We all have them. Good for face covering, extra warmth/ neck cover, head cover and of course wiping stuff up!

OMM Core Beanie x 2
OMM Kamleika Waterproof Cap
Centurion Versatile Head and Neck Wear

Gloves

Understanding combinations of gloves based on how cold and wet your hands might get is obviously as important as any other facet of your kit. If you lose operation of your fingers, you can't eat, undo bottle caps, undo zips/ change clothing. Basically somewhere between inconvenient and dangerous. Getting into this situation was the defining factor for me in bailing off of a second Barkley loop in 2019! I got my kit wrong when the weather turned very quickly and couldnt' navigate or do my jacket up.

A liner glove, with fingers is worthwile and worth having several pairs of. I'd start with one on and one in your bag (mandatory kit). Then a couple more spares in your drop bags.

As a warm overmitt, always go for Primaloft over Down, because when they get wet - the primaloft will still work as an insulating layer. The Montane Prism Dryline is their warm Prism Mitt, super soft, comfortable and light, but with a pertex waterproof layer. I had three pairs. One on. A spare in my pack. One in my drop bag.

Then a waterproof outer glove for really harsh conditions - the Minimus overmitt also from Montane. Just one pair of those. 

Montane Trail Lite Glove Mens | Womens
Montane Prism Dryline Mitt or Mens Glove / Womens Glove as per preference x 3

Pack/ Belt:

During the race I used 2 different packs. I started out with an old S/Lab Peak 20 which was a skimo pack from 2017 - basically an old faithful. Before I got hold of a Montane Gecko 20. It was a case of using what I was used to. I switched to the Gecko 20 at Middleton when the back zip failed on the Salomon and that must have been fate. Because the comfort level of the Gecko is incredible. For me it is the superior option and I wished I had started in it. The best features in my opinion are the adjustable straps across the front which allow cinching around unknown layers of clothing, and the comfortable waist belt that takes some of the load off of your shoulders. But particularly the soft elastane blended material and side pockets. Unlike almost any other pack you can reach straight into them, just down of your waist but close to the front, and stuff them full of almost anything you might need on the run. Honestly they are like Mary Poppins' bag. The fit is exceptional, so comfortable and despite the weight you barely notice you have it on. For me, there was always ample space in the back - I packed light but then added a complete set of spare clothing on the top for easy access and there was ample room. I also used a Naked Band for additional space early in the race, particularly useful for excess nutrition. 

Eddie sutton also used the same back and trained and raced exclusively with it. She comments 'it's a super comfortable pack, I didn’t feel the weight or pack rubbing (but I trained a lot with the pack too!) I brought an extra chest strap from montane and attached that high up which made a huge difference too.'

For further space, the OMM Chest Pod is compatible with almost any vest or pack, by adapating the fastenings that are provided with it - giving you front access to another 4 litres. I have never found I have needed this, but many in the race use this set up.

For greater capacity - if you are someone who plans to carry bulkier jackets, extra food, or less packable sleeping bags etc, then the best 30 litre option is the UD Fastpack 30, or FastpackHer 30. Again with the belt added for more space.

Montane Gecko VP20+
Naked Waist Band
OMM Chest Pod
Ultimate Direction Fastpack 30
Ultimate Direction FastpackHer 30

Centurion Coach Eddie Sutton rocking the Montane Gecko VP20+ en route to third place at the 2023 event (Photo: Steve Ashworth)

Lighting:

My go to lamp for the last 3-4 years now has been the Petzl Swift RL. Light, packable, easy to change rechargeable battery, long lasting and plenty of light and power. But. I found out during the first night that the lamp didn't like just how cold it was here. It's not been asked to do that duration in that cold before and because the battery was front mounted on my head, it was more exposed to that cold and seemed to drain quickly. That is anecdotal, lithium batteries should not drain any faster in that level of cold per se but that was my experience here. The batteries were all fully charged.

So I switched to my Petzl Nao RL which is Petzl's newest headlamp offering. On low reactive setting I got tons of light, more than I ever needed, and one fully charged battery lasted over 20 hours. I would only ever choose this lamp again. It's light, the battery is on the back which balances the weight out on your head, and crucially means it is protected from the bitter cold by your hood/ gets less cold. 

A rear Red LED is mandatory. Rather than a cheap one which will likely break, I attach a Petzl E+Lite which has the added bonus of being usable as a back up emergency lamp with several other settings. 

Petzl Nao RL x 2
Spare Nao RL R1 Batteries - x 4
Petzl E+Lite

20 hours plus on low reactive setting with the Petzl Nao RL - always enough light to move well. (Photo: Steve Ashworth)

Sleep System:  

Full disclosure here, I used this in training and on the freezing cold floor in Bellingham but I did not Bivi out during the race. The Thermarest Hyperion 32 has a comfort rating of 0 degrees C. It is super lightweight, but immensely comfortable and feels substantial despite how small it packs down. It is the minimum rating to pass kit check, but honestly with the Mat, Bivi and Clothing you have, it is unlikely that you will require more than this bag. We also stock the Hyperion 20 which is rated down to -6C for those who plan to bivi out or who want that extra layer of safety/ comfort. You can of course find other marginally lighter, extremely expensive alternatives but with performance vs packability vs weight, this is the optimum bag for me.

The sleep pad - I opted for the lightest as once again, I wasn't planning on a bivi unless in emergency - but I am happy having bivi'd on it before that whilst not the most comfortable night, as an insulating layer it does everything you need eg. gets you off of the freezing cold ground which is conducting your body heat away very quickly indeed. The Neo-Air Uberlite inflates extremely quickly and is a pass at kit check. Again it feels substantial. To me, the mat is the least important thing. If you try to inflate a mat like this with little or no shelter in high wind in an emergency you may as well be holding onto a kite. You need to get the bivi out first and try to inflate the mat inside of it whilst pinned down and ideally behind shelter. You need to practice these things in training!

With the bivi, I have again gone super lightweight, almost as light as you can go. The less durable bags eg SOL will fail at kit check. This is a waterproof bag with taped seams and perfectly adequate to keep you protected for short sleeps or awaiting assistance. This isn't a bag I'd hang out in year round for comfort - but that isn't why I am carrying it during this event.

Thermarest Hyperion 32F/0C Sleeping Bag
Thermarest Hyperion 20F/-6C Sleeping Bag
Exped Ultra 1R M Mummy Sleeping Mat
Exped Uno UL Ultralight Bivi

Navigation: 

The Pennine Way is not a well marked trail. You will find finger posts and the acorn symbol in lots of places. But nothing it all in much greater amounts. Map and compass are mandatory kit and for good reason. If you'd had your watch die and/ or your OS App jumping all over the place in heavy clag on the high mountains, you need to be able to use them. Again for me it was a hard lesson on top of Red Pike by myself winter in serious conditions when the electronics all failed that forced me to take 'thumbing the map' more seriously. But, I would use the maps as a back up here because you ideally want hands free for poles, eating and gates. So use the excellent GPX trace, uploaded on your watch. It will tell you when you are going off course and when to make a turn. The Coros Vertix 2 has the longest battery life of any watch going, so we stock that to try to ensure least charging time. 

