The Wessex 100
The Route Description can now be downloaded from the Route page.

newsflash On the 21 February 2009 the maximum entry numbers had not been exceeded hence a draw was unnecessary. All entries received before this date have been accepted and subsequent entries will be processed on a first come first served basis until entry closure on 1 May 2009.
Beacon Hill
Beacon Hill

Welcome to The Wessex 100, the LDWA’s national 100-mile Challenge Event in 2009, which will take place over the weekend of 23 – 25 May 2009.

Wessex – the Land of the West Saxons – was an area covering most of Southern England, including the counties of Hampshire and Sussex through which the 100 route will pass. Its most famous king was Alfred the Great, whose imposing figure dominates the logo of the Wessex 100. Alfred, of course, after famously burning the cakes and defeating the Vikings, was a codifier of law, a promoter of education and a supporter of the arts. After his death, he was buried in his capital city of Winchester, and is the only English monarch in history to carry the title, “the Great”.

The Wessex 100 starts and finishes in Alton, Hampshire and passes through attractive countryside such as the Western Weald and the South Downs all of which may form part of the proposed National Park. Alton is a thriving country market town originally built around a wealthy Saxon settlement, with a history which includes a Civil War battle and the brutal murder of ‘Sweet Fanny’ Adams.

After Alton the Wessex 100 route passes east of Selborne before ascending the Hangers Way, descending the ‘Shoulder of Mutton’ and fringing the outskirts of Petersfield. A healthy stretch of the South Downs Way follows before heading South to Slindon and returning westwards through East Dean, Goodwood, Kingley Vale, Stoughton and Stansted to the breakfast stop at Rowlands Castle. From Queen Elizabeth Country Park the steepish climb up Butser Hill, down to East Meon, and up again to Old Winchester Hill provides some great views of Chichester Harbour, Hayling Island, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight.

The final part of the routes passes through some typical English countryside, an historic market town (Alresford), and a number of rural villages before completing at Alton.

The entire route, though not having the extreme climbs of some of the previous 100s in the North and Wales, is still challenging enough as the Downs are cut through by rivers creating sufficient ups and – er – downs.

Information on the Marshals’ Walk is here or via the link on the left.

For the names and contact details of the Wessex 100 organisers, see under Organisation & Contacts