The Maverick East Sussex Trail
Stanmer Park and the South Downs Way.
| Distance | Ascent | Per km |
|---|---|---|
| 21 km Half Marathon | 381 m | 18 m |
| 13 km Middle | 286 m | 22 m |
| 5 km Short | 141 m | 27 m |
Nobody has reviewed this one yet
No reviews of the Maverick East Sussex Trail, and nothing on what people wore. Both are things no organiser publishes and every runner wants before they enter — how it actually went, and what was on your feet.
Ran it? Write the first reviewRunning it soon? Connect Strava and we will ask you about it the day you finish, so you do not have to remember to come back.
Pick your distance
MODERATE
TRP grade · E2·T2
starts 09:45
This file is from a previous running and the course may have changed since. If you are navigating with it, get the current version from Maverick Race first.
What you’re in for
Three routes from Stanmer Park on the edge of Brighton in early April, on the South Downs Way and the ridges around it, climbing to Ditchling Beacon — the third-highest point in the South Downs — with the Channel one way and the Weald the other. Run the day before the Brighton Trail Marathon if you want a weekend of it. The Short is 5.3km with 141m of climb, the Middle 13.3km and 286m, the Half 20.9km and 381m. Half at 09:45, Middle at 10:15, Short at 10:30. Under an hour from London by train.
Terrain and trail
Hilly, hard-packed and not too technical, in the organiser's rating: chalk downland track that needs care on the descents, woodland path and open farmland. A good road-to-trail course. Early April can be greasy on the chalk. A road shoe with tread or a light trail shoe. Maverick's format on every event: a fully marked course, outposts stocked with Precision Fuel & Hydration and a spread of sweet and savoury food as a top-up for what you carry, no cups (bring one), a bag drop, an event village with food and a non-alcoholic beer at the end. Mandatory kit is checked on the longer routes.

Partner · affiliate policy
More from Maverick Race
Every Maverick Race race →Other races Maverick Race put on, soonest first.
17
Oct
2026

The Maverick Jurassic Coast X-Trail
Corfe Castle, Dorset · Maverick Race
A hundred kilometres of the Jurassic Coast, or half of it.
VERY HARD TO EXPERT
Entries open
17
Oct
2026

The Maverick Jurassic Coast Trail
Corfe Castle, Dorset · Maverick Race
The Isle of Purbeck from Burnbake, three distances.
HARD
Entries open
31
Oct
2026

The Maverick Dark Hampshire Gravel
Farnham, Hampshire · Maverick Race
5km laps of Alice Holt Forest after dark.
MODERATE
Entries open
7
Nov
2026

The Maverick Dark Oxfordshire Trail
Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire · Maverick Race
Stonor Park by head torch.
MODERATE TO HARD
Entries open
7
Nov
2026

The Maverick Oxfordshire Trail
Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire · Maverick Race
Stonor Park and the Chiltern beech woods.
MODERATE TO HARD
Entries open
20
Nov
2026

The Maverick Dark Castle Trail — Friday
Corfe Castle, Dorset · Maverick Race
Corfe Castle in the dark, Friday night.
MODERATE
Entries open
Other races near here
South Downs races →Races from other organisers starting within 30 km of Brighton, East Sussex, nearest first.
28
Nov
2026

Sussex Downs Trail Run
Plumpton Racecourse, Lewes · UK Running Events · 4 miles away
Plumpton Racecourse up to the South Downs Way, 21.3k, 15.5k or 10.8k
MODERATE TO HARD
Not open yet
£34.5–£44.5
2
May
2027

Three Forts Challenge
Lancing Manor Leisure Centre, Manor Road, Lancing · Three Forts Challenge · 10 miles away
Hilly South Downs marathon, half and 5-miler past Cissbury and Chanctonbury
Not open yet
£20–£49
10
Apr
2027

South Downs Way 50
Worthing, West Sussex · Centurion Running · 13 miles away
Worthing to Eastbourne along the second half of the South Downs Way.
EXPERT
Entries open
6
Mar
2027

CTS Sussex
Eastbourne, East Sussex · Endurancelife · 17 miles away
Chalk and forest above Eastbourne.
MODERATE TO EXPERT
Entries open
How to enter
Sat, 3 Apr 2027 · Entries open
Enter on their website ↗Entries are handled by Let's Do This, not by us. We take nothing for sending you there.
Add to your calendar · with the start time
Common questions
- The Maverick East Sussex Trail offers 3 distances: Half Marathon (21.0 km / 13.0 miles), Middle (13.0 km / 8.1 miles), Short (5.0 km / 3.1 miles).