Winter Downs 200^®

What is the date for 2023 and when do Entries for Open? 

Entries for the 2023 event will open Monday 1st May 2023 at 1000. Race Date is Wednesday 13th December - Sunday 17th December 2023.

How tough is the course? 

The course is 200 miles long and has 22,500 feet of climb/gain and the same level of descent. Roughly translated the route varies between undulating and hilly. There are no ascents higher than 300 metres. There is a lot of good runnable ground in each section of the course. Wide tracks and trail, short sections of country lanes and road. There are sections of the course that will become technical and make for hard running particularly in the wet. There are some short sections of stairs involving climbs or descents from the steepest points. Expect a real mixture underfoot including road, pavement, soft woodland trail, mud, sand and more hard packed chalk trail - with no individual set of condtions lasting longer than a few miles at any one time. The scenery on some sections is really quite stunning. There are individual sections that show off some of the best of the English Countryside. Overall, the extremely varied terrain will push runners to lean on many different skillsets. Road running, crushed gravel, rocky trail and soft sand trail feature alongside smooth and rolling non-technical single/ double track running.

What do I get for my entry fee? 

An incredible winter running adventure.

3 Aid Stations including hot meals, sleeping facilities, access to medical support and drop bags.

Drop Bags transported to each check point for you - up to a limit of 20kgs.

Full Medical Support in the form of dedicated race ambulances and roving vehicles as well as static first aid teams and medical volunteers at aid stations.

Live Tracking through open tracking. Click here to see a replay/ tracking of the 2022 NDW100 event as an example. 

Live timings across race week for friends and family to track your progress.

Hot Meals and Sleeping facilities at the Finish.

FINISHERS ONLY (Runners can opt out of awards and have a tree planted instead through Trees not Tees)

Finishers Buckle. Champions Trophies and Age Group Prizes.

Is there a limit to the number of entries/ Can I enter on race day/ Is there a waiting list?

Yes the places are limited and available on a first come first served basis and subject to approval of applications. A starting field of 100 is expected.

Is there a minimum qualification standard to achieve before I can enter?

Runners must declare their previous running and multi-sport experience in their application. The key focus of which should be to instill confidence in us as organisers of their ability to cover very long distances between check points on foot, self-navigating in what could be extremely difficult conditions including 16 hours of darkness in every 24. As organisers we reserve the right to refuse any application.

Applications should include not only relevant race experience but experience of winter, mountain or self-supported, self-powered journeys. 

It isn't possible for us to list accepted events, there are simply too many but as a gauge, a runner who has completed a single stage trail 100 mile (or longer) event would stand a good chance of their application being accepted. Completion of single stage events of less than 100 miles will not on their own be substantial enough for a successful application, though will of course help. Equally as valid as 100 mile plus race finishes would be self-powered or solo adventures in the mountains or in winter over difficult terrain with limited support, whether on foot or other means of travel. Inclusion of adventure racing, orienteering, climbing and other adventure sports will all be viewed positively. 

Is there mandatory gear to carry on race day?

Yes. 

There will be a full kit check at registration and spot checks at the check points and/or out on course. 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. 

Needless to say this event is a significant undertaking at a time of year where conditions could be extremely harsh. Some runners will also be uncrewed, meaning that to level the playing field, everyone will need access to the same kit throughout.

Over the coming months we will release further information and clarification on the kit lists below. For those looking at options now, the kit listed in our Winter Downs 200 collection here will all pass kit check and comes recommended by us.

This kit list is subject to change and alteration right up until the final pre-race communications.

• Mobile Phone including the numbers for the Race Medic and Race Director (on the number you have given at registration)
• Access to the GPX via either a watch or handheld GPS device
• Battery Pack (Minimum 10,000 mAh) and cables: Ability to charge on the move, your phone, GPS watch, Handheld GPS and/ or headlamps.
• Water Bottles/Bladder capable of carrying a minimum of 1 litre.
• Survival or Bivi Bag (NOT Blanket): This can be a Heatshield/ Surival Bag or Bivi Bag
• Waterproof Jacket with Hood: Gore-tex or similar, minimum 20,000mm+ & must have sealed seams. 
• Waterproof Trousers: Gore-tex or similar, minimum 20,000mm+ & must have sealed seams. 
• Synthetic Mid-Layer: Minimum weight of 200 grams.
• Waterproof Gloves
• 2 Pairs of Warm Gloves
• Warm Hat (Buff not acceptable)
• Whistle
• Headtorch or Primary Light Source Minimum 200 lumens
• Second Headtorch or Light source - Minimum 200 Lumens
• At least one spare battery (or batteries) for both lamps
• Red Rear Flashing LED
• 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.
• Full length tights or leg covering - 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 capable of containing hot liquid
• Medical Kit and Gear Repair Kit including minimum: Blister plasters, wound dressing, Tape, Scissors or small knife
• Food: 400 Calories of food at all times eg. enough to sustain you in an emergency situation
• Money: £50 cash plus any card

In your Drop Bag

• Sleeping Bag - Any Season
• Sleeping Pad or Mat - Any Weight
• Towel - Any Size

Recommended but NOT Mandatory

• Windrproof Jacket
• Primaloft Jacket
• Spare Waterproof Jacket
• Spare Warm Gloves
• Map
• Compass
• Anti-Chafing & Toilet Kit

Find out all about the 2023 race plus kit advice and discussion via our YouTube video below.