The handheld GPS you will see some using as a primary navigation device but more often than not it is a back-up. We used it on the Cam Road section on the longest stretch between check points, when my watch died. The Garmin 66S is easy to use even with big gloves on, takes 3 x AA batteries which are easily changed and is essentially bomb proof navigation. You need to learn to use the funcationality before you head out, you will need to upload the right maps for the Pennine Way - it doesn't come with these built in and you will be best off leaving it switched on, so if you do need to use it it is already there with the route and your position on it, not loading up in harsh conditions as you stand around waiting for it.

Reference a compass, I personally prefer a thumb / orienteering compass, but that won't pass kit check here so get a solid reliable compass like the Silva Ranger instead.

Garmin Fenix 8 PRO
Pennine Way Harveys Map: North and South
Garmin 66s Handheld GPS
Silva Ranger Compass (coming to store soon!)

Poles:

I'm not sure if anyone went without poles but I'd be suprised. For stability, for measuring the depth of bogs - seriously, and for more efficient forward movement they have to be considered essential. Whilst I am a huge fan of Leki's Ultratrail FX.One Superlight poles which I used for TDG, I have always used a Black Diamond Carbon Z or FLZ pole when wearing gloves. They are super light, durable, fold down quickly and easily when out of use and most importantly have an easy to adjust hand strap so that I am not trying to squeeze the otherwise excellent Leki Shark Glove system over several layers of changing glove types. The FLZ have the added bonus of being height adjustable on the move.

Poles: Black Diamond Distance Z Poles

Stove/ Cooking / Eating System:

Aim for me is to be able to boil water quickly and simply but for it to be reliable. Whilst meths is lighter and more packable, the chance of a leak and the hassle of the longer burn time don't make it worth it for me. So I like gas options. Stoves are tiny these days and I use an Alpkit Kraku screwed straight into the gas canister, with storm proof matches to light. Remember you can't blow these out! So get used to letting them burn out in your hand like a sparkler! The Bugaboo mug from GSI is titanium so super light and useful obviously for drinks at the CPs - it is also good to use on the stove and boils extremely quickly, the 400ml limit you need to carry for kit - also coincidentally the amount you need for most rehydrated meals. I'd say good going less than 5 minutes to brew. The bugaboo will be HOT when you pick it up, but the handle is separated - so make sure you wear a glove and within a minute or two is fine to hold. Again, I wouldn't use this system day to day but on the spine (the bugaboo is not meant for this, it will eventually start to deform if you burn it for ages and ages) but it's everything I need here and more. The Titanium Spork from Optimus weighs nothing. 

For flasks/ water, it's worth carrying insulated soft flasks so that your fluid has less chance of freezing. My flasks froze several times leaving me an issue on those sections. It is also worth carrying a filter bottle which you can then decant, if you choose to or need to fill up from questionable sources.

Alpkit Kraku Stove
GSI 110g Isobutane Gas Compatible with that stove
LifeSystems Storm Proof Matches
GSI Bugaboo Cup
Optimus Spork
Salomon insulated soft flasks x 2
Katadyn Befree Filter Flask 600ml

Medical

Take a decent medical kit with you. Look at what is on the kit list, ensure you have it all but also think - what do I really need to carry? Pre-taping feet and having the right, quick to use tools to do that is something to look at pre-race. I am not a big fan of pre taping, but the conditions at the Spine are unique and by adding tape strategically you can often offset some of the worst problems. Remember, don't get into a check point and rip the tape off. Be careful. Your skin will be moist underneath and will tear more easily, so take extreme care when removing and replacing tape. 

Lifesystems Waterproof Micro First Aid Kit
Lifesystems Blister First Aid Kit

Other Mandatory Kit

Lifesystems Hurricane Whistle - far better than the one that came free with your pack. They will make you blow it at kit check!
Swiss Card Knife/ Scissors - This is an expensive option but essentially gives you lots of other useful kit for almost no weight/ size. The blade passes kit check in length. Cheaper replicas are available.
Bolle Safety Goggles - Light and cheap. Tinted expensive ski/ mountain goggles won't pass kit check, you need a clear goggle. These are worth getting used to in training as they need to be adjusted to feel comfortable. Lots of similar options in their range, must have a headband.
GSI Cathole 'Poo' Trowel and Tissues plus poo bags

Food and Drink

This is perhaps the most individual area of all. My advice to you is to consider carrying not just the 3000kcal minimum you are required to have, leaving each check point, but ensure what you have is going to be appealing and easy to consume over very long periods. 

In races in the past I have consumed exclusively gels - including at Western States in 2011 where I ate 70 Gu's. For this race I took almost no sports nutrition with the exception of some Maurten 320 CAF 100 drink mix primarily for the caffeine overnight. 

The other critical component is thinking about freeze dried meals. You won't need these at the check points which are very well stocked, but you will benefit from them at certain points in between. Either at the 0.5 check points or at the pop up locations with MRT where hot water is given. Or again, if you stop to brew up yourself.

I ate all of these things during the race and these options worked best for me. This is a very individual area however.

Expedition Foods Freeze Dried Meals 
Gu Stroopwaffels
Chia Charge Mini Bars
Clif Bar Mini's
Maurten 320 CAF 100
Succeed! S! Caps

Non Mandatory but Borderline! 

Battery Packs: I used two larger power banks here in my drop bag, to charge batteries between check points. And then two smaller ones here that I carried on my person. Plug sockets whilst available at some check points are far from guaranteed. This system allowed me to charge everything for 5 days, with plenty of power to spare, without ever needing mains power. My watch, headlamp and phone cables, I carried in my bag to recharge on the go - I only needed to do that between Hebden and Hawes due to the length of that section. But it was nice to know I had that option if I needed. 
Lifesystems Ear Plugs - It's noisy in the bunk rooms!
Anti Chafe: Bodyglide
Dry Bags: The Ortlieb 13 litre dry bag fits nicely in the Montane Gecko 20 and is truly waterproof/ hard wearing. I then use lighter Exped Fold Lite Dry bags for other kit and my bags to go inside drop bag bags.
Repair Kit: OMM Waterproof Patches, Cable ties, Duct Tape, KT Tape, bungee. Shoe, pack, pole, clothing repairs are almost certainly going to be required at some stage.

BIO

My Spine Race finish in 2023 came 17 years almost to the day, fter my first ultra.

