Race To The King

Race to the King 2026

Race to the King is an ultramarathon event held at West Dean Gardens that traverses the landscapes of the South Downs National Park. The course utilizes portions of the South Downs Way and Monarch’s Way, offering a mix of coastal views near Chichester Harbour and undulating inland trails passing by Arundel Castle. The event is scheduled near the Summer Solstice to maximize available daylight for participants.

The event offers several route configurations for runners and walkers:

• 30 km Monarch's Loop: A journey towards Bignor Hill returning via Monarch's Way.
• 50 km Coastal: A flat route passing through Bosham and Chichester Harbour.
• 50 km Castle: An undulating course along the South Downs Way passing Arundel Castle.
• 80 km Non-Stop: A combination of the Coastal loop and the Monarch’s Loop.
• 100 km Non-Stop: The full circuit encompassing both the Coastal and Castle loops.

The trails are fully signposted for navigation during the day and night. Support includes chip timing, medical personnel at pit stops, and rapid response paramedic teams. Pit stops provide a variety of food such as cereal bars, fruit, sandwiches, and sports nutrition products.

Participants receive a finishers medal and a hot meal at the finish line. Bag transfer services from the start to the finish are included for all distances. Optional extras such as parking, shuttles, and individual GPS trackers are available for an additional fee. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.