Rules : Core

  • All team members must be members of the Scout Association or Girlguiding UK
  • Only those persons named on the entry form may compete in the hike. If last minute changes are required, these must be notified to staff prior to commencing the event
  • No additional persons may accompany or make contact with any team at any time outside the designated Service Areas, this includes supporters
  • Age ranges stated must be strictly adhered to and apply on the day of the event
  • At the finishing Checkpoint, the arrival time of the last team member is recorded, not the first
  • Classes B, E and S consist of four persons to a team but only three hike at any one time – the fourth member being transported by the Service Crew with the facility to change a team member at each of the Service Areas. There is no option for four to walk together at any time
  • If, in the opinion of the Organisers, any team is so far behind schedule or that they have no chance of completing the route in their allotted time, or are putting the safety of the overall event at risk, the organisers will withdraw that team from the competition. In such cases, the team must hand in their Tally Card at the nearest checkpoint
  • No medals will be issued to any team failing to complete the hike in the allowed time
  • All competitors must know and follow the Country Code
  • Stick to rights of way and do not cross ploughed fields or climb fences
  • Wherever possible, main roads should be crossed via bridges as dictated by the South Downs Way or the positioning of checkpoints. If you cross the A24 at Washington, A23 at Pyecombe, A27 at Falmer and the A26 at Itford on the tarmac, you will be immediately disqualified (if you survive!). They are extremely dangerous crossings and you must use the footbridges. In particular, teams appear to have a problem with the A24 at Washington. Make sure you know where the footbridge is. The checkpoint is right at the end of the bridge, so if you approach the checkpoint from the wrong direction, you WILL be disqualified. No more exceptions will be made to this rule. Great care should be taken at other road crossings on the route. We will endeavour to place staff members at the A29 and A273 crossings
  • If you cross the rail crossing at Southease Station, you must read the signage and obey the traffic lights to cross.
  • If you cross the rivers Arun, Adur, Ouse & Cuckmere, you must use the bridges that are on the South Downs Way and must keep safely away from the waters edge.
  • Time spent at Checkpoints and Service Areas will be included in your overall time for the event. The time recorded is the difference between the time you leave the first Service Area and the time you arrive at the Service Area where you complete the event. In and out times are recorded solely for the benefit of the organisers in tracking teams
  • All members of the team are familiar with and confident to use all emergency items that are stipulated on the kit list and carried by the team
  • Teams must have good navigators that are competent to navigate public rights of way, including footpaths and bridleways, using map and compass and can do so in limited visibility i.e. fog, mist and darkness.
  • Although not encouraged, the use of GPS is permitted. It is not believed that a GPS will make any difference to a good team. If opting to use GPS, then do not use the GPS on your emergency mobile telephones, these phones are for emergency calls only and are strictly not to be used for navigation purposes. Teams with a GPS must still be very proficient with traditional methods of map reading and use of a compass.
  • All equipment provided to hikers by the Downsman hike must be returned undamaged, if not returned or it is damaged, the hike team will be responsible for the cost of replacement.  This is most particularly applied to any tracking devices.