Mid Sussex Link

With the attempt at Sussex Lap fast approaching, and researching the route from David Bathurst's book, the North to South spur path (aka Mid Sussex Link) from East Grinstead down to the coast in Fishersgate seemed like a good test of fitness for a day's running.

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During the window I had to do it in a heatwave had swept the UK, and temperatures of 30+ degrees were predicted all week. For safety's sake I decided to reduce the full route to a shorter section and set off as early as possible to minimise the time spent at the highest temperatures.

Starting with a 6am train to Haywards Heath, I travelled to Scaynes Hill to pick up the link path from beside The Farmers' pub, following the green waymarked arrows (with the Martlet bird from the Sussex county flag). After a few miles of country roads, the route became a trail through shaded woodlands which was a welcome start on such a hot day. After a few navigational embarrassments just past Wivelsfield, I let the tracking app guide me into Ditchling before realising it was heavily draining my phone battery - not a problem at this point as I know where I'm going from the foot of the South Downs!

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After a cold drink from the Ditchling Post Office, I followed the narrow public footpath to the Downs over freshly cut fields and crossing Underhill Lane to start the steep climb uphill to Ditchling Beacon and the South Downs Way.

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Leaving shade behind and getting hit by the rapidly strengthening sun, I turned left off the South Downs Way and picked up the very runnable trail path to the Chattri monument overlooking Brighton, built in 1921 to honour the Indian soliders who died in the first World War. Descending from Chattri, I had the first of two cow related run-ins of the day - a group of five or six were blockading the gate and I didn't really fancy pushing through so close to them, meaning retracing my steps and running through an adjacent field of sheep to get around them.

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A well located snack van was found on Braypool Lane close to the A23 crossing - the cold can of Dr Pepper purchased here was a life saver when I later found the Saddlescome Farm cafe I'd been hoping for was shut on Mondays. I crossed the motorway at Brownie's Bridge, and followed the path up to Sweet Hill which I'd never been up before. The junction with Saddlescombe Farm and familiar territory was taking longer than expected due to a particularly overgrown section of path and the second cow / gate standoff of the day - good job I wasn't in a hurry.

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Once the cow wandered off, I rejoined the South Downs Way for a bit, following the ups and downs past Saddlescombe Farm and Devils Dyke before veering southwards towards the coast. The tall chimney of Shoreham Power Station becomes your guide at this point, as the link path follows pylons through Mile Oak Farm for one last climb before the route runs out at Old Shoreham Road, leaving the last few steps through the streets past the Stanley Arms and over the railway bridge into Fishersgate - done for the day at 33km with 555m of vert.

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What lessons can I take into the Sussex Lap attempt?

I'm happy with the decision made to shorten the route given the heatwave - I couldn't have started any earlier, and I still didn't finish until midday, running the last 2 hours in temperatures close to 30 degrees in very little shade - had I attempted the full route from East Grinstead this would have been dangerous. The early morning section to Ditchling being mostly in woodland was also a blessing in terms of being able to take it easy at the start. This is a reminder to allow flexibility in the schedule wherever possible, plans change and extra breaks may need to be taken in response to it.

Considering the heat, I finished the distance in good shape, was never close to exhaustion and felt fine the next day. Hydration and nutrition plays a big part on this - salt tablets are crucial in the heat to ward off cramp, and flapjacks and sugary drinks all kept me going - a longer run would have needed a proper meal or sandwiches past 30km.

My phone battery died before the end which is a concern - tracking on both Strava and Komoot may have been a factor in this, so minimising app usage is clearly something to avoid on the Sussex Lap itself. My phone is pretty old and has seen better days so it's a reminder to always carry a power bank as well.