South Downs Way Relay 2022

The final line-up of the only Hailsham Harriers team this year. From left to right: Rob Chrystie (driver), Graham Purdye, Martin Bell (captain), Andy Ruffle (co-pilot), me (Paul Mealling), Rachel Hillman, Matt Southam and Graham Woolley.

100 miles from Eastbourne to Winchester. The South Downs Way Relay is a very special event and most participants say it’s their favourite running event of the year. That’s certainly true for me. It’s more than just a race. It’s a day out with friends and new faces. There’s the pressure of performing and navigating. There’s the beautiful scenery as we drive from leg to leg. There are laughs and jokes in the minibus. Shared triumphs and sometimes disasters or potential disasters avoided. There is the gratitude of making it on the team and to the start line, and there is the reward of finishing. There are funny incidents and there is the encouragement for and from other teams. It really is a wonderful day. And all in the extraordinarily beautiful South Downs National Park.

All teams are made up of six runners, who must run three legs each of the 18 leg total. This year Hailsham Harriers had been due to have three teams take part – A ladies team, a vets team and an A-team. Unfortunately for Martin Bell who organised these teams, misfortune did not seem to cease as team members had to drop out due to injury or other reasons. Replacements became ever harder to come by and bit by bit the original three teams ended up as just one A-team. Even replacements of replacements ended up dropping out through injury and it was only a matter of days before the event that our final line-up took shape.

The weather was fortunately looking good for the day. Last year it started with torrential rain but this year was back to the usual fine weather we have come to expect for the relay in recent years. Our A-Team started in the 7am start group. Graham Woolley was running leg 1 for us. It starts on the top of Beachy Head and follows the cliff edge path all the way to Birling Gap before going over the Seven Sisters and finishing at Exceat.

The 7am start group set off at Beachy Head, including Graham Woolley running for Hailsham.

Cheering Graham on as he passes a convenient support point on the way to Birling Gap.

Hailsham Harriers are responsible for marshalling at the leg 1-2 changeover and we had Pecs, Tinks and Lisa on duty. Pecs was busy making sure those who came the wrong (easier) way had the appropriate time penalty added according to the rules.

I was running next with leg 2 which goes up the hill from Exceat then down the steps to West Dean. Then it continues through the Forest before taking the river bank path from Litlington to Alfriston and then goes westwards up the ridge to Bo Peep. I am in this area regularly for walks and training, and as I was running under the blue sky in the fresh and still early morning air, I realised that it really doesn’t get better than this. Support was much appreciated as I ran through Litlington, and then it was just a case of focus until the finish. There is something about running for the team that helps get that extra effort out of you.

My arrival at the Bo Peep car park - the end of leg 2. Photo by Graham Woolley

Matt took the baton for leg 3, and I enjoyed much needed rest. By the time I run my second leg, Matt will have finished all three of his! We all agree that leg 3 is a deceptive run. There's a lot more ridge to run than you initially think and the descent of Itford Hill is long, and hard on the legs.

Matt Southam on the final bend of leg 3, having come down the steep descent of Itford Hill. Photo by Graham Woolley

Martin has just taken the baton from Matt (not in shot) at the leg 3-4 changeover. The climb will be hot...

As we drive on to the leg 4-5 changeover you can see the hills of leg 4 the other side of the river to the left. We wonder where Martin is by this point and we all agree – once you know this event you speak in terms of leg numbers when referencing places on the South Downs Way. Unknown to Martin they have slightly changed the handover point this year and he has to run a couple of hundred metres further. It’s lovely to stand in the sun while we wait. The sun will not have been so welcome for Martin however on the big climb.

The leg 4-5 changeover. Rachel starts on leg 5 as we hold open the gate for her.

Rachel then sets off on leg 5. Graham Purdye later joked that leg 5 is better in reverse – Rachel has pretty much nothing but uphill to run to the Ditchling Beacon car park. I raced leg 5 one year and can only say I found it mentally draining.

Teams look eastwards from Ditchling Beacon for the first sight of their runner in the distance.

Rachel coming to the finish of leg 5. Due to the fast road, this is a two-baton changeover and the gate marks the end of leg 5.

Graham Purdye starts leg 6.

Once Rachel finished leg 5 and Graham Purdye was underway on leg 6, we set off to Saddlescombe to meet Graham and drop off Matt for leg 7. We have to park quite a way up the hill however at this changeover as it is at a busy road crossing in the valley. Most of us decided to stay higher up to save our legs and this meant we could support Matt as he passed. Now we have to be efficient in getting to the end of this leg. Only a few years ago one of our team arrived at the end of leg 7 to discover we had not made it there in time to meet them for the changeover – the car park is in a field a little way off from the 7-8 changeover and they had to wait a few minutes. This year we made it in time but there was apparently a runner from another team who arrived to find their team was not yet there.

