PB potential
- West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon
- 89/100 Favoured
South Downs Way 100 Ultramarathon vs West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon
A data-led head-to-head using sourced race facts and available derived figures under one published methodology.
Data current as ofSouth Downs Way 100 Ultramarathon or West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon — which comes out ahead?
West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon has the stronger available profile on PB potential, flat grade share and course flatness.
Route comparison snapshot
South Downs Way 100 Ultramarathon
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Held
- course flatness
- 4.1%
- flat grade share
- 34.7%
- lower ascent
- 3,410 m
- climbing density
- 21.2 m/km
- net elevation
- -94 m
- maximum grade
- 31.8%
West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Held
- course flatness
- 3.5% Favoured
- flat grade share
- 45.8% Favoured
- lower ascent
- 2,703 m
- climbing density
- 17.7 m/km
- net elevation
- -46 m
- maximum grade
- 32.9%
| Metric | South Downs Way 100 Ultramarathon | West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon |
|---|---|---|
| PB potential | 83/100 | 89/100 ✓ |
| Flat grade share | 34.7% | 45.8% ✓ |
| GAP factor (% slower than flat) | 4.1% | 3.5% ✓ |
| Uphill share | 32.7% | 27.1% |
| Steep-up share | 13.3% | 8.6% |
| Downhill share | 32.6% | 27.1% |
| Total ascent (m) | 3,410 m | 2,703 m |
| Climbing density (m/km) | 21.2 m/km | 17.7 m/km |
| Longest climb length (m) | 2,970 m | 5,790 m |
| Longest climb gain (m) | 194 m | 337 m |
| Longest climb average grade | 6.5% | 5.8% |
| Total descent (m) | 3,504 m | 2,748 m |
| Net elevation (m) | -94 m | -46 m |
| Max absolute grade | 31.8% | 32.9% |
| Start elevation (m) | 99 m | 52 m |
| Finish elevation (m) | 5 m | 7 m |
| Median finish context (s) | 24:53:35 | 26:36:29 |
| Value | 48/100 | 60/100 ✓ |
| Beginner-friendliness | 66/100 | 71/100 ✓ |
| Scenic score | 91/100 | 100/100 ✓ |
| Conditions | 49/100 | 77/100 ✓ |
| Entry fee (GBP) | £220 | £157 ✓ |
| Lowest modelled true cost (GBP) | £350 | £287 ✓ |
Flat grade share
- West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon
- 45.8% Favoured
GAP factor (% slower than flat)
- West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon
- 3.5% Favoured
Uphill share
Steep-up share
Downhill share
Total ascent (m)
Climbing density (m/km)
- South Downs Way 100 Ultramarathon
- 21.2 m/km
- West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon
- 17.7 m/km
Longest climb length (m)
Longest climb gain (m)
Longest climb average grade
Total descent (m)
Net elevation (m)
Max absolute grade
Start elevation (m)
Finish elevation (m)
Median finish context (s)
Value
- West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon
- 60/100 Favoured
Beginner-friendliness
- West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon
- 71/100 Favoured
Scenic score
- West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon
- 100/100 Favoured
Conditions
- West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon
- 77/100 Favoured
Entry fee (GBP)
- West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon
- £157 Favoured
Lowest modelled true cost (GBP)
- West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon
- £287 Favoured
Only metrics available for at least one side are shown. A ✓ marks the better value for each metric (higher-is-better aware). Scores are out of 100 when available. Ascent, climbing density, max absolute grade and median finish describe course or field context and are not marked as better or worse.
