Hangover 5 Mile Fun Run

This is the first run of the 2022 Fun Run League after a 2 year break due to Coronavirus, and is a 5 mile trail race up hilly, muddy and chalky tracks and paths up to Cissbury Ring and back. This is a steady but nice climb and will definitely clear any fuzzy heads, but what a way to start 2022! NOTE: THIS IS OPEN TO HENFIELD JOGGERS MEMBERS ONLY

Hangover 5 Route Description
The route follows the same course as previous years. It starts with an anti-clockwise lap around the sports field followed by a 100m road section which will be marshalled to stop traffic at the start of the race. After the short road section the route takes a left turn up a chalk track for about 300m. Up to this point there is plenty of space for passing runners, but after the chalk track section the route gradually narrows to become essentially a single file track as it slowly climbs to the foot of what is known within the club as “cardiac hill”!

The first half of the hill is steep, single file and on exposed chalk which can be very slippery when wet. About half way up the route takes a slight dog-left to the left, (ignore path to the right), and continues the climb towards Cissbury Ring. At the top, which will be marshalled by the finger post, the route takes a left turn down a wide track. If it’s wet or icy, the first 30m or so after the turn are on exposed chalk which can be extremely slippery so please be careful.

The track around the edge of Cissbury could be described as “undulating” with a short but steep climb up the West side of the ring followed at the top by a sharp left 90′ turn to a marshalled gate. This is approximately half way and all the hard work has been done as the route is now mostly downhill to the finish.

Depending on the rainfall, about 200m after leaving the gate, there could be two “water hazards”, (large and deep puddles), to negotiate through or around. The sides have become eroded and slippery and so good luck trying to stay dry! A marshal will be stationed here. Caution: Along the same section, there will be an area of the track taped off protecting runners from barbed wire buried in the long grass.

After the “puddles” there’s a long downhill section, ignoring any turns left or right until reaching the next marshalled point where the route takes a sharp left turn onto a single file track which runs through a hedge line across the golf course. After a short climb there’s a sharp right turn, (marshalled), to retrace the route back to the finish line.

The return 100m road section will be marshalled, but not closed to traffic so please exercise extreme caution along the road before turning left heading back through the car park to the finish.

Note: Water is available in the start and finish area, but there are no water stations out on the course.

Click here for OS map extracts with route marked.