Serpent Trail 50K Info

The Serpent Trail 50K running race is on Saturday the 6th July 2024.

There are two race starts for the 50k - 8am & 10am.

Realistically for most participants it doesn’t matter which start time they choose; there is ample time from either start to get to the finish inside the cut off of 14 hours and we are happy to have a mix of ability in both start times. But usually the faster runners tend to go in the 10am start.

8am - For those perhaps less confident about doing the distance / making cut offs, wanting a more relaxed experience and looking to have a big day out on this stunning Trail. Ideal for slower participants, walkers and first time Ultra runners. Expected finish time; over 6 / 7 hours.

10am - This start wave will have a mix of ability - but we prefer those aiming to run the route at the faster end of the field, go in the 10am wave. THOUGH ANY TIME RANGE of finisher can go in the 10am start! Expected finish time; 3 - 7 hours.

*The cut off for both races is the same time - midnight. So if for example the 8am time slot is full then by starting at 10am you still have 14 hours to finish - this is how the race always was before the introduction of 2 start times, and is ample time to finish.

There will not be an active waiting list operated for the race so once a time slot is full your only option is to enter the other slot if there is still space. We would encourage you to do this as the later slot is not a hard and fast rule for being a quicker runner, nor is it full of only fast runners!

See our Frequently Asked Questions page if you have any questions.

- Registration is at the venue, here you will receive your race number, free TRIBE bar, and any event T shirts & camping passes purchased.  This is open from 5 pm - 10 pm on Friday for every distance at the event, and then;

  • 5 am - 6.45 am for the 8am start wave participants

  • 7 am - 8.45am for the 10am start wave participants

- Coach transport will leave the race venue at Petersfield Rugby Club at 7am for the 8am race start and 9 am for the 10am start time.  It is your responsibility to be on the bus as it will be leaving promptly to take you to the race start.

- Race Briefing will be emailed out to participants prior to the event and short key points covered at the start line.

- Kit List for this race has been planned to help allow a fast, safe race in summertime Kit List HERE.

- Support Crew are allowed to follow you and supply you with food and drink in addition to race checkpoint supplies.  We ask that they do not come to the checkpoint locations but meet you elsewhere.

- Drop Outs from the race can only do so AT CHECKPOINTS unless there is a medical reason or emergency. We will transport any drop outs back to the finish line, but there may be a small wait.

- Course Records - M: Chris Holdsworth 3:13:27, 2022 - F: Kirsteen Welch 3:56:44, 2021. See our Hall of Fame for the ALL TIME top ten finish times!

- UTMB - This race is a UTMB qualifier and contributes to an individuals UTMB index.

- Cut Off for the 50k is midnight. This is 14 hours from the later 10am start, making the event accessible to people wishing to try an Ultra distance running race or for those wishing to walk the whole way.  Realistically the route can be walked in its entirety within 14 hours, the earlier race start is to offer a more relaxed approach and participation and thin the field of participants starting at the same time.

- The Venue has camping available on the Friday and Saturday nights, plenty of parking and changing and shower facilities open all weekend.  Consider camping after and/or before the race to make a weekend of it but especially to be rested before driving away from Petersfield afterwards.

- Arrival & Departure  The venue opens at 5 pm on Friday evening and closes for the event at midday on Sunday. 

- Use of Poles is fine and allowed in this race.  Be aware of other users and considerate / courteous with your poles.

- Music is allowed but take headphones out / turn it off when at or on roads and be aware of other users on the Trail and other runners.

- 5 Checkpoints will have water, squash, coke and a mixture of sweet and savoury snacks such as sandwiches, crisps, cake/biscuits, sweets, bananas, watermelon, oranges, nuts etc.  

The 50k is CUPLESS - read HERE for detail plus link to example of a perfect lightweight, folding cup to bring with you for the race.

These are the Checkpoint locations, please make sure any support crews do not meet you at checkpoints but elsewhere along the route.  To help you plan your food and drink the distance between CP's can be viewed HERE

- 1 - Fittleworth / Tripp Hill Farm

- 2 - Grafham Common 

- 3 - Midhurst 

- 4 - Trotton

- 5 - Durford Mill (water only)

- Route Map for the 50k race is HERE  plus downloadable from the website GPX FILE HERE - or via Google drive (We recommend having a gps device as backup whilst you are running) The official South Downs Serpent Trail guide is available in pdf from here.

- About the Serpent Trail Here are some links for background information about the Serpent Trail; Wikpedia,  South Downs National Park Authority, Long Distance Walkers Association.

- Route Markings - The whole of the 50k distance is signed with our extra race signage, in addition to the permanent Trail markings as shown below. Below are photos of the temporary race signage and the permanent markers.

We put these extra signs out along the route during the week before the race and they are collected by sweeper runners at the back of the field, then the whole route is ran again by ourselves in the week after the event to make sure we have all the signage collected back in and that litter etc isn’t left from the races.

Also see our page of Frequently Asked Questions.