All rules are at the final discretion of the race management team. No challenges will be permitted.
Mandatory Gear: Runners must carry the following mandatory equipment at all times. A time penalty of one hour will be imposed for any item found to be missing at any point on course. Please refer to this page for explanations on the inclusion of the below items.
There are many options regards kit for fulfilling these requirements and those of other events. We stock what we believe to be the best options at our online store available by clicking here under the Mandatory Gear Section. Please ask us if you have any questions.
- Fully Charged Mobile Phone including the numbers for the Race Medic and Race Director (on the number you have given at registration)
- Water Bottles/Bladder capable of carrying a minimum of 1 litre.
- Survival Blanket: 1.4m x 2m minimum
- Waterproof Jacket: Gore-tex or similar, minimum 10000mm+ & must have sealed seams.
- Whistle
- Headtorch or Primary Light Source - Minimum 100 Lumens (Required from Washington only)
- Back Up Light source - Minimum 100 Lumens (Required from Washington only)
- Long sleeved base layer or fleece top - This must be carried separately from the start and kept dry, for use only in an emergency. Starting in 2 layers is not a substitute.
- Cup or Mug
| # | Rule | Runner Action | Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | There will be no unofficial runners. | Unofficial Runners/ Running without a registration or Running under another name | Lifetime Ban at RD Discretion |
| 2 | Each runners bib number must be worn on the front of the body and must be easily visible at all times. | Bib number not visible on front | One Hour Penalty |
| 3 | Runners must follow the marked trail/ course at all times. Any runner caught deliberately cutting the course will be banned from taking part in future Centurion events. | Short-cutting the route knowingly | At the RD's Discretion |
| 4 | Each runner must complete the entire course under his or her own power. | Receiving powered assistance ie. vehicular, bike, horse, or short rope from pacer | DQ and Lifetime Ban |
| 5 | Runners may not store supplies of any kind along the trail. | Storing Supplies along the trail | Two Hour Penalty |
| 6 | Each runner must pass through every aid station. | Failure to pass through an aid station | At the RD's Discretion |
| 7 | Cut-off times will be strictly enforced. There are cut offs at EVERY aid station. Runners leaving any aid station after the cut off will not be listed as official finishers and will not be eligible for awards. | Continuing/ leaving aid station after cut off | DQ & Lifetime Ban at RD Discretion |
| 8 | Injection of PEDs or Fluids/ IVs by non-official race medical personnel | Injection of PEDs or Fluids/ IVs by non-official race medical personnel | DQ and Lifetime Ban |
| 9 | Littering of any kind will result in immediate disqualification. Runners caught littering will be banned from all future Centurion events. Please respect the natural beauty of our trails and the right of everyone to enjoy them. Littering will threaten our use of the trails and the future of the race. | Littering by competitor or crew | DQ & Lifetime Ban at RD Discretion |
| 10 | Any runner who is unable to finish the race must personally inform the aid station captain of the nearest checkpoint of their decision to withdraw. HE OR SHE MUST HAND IN THEIR RACE NUMBER TO THE AID STATION CAPTAIN AT THAT TIME. This serves as official notice of a runner’s withdrawal from the race. Runners who leave the course without turning in their number will be classified as “lost,” initiating serach and rescue, for which the runner will be charged. | Not informing organisers of withdrawal from event | DQ and ban at race directors discretion |
| 11 | Runners are responsible for the actions of their crews and pacers. If your crew or pacer are deemed to have broken any of the runner race rules or separate rules for crew or pacers, the runner will be held accountable. Your crew act on YOUR behalf and based on YOUR instructions. | Crew/Pacers who are found to be complicit in breaking rules and/or assisting runner in breaking rules. | 1 Hour Penalty, DQ or Lifetime Ban at RD Discretion |
| 12 | Minimum age on race day is 20 | Providing false information relating to age on registration form | Lifetime Ban |
| 13 | Pacers are welcome to accompany runners at any stage after Kithurst Hill crew point BUT not more than one pacer can accompany a runner at any time. Pacers may accompany runners on foot only. See separate rules for pacers in the infopacks. | Pacers accompanying before first official allowed meeting point/ not on foot/ more than one pacer | DQ & Lifetime Ban at RD Discretion |
| 14 | Runners must carry with them AT ALL TIMES the mandatory equipment required. | Missing Item of Mandatory Kit | Minimum of 1 hour penalty per missing item |
| 15 | There will be mandatory gear checks at the start, on route, or at the finish. Failure to comply with the gear checks will result in disqualification. | Refusal to have obligatory equipment checked | DQ & Lifetime Ban at RD Discretion |
| 16 | Runners are not to be accompanied by dogs at any time whilst on course. | Accompanied by dog | DQ |
| 17 | Any athlete who is serving a ban - through IAAF, the World Anti-Doping Agency, UK Anti Doping or any other National Sports Federation is ineligible for entry. We reserve the right to conduct pre and post-competition testing for any and all performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) listed on the current WADA Prohibited List. Any athlete who refuses to submit to anti-doping controls, if selected for testing, shall be disqualified and subject to a lifetime ban from our events. | Running whilst serving a ban or refusal to comply with testing if selected. | DQ and Lifetime Ban |
| 18 | Runners must not be crewed outside of the crew locations. Crewing is deemed as any physical assistance of any kind. | Being crewed outside of a crew location | DQ & Lifetime Ban at RD Discretion |
| 19 | Runners must at all times comply with any instruction given by race management, staff and volunteers. | Refusal to comply with an order from the race directors, race staff, doctors or rescue personnel. | DQ & Lifetime Ban at RD Discretion |
RULE VIOLATION PROCEDURE
Any protests to a ruling or of a runner to runner violation must be submitted by a registered entrant and must be lodged using the following procedure:
1. Report the alleged violation to the runner, his/her crew or pacer as the incident occurs. Enlist a fellow witness to the alleged violation if possible.
2. Report the alleged violation with the runner’s name and number to the next available aid station staff.
3. Report the alleged violation in writing at the finish line to the race director. All protests must be submitted by 6pm on Monday following the race. Written protest must include the name of the person who lodged the complaint.
4. Decision on all violations and rules is at the final discretion of the Race Management ONLY. There will be no challenges after that decision.
The South Downs Way is used by many different groups. Please be aware of other people whilst you are running and be as polite and courteous as possible to them, making way when necessary. All gates must be properly closed after you have gone through. If you need to drop out of the race, it is your responsibility to get back to where you need to get to. If you have to drop please do so where possible at an aid station. Please either inform the aid station captain or call the Race HQ on the number provided at check in as soon as you decide to withdraw from the race. Please inform the aid station captain on arrival that you intend to drop and whether you need assistance. The Aid Station Captains will inform you if it is possible to get transport to the finish with the course sweeper bus. It may be that you have to wait some considerable time so please be patient with the volunteers. If it is imperative that you get away immediately you will be given other options involving local transport services.
South Downs Way 100®