I began in 2005 and my first big adventure was the MDS. I went on to become the youngest finisher at the time of the 4Deserts Series including multi-stage races across the Gobi, Atacama, Sahara Deserts as well as on Antarctica. In 2009 I began running 100 milers and have finished quite a few of the bigger marquee events to date including:

Western States, Leadville, UTMB, Arc of Attrition, Lakeland, WHW Race, Caesars Camp, Old Dominion, Rocky Raccoon (x 5), Autumn 100 etc.

I've also explored the longer single stage races finishing Badwater, Spartathlon, GUCR, many 24hr races including 2 Silver medals in a GB vest and more recently the Tor Des Geants.

In 2011 I started Centurion Running and we've had a stable of 50 and 100 mile races since that time. I have personally Rd'd over 50 races of 100 miles or more and 30 x 50 milers in that time.

Outside of racing I ran the Bob Graham in 2014, the Paddy Buckley in 2021 and the Charlie Ramsay in 2022 made me the 73rd person to complete the Big 3 in under 24 hours. In 2015, I ran across Iceland with Robbie Britton - a very cold expedition over 7 days/ 200 miles. I completed my Wainwrights journey many years ago with many wonderful solo days out in the hills in all conditions. 

In addition I've run 150 marathon+ events with a PB of 2:43 and fi

This video focuses on the Spine Race Sleep System with an update for the 2025 season.

Resources and Advice

Click here to find all of the recommended kit available on our ultrarunning store.

Click here to watch a longform video going into all of the kit for the Spine Race with James Elson (YouTube)
Click here to read James' race report from 2023. 
Click here to listen to James' recap podcast of the 2023 event.
Click here to listen to a British Ultrarunning Podcast conversation between James, Dan, five time finisher Matt Neale and 2023 Mens Race Winner Damian Hall.

This video accompanies this post, going into further detail on all of the items below as well as the drop bag and how to think about packing for the race.

This video focuses on the pick of Winter Running lower body layers and socks for 2024-2025, with the Spine and Winter Downs events in mind. But also for all round winter running. 

Resources and Advice

Click here to find all of the recommended kit available on our ultrarunning store.

Click here to watch a longform video going into all of the kit for the Spine Race with James Elson (YouTube)
Click here to read James' race report from 2023. 
Click here to listen to James' recap podcast of the 2023 event.
Click here to listen to a British Ultrarunning Podcast conversation between James, Dan, five time finisher Matt Neale and 2023 Mens Race Winner Damian Hall.

This video accompanies this post, going into further detail on all of the items below as well as the drop bag and how to think about packing for the race.

This video focuses on the pick of Winter Running footwear for 2024-2025, with the Spine and Winter Downs events in mind. But also for all round winter running. 

Resources and Advice

Click here to find all of the recommended kit available on our ultrarunning store.

 

Click here to watch a longform video going into all of the kit for the Spine Race with James Elson (YouTube)
Click here to read James' race report from 2023. 
Click here to listen to James' recap podcast of the 2023 event.
Click here to listen to a British Ultrarunning Podcast conversation between James, Dan, five time finisher Matt Neale and 2023 Mens Race Winner Damian Hall.

This video accompanies this post, going into further detail on all of the items below as well as the drop bag and how to think about packing for the race.

KIT AND LOGISTICS

This area of the post is specifically designed to look at the detail of all aspects of the kit, footwear, apparel, nutrition and miscellaneous items that you need to think about in order to compete safely and successfully in the Spine Races or indeed, for winter in the mountains.

Resources and Advice

Click here to find all of the recommended kit on our ultrarunning store.

Click here to watch a longform video going into all of the kit for the Spine Race with James Elson (YouTube)
Click here to read James' race report from 2023. 
Click here to listen to James' recap podcast of the 2023 event.
Click here to listen to a British Ultrarunning Podcast conversation between James, Dan, five time finisher Matt Neale and 2023 Mens Race Winner Damian Hall.

This video accompanies this post, going into further detail on all of the items below as well as the drop bag and how to think about packing for the race.

The eighth edition of the Wendover Woods 50 kicks off this coming Saturday 9th November at 0930. After a summer edition in 2023 where it formed part of our our Wendover Woods Weekender - the race returns to it's traditional place in the calendar, as the regular season finale. It always feels like a party because of that, but also because of the looped nature of the course, with runners returning to our base in Trig Point Field four times to join in the fun, before crossing the line to finish at the end of their fifth, 10 mile lap.

Conditions in November in the woods are good for the time of year on the whole because they drain so well - the chalk ridge running off steeply in all directions. Individual sections can get muddy but right now the course is in good shape and if heavy rain steers clear from now until after race day, there will be some fast times but that is all relative, as the course boasts 10,000 feet of climb and descent making it one of the hilliest races in the southern part of the country. The 15 hour cut off is 2 hours longer than any other 50 miler we host.

This year we have a field of 300 and what as always looks to be some good racing at the front both races. Here is a look at the likely leading contenders. 

Fi Pascall on route to a course record win in 8:33 back in 2022

WOMEN

Holly Stables: Holly is our long standing North Downs Way 50 record holder. The ex-GB Marathoner with a best of 2:37, has now been running ultras for over a decade and in that time has taken wins at the Autumn 100, Ultravasan, Cotswold Way Century and many shorter events. 7th at Comrades, two top ten finishes at CCC - she has done brilliantly internationally too. This year she came home second at the Arc 50 back in January and has raced plenty of shorter events too cracking 3 hours at Manchester Marathon and more recently running 84 minutes for the half at Amsterdam. 

Michelle Attridge: Michelle is our 2024 50 mile Grand Slam leader having won the South Downs Way 50 back in April and followed that up with a second at the North Downs Way 50 in May. She’s raced several times internationally in between times and done well in all. She finished third at the Chiltern Wonderland 50 in September, dropping back from the lead in the closing stages, but that still gives her a healthy margin in the overall slam standings over 69 minutes over second place Ally Whitlock.

Michelle at the CW50 in September

Ally Whitlock: Currently second behind Michelle in the Grand Slam table with a third, a fourth and a ninth so far this year. She also finished third at the NDW100 in what has been quite the year of racing. Previously she’s finished many of our races in the top ten and on the podium in more recent years including the Autumn 100, Winter Downs 200 and Wendover Woods 100.

Sophie Power: SheRaces founder and Team GB international Sophie, returns to this event for the second time, having finished third here in 2022. In the interim, she has gone from strength to strength with two sensational 24hr performances in 2023 in particular, a 235km at Crawley and then a 227km top 20 finish at the World Championships in Taipei. She has scores of superb performances to her name over the 15 years, but most notably for us she was one of the pioneering few who finished the first ever Thames Path in 2012, in truly atrocioius conditions back when it was held in early March!

