THIS IS A TOUGH, MULTI-TERRAIN MARATHON COURSE.
Respect the distance, the terrain, the countryside and your fellow trail-users at all times. We cross and run on roads for short sections of the race from Southease onwards.
BE AWARE OF TRAFFIC AND OBEY MARSHALS AT ALL TIMES
If you need specific nutrition, supplements or medical supplies, carry them with you. If you need to access specific supplies along the route, please arrange for a friend or relative to meet you on the course. Many points on the route are accessible by road.
MARSHALS
Please observe our gorgeous, Purple-clad marshals at all times. The course will be sign-posted using our Purple Arrow Logo.
IF YOU NEED TO STOP/ DROP OUT please report to a marshal. Some sections after halfway have access to roads. We have first aid responders (SMS) on the course.
BIKES
We have several bikes on the course. An advanced bike will go ahead to check the route. Lead bikes will set off with the runners. These will dovetail to stay with/ close to the lead runners. A tail-gunner will follow back-markers, looking out for injured runners and collecting course markers. Be nice to our bikers.
WATER STATIONS
There will be water stations, details on the Race Details page. Water will be served in open plastic cups. Bin bags will be placed at/ just after water stations – please use them if you can. Our marshals will pick up any strays once you’ve passed through.
CARRY WATER/ DRINKS/ ENERGY GELS/ SWEETS with you. There are long sections between water stations. You can top up water bottles at water stations and at South Downs YHA.
PLEASE DO NOT LITTER. Much of the course is through a National Park. Please respect the countryside. Leave only footprints (and the occasional wee), stay OFF private property, take only memories, photos and your empty packets/ bottles.
RACE HQ/ BAG DROP: Wallands School, Lewes – Opens at 09:00, closes at 09:45. There will be two bag drop areas at the start. All bags are dropped/ transported at owner’s risk. PLEASE MARK YOUR OWN BAG so you can identify it on collection. We accept no responsibility for valuables of any description.
One: van will go to the finish at Harveys Yard
Two: car will go to South Downs YHA. This is for Relay Part One runners who will stop at this point (see RELAY RUNNERS below)
RACE STARTS at 10:00 sharp (FULL Marathon) 10:15 (RELAY/ Dogs)
ALL NUMBERS WILL BE MAILED TO YOU W/C 27th FEBRUARY
There will be safety pins available at the start
Car parking spaces are strictly limited – there are plenty of free spaces at County Hall, 5 minutes down the road (access via Western Road, opposite the Pelham Arms).
COURSE MAP: Here is a link to our interactive Google Map
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zWEwq76aObLU.kwiiXp_1CQ50&usp=sharing
We will have a large O/S map, course marked, on display at registration.
REFRESHMENTS: Hannah’s Van will be stationed at the entrance to Wallands, selling excellent coffee, tea, croissants and other snacks. Please bring funds for this! Beer and Food tokens will be handed out at the finish. We have ale from Harveys, coffee and tea from Hannah’s Van and food from Circa Events
BRIEFING: a short runners briefing will be delivered at the start line, unless it’s tipping it down, in which case we’ll do this in the hall at 09:50 so that our Race Director doesn’t mess his hair up too much.
RELAY RUNNERS:
After the race briefing, runner two should proceed to the halfway point at South Downs YHA, Itford Farm, Beddingham, Lewes BN8 6JS
Rail replacement BUS TO Southease Church leave Lewes station at 58 mins past the hour, takes appx 7 minutes to Southease Church (5 mins from Halfway point).
Lewes station is a 20 minute downhill stroll from the start.
Part One runners finished at YHA. NB: There is a café, warm shelter, a physio and WC at South Downs YHA. Bag Drop vehicle TWO will be here with your bags.
Rail replacement bus service LEAVES Southease Church at 16 minutes past the hour.
PLEASE NOTE: you pass this on the first half route, do complete the half to YHA! We had someone hop straight on a train once. The finish is a seven minute hobble from Lewes station.
TIMING: we will have a dedicated timing team on the course, checking race numbers and recording individual times. We are using stop-watches – no chip timing
SPECTATORS: There are some great spots where friends and family can watch the runners. Here are a few, accessible by road or public transport:
– South Downs YHA – half way (café, parking, train station, WC)
– Firle Car Park (on top of Firle just before the Beacon) – around 16 miles
– The Trevor Arms, Glynde Village (pub CLOSED, train station, WC) – around 23 miles
– Cliffe High Street, Lewes (near the finish)
FINISH LINE. The finish line is at the entrance to Harveys Yard (back entrance via North Court/ Harveys Way). This will be clearly marked. Repatriate with friends and family, receive your commemorative finisher’s gift and beer/ food tokens, grab your gear bag from the bag-drop van, visit the physio or just wrap yourself in a foil blanket and sob.
There is a big car park next to Harveys Yard.
This is a tough, hilly race across a variety of surfaces.
We know you know, we just wanted to say it one more time, just in case.
Plan well and enjoy the day.
Ashley Head
Race Director, Moyleman: The Lewes Marathon