Will there be live updates during the race for friends and family to follow? 

Live tracking will be available throughout the race, so that all runner positions are available at all times. The tracking page together with a live leaderboard with check point times will be published as runners in the lead up to the race.  

How many aid stations are there?

A full aid station list is available here

There will be a minimum of 4 aid stations including the finish.

How do I get to the start/ Registration/ the Finish?

Race HQ is at Juniper Hall. This is where runners will go through kit check and registration on the Tuesday and start from on the Wednesday morning.

The finish is also back at Juniper Hall. Runners will be fed and there are rooms to sleep and get some rest before travelling on from the end of the event.

There is limited parking on site which will be used for race officials, volunteers and for runners to be collected after the race. Parking details for those looking to leave a vehicle whilst they running, are available below.

Please see the Travel And Accom tab here for full details. 

What time does the race start?

You must register within the times listed on the schedule tab. Your race number and tracker will not be posted to you before race day, you must collect them from registration. Start times are also on the schedule page

Are pacers allowed?

No, not at any point.

Are crews allowed?

Runners are allowed to have a crew. The points at which a runner may be crewed, are listed on the crew tab here. Crews are not permitted at the three aid stations and will not be permitted to crew for their runner at any point other than those listed. 

Do I need a different drop bag for each aid station?

No. Runners may have one drop bag, which we will have available to you at each aid station. 

How big can my drop bags be?

Drop bags must weigh 20kg or less but can be any size. Bags will be weighed at registration and will be refused if they are over the weight limit.

When can I pick my drop bags up?

Your drop bags will be taken to the finish for you once you leave the last aid station.

Can I sleep in my crew vehicle?

- 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.

Will I need a map?

Carrying physical maps is not mandatory but it is strongly recommended. 

Will there be toilets at the start/ finish or on the race route? 

Yes there are toilets at every aid station, we will publish a full list of both toilets and taps around the route and make that available to all runners in the weeks preceeding the event.

What are the prizes/ awards?

Buckle to all finishers.

Additional prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place Male and Female and all Vet Categories: MV40, MV50, MV60, MV70, FV40, FV50, FV60, FV70. 

What happens if I need to drop out during the race?

If you need to drop out of the race, we will ensure you are able to return to the finish with the event crew, though you may have to wait some time at one of the aid stations before being taken on. Food and sleeping facilities will be made available to you. If you drop out on the course itself with crew you will need to call us, and arrange to bring your tracker to a check point. If you drop out on the course and it's a medical emergency, the medics will attend to you as soon as they can. If you drop away from an aid station in a non-emergency situation and do not have a crew then you will need to call Race HQ but you must be prepared to wait for transport. 

What food and drink will there be on route?

All aid stations will have full hot meals available, suitable for all diets and allergies. 

What level of medical support can I expect?

Medical support is of paramount importance to us. Throughout the event there will be medical vehicles out on course and on call. There will also be a fixed medical team at each aid station and on hand at the finish line. Contact numbers for the medical team will be available at registration. They will be contactable round the clock for the duration of the race.

I need to Withdraw, what is the Refund/ Transfer Policy?

Withdrawals up to 8 weeks prior to race day (0600 GMT Wednesday 11th October) are eligible for a refund of entry fees minus their non-refundable deposit. Withdrawals after that time will not be refunded as all race day costs have been incurred by that stage and you will not be replaced. There are no deferals or transfers to alternative/ later events.

To withdraw please email us by clicking here.

Exception to this is ONLY for pregnancy/ postpartum and in which case you must notify us by email of your pregnancy no later than 4 weeks prior to race day to be eligible for a 100% refund. You must acknowledge that you understand and agree to this policy during the registration process.

What happens if the event is cancelled or abandoned?

Race management reserve the right to modify, at any time, the course or aid station locations listed. 

In the case of severe/ extreme weather conditions including but not limited to flooding after the event start, race management reserve the right to abandon the event at any time.

No refunds will be offered in that situation but a suitable alternative will always be sought. If the event cannot take place for reasons out of the control of race management including but not limited to flooding, severe weather or denial of access to the original course (foot and mouth outbreak for example), race management reserve the right to postpone the event to a later date and all entries will be carried forward to the new date. Full refunds may not be offered under these circumstances. Event cancellation due to reasons such as Coronavirus or other such pandemic, public health, local authority travel and movement restrictions and bans of any kind etc. are beyond our control and a full refund may not be given in such circumstances. If the event is cancelled for reasons which require the event to be postponed indefinitely, race management reserve the right to retain any fees against costs incurred. We will always seek to make the situation right for everyone involved. 

Is the race a qualifier for UTMB, Western States or Badwater?

The race is a UTMB Index Event.

How do I get in touch?

Please email us at [email protected] for any questions at all.