Helen Moss: Helen finished second at the South Downs Way 50 this year under 8 hours, dropped a little further back in the Grand Slam standings with an 11th at the NDW50 in May but then turned it back around with a fifth place at the Chiltern Wonderland 50. She is a previous winner of the Chiltern Challenge with XNRG and the Downslink Ultra.  

Becky Pearson: Becky is enjoying a fantastic 2024 with a fourth at the SDW50 and a seventh at the SDW100 already this year. 

 

MEN

Alastair Courtney: Fresh off of the back of a win at the Chiltern Wonderland 50. Alastair is having quite the year with us. Third at the Hundred Hills 50km in a super competitive field, he went on to win the South Downs Way 50 in 6:27 and took second at the North Downs Way 50 in 6:38. He leads the men’s Grand Slam 50 mile table. 

Matt Hammerton: Matt set the Wendover Woods Night 50km course record in 2022 when he ran a storming 4:27 to win by over half an hour. That record was lowered by GB International Joe Turner in 2023, but only by 3 minutes. This year Matt finished fourth at the SDW100 in 15:04.

Pete Windross: Known by all at Centurion for being one of the most consistent performers over many years. With wins at the SDW100 and TP100, as well as several Grand Slam 100 mile finishes - Pete rarely steps down to 50 miles so it's good to see him racing here. This year so far he's taken a third at the SDW100 in 14:48 and a seventh at the TP100, both of which were his seventh finishes at each event.

Tim Bradley: Fifth here in 2022, Time went on to become our 2023 South Downs Way 100 champion. He also won the Spine Challenger North that year. This year he ran home 35th at Lavaredo in a solid international field. 

Tim Bradley on route to winning the SDW100

Sam Downing: Second at the Arc 50 last year and the second fastest all time on that course. Has a string of other top tens including the Arc of Attrition, Dartmoor in a Day 50km, Serpent Trail 50km and the Classic Quarter.

Mike Jones: Mike was the founder of the Ultra Trail Snowdonia and is the man behind the Apex Running events. But as an athlete he achieved great success, becoming a winner at Lakeland 100 in both 2016 and 2017. After some years out dealing with a few issues it was great to see him back nearer the top of his game as he took sixth at the same event again this year. 

Tom Hedges: Tom was second at last years Chiltern Wonderland 50, previously finished fourth at the Night 50km version of this event and won the Humanity Direct Chiltern Ultra held in the same area, this year. 

Mark Potts: Mark finished fifth at the Chiltern Wonderland 50 in September. His real home ground is the Pennine Way though, having finished second at both the Spine Summer and Spine Winter full, as well as having previously taken the victory at the Spine Summer Challenger. 

Sam Harper: Sam was second at Race to the Stones in 2023 and third at the North Downs Way 50 in 2022.

Iain Ward: Winner over the past year at both the Norfolk 100km and Peddars Way ultra, both quite different in profile to Wendover of course! 

 

Follow the race live via the link here or on the homepage available later this week.

 

The thirteenth edition of our classic regular 100 mile season closer - the Autumn 100 kicks off this coming Saturday 12th October. The course features a series of four, 12.5 mile out and back legs - two on the Thames Path and two on the Ridgeway. With the Thames Path in flood until recently there were concerns over the going on leg one in particular, but a dry week and some sunshine has removed any issue and barring a last minute sustained deluge the race will be run on the normal course.

The mens course record of 13:58 (co-incidentally owned by Geoff Cheshire who is on our marking team for this years race) does not look under immediate threat, however the womens record, held by Susie Chesher since 2016 looks the more likely to go with a high calibre womens field set to toe the line this year.

 

 

WOMEN

Hannah Rickman: The improvement in Hannah's running over recent years from an already high benchmark has been wonderful to behold. Her last outing at a Centurion event was a win at the 2021 North Downs Way 100, arguably a bit of a break out performance. For, since then, she has gone on to win Ultra Trail Drakensberg 160km, the Spine Summer Sprint, The Northern Traverse and has twice placed second at the Winter Spine full as well as at Lakeland 50. This will be more flatter running than she is used to amongst those races but that shouldn't stop her. The guys better look out.

Hannah Rickman

Ali Young: Multiple time GB 24hr Team athlete Ali is one of the most consistent performers in the sport. This year she clocked a 16:20 100 mile split and 220km total distance at Crawley 24hr. Past stand out runs are all at flatter 100 mile+ events and so this race will suit her down to the ground. She has three Spartahlon's to her name with a best of 28:57 for fourth. Four GB 24hr Team vests. A win at Grand Union Canal Race and a 100 mile PB where she also set a national age group record running 15:41 at our Track 100.

Amy-Jo Clarke: Amy-Jo won our Hundred Hills 50km in 2023 and that followed her first Centurion victory which came at the 2022 North Downs Way 50. She also has wins at Race to the Stones and Hurtwood 50km to her name. This looks to be her first 100 miler. 

Camilla Mitchell: Has a string of podiums to her name, though all at shorter distances over the last few years. Second at Race to the Stones, winner of the Amersham Ultra 50km and second at the Druids Challenge - which takes in a lot of the A100 course - amongst them.

Anastasia Hounslow: Winner of the Serpent Trail 100km in 2021 and 2022 as well as the Fox Ultra last year. 

Jenny Crouch: Second at this years Arc of Attrition, Jenny has also won the Butcombe Ultra twice, the Beacons ultra and placed fourth at the RAT 100km. 

 

MEN

Matt Gallagher: Matt has become a consistent performer over the 100 mile distance in recent years. Results include at 16:34 here in 2022, a 19:04 at the NDW100 in the same year. A 16:21 at the TP100 in 2021 and a 15:24 at the TP100 in 2023. All of those landed him top ten finishes. The majority of his other shorter ultra performances are also top ten finishes. 

Ed Knudsen: So solid over 50 miles, Ed is yet to have his dream 100 but will surely be up for it here. Past NDW50 champion, CW50 champion and with podium and top ten finishes at a range of other ultras over all terrains including and up to the Dragons Back, Ed's back catologue is extensive. His 14th place at the NDW100 this year and 19:22 at this event back in 2017 are not indicative of what he will surely achieve in the near future over 100 miles on trail.

Brady Poskin: Brady ran home fifth at our NDW50 earlier this year in 6:49. The US based runner has enjoyed wins at US events such as Tahoe Rim 50, Badwater Salton Sea and Three Days of Sylamo. At 100 miles he's also had success with solid finishes at Run Rabbit Run and UTMB - in a career which stretches back 50 races+ over a decade or more.

Neil Kempton: Sixth here in 16:22 in 2022, Neil hasn't hit the same heights since but did come home tenth at the Classic Quarter down in Cornwall earlier in this year.

Ciaran Mcaneny: Holds a 100 mile PB of 16:21 set at our Track 100. Some shorter ultra racing so far in 2024 has yielded three top ten finishes. 

Damon Hannis: Seventh at the TP100 in 2023 in 16:40.

