Pilgrim Challenge 2025 now open for booking!

All 2024 events open for booking!

No. of days 1 day

Distance 31 mi

Ascent gain 1530 m

Accom. no

Food no

A 51km ultra-marathon along the breathtaking South Downs Way

This event is a "there and back" ultra-marathon starting and finishing in Steyning Grammar School. The route heads east through the stunning South Downs National Park to Clayton Village Hall and then turns back west.

Take in some of England's most breathtaking countryside.  Encompassing visible prehistory, picturesque villages and stunning wildlife, the South Downs Way is the perfect challenge for those training for events like the Marathon des Sables, long single-stage events like the SDW100, or who simply want to experience some of the best views in the country.

Latest results

We are delighted to support SheRACES and commit to providing a great experience for female participants. Find out more

Included

  • Free parking
  • A fully recced and marked route
  • Full medical cover throughout
  • Toilets, showers and changing facilities
  • Checkpoint food and water at regular intervals
  • A quality finishers medal
  • Trophies for overall and category winners
  • Action photos en-route, free to download
  • A great atmosphere and a fun but challenging day out
Every finisher will receive a quality medal and there will be trophies for overall and category winners.

Route

The route of the Devil's Ultra is out-and-back. South Downs Way National Trail has excellent markings in the form of signposts or post discs to keep you on track.

It's worth bearing in mind that there will be road crossings to negotiate. We also recommend taking the time to explore the route beforehand and carrying a map with you on race day.

The turnaround point is at Clayton Village Hall  (///hindered.sneezing.yarn). You can download GPX files for both the out and back legs below.

Schedule

07:00

Registration opens

--

Rolling Start Times

08:00 - 08:30

Walkers (expected finish time 10 hours plus)

08:30 - 09:00

Walk / run (expected finish time 7 hours plus)

09:00 - 09:30

Walk / run (expected finish time 5 hours plus)

09:30 - 10:00

Runners (expected finish time less than 5 hours)

13:30 onwards

Finishers expected

Pricing

Fundraise

FREE

Standard entry

£65

The £65 entry fee will be donated to fund a vital operation, or alternatively enter for FREE, if you commit to raise funds for Humanity Direct.

If you're fundraising book now through our system, then visit Humanity Direct's website to register yourself.

Please note: a 2.5% service charge, levied by the registration software, will be added to your total. We are using a new entry system that takes payment through the secure system Stripe. No payment information is retained by Extreme Energy, or our entry system tool.

Email us on info@xnrg.co.uk if you have any questions about your options.

If for some reason you are not able to make the event you have entered. The XNRG refund policy is that we will give you 70% refund of your entry fee up to 1 month before the start date of the event. You also have the option (1 month before the date of the event) to get a 100% transfer credit to another one of the other Humanity Direct 1 day events, or you can donate your entry fee to the charity. All entry fee money goes directly to the charity and directly to helping children with life changing operations. These options you can execute on your Ultrabritain entry page.

After this time we are sorry there will be no refunds or transfers to future events. Refunds will be to your booking credit card.

Race-day Preparation

Kit List

The only compulsory kit is a mobile phone with full battery and switched on to ring, not silent, and
a water bottle/hydration pack with a minimum of 500ml of water, but it's worth taking a look at our recommended kit list.

Other equipment may be made compulsory by the race director depending on the weather.

Medical

The event is supported by a Course Manager and a fully qualified medical crew will be in attendance. We strongly recommend taking a moment to read our medical page before booking.

FAQ

We've answered a range of common questions in our FAQ. For other questions, say hello on info@xnrg.co.uk.

Briefing

Please watch the Race Director's briefing ready for race day.

Registration

Please register and pick up your timing chip from:

More Information

Entries

There are 150 places available and entries will close one week before the event (or when full). A waitlist option will be available if the event becomes fully booked.

Starts / Finishes

Registration opens from 07:00 at Steyning Grammar School Shooting Field, Steyning BN44 3RX. There will be rolling starts. The times are as follows:

  • Walkers (expected finish time 10 hours plus) 08:00-08:30
  • Walk/run (expected finish time 7 hours plus) 08:30-09:00
  • Walk/run (expected finish time 5 hours plus) 09:00-09:30
  • Runners (expected finish time less than 5 hours) 9:30-10:00

Route

The South Downs Way National Trail has excellent markings in the form of signposts or post discs to keep you on track. The route goes through England's latest National Park, including some of the most spectacular scenery and quintessential villages the South has to offer.

It's worth bearing in mind that there will be road crossings to negotiate. We also recommend taking the time to explore the route beforehand and carrying a map with you on race day.

Some of our favourite South Downs Way publications:

Aid stations

There will be four aid stations, between 6-10 mile distances, fully stocked with water, and sweet and savoury food to keep you fuelled.

Due to the risk of cross contamination, we cannot provide checkpoint food to suit all dietary requirements. If you require special food or snacks to suit any allergies or vegetarian/vegan diets, can you please bring your own. Put them in containers, marked with your name and checkpoint number and give them to the checkpoint teams at the start of the race.

We're going green

Help us do our bit to reduce the impact our events have on the environment by bringing your own reusable or collapsible cups for drinks at checkpoints and on the overnights. Some suggestions we love: the Salomon soft cup and the X cup.

Reviews

Thanks very much for yet another great event. As always the whole team were helpful, encouraging and full of positivity.
The ice was amazing and so welcome, as was the paddling pool.
I love the personal touch you bring to the events and although I enjoy other ultras it’s the XNRG ones I keep returning to. The fact that you support everyone including people like me who are never going to win anything means a lot.
Looking forward to Druid’s

Just wanted to say a massive thank you for all your hard work and making the devils challenge possible - I was so excited when you started this event and it was such an amAzing adventure- all the little touches make all the difference - checkpoints were amazing and you adjusted for weather amazingly - having water dipped caps, ice and that fantastic paddling pool made all the difference In the heat.
Thank you so much - I’m my opinion XNRG have got it all just right.
Hope to see you again soon.

First and foremost from no. 107 thank you for an amazing weekend your support and expertise were way beyond anything I have experienced before.
I finished the third day intact and confident and apart from the soles of my feet I’m all good the day after.
And in the meantime thank you again for making the SDW such an amazing event.

We can't wait to see you there! Questions? Say hello on info@xnrg.co.uk

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