Matt starts leg 7 with the long climb out of Saddlescombe.

The start of leg 8 is where you really start to feel you’re heading west. You’re not so much on your home turf anymore and the journey starts to become more interesting. It's also a nice spot to slow down, change into fresh clothes and eat and hydrate. You really wouldn't know you're so close to Brighton as you sit here in the countryside.

Graham Woolley arriving near the finish of leg 8.

We are all impressed with Graham's effort on his leg when he finishes. We managed to spot him in the distance through a small gap in the trees, thanks to his yellow cap and blue shorts. Now Martin is out again, now running leg 9. This finishes at Kithurst Hill just east of Amberley which is always entertaining to drive up to. It’s a narrow lane which climbs steeply and has only a few passing places. On race day you can imagine this is fun because there are minibuses trying to go both ways. As we approach we get excited about the prospect of drama, but then to our surprise get to the top without passing any other vehicles! Even another team’s driver said the same to us at the top – “we didn’t have to pass anyone!!” Martin arrived on time having put in a good effort and handed over to Rachel for leg 10 - this is one of the shortest legs and has a decent downhill section. It makes up for her long leg 17 later!

Martin hands over to Rachel at the leg 9-10 changeover.

Driving back down the hill we did have a tight squeeze with a minibus coming up, but it was expertly handled by our super driver Rob. We drive over the river Arun at Amberley to get to the leg 10-11 changeover. The farm is less smelly than usual this year. Amberley also marks the half way point in terms of distance and I have fond memories of stopping here when I cycled the South Downs Way a few times many years ago. I have raced leg 11 twice in the relays and know it to be a tough leg. Matt was nursing sore achilles tendons from his previous legs and I hoped he would get through this leg ok. We spot Rachel crossing the bridge in the distance – it’s interesting how after a time you can recognise different runners from a distance by their gait. At the end of leg 10 was another team waiting for their runner and looking worried - they were long overdue. They had even sent team members along the route by this point to search for them. Perhaps a wrong turn had been taken – it's not uncommon.

Rachel arrives at the end of leg 10. The Arun Valley, which she has just crossed, marks the half way point of the South Downs Way.

Matt starts leg 11 - his final leg of the day.

The drive from the start of leg 11 to the start of 12 is a rather twisted and complex route of little lanes. Rob put all his trust in his co-pilot Andy (“Ruffs”) to lead the way. Ruffs has been involved with the event more times than anyone else on the team and is truly an expert in all aspects of the race. He is the perfect co-pilot! The lanes here are narrow enough to reach out and touch both hedges. It’s a good thing there isn’t too much oncoming traffic.

The start of leg 12 is next to what is affectionately known as “cow-pat field” where we park each year. This year however there are no cow-pats, but instead the grass is long enough to get stuck in minibus doors when they are closed. Leg 11 takes a while to run and despite the circuitous journey we have time for a quick pit-stop before Matt arrives. There is a Cadence Café here which means we can get some hot tea. There are quite a number of these pop-up cafés now along the course of the South Downs Way. A great idea set up by someone who realised they were needed for the many cyclists and walkers who tackle the South Downs Way each year. Matt puts in a brilliant run considering his achilles soreness and Graham Purdye now sets off on leg 12. This means it’s my turn to get ready to run as I will be next with leg 13.

Graham Purdye starts leg 12 while Rachel looks on with hot tea in hand.

I won’t get to see Graham finish leg 12 because leg 12-13 is a two-baton change at a fast road, and he will be somewhat hidden from my view by a hedge. Martin helps to warn me of his arrival from the other side, and then the marshals give me the signal to go. Graham ran well on leg 12, but unlike a few years ago when this was his last leg, today he has leg 16 to run.

Following how I felt on leg 2, I now had a goal with leg 13. To run faster than I did last time. I didn’t know if this would be possible but I believe that’s what makes a good running goal - If you know a goal is too difficult to achieve why would you try. And if a goal is too easy why would you try - you wouldn’t need to try it to know you can do it. I think what you’re looking for in a goal is “I’m not sure if this is possible”. Because then the only way to find out is to try and the curiosity can be motivating. I personally find leg 13 one of the most interesting legs of the relay and at one point along it you get great views of the Isle of Wight. Not much time or energy to admire the view today though – just a quick glance.