FOLLOW LIVE

Follow the race live via the link here kicking off from 0900 on Saturday 12th October. A huge thanks in advance, as always, to our volunteer team and sponsors without whom none of this is possible.

2024 marks the ninth edition of the Chiltern Wonderland 50. Our third 50 miler of the year and the third in the Grand Slam, the race holds a special place in the hearts of many who are so fond of the route which takes runners out from Goring on Thames, through picturesque villages, remote valleys and an amazing and diverse range of trails. 

This years' race starts at 0830 on 21st September and as always you can follow the race every step of the way which will be available from just prior to race day via our live tracking here. 

Read on for a quick preview of the likely leading contenders in both the womens and mens events.

WOMEN

Michelle Attridge: Michelle is our 2024 50 mile Grand Slam leader having won the South Downs Way 50 back in April and followed that up with a second at the North Downs Way 50 in May. She’s raced several times internationally in between times and done well in all.

Michelle Attridge

Ally Whitlock: Currently second behind Michelle in the Grand Slam table with a third and a fourth so far this year. She also finished third at the NDW100 last month. Previously she’s finished many of our races in the top ten and on the podium in more recent years including the Autumn 100, Winter Downs 200 and Wendover Woods 100.

Jennifer Wood: Second at our South Downs Way 50 in 2023 in a blazing 7:29. Has previously run 129km+ over 12 hours which puts her firmly in the top ten British female performers in that category.

Jennifer Wood

Gemma Game: Finished third at this years MdS and that was her third podium there over the years. Previous winner, podium and top ten finisher at a raft of races both in the U.K. and abroad including most prominently Tenerife Blue Trail and Transgrancanaria Advanced. 

Laura McGill: Finished second here last year and third in 2021. Finished fourth at the Autumn 100 in 2023 also. 

Helen Moss: Helen finished second at the South Downs Way 50 this year under 8 hours but dropped a little further back in the Grand Slam standings with an 11th at the NDW50 in May. Previous winner of the Chiltern Challenge with XNRG and the Downslink Ultra. 

Sharon Walker: Sharon was third at the Thames Path 100 last year in 19:11. Previous podium finisher at Race to the King and Race to the Tower. She finished seventh at the North Downs Way 50 this year. 

 

MEN

Alastair Courtney: Alastair is having quite the year with us. Third at the Hundred Hills 50km in a super competitive field, he went on to win the South Downs Way 50 in 6:27 and took second at the North Downs Way 50 in 6:38. He leads the men’s Grand Slam 50 mile table. 

Alastair Courtney

Ben Hall: Ben was third at this years North Downs Way 40 just behind Alistair. He’s previously finished top ten at the SDW50 and won the Pilgrim Challenge. 

David I’Anson: Winner of the Druids Challenge and the Oner. He went top ten at the South Downs Way 100 in 17:01 in 2019 and finished in the top ten at the UTS100km in 2021. 

Paul Fernandez: Multiple time winner of the Ridgeway Challenge with a best over the 86 mile course of 13:39. Fourth at the North Downs Way 100 in 2020. More recently a winner of the Beast of the Beacons 40 mile race and past winner of the South Wales 50 and Brecon to Cardiff ultra.

Thomas Wright: Fourth at the Wendover Woods 50 in 2022.

 

Once again you can follow the race every step of the way which will be available from just prior to race day via our live tracking here. Thank you in advance to our wonderful team of volunteers

 

The North Downs Way 100 comes back around for the fourteenth time! This was our original event back in 2011 and as the pedigree of the race continues to grow we have a stellar field with an eye on the prize - certainly the course records which are some of our longest standing, could be put under threat if conditions play ball.... but that is a big if!

The womens record is held by Debbie Martin-Consani who ran 18:34 all the way back in 2016. Mark Darbyshire was early on in his running career when he seemingly appeared out of nowhere and obliterated the mens course record in 2019, by running 15:18. 

WOMENS

Sarah Page: Sarah was our 2023 South Downs Way 100 champion and ran home second later last year at the Autumn 100, her first year of 100 mile races and an impressive one at that.

Sarah Page

Ally Whitlock: Ally is in the midst of running our 50 mile Grand Slam this year and has already recorded a third at SDW50 and a fourth at NDW50 over the first half of the season. Ally has many years of fine results at our events behind her. In 2023 she was third at both the Winter Downs 200 and Wendover Woods 100, arguably the two hardest races we've staged to date. Previously over the 100 mile distance her best was 18:27 for second at the much flatter Autumn 100 in 2022. In 2020 she finished sixth here in 26:45 but there is no doubt she will be looking to go a lot quicker this time. 

Ally Whitlock

Anastasia Hounslow: Two time winner of the Serpent Trail 100km and winner of the 2023 Fox Ultra.

Amy Sole: Our 2023 Grand Slam 50 mile Champion, Amy finished in the top ten of all four events in 2023. She also has a second place at the Arc 50 to her name.

Kate Archer: Kate was fifth at the Lakeland 100 in 2023 in a sub 30 hour time which bodes very well for a good run here.

Mary Marshall: Mary was fifth at the NDW50 earlier this spring, which followed a win at the EnduranceLife North Cornwall 50km back in January. 

Sophie Brownlee: Sophie looks to have podiumed at each of the six ultras she has to her name. Those races include Race to the Castle, the South West Traverse and then in 2023 her longest race to date - the Devon Coast to Coast over 112 miles. 

Kim Loney: Two ultra distance wins already this year and plenty more in the past, mainly in the Yorkshire and Northumbria racing scene. This years wins include the Pennine Journey North Ultra and Ripon Stinger. This looks to be her first 100 miler.

Emily Newton: Has been a prolific racer since stepping into ultras in 2021, including plenty of wins, podium and top ten finishes. Stand out results include a 7:24 over 50 miles at Manchester to Liverpool. Has a finish at the Arc of Attrition to her name too.

 

MENS

Geoff Cheshire: Geoff bounces into this one after dropping from the South Downs Way 100 this past June, where he led over the first 40 miles. He is the course record holder at the Autumn 100, where he ran 13:58 in 2023. He also won the Thames Path 100 last year in 14:18. In 2021 he ran 17:07 here to finish second behind only Hungarian international Norbert Mihalik. He will be very hungry to get this one right!

Geoff Cheshie

Richard McDowell: Rich is our Thames Path 100 course record holder where he ran 13:43 in 2021. That year he also won the South Downs Way 50. In 2022 he won our South Downs Way 100 in 14:49. Both of his 100s to date have not, however gone to plan. Rich's background is on the road and track where he has had a glittering career. A marathon PB of 2:23, he ran 2:28 at London this year - it's his consistency which is most impressive. He will certainly be looking at targetting the course record here.

