The Open Class is very well supported and is suitable for experienced and novice hikers alike. There are a choice of start locations that have been positioned to attract a wide spread of teams from across the County. Open Class really does mean open to all.

Route choices	Start at Bignor Hill and finish at either Washington, 11 miles, or Steyning Bowl, 15 miles. Start at Plumpton College and finish at either Itford, 11 miles, or Firle Beacon, 15 miles. Start at Itford and finish at Eastbourne, 14 miles.
Start times	Bignor between 07:00 & 08:00 (immediately after Classes A&B) Plumpton College between 10:00 & 12:00 Itford between 10:00 & 11:00
Time allowed	Up to 10 hours to complete the distance
Age restrictions	Open to all ages. Teams with under 12s must be accompanied by a DBS cleared responsible adult who will form part of the team
Team composition	Minimum of 3 to a maximum of 6 people to a team. Walking together, all teammates complete the distance
Awards	This is a non-competitive class, aimed at those wanting to enjoy a hike over this distance.  There is no ‘Class’ trophy, however a medal is awarded to everyone who completes the hike.

 Class S

Class S is ideal for Scouts with the skills, fitness and experience required to complete a long distance hike in a team without an adult.

Total Route Distance	25 miles. Each person in the team will hike approximately three quarters of the total distance.
Route	Plumpton College to Eastbourne
Start times	Between 08:00 and 10:00
Time allowed	Up to 16 hours to complete the total distance
Age restrictions	Minimum combined age of 48 years, when only whole years are added together. Each individual must be less than 14 years and a half years of age.
Team composition	4 people to a team, with only 3 hiking at any one time – the fourth will be rested and transported to the next designated Service Area with the Team’s Service Crew. When at a designated Service Area, the rested person will re-join their team, swapping places with a teammate whose turn it is to rest next
Awards	The ‘Long Man’ trophy is presented to the team that completes the route in the fastest time. The ‘Pegasus Plate’ is awarded to the team that completes the route in the fastest time without running, ie walking only. A Downsman medal is awarded to everyone who completes the hike

 Class E

Class E is suitable for Explorers with hiking experience.

Total Route Distance	38 miles. With the rest sections, each person will hike less than the total distance
Route	Steyning Bowl to Eastbourne
Start times	Between 07:30 & 08:30
Time allowed	Up to 18 hours to complete the hike
Age restrictions	Minimum combined team age of 48 years and a maximum combined team age of 62, only whole years are added together. Each individuals must be under 18 years old.
Team composition	4 people to a team, with only 3 hiking at any one time – the fourth will be rested and transported to the next designated Service Area with the Team’s Service Crew. When at a designated Service Area, the rested person will re-join their team, swapping places with a teammate whose turn it is to rest next
Awards	The ‘Chief Scout’s’ trophy is presented to the team that completes the route in the fastest time. A Downsman medal is awarded to everyone who completes the hike

Class B

Class B is targeted at older Explorer teams with good hiking skills, experience, fitness and endurance.

Total Route Distance	55 miles. With the rest sections, each person will hike less than the total distance
Route	Bignor Hill to Eastbourne
Start times	Between 0600 and 0630
Time allowed	Up to 20 hours to complete the hike
Age restrictions	Minimum combined team age of 48, only whole years are added together. All individuals must be under 18 years old
Team composition	4 people to a team, with only 3 hiking at any one time – the fourth will be rested and transported to the next designated Service Area with the Team’s Service Crew. When at a designated Service Area, the rested person will re-join their team, swapping places with a teammate whose turn it is to rest next.
Awards	The “Boot” trophy will be presented to the fastest team to complete the hike. A Downsman medal is awarded to everyone who completes the hike

Class A

This is targeted at older Explorers and any adult members of the Scout Association, including Leaders and members of Network. This requires extremely high levels of fitness, endurance and hiking experience. Most who enter in this Class will have spent the summer months physically training for the hike.

Total Route Distance	55 miles
Route	Bignor Hill to Eastbourne
Start times	Between 0600 and 0630
Time allowed	Up to 20 hours to complete the hike
Age restrictions	Open to all ages. Minimum combined team age of 48 years for a team of 3 or 64 years for a team of 4, only whole years are added together
Team composition	3 or 4 people to a team. All teammates to walk the entire distance together. For teams of 4, if 1 person retires the remaining 3 may continue if their combined team age is a minimum of 48 years, the retired person cannot rejoin the hike.
Awards	The ” Steve Valder Silver Cup” is presented to the team that completes the route in the fastest time. A Downsman medal is awarded to everyone who completes the hike

Class V

Class V (Veterans) is targeted at “mature” adult members of the Scout Association

Total Route Distance	38 miles
Route	Steyning Bowl to Eastbourne
Start times	Between 07:30 and 07:45
Time allowed	Up to 18 hours to complete the hike
Age restrictions	Open to all ages. Minimum combined team age of 100 years for teams of 3 or 133 years for teams of 4, only whole years are added together
Team composition	3 or 4 people to a team. All teammates to walk the entire distance together. For teams of 4, if one person retires the remaining 3 may continue if their combined team age is a minimum of 100 years, the retired person cannot re-join the hike.
Awards	The “Three Bridges” trophy will be presented to the fastest team to complete the hike. A Downsman medal is awarded to everyone who completes the hike