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About RaceIndexOur methodologyData coverageCyclingTriathlon
  • Marathon
  • 43.8 km
  • Lancing
  • Event weekend starts
  • Open entry

Three Forts Challenge Marathon

This race edition

Race date
Date not confirmed for this distance
Race timezone
Timezone not confirmed
Edition status
Status not confirmed

Entry options

2027 edition

Entry options are not yet confirmed for this edition. Check the organiser before making plans.

Modelled energy-cost change 3.5% versus flat · net elevation -0 m

View verified GPS mapOfficial event website & entry ↗
Plan my trainingPlan my paceData current as of

Decision summary

Three Forts Challenge Marathon at a glance

Route ascent
922 m

Lower than 20% of comparable mapped races

Cut-off average pace
8:13/km

6:00:00 total limit divided by distance. Check gun/chip timing and intermediate limits; allow time for stops.

Typical conditions
65/100

Historical race-date favourability, not a forecast

Evidence depth
42 verified facts

Stored GPS route

Quick answers

What runners ask first

Three Forts Challenge Marathon route map

raceindex.org has a GPS course file for Three Forts Challenge Marathon, so runners can inspect the route line on the map. Elevation charts and ascent figures appear only when that file includes usable elevation data.

How hilly is the Three Forts Challenge Marathon?

The Three Forts Challenge Marathon route has 922 m of ascent, 922 m of descent and an estimated 3.5% grade-adjusted pace penalty versus a flat route.

Where does the Three Forts Challenge Marathon route go?

The Three Forts Challenge Marathon route starts at Lancing Manor Leisure Centre, Manor Road, Lancing, West Sussex, BN15 0PH and finishes at Lancing Manor Leisure Centre, Manor Road, Lancing, West Sussex, BN15 0PH. Underfoot, expect hilly and challenging over chalk, flint and grass paths with stiles and rough tracks underfoot; minimal road sections. It passes Hill Barn, Cissbury Ring, Chanctonbury Ring, Devil's Dyke and Steyning Bowl. the 5 Mile Trail Run is open to those aged 16 and over.

What should runners know on race day for the Three Forts Challenge Marathon?

11.

Race character

Scenery

  • Countryside
  • Historic
  • Coastal
  • Riverside

Atmosphere

  • Community
  • Charity
  • Scenic Tour

Terrain

  • Trail
Elevation character
Hilly
Technicality
Moderate
Net elevation
0 m

Entry, logistics and records

Entry requirements

Entry status
Open entry: The held registration model is open entry and this edition is not marked sold out.
Cut-off
Maximum time to complete the marathon is 6 hours.

Race day logistics

Aid stations
11
Medal
Entry includes a medal and finisher photos.

Access and course status

Start
Lancing Manor Leisure Centre, Manor Road, Lancing, West Sussex, BN15 0PH
Finish
Lancing Manor Leisure Centre, Manor Road, Lancing, West Sussex, BN15 0PH

Course facts

Course type
Loop
Surface
Hilly and challenging over chalk, flint and grass paths with stiles and rough tracks underfoot; minimal road sections.
Landmarks
Hill Barn, Cissbury Ring, Chanctonbury Ring, Devil's Dyke, Steyning Bowl, Coombs, Botolphs, River Adur, Findon Park Farm
Notable features
  • Known affectionately as 'The Tough One'
  • All profits from the race go to Ferring Country Centre and other local Sussex charities
  • Marathon and half marathon are open to runners aged 18 and over
  • the 5 Mile Trail Run is open to those aged 16 and over
  • The route crosses the scenic South Downs, passing the three Iron Age hill forts that give the event its name: Cissbury Ring, Chanctonbury Ring and Devil's Dyke

How hilly is the Three Forts Challenge Marathon?

13%21%30%24%12%
  • Steep descent 13%
  • Descent 21%
  • Flat 30%
  • Climb 24%
  • Steep climb 12%
Total ascent
922 m
Net elevation
−0 m
GAP factor
3.5%
Longest climb
3,550 m at 5.7%
Gradient mix and ascent are derived from the course geometry under our published normalisation, not taken from organiser marketing.

What are typical race-day conditions?

  • 17°CTypical temperature
  • 16 kphTypical wind
  • 5 mmTypical rainfall
  • 65Favourability /100
Typical conditions for the race date and locality, warmer than the endurance-optimal window. These are climatological norms, not a forecast, and are shared across every distance at this event.

More race details

Is the Three Forts Challenge Marathon flat?

Its normalised GAP factor is 3.5% slower than a flat course, with about 922 m of total ascent.

How we calculated this

Published facts and derived model outputs on this page are tied to stored sources or a published, version-locked methodology. We show the provenance so runners, coaches and organisers can check it. Data on this page is current as of .

Derived numbers use scoring-methodology-v1.0.

Sources used on this page (3)

Read the full methodology →