South Downs Way 50km 2025 Race Report

This inaugural edtion of the South Downs Way 50km, ran alongside the fourteenth edition of the South Downs Way 100. The race immediately joined the Gran Canaria World Trail Majors Short Series which resulted in some incredible competition at the sharp end of both the mens and womens races.

Race day was blessed with exceptional weather. Dry, a tailwind and temperatures on the warm side but ideal for some fast racing at the front, PBs in the middle and some first time ultra finishes all the way to the final 9 hour cut off.

The womens event was led from the gun by pre-race favourite Imogen Ainsworth. A resident of the US, Imogen has had some superb results in recent years and she added to that collection by running out a clear winner in 4:01 having led from gun to tape. 

Imogen Ainsworth

Second place went to former GB international marathoner Holly Stables who has clearly recovered brilliantly from her Speed Project Run to come home in 4:17. Third place went to relative newcomer Rebecca Cannon in 4:22, very much one to watch in the future.

Womens Podium: Holly, Imogen and Rebecca (l to r)

In the mens event, the pace from the start was absolutely electrifying. With deep competition from UK and overseas athletes, it was clear that we were going to get to witness some fireworks. The early running was made by former Commonwealth Games Marathon Bronze medalist Robbie Simpson and former Brighton Marathon champion Peter Le Grice, both of whom have 2:14 PBs over the 26.2 mile distance. The two were locked close in battle until Robbie began to edge away through CP2 10 miles in. Peter caught up on the fast road descent to Kilmeston but on the climb back up to the South Downs ridge, Robbie pulled out a gap and did not look back. He roared through the finish in 3:13:32 and will look to a second World Trail Majors Short Series race in the latter part of the year to take a shot at the big prize purse on offer. 

Robbie Simpson

Peter Le Grice held on for second in 3:23:29 from a hard charging Eduard Hernandez, over from Spain for the race who took third in 3:28:36.

Mens Podium: Eduard, Robbie and Peter (l to r)

In the Age Categories, awards went to the following:

FV40 to Holly Stables also second overall. FV50 to Sophie Biggs in 4:34. FV60 to Nuala Smyth in 5:19. 

MV40 to Eduard Hernandez also third overall. MV50 to Andrew Spooner in 4:17. MV60 to Andy Jones in 4:46. And MV70 to Don Powell in 6:12. 

In the World Trail Majors Teams League, awards went to the following:

First Team: Worthing Harriers
Second Team: Family Wallek
Third Team: Anta Guanjun Hong Kong 100km 

Hong Kong 100km Race Directors Janet Ng and Steve Brammar, part of the third place team

Over 300 finishers in this inaugural event, this one is set to grow into a perfect all rounder with racing at the front as well as being an ideal first ultra on a beautiful course.

Thanks as always to our volunteers first and foremost of which 185 made this possible. Our staff team. The Live Broadcast and Media Teams and all of the stakeholders of the South Downs National Park who allow us to cross this incredible landscape twice a year. And finally to our race sponsors and the World Trail Majors partner events for all of the support.