Below is a list of the locations that crews are welcome to meet runners. Runners must not be crewed at any other point than those listed below. More detailed rules for crews, including limits on crew vehicle sizes, can be found in the infopacks. (Please note this list is subject to change at any time. Organisers reserve the right to add or remove locations without any prior notice. Removal of a location between now and race date will be noted at the top of this page).
Please see the video here for details on what the terms crews, pacers and supporters mean and where and when the three groups are permitted at our events.
Crews are in no way essential at this event, we look after you with fully stocked aid stations, medical support and plenty of volunteers to help you on your way. However, having a crew can provide a psychological lift and ensure that you have the food and drink you prefer and changes of clothing along the way.
Crew vehicles must be a maximum size of a Long Wheel Base transit or transporter. No Motorhomes for any reason.
Crews must follow all of the rules and regulations of the race, including the Rules, Rules for Crews and any supplementary instructions issued in pre-race memos or at the race briefing. All crew members must willingly comply with all instructions from race staff at all points along the trail and its access routes, including parking regulations, or risk disqualification of their runner.
The runner is directly responsible for all of the actions of his or her crew throughout the duration of the event.
RULES FOR CREWS
A crew member is defined as any individual who provides material support to a runner during the event.
Crew vehicles must be a maximum size of a Long Wheel Base transit or transporter. No Motorhomes for any reason.
Crews may meet runners or assist them ONLY at the points listed on this page. The aid station locations and many other points on the course are remote and too small to handle ANY additional parking. If your crew do assist you outside of the permitted points, you the runner will be disqualified. PLEASE ensure your crew do not break this rule - you will threaten the future of the race by doing so. YOU are responsible for the actions of your crew. We cannot make this any clearer, if your crew attend anywhere outside areas deemed as permitted crew access, you risk disqualification from the event. We get people every year who are fully aware of the rules and continue to disobey them. It threatens the future of the event so please ask them not to do it.
Crews must always drive at safe speeds.
Crews must never park illegally on the road, or in such a way as to block traffic, access to the trail or checkpoint, or other parked cars.
Crews may not attend the course/ tend to their runners in motor homes. The largest vehicle size acceptable is a long wheel base van/ transit. Beware of height restrictions at many of the crew locations.
Littering of any kind at any checkpoint, along the trail, or at the finish line is strictly prohibited.
NOTE: Please also ask your supporters to meet you only at the designated crew locations. The reason for restricting access to certain points, is predominantly parking and noise limitations, hence supporting is as much of an issue in sensitive areas as crewing.
NOTES FOR CREWS
A daypack can be helpful in transporting supplies to your runner.
Crews should be equipped with torches and first aid kits.
As the day progresses, crews should take care of themselves as well as they take care of their runners. Adequate hydration, regular meals and appropriate clothing will keep crew members happier, stronger and focused on the needs of their runner.
Cut off times apply only at aid stations. Listed cut offs at crew only locations are simply a guide and will not be enforced.
South Downs Way 100®
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Parking is on site and free of charge. Enter the estate from the A31 at the Avington Cross Roads.
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The site has its own sliproads on both the north and south bound carriageways of the A3. Follow the brown and white tourist board signs. As you come in to the park the visitor centre and parking is directly ahead. The check point is in the BOTTOM FIELD and crews can meet their runners there on foot only. No parking in the bottom field. Crew should park in THE MEADOW which is the second field behind the visitor centre. Crew can meet their runner either on the grass in front of the meadow which is the route the runners take. Or in the Bottom Field where the check point is. The regular QECP parking charges apply for all crews, we do not have an exemption.
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The aid station is located in the corner of the National Trust car park on Harting Down above the small village of South Harting. Following the South Harting/Chichester road (B2141) up the steep hill from South Harting, the car park entrance is at the top and off to the left. (sign at the car park entrance).
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Driving along the A286 headed south from Cocking, you will reach a point in the road where the South Downs Way crosses. One side of the road (the right hand side if you are headed south) is a public car park. Under no circumstances park in the public car park, please leave this clear for the public. On the other side of the road is a single lane road called Hill Barn Lane. If you are approaching the site, drive up Hill Barn Lane and at the top, opposite the first barn, take a sharp right back behind you in to the field. Drive down into the field and the aid station will be there. The farm owners have a farm shop in the yard that is worth visiting.
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This is probably the most remote location on the SDW and crews should try to use the next access point at Houghton Farm if possible. The car park is up a road which is not in great condition.
The nearest postcode will put you around a mile from the car park - RH201PQ but the way to find the car park itself it is to head to Bignor Village/ that postcode and use the map.
What3Words Location is https://what3words.com/gurgled.jabs.continued
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Access to the field is off of Houghton Lane. Turn in through the open gate. Parking is in the field adjacent to the check point.
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This car park can be a little tricky to find so please do leave plenty of time and look carefully at the map before you head off. The car park is right up on top of the ridge, it’s just a case of getting the right turn off of the main road - it isn’t signed as anything so the map is the key.
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Chantry Post Car Park. From A24, take A283 towards Storrington for 2 miles, left towards Chantry Lane Trading Estate. Car park end of the lane.
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The aid station is in the village hall at the bottom of school lane. Parking in the village hall car park is restricted to OFFICIALS ONLY. This village is tiny and will not sustain 300 vehicles descending at once. Crews should park at the bottom of London Road, where it meets the A283 - and then walk to the check point.
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This small car park is best accessed via Washington Village, by heading south on Washington Bostal and turning left on to a track which leads to the car park. It is sign posted. The village hall check point will be very busy so some crews will be able to escape the melee by accessing their runner here, just a mile past that location.
The race route does not go through this car park. To access, runners should turn right as they join the path above the car park and travel down to see crew there. Or crew may walk up the hill to the exit of the course onto the gravel road, 100m up from the car park and tend to runners on the trail there.
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The crew point is a short walk from parking. Under no circumstances must crew block or park on the road up to Devil's Dyke Car Park. Crews may only park at Summer Down Road or Devil's Dyke Car Park. Free parking at Summer Down Road; pay & display parking at Devil's Dyke. £2 all day, National Trust members and Blue Badge holders park free.
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This location is just off of the SDW/ the course. Park in the public car park adjacent to the windmills. To access you runner you either need to walk approx. 400m up the hill to where the runners come towards you and make a sharp right to continue on (clearly marked on the day), or have the runner come down to the car park to meet you.
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Firle Bostal/ Beacon Car Park is on the South Downs Way just east of Firle Beacon/ the radio masts. Crews may access their runner anywhere within 200 metres of the gate into the car park, and the gate exiting the other side, including the car park itself.
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Bo Peep Bostal Car Park can be reached from the A27 headed to Eastbourne. Turn right on to Bo Peep Lane from the A27. At the crossroads (Bo Peep Farm House) continue straight on to Bo Peep Bostal. The car park is at the top of the hill. Small location.
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