Downland Challenge Ultra 30Here's how RW members rated this race in the past (11 votes). | 1 to 10 of 11 ratings | Page: 1 2 |
| The big picture (11 votes) | | Overall score | | 87% | | How many would do it again? | | 91% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 98% | | PB potential | | 45% | | Atmosphere | | 82% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 85% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 73% |
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2011 race reviewed by: DOUGIE WALLER
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: A tough way to spend a summer Sunday but what a great day!
In full: This was my third consecutive ultra having done my first only a fortnight before at Croydon, then Fairlands Valley. This was definitely the best for one reason only - the beautiful scenery from on top of the South Downs.
I managed to run most of this race mainly due to the cajolling of three ladies that i was lucky enough to start chatting to. Helen and Lucy from Cambridge Harriers provided great company for the first half, but I am indebted to Carol Ann for helping me wipe 45 minutes off my previous best!!! Thanks ladies.
The summer sunshine showed off southern England in all its splendour. The course is demanding, fairly easy to follow. The feeding stations could have been a little better.
Thanks to all the organisers and marshalls for a terrific day.
Date of review: July 30, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: kipperonabike
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Put entry price up £5 and GIVE ME A MEDAL please. Great first dip into ULTRA....
In full: This was my first ultra and it was perfect for me. Not too many killer 'walk' hills so I was able to 'run' the vast majority of the course. Scenery was wonderful, and altho it was a little warm in the sunshine it added so much to the beautiful views. I would have gladly paid a little more, had a marshall at the 'new' bit, had some alt. drinks at the drink stations AND a nice shiny MEDAL at the end - I really think this has potential to be marketed as an attractive, toughish, first ultra. Either way, I think I'll be back for more next year, so many thanks!!
Date of review: July 27, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Kent plodder
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A tough, well organised, no frills, low cost run, along a stunning easy to follow route. A nice way to spend a Sunday.
Date of review: July 25, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: ultraBobban
| | Overall score | | 60% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: great scenery and good to meet up with friends
In full: This is the 3rd year I have run this. Notwithstanding the hard-as-nails hills that are traversed twice, the scenery is beautiful and the route is an easy navigate. This year was a no-frills option that had reduced entry fee, nothing but water at the 3 aid stations and no medal/t-shirt.
I think this was intended to attract more runners but I don't think it worked. Even some orange squash at the CPs would have been fine, but I don't think that this budget ultra worked as well as an LDWA event, which are cheaper anyway. Will come back and run this but organisationally, HHH might think about the numbers they are getting compared to some other events.
Date of review: July 25, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: LHWMG
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Well organised no frills trail Ultra in ths Sussex Downs
In full: Excellent event,great weather and the views help,the only surprise is that more runners do not enter - one measure of a good event is the number of runners that come back to it each year - many thanks for another great day out on the downs
Date of review: July 24, 2011
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2011 race reviewed by: Sonny Green
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Definitely worth getting up for.
In full: As my first ultra, I am glad I picked a 30-miler, because that was tough enough! Nice scenery but baking hot all the way. The last 7 or so miles were tough as they were always going to be, but the uphill made it all the more "challenging".
All things said and done, I felt better once I'd crossed the finish! Also (no) marshalling wasn't much of a problem as there was a mix of abilities to run with and my Garmin told me how to get back for the second half :).
Date of review: July 24, 2011
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2010 race reviewed by: LHWMG
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Well organised no frills trail Ultra in ths Sussex Downs
In full: Out and back,up over down and along mainly the stunning South Downs Way,plus 3 x windmills,Ditchling Beacon,Southease Church and sight of the new Brighton Stadium - a wonderful day out, even Jill was working while Jack was still ! and all so friendly.
Date of review: August 10, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: Ian Campbell
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: What a glorious way to spend a Sunday!!
In full: This was the second year that I have done this. A great trail race along a fantastic route with amazing views. Organisation is low key but works like clockwork. Fellow runners all very friendly which makes for a great atmosphere. Definately worth a go if you have done a trail or road marathon and want to step up a bit.
Date of review: July 30, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: helly d
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: I'll be back now I know where this one is.
In full: I'm surprised to see so few reviews. Some people possibly put off by the fact it's a (mainly) unmarked, unmarshalled course but it really is quite difficult to go wrong. Slightly too hot weather, fantastic scenery, well-placed checkpoints where you could have your own bottles / snacks waiting for you. A grand day out.
Date of review: July 29, 2010
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2010 race reviewed by: ultraBobban
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: warm and undulating
In full: Out and back races can often be a bore.....but this was a great day out! The views from Ditchling are "top of the world" stuff. I ran in about 10 mins slower than last year but felt fresh enough for a 10 mile recovery run on monday. This race probably appears harder than it is as there are limited aid stations and the incline to Ditchling which seems like up from the 22 water station all of the way until you see Jack and Jill, followed by the quad mincing last mile and a half down. I like it that labelled bottles can be taken to the halfway point. Great to meet some new to ultra runners like Josie who I ran with for the first few miles and fantastic to see some familiar faces from the RW forums. See you next year
Date of review: July 27, 2010
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