Below is a list of the locations that crews are welcome to meet runners. Crews must not attend any of the official aid stations. Runners must not be crewed or supported at any other point than those listed below. More detailed rules for crews 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).
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 encouraged at this event. We look after you with full meals and sleeping facilities at the aid stations, with additional 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 - particularly at this event where the gaps between aid stations are large.
Runners are permitted to sleep in crew vehicles, as long as:
- That vehicle doesn't move.
- If a runner stops for over 30 minutes at a crew location they must phone or text Race HQ to inform them.
- All crew names and vehicle registrations must be declared pre-race via the form that will be provided.
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 their 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 must not attend the aid stations themselves for any reason.
RUNNERS MAY ONLY HAVE ONE CREW VEHICLE AT ANY ONE CREW LOCATION.
Crews may meet runners or assist them ONLY at the points listed on the crew info page here. 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 our events 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.
Littering of any kind at any checkpoint, along the trail, or at the finish line is strictly prohibited.
NOTES FOR CREWS
Crews should be equipped with torches, suitable clothing for all condtions and first aid kits.
RUNNERS WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACTIONS OF THEIR CREWS.
Cut off times apply only at aid stations. Listed cut offs at crew only locations are simply a guide and will not be enforced.
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Wray Lane Car Park. Has toilets and a cafe during daylight hours.
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Crews may park and attend to runners anywhere in Merstham including along Rockshaw Road - runners run down Rockshaw Road itself.
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Parking options are in the layby opposite the church. Around Tally Road. Or at High Chart Car Park - all within a minute or so walk of the course through the village.
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Runners come past the Co-Op on the corner of Hartfield Road and Station Road. Car Parking at Hartfield Road is free.
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Public Car Park is on the course.
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Park in the main car park operated by Ashdown Forest. Pay and Display.
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Small Car Park adjacent to the route - Prior to 1630 this will be busy with school pick up so please avoid using until after that time.
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Park in the public car park, please keep noise and lights to a minimum.
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Parking at Berwick Railway Station or roadside. Please be respectful of residents and keep noise and lights to a minimum. The Vanguard Way comes out on to the road just north of the station.
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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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Firle Bostal/ Beacon Car Park is on the South Downs Way just east of Firle Beacon/ the radio masts. Crews may access their runner in the car park.
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Parking is in the long lay-by leading up the Farm. The runners come over the flyover/ bridge. Please do not park anywhere along the lay-by where it says farm vehicles only, we use the farm as a check point for other events and we do not want to upset the residents.
NOTICE: The A27 is scheduled to be closed eastbound on the section that goes past Housedean Farm crew point between 2000 on Weds 13th and 0600 on Thurs 14th Dec. If you are trying to access a runner at Housedean during this window, you may need to go westbound and come off at the small sign saying Housedean Farm/ Balmer Road. That small road goes over a bridge across the carriageway and drops down to Housedean Farm just the other side. You can then come back over the bridge to re-enter the road westbound. We have the farmers permission to do this for the event despite it saying private road.
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National Trust Car Park. The SDW runs through it.
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Parking at Clayton Windmills Car Park. Has a height restriction barrier. Be advised the course does NOT run through the car park. The runner must either leave the trail to come to the car park or the crew walk up the hill to the turning/ junction of the SDW.
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This car park overlooks the SDW, which runs past, 70 metres down the hill from it.
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Devils Dyke Car Park is not on the trail. You must walk back to the SDW, or have your runner come to meet you - approx 200 metres off route.
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SDW runs through the lay-by here. Busy road so please do help your running coming across it.
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Crews should meet runners on Washington Bostal Road. Not in the village itself. Parking is free and on the road there. The SDW joins the Bostal Road.
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The course runs past 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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This is a remote car park high on the downs and is only accessible via a steep road. If it is icy this may not be passable. Course runs through the car park itself.
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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. Park here. There is a cafe open during daylight hours, a short walk up the trail.
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Park in 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). Course runs along 50 metres in front of the car park.
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he 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. Course runs across the top of the car park, near the cafe (open during daylight hours).
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Runners / SDW course goes through the car park.
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Runners may be crewed anywhere within the village. Please keep noise and lights to an absolute minimum.
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Crewing is permitted anywhere in Alton Town.
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Runners may be crewed anywhere in the Farnham Town area from adjacent to the University/ Castle, down to the junction with the North Downs Way. The NDW sign/ start of the final section of the course begins at the crossroads just down from Farnham Station. Farnham Station is a good option for parking.
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Anywhere down The Street, in Puttenham Village. Please be respectful of the residents and keep noise and lights to a minimum.
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Newlands Corner Park is just to the north of the NDW. Toilets and Cafe during regular daylight hours.
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