Race facts that change the decision
| Fact | South Downs Way 100 Ultramarathon | West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule | Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-06-13 (legacy event-level date). | Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-06-20 (legacy event-level date). |
| Location | Winchester to Eastbourne, South East | Milngavie to Fort William, Scotland |
| Actual distance | 160.9 km | 152.9 km |
| raceindex.org mapped route held | Held | Held |
| raceindex.org elevation profile held | Held | Held |
| Course type | Point To Point | Point To Point |
| Surface | Mostly trail (about 85% trail, 15% road) | Trail |
| Elevation character | Rolling | Mountainous |
| Terrain | Trail, Road, Track | Trail, Mixed |
| Scenery | Countryside, Historic, Forest, Coastal, Riverside | Mountain, Countryside, Forest, Lakeside, Riverside, Moorland, City, Historic |
| Atmosphere | Scenic Tour, Destination, Competitive | Wilderness, Nighttime, Destination |
| Technicality | Moderate | Technical |
| Total ascent | 3,410 m | 2,703 m |
| Climbing density | 21.2 m/km | 17.7 m/km |
| Total descent | 3,504 m | 2,748 m |
| Net elevation | -94 m | -46 m |
| Max absolute grade | 31.8% | 32.9% |
| Flat grade share | 34.7% | 45.8% |
| GAP factor | 4.1% | 3.5% |
| Cutoff | 30:00:00 | 35:00:00 |
| Field cap | 600 | 300 |
| Latest finishers | 357 | 195 |
| Entry model | Qualifier | Qualifier |
| Entry fee | £220 | £157 |
| Lowest modelled true cost | £350 | £287 |
| Cost model origin | National Average | National Average |
Schedule
- South Downs Way 100 Ultramarathon
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-06-13 (legacy event-level date).
- West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-06-20 (legacy event-level date).
Location
- South Downs Way 100 Ultramarathon
- Winchester to Eastbourne, South East
- West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon
- Milngavie to Fort William, Scotland
Actual distance
- South Downs Way 100 Ultramarathon
- 160.9 km
- West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon
- 152.9 km
raceindex.org mapped route held
- South Downs Way 100 Ultramarathon
- Held
- West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon
- Held
raceindex.org elevation profile held
- South Downs Way 100 Ultramarathon
- Held
- West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon
- Held
Course type
- South Downs Way 100 Ultramarathon
- Point To Point
- West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon
- Point To Point
Surface
- South Downs Way 100 Ultramarathon
- Mostly trail (about 85% trail, 15% road)
- West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon
- Trail
Elevation character
- South Downs Way 100 Ultramarathon
- Rolling
- West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon
- Mountainous
Terrain
- South Downs Way 100 Ultramarathon
- Trail, Road, Track
- West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon
- Trail, Mixed
Scenery
- South Downs Way 100 Ultramarathon
- Countryside, Historic, Forest, Coastal, Riverside
- West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon
- Mountain, Countryside, Forest, Lakeside, Riverside, Moorland, City, Historic
Atmosphere
- South Downs Way 100 Ultramarathon
- Scenic Tour, Destination, Competitive
- West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon
- Wilderness, Nighttime, Destination
Technicality
- South Downs Way 100 Ultramarathon
- Moderate
- West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon
- Technical
Total ascent
- South Downs Way 100 Ultramarathon
- 3,410 m
- West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon
- 2,703 m
Climbing density
- South Downs Way 100 Ultramarathon
- 21.2 m/km
- West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon
- 17.7 m/km
Total descent
- South Downs Way 100 Ultramarathon
- 3,504 m
- West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon
- 2,748 m
Net elevation
- South Downs Way 100 Ultramarathon
- -94 m
- West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon
- -46 m
Max absolute grade
- South Downs Way 100 Ultramarathon
- 31.8%
- West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon
- 32.9%
Flat grade share
- South Downs Way 100 Ultramarathon
- 34.7%
- West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon
- 45.8%
GAP factor
- South Downs Way 100 Ultramarathon
- 4.1%
- West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon
- 3.5%
Cutoff
- South Downs Way 100 Ultramarathon
- 30:00:00
- West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon
- 35:00:00
Field cap
- South Downs Way 100 Ultramarathon
- 600
- West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon
- 300
Latest finishers
- South Downs Way 100 Ultramarathon
- 357
- West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon
- 195
Entry model
- South Downs Way 100 Ultramarathon
- Qualifier
- West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon
- Qualifier
Entry fee
- South Downs Way 100 Ultramarathon
- £220
- West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon
- £157
Lowest modelled true cost
- South Downs Way 100 Ultramarathon
- £350
- West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon
- £287
Cost model origin
- South Downs Way 100 Ultramarathon
- National Average
- West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon
- National Average
Facts are shown only when they exist in the sourced race record; Not held means no sourced value is held for that race.
Common questions
Which is flatter, South Downs Way 100 Ultramarathon or West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon?
West Highland Way Race Ultramarathon has the lower GAP factor, making it the flatter course on our route model and more favourable on gradient alone.