I have a love/hate relationship with this race. I pretty much dread the hills and wind and sludgy mud. But I really look forward to the beauty of the Downs and sense of achievement when I’ve finished. I’ve done I don’t know how many halfs but this seems more of a challenge, somehow. Trail runners will find it fine but for road runners like me it’s a great intro to mud and long inclines without full scrambling up trails. It’s part open grass, pArt wooded and part road; two loops with the big hill at mile 1.5 and 6.5. So by mile 7.5 you really feel the worst is behind you and you’re on your way home. The marshals and other runners are fantastic - there is a great atmosphere and shared sense of achievement, whatever your pace. It’s very well organised with the Tattenham Corner base with its clean loos and ample parking making life easier at the start and finish. And the medals are beautifully solid. All in all I recommend this race as a challenging, exhilarating, terrific start to the year!