South Downs Way 100^®

Road

The race start and location of race parking is at Chilcomb Sports Ground, Winchester. There is no postcode for the venue therefore please follow the instructions below to get to the ground. Parking here is free and cars can be left in the car park over race weekend at the owners risk. 

From the South: Leave M3 at junction 10, get in right hand lane of slip road. At traffic lights at bottom of slip road follow signs A272 / A31 Petersfield / Alton. Take exit from roundabout which takes you under the M3. At next roundabout take exit, still marked A272 / A31 Petersfield / Alton and continue north, parallel with the M3. At next roundabout take 2nd exit again still marked A272 / A31 Petersfield / Alton and Alresford. In about 40 yards there are arrows in the centre of the road and a lane to provide a safe centre of road lane to turn right. Turn right here up a track to the top of the hill, the ground is at the top of this hill. If you miss the turning and continue up the hill on the A272 / A31 you will see signs for Chilcomb village in about ½ mile, you will then need to turn around, go back down the A272 / A31 and turn left immediately after a large road sign.

From the North: Leave M3 at junction 9. Keep in left hand lane on exit road. Follow signs for A272 / A31 Petersfield / Alton. At top of exit road immediately take first exit left and follow road south parallel with motorway for 1 mile. At roundabout take first exit signed A272 / A31 Petersfield / Alton and Alresford. In about 40 yards there are arrows in centre of road to provide a safe turn right lane. Turn right here up a track to the top of a hill where the ground is situated. (SEE ABOVE IF MISS TURNING from A272 / A31).

The race finish is at Eastbourne Sports Park, Cross Levels Way, Eastbourne, BN21 2UF. The ground is behind Eastbourne District Hospital, but there is no access through the hospital itself. The Sports Park is adjacent to Sussex Downs Vocational Sixth Form College and Park College. It is clearly marked on Cross Levels Way.

Air

For runners coming from further afield, the nearest airport is Southampton which is 30 minutes drive from the race start. London Gatwick is the closest major international airport around 1 hour and 30 minutes drive away.

Rail

The nearest rail station to the start is Winchester which is around 4 miles or 12 minutes in a taxi/ car from the start point. The walk from Winchester Station actually takes you along the very start of the South Downs Way and is just under 3 miles.The nearest rail station to the finish is Hampden Park (Sussex) which is 1.5 miles from the finish. Eastbourne Station is 2 miles from the finish.

Accommodation

There are plenty of options for accomodation in both Winchester and Eastbourne.

There is camping at the startline, which is free of charge. Tents can be pitched from 6pm on Friday and must be cleared before 5:30am on Saturday (including supporters). The gates shut to the Sports Ground at 0630. There are plenty of options for hotels in Winchester which can be found by entering Winchester Hotels into google or other search engines. Taxi's from most hotels within Winchester city to the start line on race morning will take around 15 minutes. We STRONGLY recommend you pre-book a cab as availability is limited and many runners choose this option.

The race finishes in Eastbourne and there are a number of hotels in close proximity.

The Langham Hotel a fine Eastbourne establishment is owned by the family of our 2016 SDW50 and SDW100 winner Neil Kirby. Because of their close affiliation with the race, they are offering rooms to SDW100 runners at the rates below. Please call them directly on 01323731451 if you wish to enquire.

Single - £68
Double - £125
Superior Seaview Double - £160
Junior Deluxe Seaview Room - £225

For a budget option, The Premier Inn at Eastbourne is just over a mile from the track, there are many other options, particularly along the seafront which is two miles from the finish. 

Transport 

A shuttle bus will leave from the finish at Eastbourne Sports Club at 1215 on Sunday following the race finish. The shuttle will make one stop only, back at Chilcomb Sports Ground for runners to collect their vehicles. There is no overnight camping at the ground on return as the car park will be locked. Competitors who wish to take the shuttle can do so at a cost of £25 (plus a small admin fee taken by the registration company) and tickets can be purchased here.