The Maverick South Downs Trail

The Maverick South Downs Trail 2026

The event is a one-day trail running meeting at Queen Elizabeth Country Park, Gravel Hill, Horndean in Hampshire. It offers five waymarked routes that run across the South Downs, crossing the Hampshire and Sussex border and using sections of the South Downs Way. Surfaces include chalky ridgeways, woodlands, farm trails and undulating downs; the Marathon and Ultra routes include an extended stretch on chalky trails and the Ultra passes through Harting Downs and West Dean Woods.

Distances offered:

• 50k Ultra: 51 km, +1294 m
• Marathon: 42 km, +1118 m
• Half Marathon: 21 km, +479 m
• Middle: 9 km, +205 m
• Short: 5 km, +144 m

Outpost provision varies by route: no outpost on the Short or Middle routes; the Half Marathon has two outposts (approx 5.5 km and 13.5 km); the Marathon has three outposts (approx 12 km, 23 km and 33.5 km); the Ultra has four outposts. Outposts supply top-up food, gels and electrolyte drinks; some outposts include toilets while others do not. The event operates a plastic-free policy at outposts and asks runners to carry a reusable cup or bottle. For safety the Ultra and Marathon routes require mandatory kit including a waterproof jacket, mobile phone, minimum 1 litre of water, 800 calories of food, foil blanket, whistle and GPX of the route. Free parking, bag drop, timing, online results and event photography are provided. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.