Ryan Whelan: It is rare that we welcome back the previous years' first and second place finishers but that is the case this time. Ryan pipped Joe Ackerley by less than the lap of the track in 2023 to take the win in 17:07. This year is off to a great start with a 146km+ effort for the win at the Taipei 12 hour. The Hong Kong based athlete has years of fine results behind him mostly in that territory.

Joe Ackerley: Finished 87 seconds behind Ryan last year in the closest finish we've ever seen here, to finish second in 17:08.

Ryan and Joe go 1,2 in 2023

Ed Knudsen: Ed's pedigree is deep and he knows this trail well. He has finished the NDW50 three times including a win in 2022 in 6:55. Previous CW50 champion in 6:34 alongside a raft of other strong runs. He is also no stranger to long events with two of our 100s featuring in the earlier part of his ultra career, but this is his first step back up to the distance in a while.

Mauro Persic: Sixth at the 2023 Arc Of Attrition, twice in the Top Ten at Istria by UTMB - the 100 mile distance which attracts an international calibre field. At least 20 Top Ten ultra finishes at all distances and terrain types over the past four years. 

Jamie Pugh: A member of our coaching staff here at Centurion, Jamie brings his world class expertise to our team. But he is also a fine runner in his own right. He ran home sixth at our highly competitive Hundred Hills 50km back in March before running a PB of 7:20 over 100km in Sweden in April. 

FOLLOW THE RACE

Follow the race live from 0700 3rd August via the Live Tracking (available here from 1st August) and our Instagram Channel.

The South Downs Way 100 returns for the thirteenth edition over the weekend of 8th-9th June 2024. 100 miles of incredible trails with 13,000 feet of climb and descent, the route traverses the South Downs Way National Trail from Winchester in the west to Eastbourne in the east. Runners have 30 hours to complete the route. With 13 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.

 

A historic race 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 todays 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 worlds 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 ultra calendar since.

2024 and the GranCanaria World Trail Majors

500 runners from 25 countries will toe the line on what will be the fifth stop of the Gran Canaria World Trail Majors Series. The race has always attracted the best of British trail and ultrarunners, but with a new partnership through the World Trail Majors the race opens up to a global audience for the first  time. 

In its current entity, the race began in 2012 with a field of just 162 starters, but has grown organically and sustainably over the intervening period to sit at the top of the UK tree in the top three field sizes for UK 100 mile races, every year. 

In 2014 an astonishing run from Mark Perkins set a mens course record of 14:03, a time which hasn’t been bettered since. At that time, Mark was at the Vanguard of the UK scene running 12 hours for 100 miles on the track and 13 hours for the win at Berlin 100, before 14 hours here put him on an untouchable pedestal. In fact nobody has come with 25 minutes of Mark’s time since. 

The women’s course record was initially owned by Jean Beaumont in 16:56, a kiwi runner who had had a lot of success on more mountainous 100 milers. That stood until 2022 when Bethan Male lowered it to 16:49 in what remains the course record today.

The 2024 Race

A deep field is expected across both the women's and men's events. 

WOMEN 

Nicole Bitter: US based runner, Nicole is a multiple time top ten finisher at Western States, three times a winner at Rocky Raccoon 100 with a best of 14:22. Winner of the Black Canyons 100km. In 2024 she has won three races already including Rocky Raccoon 50. 

Karen Benway: Another US based runner, Karen was third at Quebec Mega Trail in 2022, one of our partner races in the WTM series. She has three top ten finishes at the competitive Vermont 100 miler to her name, was fifth at Tahoe Rim Trail 100 mile in 2023 and has a host of other top ten and podium finishes at US ultras to her name including a fourth at JFK50. 

Cat Simpson: Second at this race last year and a two time finisher of this race, GB 24hr team runner and Centurion Ultra Team meber Cat has a string of accolades to her name including a win at GUCR, fifth at Spartatlon and a 100 mile PB of 15:34 set at Crawley 24hr.

Cat Simpson on her way to second place in 2023

Alex Coomber: Ex-Olympian Alex, has a second place the SDW50 to her name and was eighth at the same race in April of this year. In recent years has picked up podium spots at Serpent Trail 50km and 100km as well as at the Testway Ultra.

Sophie Bennett: Second at the Winter Downs 200 in December of last year. Sophie was fifth at UTMR 100km and at Wendover Woods 100 last year. This year she's already picked up the win at the Bruniquel 24hr in France.

Anna Drake: Second at the Jurassic Coast 100 mile in 2023 as well as the Dartmoor Way Granite 50 and East Devon Round. Two ultras so far in 2024 including a first and a fourth place.

In the hunt for top ten: Becky Pearson, Louise Langmead, Becky Langmead, Jessica Dicks.

MEN

Dan Lawson: Dan most recently finished second at the South Downs Way 50, a race he led until a couple of k's from the finish. Our Centurion Ultra Team runner has been one of the leading lights in the sport for a very long time. Dan's back catalogue is simply too long to go into here, highlights include but are not limited to at least half a dozen Team GB 24hr vests where he has performed brilliantly and more consistently than any other including a European Champs gold in 2016. GUCR record holder. World V50 100 mile record holder with a 12:37 at our track 100 in 2023. Winner of Ultrabalaton, Ultra Trail Gobi, third at Badwater, second at Spartathlon the list just goes on and on.

Tiaan Erwee: The South African finished third at Ultra Trail Drakensberg over 160km in April. Has twice finished the epic 450km Tor Des Glaciers - both times in second place. Past winner of the Summer Spine and fourth at Tor Des Geants.

Jez Bragg: A past winner of UTMB and a best of third at Western States, Jez was at the pinnacle of the sport globally for many years and has one of the deepest running CV's today. He raced for GB on both the road and the trails and really excelled across a variety of distances and terrain types. In the last few years work and family have taken priority but it truly is an honour to have him making a longer run come back here. 

Geoff Cheshire: Geoff has been a stones throw from nailing this race twice - coming unstuck literally in the final few miles, and he is hungry to get it right this third time.  Geoff is course record holder at the Autumn 100 where he ran 13:58 in October. He also won the Thames Path 100 last year in 14:18 in what was arguably a better run. The Chiltern Wonderland 50 champion has kicked off 2024 well with a solid win at the Chiltern Ridge Ultra - this will be the one he wants to get right most.

Rob Payne: Team GB 24hr runner Rob has been very succesful with us down the years. 2023 Wendover Woods 50 Champion, his best year with us was 2019 where he won the NDW50 and finished second at both the NDW100 and WW50. Ran 7:11 for 100km at the ACP in March so is on form.

James Turner: 6:34 for 100km and second at the ACP in March, a sensational start to 2024 for James. On the trails he has placed well at other events on the South Downs from Marathon through to 100km. 

Matt Hammerton: Third in 2022 and eighth in 2023 at UTS50km, course record holder at Wendover Night 50km - this is longer than he's used to but he has serious speed over technical and mountainous terrain. Will it convert here....

