How far is the South Downs Trail Run?

The South Downs Trail Run offers 3 distances: 21.3k Half Marathon (13.2 miles), 16.5k Medium Route (10.3 miles), 12k Short Route (7.5 miles).

How much climbing is in the South Downs Trail Run?

The 21.3k Half Marathon has 322 m of ascent. The 16.5k Medium Route has 322 m of ascent. The 12k Short Route has 202 m of ascent.

How hard is the South Downs Trail Run?

21.3k Half Marathon: Hard. 16.5k Medium Route: Moderate. 12k Short Route: Moderate. TRP grades come from distance and climb measured off the course file, not from the organiser.

Is the South Downs Trail Run course marked?

Yes, the course is marked. Navigation skills are not required.

Can I download the South Downs Trail Run route?

Yes. The GPX for each distance is free to download here, with no sign-up, the same as every route on Trail Running Planet.

When is the next South Downs Trail Run?

Sat, 7 Nov 2026, 09:00. Not open yet.

UK Running Events South Downs Trail Run

Goodwood Racecourse, Selhurstpark Rd, ChichesterSat, 7 Nov 2026

Goodwood Racecourse start into the South Downs, half marathon, 16.5k or 12k

Distance	Ascent	Per km
21.3k Half Marathon	322 m	15 m
16.5k Medium Route	322 m	20 m
12k Short Route	202 m	17 m

forestMarked course

Nobody has reviewed this one yet

No reviews of the South Downs Trail Run, 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.

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HARD

TRP grade · E3

starts 09:00

Download GPXFree, no sign-up.

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 UK Running Events first.

What you’re in for

Starting and finishing at Goodwood Racecourse, this route heads into the South Downs National Park on forest fire roads, bridleways and some singletrack. It skirts Levin Down, picks up a section of the South Downs Way and drops into East Dean before a final climb back up to the racecourse. The 16.5k climbs nearly as much as the half (309m against 328m), so it is not much of a soft option; the 12k has about 200m. Waves go from 9:00 at 15-minute intervals, canicross welcome, and the cut-off is 1pm. It regularly attracts around a thousand runners, so arrive early.

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How to enter

Sat, 7 Nov 2026 · Not open yet · £34.5–£44.5

See the event on their website ↗

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Common questions

: The South Downs Trail Run offers 3 distances: 21.3k Half Marathon (13.2 miles), 16.5k Medium Route (10.3 miles), 12k Short Route (7.5 miles).
: The 21.3k Half Marathon has 322 m of ascent. The 16.5k Medium Route has 322 m of ascent. The 12k Short Route has 202 m of ascent.
: 21.3k Half Marathon: Hard. 16.5k Medium Route: Moderate. 12k Short Route: Moderate. TRP grades come from distance and climb measured off the course file, not from the organiser.
: Yes, the course is marked. Navigation skills are not required.
: We don't hold a compulsory kit list for the South Downs Trail Run. UK Running Events confirm mandatory kit in their race information, usually in the final instructions.
: We don't hold published time limits for the South Downs Trail Run. If UK Running Events set cut-offs, they'll be in the race information.
: We don't hold a checkpoint list for the South Downs Trail Run. What's on the table varies a lot between races, so check the UK Running Events race information rather than turning up expecting food.
: Yes. The GPX for each distance is free to download here, with no sign-up, the same as every route on Trail Running Planet.
: Sat, 7 Nov 2026, 09:00. Not open yet.