South Downs Way 50

The South Downs Way 50 runs the eastern half of the South Downs Way National Trail, from Worthing to Eastbourne. It opens with six miles of chalk footpaths and bridleways climbing up to join the trail at Chanctonbury Ring. From there the course is the last 44 miles of the South Downs Way 100, staying on the national trail through Botolphs, Saddlescombe Farm, Housedean Farm, Southease, Alfriston and Jevington until a final turn brings runners into Eastbourne Sports Park to finish with a lap of the track.

The race covers 50 miles with 5,700 feet of climb and holds a 13-hour cutoff, on a marked course with six aid stations. It starts at 8:30 a.m. and 2027 is the fifteenth running. It is the first leg of Centurion Running's Grand Slam of 50s, run in the same calendar year as the North Downs Way 50, the Chiltern Wonderland 50 and the Wendover Woods 50.

A point-to-point from Hillbarn Recreation Ground in Worthing to Eastbourne Sports Park. Six miles of chalk footpaths and bridleways climb to join the South Downs Way at Chanctonbury Ring, and the rest repeats the final 44 miles of the South Downs Way 100, over Botolphs, Saddlescombe Farm, Housedean Farm, Southease, Alfriston and Jevington, with a lap of the track at Eastbourne to finish. 50 miles with 5,700 feet of climb, six aid stations, 85 percent trail and 15 percent road, an 8:30 a.m. start and a 13-hour cutoff. The course is marked.

Entry is first come, first served through Centurion Running, with 650 places on open registration and a waiting list once they have gone; the race says it has sold out every year so far. Entries for 2027 opened at 19:00 on 26 April 2026 and close on 2 April 2027. A place needs a marathon-distance finish inside that race's own cutoff since 1 January 2022, and unqualified runners may enter but are contacted about eight weeks out to verify their plans. The fee is 118 pounds for UK Athletics members and 120 for unattached runners. Volunteers who gave more than seven hours of service at the 2026 race get a free place ahead of general entries. Runners can also enter as part of Centurion's Grand Slam of 50s, which covers all four of its 50-mile races; 50 Grand Slam tickets are available for 2027.