North Downs Way 50 2025 Race Report

This years' NDW50 saw near perfect conditions in which records tumbled. A great way to mark the fourteenth edition of this the first event we ever held back in 2011. At the back of the field it was a joyful finish for so many right up to the cut off. Then so near but so far for a couple of our most committed runners. The roller coaster of emotions that any good trail running event brings. All faciliated by a sterling team of volunteers who continue to elevate the Centurion Community to new levels.

In the womens race, we had one athlete of a class above in Fi Pascall, looking to bank a strong and well executed race plan in preparation towards her main goal of Western States at the end of June. From the gun, Fi separated herself from the competition and edged herself very slightly under Holly Stables' 2015 course record pace. She held a relentlessly consistent effort all day, never looked phased or troubled and crossed the line completely in control in 7:07, taking four minutes off of Hollys time. Interestingly, her sister Beth also won this race back in 2019 before she went on to finish fourth at Western that year, later winning in 2021. Good signs of what's ahead hopefully and we wish Fi the best of luck in the US.

Fi Pascall

The fight for second and third was close for the majority of the race and ended up going down to the wire. Second place at the final check point Molly White, was just ahead of Veronika Gill and eeked out a very slightly greater margin in the closing miles to come home in 8:09, to Veronika's 8:13.

Veronika Gill

In the mens, the race unfolded very differently. A lead pack of guys including 2024 champion and course record holder Patrick Wightman, 2024 SDW100 second place finisher Hugh Tibbs and Winter Downs 100 2024 podium finisher Benjamin Hall - all ran through bang on Paddy's 2024 splits through the early check points. They hit Box Hill largely as a group in 2:52 elapsed. But the second half of the race packs a punch - one that knocked Paddy back this time as feeling slightly under the weather he reluctantly let the other two go. It took until Chestnut avenue and the flat tarmac stretch for the elastic to finally snap between them, with Hughs flat road speed enough to give him a small advantage. One he held to the line but only by the skin of his teeth. Both went way under the old course record with Hugh taking the win in 6:22 and Ben finishing less than two minutes later. Paddy took third for his third podium in a row at this event in 6:49. 

Mens Podium from left to right: Benjamin Hall, Hugh Tibbs, Patrick Wightman

In the age categories, awards went to the following:

First FV40 to Zoe Smith who finished fourth overall in 8:28. First FV50 to Alison Webb in 9:47. First FV60 to to evergreen Sandra Tullett in 10:24 who just nipped in ahead of Tara Taylor's 10:27 - a huge new age category record. Five FV60 finishers in this event is a superb tally - well done to all of those ladies.

Sandra Tullett

In the mens age categories, first MV40 was taken by James Whetman. First MV50 went to Andrew Kemp in 8:43. First MV60 to Doug Cackett in 9:20. 

Right at the back of the pack there were approximately 35 runners out on course with under 20 minutes to go until the 13 hour cut off. All but two of them made it home, with just Jaz Sandalli and Frank O'Leary narrowly missing out, both half a minute over the cut off. Huge props to everyone who rallied all day to get home in time and we look forward to seeing Jaz and Frank back next year for the next round, having finished the course but just missing out on the medal.

Jaz Sandalli

A huge thanks as always to our team of volunteers who made it another safe and special day.