Winter on the Downs 55 Miles 2026

Winter on the Downs 55 Miles is an off-road ultra on the South Downs, run in winter from Eastbourne. The 55-mile race is listed as 89 km, carries a UTMB Index, and includes about 2,286 metres of climbing, or roughly 7,000 feet. It is one of three single-loop races on the trails of East Sussex and West Sussex, with 50k and 100-mile options available. The route starts with the Seven Sisters before heading inland toward Plumpton, using grass trails, farm tracks, woodland paths, and chalk paths. The profile is mostly runnable rolling ground, but the distance includes longer, steeper climbs that matter late in the race. Winter weather is expected: runners may encounter clear, cold sunshine, but strong wind, rain, sleet, fog, freezing temperatures, and snow are all possible. East Sussex is one of the drier parts of the U.K., and the chalky terrain drains well, making this part of the South Downs suitable for a winter ultra.