News From the Trails: Course Records Tumble On The South Downs Way

Another huge weekend in ultra running saw course records fall, dominant performances from some of Britain's top athletes, and plenty of drama unfolding on the trails.

Gemma Hillier-Moses Continues Her Fine Form at Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB

British ultra runner Gemma Hillier-Moses delivered another statement performance this weekend, storming to

victory in the 50km race at Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB.

The HOKA athlete crossed the line in 4:40:15, underlining the impressive form she has shown throughout the season. Hillier-Moses continues to establish herself as one of the leading female ultra runners in Great Britain, combining speed, experience and consistency at the highest level.

With some major races still to come this year, her performance in France suggests there may be even bigger results on the horizon.

South Downs Way 50: Records Fall on Fast Trails

Closer to home, the South Downs Way 50 once again delivered outstanding racing on one of the fastest and most competitive courses in the World Trail Majors series.

In the women's race, Rebecca Bunting produced a stunning front-running display, leading from start to finish and setting a new course record.

The men's race saw Antonio Martinez storm to victory in equally impressive fashion. Running aggressively from the outset, Martinez also set a new course record, delivering a masterclass in pacing and execution.

Sarah Webster Smashes South Downs Way 100 Record

If the South Downs Way 50 produced impressive performances, the South Downs Way 100 delivered something truly special.

Great Britain athlete Sarah Webster dominated the women's race from the gun. For significant portions of the race, Webster was tracking close to Mark Darbyshire's course record pace from last year before eventually easing slightly from that remarkable schedule.

Even so, her finishing time of approximately 14:27 shattered the previous women's course record set by Lucy Gossage in 2025 and is the quickest UK female time for a 100 mile trail run. It was one of the standout performances of the weekend and further evidence of the incredible depth currently developing within British ultra running.

David Green Charges Through the Field to Win South Downs Way 100

The men's race unfolded very differently.

Early on, runners including Hugh Tibbs, Henry Hart, Simon Withers and several other contenders set a fierce pace at the front of the field, creating what looked set to be an aggressive battle for the podium.

However, ultra running rarely follows a predictable script.

As the miles accumulated and fatigue began to bite, David Green continued to execute his race plan with remarkable consistency. Gradually reeling in the leaders, Green moved through the field before eventually taking control of the race and powering to victory.

In doing so, he stopped the clock in approximately 13:27 and added his name to the South Downs Way 100 record books with another course-record performance.

It was a perfect example of patience, discipline and endurance triumphing over the closing stages of an ultra marathon.

Other Shout Outs

Ken Fancett - Well into his 70s Ken finished the South Downs Way 100 in 28:37:24 and it’s his 49th 100 mile finish with Centurion Running.

Sue Lord - The final finisher breaking the tape to bring a close to the 2026 South Downs Way 100 with a time of 29:53:13, just under 7 minutes inside the final cut off!

Spine Race: Drama at the Front

Meanwhile, the Spine Race continues to provide plenty of intrigue.

Overnight, race leaders Anna Troup and Jon Shields were both forced to withdraw from the event, opening up the race considerably.

At the time of writing, Jenny Hartley leads the women's race having reached mile 92, while Ed Payne heads the men's field at mile 108.

With a huge distance still remaining and conditions capable of changing quickly, the race remains far from decided. As every Spine follower knows, anything can happen before the finish line.

Looking Ahead

With course records falling across the South Downs, British athletes continuing to shine internationally, and the Spine race still unfolding, it has been another memorable weekend for the ultra running community.

As we move deeper into the summer racing season, performances like these provide a reminder of just how strong the current standard of ultra running has become.

See you on the trails.