Runners face 'classic' county-to-county challenge

Runners have to reach the finish line within ten hours

Runners are preparing to embark on a "classic" race from Surrey to Sussex.

The Downslink Ultra is a 38-mile point-to-point race from St Martha’s Hill, in Surrey, to Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex.

Dan Lawson, 51, who holds the men's course record of 4 hrs 15 mins, described the race, which started at 09:00 BST, as "wonderful".

He told the BBC: "Everything gets commercial, it happens, but this race is an old classic. It's simple. Intimate. It's just great."

The trail uses the Downslink foot path and bridle way, crossing the Low Weald and mostly follows two former railway lines.

The race, which was limited to 200 runners, has a 10 hour cut-off.

Starting on a hill and then remaining relatively flat, Mr Lawson described the race as a "tear up".

"There is no excuse for not running it as fast as you can," he said.

Shoreham-by-sea (pictured) is the final destination

Mr Lawson, who is from Shoreham-by-Sea, said participants see some "really beautiful sites" during the race, especially along the South Downs.

The company behind the event - Sussex Trail Events - has put on marathons in multi-storey car parks, museums and prisons.

In July, it held the Sussex beer mile, where participants had to drink a bottle of beer every lap of a 400m track four times.

All finishers of the Downslink Ultra will receive a medal and T-shirt.