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Overview
The Weald Challenge is a trail half marathon from the village of Chiddingly, Sussex in June each year. The route is based around parts of the Wealdway and Vanguard Way. This is a lovely run through the beautiful Sussex Countryside and with a relaxed time limit of 5 hours is suitable for a wide range of abilities. There are two checkpoints on the route.
Previously operated by Trail Running Sussex this event has been taken over by Uckfield Runners from 2024 and will be held on 8 June 2025.
The event is run under England Athletics Rules - Trail Running Association Permit Number ###
Also see out Facebook page for updates
Entries
THE LIMIT OF 400 ON ENTRIES WAS BEEN REACHED SO EARLY BOOKING IS RECOMMENDED. THERE ARE NO ENTRIES ON THE DAY
ENTRIES FOR 2025 ARE NOW OPEM (Opened 1 October 2024)
Click Here for entries or press the big yellow button. The minimum age 17 years on day of race.
Pricing is the same as last year.
There is an early bird discounted price of £32 UKA affiliated, £34 non-affiliated for entries to 31 December 2024.
From 1 January 2025 the price will increase to £37/£39
There is a limit of 400 entrants. Please note the event sold out in 2024 so early entry is recommended.
Changes for 2025
Following from the first event put on by Uckfield Runners in 2024 we will be making a number of improvements for the 2025 event from out own experiance and from feedback
1. Course mark up. A number of runners went wrong due to insufficient course marking. This was in part due to Graham who had worked out the planned course signage in some detail by walking the course beforehand being unable to assist in marking up the course due to an injury and being on crutches prior to the event. The course signage will be more comprehensive this year.
2. Chip timing and start. To facilitate chip timing the course will now start on the School car park. This will make the course about 200metres longer so it will be about 22.2km: so you get a bonus 1.2k over the half marathon distance!
This will also allow us to have waves to mitigate the congestion in early stages of the race. Accordingly there will be 3 tiers based on estimated finish time with 5 minutes between each tier. So the first tier will go at 9:15am and the last tier at 9:25am.
Deferrals and name transfers must be by 7 May 2025
Please note ther are no refunds. Deferrals and name transfers are allowed up to 1 month before the event (ie up to 7 May 2025).
Route
The route follows the Wealdway out and returns on the Vanguard Way.
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The routes is marked by red and white arrows an example of which is shown above.
The route starts with 0.75 miles along a quiet country lane, which will help spread out the field, before the race route continues along bridleways and footpaths. The final 0.55 miles also travels along the quiet country lane back to Race HQ at Chiddingly Primary School. The half marathon race route, apart from the section of road at the start and finish, has a road total of 2.8 miles. These sections of road are small (0.1 - 0.3 miles), as the route passes through local villages, i.e. East Hoathly, Blackboys, and along quiet lanes joining fields, apart from one longer section of road following the Vanguard Way (1.2 miles), on the return to the finish as the route passes through the final checkpoint at 10.2 miles.
Click here to download a pdf of the map
Click here for a description of the route with What3Words locations
Click here to download a GPX file (it will appear in your downloads)
There are two checkpoints, Newplace park at 5.6 miles (9k) and Scallow bridge at 10.2 miles (16.1k)
The elevation profile is shown below.
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Course conditions
The course is run on public footpaths and is mostly off road. Accordingly you will encounter conditions underfoot which are normal for a trail run and public footpaths. This will include uneven ground, steps, styles (some of which may not be in good condition) and there maybe mud depending on weather leading up to the event. Some of footpaths go through fields where livestock had been or may be present.
Please follow the country code so if you have to open a gate please close it behind you and do not drop litter. You can leave wrappings at the checkpoints.
We will do some clearing of the course prior to the event so you do not need to fight your way throught bramble infested undergrowth. However we cannot sanitise the course completly so you may still encounter some brambles and nettles as is usual with a trail course. It is the responsibility of runners to be aware of the conditions underfoot.
Start / Finish location
The start and finish is at Chiddingly Primary School, Muddles Green, East Sussex, BN8 6HN. Start/Finish location map LINK on Goggle Maps
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Prizes
All finishers will receive a quality bespoke handmade Weald Challenge event coffee mug, AND a quality bespoke Weald Challenge half marathon medal, unless the runner opted into "Meals Not Medals" (please see below).
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Time limit
There is a time limit of 5 hours
AGAIN FOR 2025 - A "MEALS NOT MEDALS" OPTION UPON ENTERING
Yes, again for 2025 we have a "Meals Not Medals" option for our races. which is similar to the "Trees Not Tees" entry option.
'Meals Not Medals' is where rather than receiving the finisher's medal, you choose to help provide a meal to someone in need, through the excellent work of Uckfield Foodbank. Please select the 'Meals Not Medals' option if you would like £4 of your entry fee to be be donated to Uckfield Foodbank. Uckfield Foodbank, is a local community project which is part of the nationwide network of foodbanks, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK. Please visit their website https://uckfield.foodbank.org.uk/ to find out more about the great service they provide.
So, select Yes to the Opt in for "Meals Not Medals" question on the online entry form if you DON'T want to receive a medal and wish to donate to Uckfield Foodbank. Select No to the Opt in for "Meals Not Medals" question on the online entry form if you DO want to receive a medal.
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The Entry Fee Includes
A great run along an undulating scenic trail route, following two long distance paths: the Wealdway and the Vanguard Way
Water, bananas and oranges provided at the two checkpoints and finish.
A quality bespoke Weald Challenge finishers medal: or £4 is donated to Uckfield Foodbank instead if opt in for "Meals Not Medals"
A quality bespoke handmade Weald Challenge event coffee mug
Complimentary coffee. a selection of teas and cold drinks following the race, served in your handmade winners coffee mug, plus cake to enjoy with it.
Free car parking within a field adjacent to race registration and the race start / finish
First aid and medical cover
Prizes to the first three men and women finishers and the first man and women aged over 40, 50, 60 and 70.
Head phones and dogs
The event is run under EA rules so only bone conducting headphones are allowed.
Unfortunately we cannot allow competitors to run with dogs: this can be a risk to other runners and also this is a long event and in June can be very hot so may not be good for the dog.
RESULTS FOR RACE ON 9 JUNE 2024
For results including prize winners in Excel format please click here
For results in pdf format please click here. For prize winners in pdf format click here.
For photos on the course please click here . Big thank you to Lauren for taking the photos
Photos taken at the finish are on the Facebook page
There is no charge for downloading photos
ENTRIES FOR 2025 ARE NOW OPEN
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