Hi Ashley,

from the lack of posts it seems you are blazing a trail, among GRG members anyway. Is this the one that finishes over the seven sisters? I have heard tales of how tough it is and also know the south downs is a very hilly trail as I've run many sections of it in training and also having raced the South Downs Way Relay several times as part of a 6 man team.

Hi all,

Ive done several road marathons in the past but this year am taking on the South Downs Marathon on June 11th. Training is going well at the moment but im interested to know how important hill training is for this. The course has 3 big hills but they can be taken slowly or walked. Its dificult to gauge how hilly the remainder is. Should i be hitting short steep hill training or will i be good to go with my standard marahon prep plus the odd hill? Also any idea of how long this might take me. My normal marathon pace is 3:45-4 hrs.....

Any help from those that have run before would be great.