I passed the baton to Martin on Harting Down and collapse to my knees on the grass. I got to the finish 2 minutes slower than last time and was a bit disappointed – that is until we got back to the minibus where I learned that I had in fact mis-remembered my previous time thanks to the heat of the race, and had actually run over a minute faster!

Martin finishes leg 14 and hands over to Graham Woolley for leg 15.

Leg 14 finishes in Queen Elizabeth Country Park where Martin passes the baton on to Graham Woolley who now has Butser Hill to climb. This will take him to the highest point of the South Downs at 271m (889ft). We think we catch a glimpse of him as we drive past but it’s hard to tell. Martin can now relax – he has finished for the day and can be proud of his efforts. Not only with the running but with organising our team. He’s looking forward to a cold beer.

The changeover for leg 15-16 used to be at the Sustainability Centre. But they apparently didn’t find that sustainable for some reason and stopped allowing the event to use their carpark. The organisers did well to find a field just a hundred metres further down the road and the baton changeover moved about as far.

Graham Purdye at the top of the climb up Old Winchester Hill. The end of leg 16 is near, while the start of the leg is on the hill in the background.

Leg 16 starts with a technical descent in a gulley, has a bit of flat in the middle and finishes with a sharp kick up Old Winchester Hill. Usually through a field full of cows. Martin and I only just spotted Graham in time to go and get the top gate open for him. He put in a good pace on the last flat 200m to the finish. I had to work to keep up in order to get the photo of Rachel starting leg 17!

Rachel starting leg 17 - the longest leg of the event.

We meet Rachel a little way into leg 17 where there is another convenient support point. She runs past with a good pace. I spend my time keeping warm and getting ready for leg 18. Once Rachel has run passed, the talk in the minibus turns to the Petrol Station we will pass on the way to the 17-18 changeover where beer can be bought. Ruffs says we don’t have long to stop so it has to be more of a ‘smash and grab’. He is only using that as a turn of phrase to the guy in the shop, but then discovers that the cash point at the petrol station was very recently stolen.. by someone with a bulldozer. He honestly had nothing to do with that. Matt emerges with what looks like a 24 pack box over his shoulder.

Martin Bell, Graham Purdye and me (Paul Mealling) at Holden Farm, the leg 17-18 changeover. Only me left to run now, while Martin already relaxes with a beer...

Rachel finishing leg 17 with a new PB, and handing the baton to me for the last leg of the day.

Holden Farm where leg 17 finishes is a nice spot and has a campground with toilet facilities we can use. There are also showers here but I can’t get carried away – I have leg 18 left to run! I’m a bit disappointed that the first field of leg 18 has been fenced off for livestock and where you used to be able to cut across the diagonal, you now had to run the other two sides and stick to the official path. This added time and distance on so it was not possible to compare this run with my run in 2019.

A half way support point on leg 18 - and me much appreciating the encouragement received as I approach. Photo: Martin Bell (I think)

As is probably the same for all runners in this event, I really started to feel my legs near the end of this run. Your last leg of the day is run on tired legs. And no matter how fit you are, you put in your best effort on all your legs so you will always be tired on your last leg. You think yourself through your runs in segments to help break it down and keep you motivated. The last segment on leg 18 is a path along a field after which you squeeze through a narrow gap in a hedge which leads you onto the cricket ground where we finish. Ruffs is there to helpfully make sure I don’t miss this small gap.

And we're done! I've just crossed the finish of leg 18, and utterly exhausted look at my watch to see my time.

As I run the last 60m alongside the cones I think how far we’ve come, and how unreal it feels that it was only this morning that Graham started us off on Beachy Head.

Celebrating and relaxing while we wait for the awards presentation.

A lovely atmosphere as teams enjoy having finished. Burgers, drinks and cakes are everywhere.

In the minibus on the way back we are all tired, but we already turn our attention to next year. We hope we’ll have better luck fielding teams and we think of ways we can improve further on our achievement this year. That’s the magic of the South Downs Relay. It’s always inspiring and it’s comforting to know there’s another edition to look forward to.

Here’s to next year.

Our team at the finish. From left to right: Graham Purdye, Matt Southam, Rob Chrystie, Martin Bell, Andy Ruffle, Graham Woolley, Rachel Hillman and Paul Mealling.

Hailsham Harriers' A-Team leg times 2022 - Check back: I will update these as soon as the official results come out!!

* = Fastest overall time of the day for that leg

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