CLASS A

PAST WINNERS – CLASS A

1967 – present

Class A is the “Blue Riband” event of the Downsman. To win this class a team hikes the whole distance together, approximately 55 miles, in the fastest time. It is an extreme test of skill, fitness & endurance.

From 1967 until 2014, Class A consisted of a team of four (with three walking each section) hiking from Buriton to Eastbourne, approximately 80 miles. Until 2000, all team members had to be under 20. This was raised to 25 until 2006, after which no age restrictions have applied. In 2015, the start was moved to Bignor, reducing the distance to 55 miles. However, the number in the team was reduced from 4 to 3 and all team members then had to hike the entire route together. From 2019, teams may comprise of 3 or 4 people.

CURRENT RECORD

14 hours 58 minutes set in 2018 by West Sussex Caving Team

RECORD UNDER PRE-2015 RULES

13 hours 44 minutes set in 2007 by Thrust Scout Fellowship

TABLE OF PAST WINNERS

YearTeam NameTeam Members    Time
20231st Haywards Heath Leaders (Absolute lads!)Nathan SearleDean Bryant Will Tampion-lacey17:07
2022No Winner
2021No Winner
2020No Winner
2019 Mid Sussex NetworkRobert WilsonSam MitchellWilliam Tampion-LaceyRichard Bliss15:08
2018West Sussex Caving TeamDan KentDylan LongdonAlistair Smith 14:58
2017Mid Sussex NetworkSam MitchellRichard BlissRobert Wooller 17:28
20161st & 10th Haywards Heath LeadersChris SearleCharlotte PolhillRichard Peers 16:38
2015No winner     
2014No winner     
2013No winner     
2012Battle HursecarlsMatthew LockJonathan PlattenDavid HoneysettAaron Millar23:15
2011Tullis ESUMax WatersChris SomersMatt ShawCharlie Jones23:18
2010Europa ESUBen KentAlistair SmithNick FinchamMichael McGearty20:18
2009LarrikinDavid McDougallRobert BanyardStephen SlaterDaniel Pitt22:08
2008LarrikinEdward CaseyJames HeadNiall GortonDavid McDougall22:02
2007ThrustAllan ClarkeLouise CollingsDan StuartDerrick Foster13:44
2006No winner     
2005Larrikin ESUAndrew CaseyTimothy CaseyJames BanyardDomonic Godfrey21:08
2004No winner     
2003No winner     
2002New Anzac VSUG MerchantA RuckL ShepherdD Woodall21:13
2001Not contested     
2000No winner     
1999No winner     
19984th Uckfield Explorer VSUM RileyA PaiseyA DeanD Jackson20:06
19974th Uckfield Explorer VSUM SherlockA PaiseyA DeanD Jackson20:29
1996No winner     
19954th Uckfield Explorer UnitN ConwayR DavisD MacFarlaneS Wright18:29
199429th Brighton VSUD GoodallJonathan HowardD ParfittMorgan Roberts17:24
199329th Brighton VSUDominic HarrexJonathan HowardIan ReeveMorgan Roberts18:52
19922nd Steyning VSUHannah WhiteRobert SawyerGlyn PullenNeal Taylor22:10
19911st Lewes VSUOwen ShawRoderick WarrenPeter SandersSimon Walker17:43
1990Harveys VSURichard PeersTrevor OakesT BakerJamie Howson21:00
19891st Lewes VSUN BlakeN DucP SalvageR Sanders16:01
19881st Lewes VSUN BlakeG CampbellS FullerR Sanders17:46
19871st Lewes VSUG CampbellW LaneR SandersP Willis17:21
19864th Uckfield Explorer UnitD MunnA GibbardJ PearsonI Pert18:20
19851st Lewes VSUJ BottingR ChapmanS FunnellW Lane16:12
1984Christ’s Hospital VSUA SteaneM RolphT DarlingN Bucknall15:47
1983Christ’s Hospital VSUA GreenS PritchardA Steane? Teale17:17
1982Christ’s Hospital VSUE AdamsM AndersonT ParsonsA Steane20:03
1981Christ’s Hospital VSUI AndersonM BricknellM CullingfordA Henneberg15:02
1980Harveys VSUCameron BellAnthony RadmallSimon RussellRichard Sullivan15:39
1979Christ’s Hospital VSUI AndersonJ HillM BryantN Maidment19:42
19781st Rustington Venture ScoutsG BurridgeS LawrenceJ MongerD Pearson19:32
1977Crawley West Venture ScoutsMartin FleggKeith FordKeith PriorPeter Smith23:03
1976Downsway UnitW DucharmeR OglieveD LeevesJ Potter15:18
1975Uckfield Venture ScoutsC DiplockD OliveS BarrowJ Witherden16:02
1974Downsway Unit 14th Brighton VSUC AtkinsC CorpeK CharmanBarry Morris 
197314th Brighton Venture ScoutsC AtkinsK CharmanBarry MorrisSteve Valder 
197214th Brighton Venture ScoutsC AtkinsK CharmanBarry MorrisSteve Valder19:16
1971West Side Venture ScoutsClive LipscombeRichard WaldenJohn FisherEdward Allingham18:10
1970West Side Venture ScoutsS HillClive LipscombeD SmithK Murphy20:32
19691st Petersfield Venture ScoutsA SmallboneD GoslingK WigginsP Wheatley21:14
19681st Henfield Venture ScoutsK LyonsT LyonsB SkiltonD Saunders 
196711/56th Brighton Senior ScoutsR BrowningD HarrisM PaineP Witcomb01:02:50