Winter Downs 200 2025 Preview

The third edition of the Winter Downs 200 kicks off Wednesday 10th December. With a group of the very hardiest souls looking to complete the loop of the North Downs Way, Vanguard Way, South Downs Way, Wayfarers Walk and St Swithuns Way all in under 96 hours. 

This is the longest, darkest, most difficult race we have ever put on and it is a true test of adventure. With only four official check points, but those providing sleeping and full catering facilities, it is a classic winter journey which requires planning, preparation and true endurance.

Follow the race live via the website here (live link will be available from Monday 8th December).

WOMEN

Nine women toe the line this year, making up 15% of the starting field.

Sarah Enright is the pick of those, having finished fourth at Race Across Scotland 215 mile, sixth at the 300km Northern Traverse and a second at the Norn Ireland Ultra - 100 miles in recent years.

Jemma Lyons was seventh here in the inaugural year of the race. 

Zoe Norman a previous fourth placed finisher at North Downs Way 100, came up agonisingly just 10 miles short here in 2023 and is looking for that magic finish this time. 

Libby Clark was fourth at the Winter Downs 100 last year and steps up this year. She has also previously finished fourth at the Chiltern Wonderland 50.

Jade Barrett is looking to become the first person ever to complete the full calendar of Centurion events in one year having already finished Hundred Hills 50km and both the Grand Slams.

Jade Barrett

Darla Crispin comes into this as a finisher of the 100 last year, and an FV60 as well as a cancer survivor, truly an insipiration to us all. 

Aimee Tippins won the Bridge 100 Mile in 2024 and has two other podium finishes at trail 24hr events.

Julie Dennis began her ultra journey with us at the inaugural Hundred Hills 50km and has worked her way up through our 50 and 100 milers to this ultimate test.

Helen Milton-Symes is a previous finisher of our North Downs Way 100 and the Marathon Des Sables amongst many other ultras.

MEN

Caspian James: In 2024 Caspian won both the 13 Valleys Ultra and the 215 mile Race Across Scotland. This year he was fifth at UTS 100 miler and 30th at the highly competitive TransGranCanaria.

Nick Berry: Two races with us this year, a third place at Hundred Hills 50km and a second place at Chiltern Wonderland 50. Nick has had some top results in the past including a win at the Serpent Trail 100km, top ten at the Arc and a win at the Beacons Ultra amongst many others.

Nick Berry

Pete Thomason: Pete was second at the North Downs Way 100 this year and won the London 100km by Camino prior to that too. 

Tom Harvey: From Forest Row, 35 miles into the course, Tom was third at the Chiltern Wonderland 50 this year, and seventh at the Arc back in January. All his past ultra finishes have been top tens which is mightily impressive consistency.

Dominic Gill: Second at this years Summer Spine. Seventh at the Northern Traverse back in April and ninth at the Spine Challenger North in January - this would cap off an impressive year of going into the super long.

Ben Carroll: Seventh at Winter Downs 100 last year and ran 225km to finish second at Crawley 24hr back in April, the second time he has achieved that position but has a 248km 24hr PB there. 

Mike Samuels: Mike picked up 13th at the Arc in 2024 and later that year went on to finish fourth at the Race Across Scotland.

Aaron Jewell: Picked up ninth here last year and could go better again.