A 50 km trail race from Matterley Bowl to Queen Elizabeth Country Park, with about 1,150 metres of climbing. It is point-to-point and the private start loop is not fully represented in the downloadable GPX.
01 Know what you are taking on
What is the race like?
Official maps & course details
- Distance
- 50 km; the aid table places the finish at 31.1 miles.
- Climbing and surface
- Headline figures: approximately 1,150 m ascent; 80% trail and 20% road.
- Start and finish
- Matterley Bowl, near Winchester, to the Event Field at Queen Elizabeth Country Park, below Butser Hill.
- Navigation
- The downloadable GPX omits the private Matterley loop; race markings cover it.
02 Choose your approach
Find your race strategy.
Choose your goal. These are our pacing suggestions, based on the published course, rather than organiser instructions.
My first finish
Start patiently on the marked private loop.
Use a deliberate hike on climbs if that suits your preparation and keep eating early.
Break the later trail into the next checkpoint, then follow the marked finish approach.
A PB or time goal
Base your time goal on trail experience and ascent, not a road-marathon conversion.
Keep early descents controlled and minimise avoidable time lost at aid stations.
Save enough for the final terrain rather than banking fast miles at the start.
If the weather or your pace changes
If it is warmer, windier or wetter than your training, adjust your target before the start. Let the conditions guide your effort, clothing and preparation. Use the organiser’s weather and safety advice, and stop for concerning symptoms.
03 Know what is on the course
Drinks, fuel & toilets.
Station positions and products are not yet confirmed in the available information for this edition. Use the organiser’s final runner guide before deciding what you can collect on the course.
Toilet locations: a confirmed location list is not available here. Check the official course or runner map before race day; a drinks table does not automatically mean there is a toilet beside it.
Turn the station list into your plan
Mark the stops you expect to use and the fuel you will carry. If you use a gel that needs water, pair it with a published water point. Practise the products and cup or bottle format before race day; you do not have to try every item offered.
04 Before the start
Your race morning.
Times are local to the event. Work back from your own wave, allowing for the walk, toilets and bag drop.
Race number
Bib collection
Registration runs 08:00–09:50 on Saturday at Matterley Bowl.
The start
Start and overall limit
10:00 start; nine hours to finish.
Start access
Free parking is available at Matterley. Vehicles cannot enter between 05:00 and 07:30 because of the SDW100 start.
Finish window
Start and overall limit
10:00 start; nine hours to finish.
Start & finish access
- Finish bag
- A bag of up to 50 L can be left at registration for transport to the finish.
- Leaving the race
- Report withdrawal to an aid-station captain. Sweeper transport follows the cut-offs, so collection can involve a wait.
Pacers & course cut-offs
- Checkpoints and cut-offs
Checkpoints and cut-offs Checkpoint Distance (miles) Published cut-off Matterley 6.2 11:50 Holden Farm 9.2 12:40 Beacon Hill Beeches 15.3 14:30 Sustainability Centre 24.5 17:10 QECP 31.1 19:00
Kit rules & accessibility
- Mandatory equipment
- Carry a charged phone with race contacts, at least 1 L capacity, a 1.4 × 2 m survival blanket, a taped-seam waterproof rated 10,000 mm or more, and a separate drinking cup.
- Support
- Crews and pacers are prohibited.
- Private land
- The opening 7.2 miles on Matterley Estate are closed to pre-race reconnaissance.
Your allocated wave, event emails and final runner instructions take priority. Read the guide for your distance before travelling.
05 Make the day work together
Supporters & getting around.
Plan your support
Use the permitted finish access at Queen Elizabeth Country Park. The Event Field is across the A3 from the visitor centre; follow event parking and crossing instructions rather than stopping on the main road.
The places below are viewing ideas from the linked route or spectator guide. Use your edition’s access map for barriers, permitted crossings and any crew restrictions.
Queen Elizabeth Country Park finish
The finish is in the Event Field across the A3 from the visitor centre. Use the event access and parking instructions; do not stop on the main road.
Crews and pacers are not permitted. Do not treat the aid stations as spectator destinations or enter the private Matterley loop. Use the organiser’s current supporter rules and finish access plan.
2027
Official spectator or route informationMake the cheer easy to find
Agree a named point, the side of the road and your likely arrival window. Share your bib number for official tracking. Pick a separate reunion beyond the finish exit and a backup if the phone signal is poor.
Getting there and getting home
- Coach options
- A £20 coach leaves the QECP finish at 07:30 for the start. A return coach leaves after the 19:00 final cut-off.
- Finish parking
- Free parking is in the Event Field, across the A3 from the visitor centre and main car park.
- Start access
- Free parking is available at Matterley. Vehicles cannot enter between 05:00 and 07:30 because of the SDW100 start.
- Camping
- Free start-line camping opens Friday at 14:00; tents must be cleared by Saturday 09:30.
06 Before you book
Entry, fees & time limits.
See the organiser for the latest entry options and availability.
What you need to enter
- Eligibility
- Minimum age 20; no qualifying race is required.
- Entry fee
- £87 standard; £85 with the UKA discount.
Transfers, refunds & deferrals
- Withdrawal policy
- The FAQ offers a 70% refund up to four weeks before race day, with no later refund or event deferral.
Can you finish inside the time limit?
- Start and overall limit
- 10:00 start; nine hours to finish.
- Checkpoints and cut-offs
- Matterley 6.2 mi—11:50; Holden Farm 9.2—12:40; Beacon Hill Beeches 15.3—14:30; Sustainability Centre 24.5—17:10; QECP 31.1—19:00.
Stay in the loop
Email me event updates.
Spend more time training and less time checking. Get the key updates for your race, straight to your inbox.
07 Make your training relevant
Practise for this course.
One thing to rehearse
Practise hiking, descending and refilling with your actual kit. Use race markings for the private opening loop rather than expecting the GPX to contain it.
08 Put your plan together
Useful before race day.
Plan your pre-run fuel
Explore meals and snacks around the time you have before running.
Explore the fuel plannerMake race fuel feel familiar
Understand how to practise taking carbohydrate during longer runs.
Read the guideUnderstand changes in how your legs feel
Explore training load, recovery and the signs that deserve attention.
Read the guideA plan that fits your life.
Running, strength or both, with feedback and adjustments as your training develops.
Official race information
Use the organiser’s information for current entry terms, the published route and your final runner instructions. Course resources show their edition where it is known. Pacing and training suggestions are The Runner’s Journal’s guidance and should fit your experience, health and conditions.