for those in a dilemma on what shoes - the simple answer is trail. road shoes will just not offer enough grip in the muddy/slippy sections and there are going to be enough of them this year.
"How much of the route is likely to be slippery chalk? And how much is tarmac?"
20% chalk, 1% tarmac - rest a mix of grass, stones, field, mud and leaves. in a dry year that's fine with road shoes, but not this year. and the grassy sections are also likley to be damp.
seriously if you want to avoid groining yourself get trail shoes. if you can get the trail equivalent of your road shoes - many brands have them - you will find the fit close to your road shoes so you should adapt quickly. but don't be tempted to go with anything else that you haven't run in - that could be a recipe for very sore feet!!
one other thing that maye have escaped notice for those with friends/family coming down to spectate - both Jevington and Litlington are closed to traffic this year (only open for local traffic) to prevent congestion on the vary narrow roads through. for those who have done BHM before - you will have seen this problem in Litlington as you get stuck behind cars. if your spectators are planning to go to either of these villages tell them not to - they will not get in and could be forced to do a long walk to get to them or maybe turned around. they would be better served going to Exceat (start of the Bitches) or Birling Gap where there are big car parks and easy access to the course to watch.
it's even causing us problems as marshalls as me and P need to be in Litlington to park so we can walk up to Lullington Heath (closest access) - and parking is by no means a given for us!!