Dave Phillips: Dave is fresh off of the back of a win at the Northern Traverse (190 mile) in April. Winner of the Summer Spine in 2023 in 77 hours. Dave also holds the FKT for the South West Coast Path and made the podium at the Arc of Attrition in 2022 and finished fourth in 2023. 

Sam Skinner: Sam finished second at our Winter Downs 200 in December. The SDW is his back yard and he knows the area well. Previous top ten finisher at Lakeland 100, the Arc of Attrition and at the Dragons Back - he has recently finished ninth at UTS 100km. 

Peter Windross: Champion in 2021, Pete has also won the Autumn 100 and Thames Path 100, a race he finished fourth at just a few weeks ago, once again. Four time Grand Slam finisher, Peter is one of our most decorated runners both in terms of finishes but more so top tens, podiums and wins. 

In the hunt for Top Ten: James Whetman, Matthew John, Stuart Ross, Jacob James, Joe Ackerley, Jamie Pugh, Michael O'Neill, Simon Withers, Andrew Churchill, Pere Capdevila. 

LEGENDS RETURN

Toeing the line at this thirteenth edition of the race are two true legends of the sport.

Ken Fancett is gunning for his 102nd, 100 mile finish. He has finished our Grand Slam of 100s, 9 times and is on route to number 10, has 44 x 100 mile finishes with us to his name and this will be his tenth South Downs Way 100 and he will go home with the 1000 mile buckle at the finish. A reminder that Ken is 75 years young.

Elaine Battson became the first person to complete ten editions of the South Downs Way 100, in 2023 and earned her 1000 mile buckle there. She will be going for eleventh finish at this event. 

How to follow the South Downs Way 100

We will for the first time, have a live broadcast across the entire event. You can follow all the action via the live stream as well as on social media and live tracking.

• Web: https://www.centurionrunning.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/centurionrunning
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/centurionrunning
• X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/centurionrunner
• YouTube/streaming (English): https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=IakjxsKYPc0
• Leaderboard/ Live Results: : https://results.opentracking.co.uk/event/SDW100-2024
• GPS Tracking: https://live.opentracking.co.uk/SDW100-2024/
• Results (Post Race): https://www.centurionrunning.com/reports

The thirteenth Edition of the North Downs Way 50 kicks off this coming Saturday 18th May over two starting waves - with all of the leading contenders heading off in Wave 1. The field on both the mens and womens sides this time is as deep as we've seen before and we are excited to see some fast racing. 

Holly Stables' womens course record of 7:11 from all the way back in 2016 has only ever looked troubled by one athlete and that was Beth Pascall. Can someone finally give it a shot?

In the mens, we saw a new record of 6:33 from Jose Rodriguez last year but that looks under serious threat this time.  

Follow the race live from 0700 on race day via the link here. On to the likely leading contenders: 

WOMEN

We welcome back first, second and third place from this years SDW50 in round two of what was a highly competitive, close race. Made interesting by cast of other potential candidates for the top places.

Michelle Attridge: This years South Downs Way 50 Champion is back for round two of the Grand Slam.

Michelle Attridge

Helen Moss: Second at this years SDW50 just behind Miranda, in 7:53. Lots of other prior top tens at shorter ultras to her name. 

Ally Whitlock: Third at this years SDW50, also third at the Winter Downs 200 last December. Other top ten finishes in recent years include the Autumn 100, Thames Path 100, South Downs Way 100, Wendover Woods 100, Spine Summer Sprint and the Arc 50.

Natalie Taylor: Natalie has had a long ultra career spanning back to 2012, with some fine results at races a lot tougher than this. Stand outs including wins at both the Arc of Attrition and Arc 50, Ultra Tour Monte Rosa (Stage Race) and a second at both Glencoe Skyline and Ultra Trail Great Britain 215 mile. A huge spread of distances and terrain types.

Michelle White: The only downside for Michelle is how short this race is! Last year she won Leeds to Liverpool Canal 130 mile, the Kennett and Avon Canal Race as well as placing third at Grand Union. 100 mile best of 18:24 at Gloucester 24hr.

Sharon Walker: Third at the TP100 last year, previous podium finisher at both Race to the Tower and Race to the King. Ran sub 3 hours at Brighton Marathon last year.

Vicki Balfour: Fourth at the Arc 50 last January, previously also a podium finisher at SDW50 and seventh at Wendover Woods 50. 

 

MEN

Alastair Courtney: Winner of this years South Downs Way 50 after a close fought battle with Dan Lawson. That followed a third place at the Hundred Hills 50km in the lead up. 

Patrick Wightman: Second here last year in 6:42, bettering his 7:23 from 2018.

Paul Russhard: Four time finisher of this race with a best of second and a best time of 7:01. Chiltern Wonderland winner in 2022, his first win with us having featured in the top ten of so many of our events over the years.

Paul Russhard on his way to winning CW50 in 2022

Guy Hudson: Third at this years SDW50, a race he has finished third at before - but he is improving. With a sub 6 hour 50 mile at Crawley last year and a few other wins to his name, he should go well here again. 

Ben Parkes: Ben is one of running's biggest YouTube superstars and for those interested in learning about how great the London Marathon, his video here really is one of the best. His pace is quick on the roads, with a marathon PB of 2:25. His ultra background includes a win at the South Downs Way 50 in 2019, can he claim the title of the other Downs 50. 

Pierre Meslet: A superb sixth at the 2023 Marathon Des Sables bettering his ninth there from a couple of years prior. Pierre's other top results include a third at Wendover Woods 50, Second at the RAT 100km just ahead of Johnny Hesnan featured below. 

Marius Posa: Third at the SDW50 last year in 6:43.

Brady Poskin: Winner of the 2023 Tahoe Rim 50 and 3 Days of Syllamo Stage Race. Lots of ultra experience over a range of distances. Stand out results aplenty, with past wins at Badwater Salton Sea and Quad Rock 50 amongst others.

Johnny Hesnan: Third at the Roseland August Trail 100km last August, also took the win at the EnduranceLife Gower Ultra last year. 

In the Hunt for Top Ten: Andrew Collin, Oliver Knowles.

The thirteenth edition of the Thames Path 100 kicks off this coming Saturday 4th May at 0900. After one of the wettest winters on record, the path has been muddy or literally under water for vast periods over the preceeding months but has just begun to clear up - with a dry week ahead we look forward to good conditions on race day. At least, not a weather event as has been the case the last several years! The runners do have to contend with a few miles of added diversions due to structural issues with bridges at points along the course - we have made provision for that by adding an extra hour to the cut offs from Hurley onwards. But the race at the front of both the womens and mens fields are exciting and the potential for fast times is still very much there.

