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Oct 23, 2027
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The Beachy Head Marathon is an off-road marathon in the South Downs National Park, held on a Saturday in late October and run from Eastbourne seafront at the start of the South Downs Way. The marathon starts and finishes at Dukes Drive. It passes through the villages of Jevington, Alfriston and Litlington, follows the Cuckmere River back to the coast, crosses the Seven Sisters and passes Belle Tout Lighthouse before descending to the finish. The organisers count more than 300 steps and 14 gates on the way. The race weekend also includes an ultramarathon of about 52.6 km that combines the 10K and marathon routes, a 10K, and a half marathon on the Sunday. Participants in the marathon and ultra must be at least 18. The first Seven Sisters Marathon was held on 28 February 1981, when 182 walkers set off in the morning and 68 runners followed three hours later. The event was renamed the Beachy Head Marathon in 2001, and Eastbourne Borough Council now stages it.
Typical climate for the race month — an estimate, not a forecast or a race-day record
Late October on the South Downs is cool and damp: average highs are about 16°C and lows about 10°C, with rain of 1 mm or more on around eleven days of the month (figures for Eastbourne). The weather on the exposed cliffs can be wetter and windier than in town.
The Race
Eastbourne
The event began as the Seven Sisters Marathon on 28 February 1981, organised by the Long Distance Walkers Association, with 182 walkers setting off at 8am and 68 runners following at 11am into fog. By 1984 entries had reached 2,500 and a limit was introduced in 1985. After the 21st event in October 2001, which was the last organised by Les Smith, the race was saved and renamed the Beachy Head Marathon.
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