Seven Sisters Half Marathon

Event

The Seven Sisters Half Marathon takes place on Saturday, May 23rd, 2026, on the South Downs in England. The race is a single-loop trail route that starts and finishes at Helen Garden, Eastbourne, BN20 7XL. Runners follow the South Downs Way, pass through Friston Forest and woodland trails, run across the Seven Sisters and over Beachy Head before returning to the start. The course is mostly grass trails with some farm tracks and forest paths, described as 99% trail and 1% tarmac. There are hilly sections and flatter parts, with roughly 1900–2000 feet of ascent and descent. The terrain is reported as generally runnable and not technical. Permits are granted through ARC, permit number pending.

Entry and logistics

Distance: 13.5 miles. Minimum age to enter is 20 years. Entry is first come, first served with no waitlist and no qualification requirement; entries close one week before the race or when limits are reached. The standard entry fee is £42, which includes a mandatory GPS tracker. Refund and transfer rules: a 50% refund is available until March 2, 2026; after that date no refunds are given except for pregnancy, which can receive a full refund if notified before the event. Deferrals or transfers to another runner are allowed up to two weeks before race day and deferrals may incur a fee if made within six weeks of the event. Included on race day are a waymarked course, finisher medal, winner trophies, downloadable photos, live chip timing, prizes for vet categories, event insurance, first aid cover, and a free shuttle bus to local hotels and Eastbourne Train Station. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.