WOMEN

Chavet Hills: Her second time racing with us, after she finished the 2023 Track 100 in 16:58. Based in the US, Chavet has had great success at the flatter longer ultras so this race should suit her. Amongst many other solid performances she's clocked up a second at Daytona 100 in 16:46, wins at Prairie Spirit, Pony Express and Nanny Goat 100s and has a couple of solid finishes at Badwater to her name.

Chavet Hills

Anna Brown: Anna set out to run the Grand Slam in 2022, but fell ill in the lead up to the TP100. She went on to finish 11th at the SDW100, 2nd at the NDW100 and 4th at the Autumn 100 - she then ran a solo TP to complete the set, but is back this time to complete the race officially!. Last year she finished a strong 3rd at the Battersea Self-Transcendence 24 hour with an 18:28 100 mile split. 

Anna Brown

Jette Anders: The German runner won the Wesbergland Backyard Ultra last year and took three other podiums at distances ranging from 50km to 40 hour multi-stage events. Has raced once in the UK before with a 7th at Hardmoors 110 a few year back.

Victoria Henderson: Fifth at the WD200 in 2023, Victoria has previous top ten finishes with us at the A100, WW Night 50km and in 2019 won the Testway Ultra.

In the Hunt for Top Ten: Stephanie Innes-Smith, Natalia Fokina, Kasia Atmaca, Rachel Vernon.

 

MEN

Mark Innocenti: Second at our Track 100 in 2021 in 12:34, previous winner of the Autumn 100 in 14:44, with a 50km PB of 3:02. Mark is strong at all distances, winning local 10ks and upwards all the way to multi-day events and a long flat event like this is right in his wheelhouse.

Mark Innocenti

Kallum Pritchard: A really strong start to the year for Kallum who won Country to Capital, finished runner up to Mark Darbyshire at our Hundred Hills 50km and then finished first at Manchester to Liverpool 50 mile in 5:39. He does have 100 mile experience too with a 15:39 win at Robin Hood 100 in 2021.

Peter Windross: Four time Grand Slam finisher, winner of this event back in 2018 in 15:49. Peter is one of our most decorated runners both in terms of finishes but more so top tens, podiums and wins. This race would be his 25th 100 with us and 7th TP100. 

Adam Kimble: Great to see another strong American runner, this time on the mens side. Adam has twice finished 12th at Western States and has been competitive at a range of distances, including some big events. Top 10 at Canyons 100, 5th at Kullamannen 100 and 8th at Leadville all in the last few years. Plenty of wins at shorter distances too.

Matt Gallagher: 7th here in 2021, 4th in 2023 in a time of 15:34, he has also had a 7th at the A100 in 16:34 and a 4th at the NDW100 in recent years. 

Andrew Churchill: 3rd at Winter Downs 200, he also finished in the top 10 at both the A100 and SDW100 in 2023. 

Milan Sumny: 14:52 for 100 miles last year as part of his Venice 24hr race where he finished second, he has twice finished in the top 5 at Spartathlon and was third in 2021 in a sub 24hr time, something that is exceedingly rare over the classic ultra of 153 miles of Greek roads. 

Ben Carrol: Second at Crawley 24hr in 2023 with 248km, this is actually a step down in distance from his seemingly more regular format of 24hr. Also Top Ten at GUCR in 2021.

 

Follow the race live via the website here from 0900 Saturday 4th May, until its conclusion at 1400 on Sunday 5th.

The 12th Edition of the South Downs Way 50 kicks off Saturday 13th April 2024 at 0830 - with 450 runners making this the biggest field ever at this event. Runners have as usual, 13 hours to make it from Worthing to the track finish at Eastbourne Sports Park - 50 miles across the hills and valleys of the beautiful South Downs National Park. 

Here is a quick look at some of the likely leading contenders for overall positions in both the womens and mens events. Follow the race live via the link here on race morning.

WOMEN

Helen Moss: Was 14th here all the way back in 2016. Since then she has recorded some solid results including lowering her marathon time to 2:59 in 2023. In ultra distance events she's recorded a win at the Downslink Ultra and the Chiltern Challenge 50km, a second at Ultra-X Sri Lanka and fourth at Hurtwood 50km.

Rachel Lindley: Third at the Hundred Hills 50km a few weeks ago with a really strong second half to her race. Sixth at this event in 2022 in 8:10, a year when she finished in the top ten at all of our 50 milers as well as the Arc 50.

Rachel Lindley

Ally Whitlock: Podium finisher at the Winter Downs 200 in December, Wendover Woods 100 2023 and Autumn 100 2022. Best of fourth at the SDW100 and several finishes at this race in the past including a best of fourth place in 2021.

Ally Whitlock

Michelle Attridge: Third at the inaugural Hundred Hills 50km last year. Winner of the North Chilterns 50km in 2023 and second at Round the Rock - 48 miles around Jersey.

Amelia Culshaw: Winner of the Pilgrims Challenge and 7th at the Marathon Des Sables in 2022.

Beth Rainbow: Winner of Round the Rock in 2022, sixth at the MDS in the same year, once place ahead of Amelia! Previously sixth at Wendover Woods 50.

In the Hunt for Top Ten: Kasia Atmaca, Rebecca Lane.

MEN

Dan Lawson: Our team runner finally makes a his debut on home turf here. It's a race that has been calling him for a long time and now he gets to step up! Dan's back catalogue is simply too long to go into here, highlights include but are not limited to at least half a dozen Team GB 24hr vests where he has performed brilliantly and more consistently than any other including a European Champs gold in 2016. GUCR record holder. World V50 100 mile record holder with a 12:37 at our track 100 in 2023. Winner of Ultrabalaton, Ultra Trail Gobi, 3rd at Badwater, 2nd at Spartathlon the list just goes on and on. 

Dan Lawson at the Track 100

Kim Collison: One of the premier British Mountain Runners in recent times steps onto flatter terrain and races with us for the first time. He does it all from short fell races to the super long. His main focus of recent years has been on the Rounds where he's set many records, some of which have been eclipsed and some of which still stand. Lakes 24hr, Munro 24hr, Paddy Buckley, Winter Bob Graham - all his with one of those still standing. Race wise Kim won the Northern Traverse in 2022, Arc of Attrition 100 in 2019. But he's represented GB on the trails too and 80km was/ is right in his wheelhouse as well. Will be great to see what he can do here.

Harry Geddes: 2022 Autumn 100 winner in 14:52. Previously fourth at both the TP100 and A100 in super fast times. This year started with a third at Country to Capital in 5:22.

Harry Geddes

Alastair Courtney: Third at Hundred Hills 50km a few weeks ago against solid competition, he could go very well here.

Guy Hudson: Third here in 2022 in 6:52, last year he ran over 50 miles in 6 hours on the track at Crawley.

In the Hunt for Top Ten: Andrew Born.

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.