SDW100 2021 Preview

The 2021 South Downs Way 100 is expected to have between 420 and 450 starters and in the process become our largest ever starting field. As part of a big field, the depth of competition is substantial. 

The longest standing record at our events is still Jean Beaumonts women's course record here, of 16:56 in 2013. Done, in her words, on almost no training! Are we finally going to see it taken down?

The weather looks perfect for volunteers and staff, but warm for runners with a high of 25 degrees forecast and not a lot of wind. That will need to be factored in to everybodys pace strategy for best results.

A huge shout out to the 19 Grand Slammers who are finishing off their 2020 elongated slam at this event after this race was cancelled due to lock down, last November. The 19 hardy souls and their times so far can be found here. 

WOMEN

Mel Venables: 2016 British 100km Champion. Winner 2020 NDW100. Has already won the GUCR in 2021 which just a couple of weeks ago is a short turn around time. Lots of wins and podiums at shorter ultras.

Mel Venables

Karen Hacker: Winner of the 2019 NDW100. Podium finishes at Wendover Woods 50 and all three 'Race to the' Events over the last 4-5 years.

Karen Hacker

Dominique James: Finishing off her Grand Slam from 2020 here, she finished third in each of the first three - all three of the 100s we held in 2020. 

Allie Bailey: Also completing her Grand Slam journey here. She finished 5th, 4th and 5th in the three 100s of 2020.

Karen Doak: Three finishes here with a best of sixth place. Fifth at the 2019 NDW100. 

Mandy Regenass: Has a second and third at the SDW50 in 2017 and 2018 amongst other solid performances.

Krysia Smith: Seventh at the TP100 in 2019 in a sub 20hr time.

Emily Dixon: Third at Country to Capital this year in 5:55. Winner Imber Ultra 40 miler in 2020.

MEN

Rob Payne: Team GB 24hr runner. First Tooting Bec 24hr with a 100 mile split of 14:19. First NDW50 2019. Second WHW Race and NDW100 2019. 76th at this event in 2017 in a time just under 24hrs!

Rob Payne

Geoff Cheshire: First at Race to the Stones and Chiltern Wonderland 50. Second at the Autumn 100 in 14:31 and third at the TP100 in 2020. Geoff led here for 90+ miles in 2019 before dropping at the final check point at Mile 96.

Pete Windross: Has already finished third at the SDW50 and fourth at the TP100 in 2021. First at the 2020 Gloucester 24hr. Winner of the TP100 in 2018 in his (at the time) Grand Slam record setting year when he went on to 5th, 6th and 3rd at our other three 100 milers. Has three finishes here with a best of 16:38.

Paul Russhard: Second at the NDW100 in 2018. Half a dozen top ten finishes at our 50s including a second at the NDW50 and in late 2020, his most recent result a sixth at the SDW50. 

Peter Abraham: Third at the Autumn 100 in 2017 in under 16 hours. Winner at Connemara and the Canalathon 75km in years past.

Peter Jackson: Second at the TP100 in 2018. Winner of South Wales 100 in 2019. 28:57 at Spartathlon 2019.

Max Rusby: Second at Kennett and Avon Canal Race in 2019 and has posted two wins at shorter ultras.

Daniel Weller: Winner of the Chiltern Ridge Ultra Trail 50km this year. Third at Wendover Woods 50. First at Beacons Ultra 50. 8th at SDW50 in 2018. 

Matt Gallagher: Seventh at TP100 in 16:21 in May this year.

James Hurrell and Jack Galloway relatively new to the ultra scene but both good road runners with 2:34 marathons apiece.

FOLLOW THE RACE

You can track all the action live on our tracking page here. The race kicks off between 0430 and 0600 Saturday morning in a rolling start. Thank you so much in advance to the 120 volunteers that will make this race all that it is.