Big Hike South Coast 2023

Start/finish venue: Alfriston Camping Park, Pleasant Rise Farm, Polegate, BN26 5TN. This is where all participants (full and half marathons) must report to on the morning of the event, and you will be able to park your car here for the duration of your Big Hike.

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Arrival time full marathon: Please report to Alfriston Camping Park between 07:00 am and 08:30 am on Saturday 1 July 2023. 

Arrival time half marathon: Please report to Alfriston Camping Park, between 09:00 am and 09:45 am on Saturday 1 July 2023. Upon arrival at Alfriston Camping Park, you will then take a complimentary bus journey (approximately 25 minutes) to the start line at Beachy Head Sports Fields. Please see more details in the ‘Event Day information’ section below.

Free car parking is available to all Big Hike participants.

The closest train station to the start/finish venue is Berwick (Sussex). Please visit the National Rail website for full timetables.

The start/finish venue is wheelchair-friendly, but the course is not.

For the Full marathon: 

• All participants must report to the event hub at Alfriston Camping Park, between 07:00 am and 08:30 am on Saturday 1 July 2023. 
• Free parking available Alfriston Camping Park for all Big Hike participants.

For the Half marathon: 

• All participants must report to the event hub at Alfriston Camping Park between 09:00 am and 09:45 am on Saturday 1 July 2023.
• Free parking available Alfriston Camping Park for all Big Hike participants.
• You will then take a complimentary bus journey (approximately 25 minutes) to the start line at Beachy Head Sports Fields. You will then hike the half-marathon route back to Alfriston Camping Park.
• Important: there is no parking available for Big Hike participants at Beachy Head Sports Fields, therefore you must park at Alfriston Camping Park and take the complimentary bus.
• Due to onsite logistics, our coaches operate to a strict schedule. Therefore it is vital that you don’t miss the 09:00am - 09:45am arrival window at Alfriston Camping Park.

Other information for both events:

• You will receive a safety briefing before starting your Big Hike.
• There won’t be any lockers so pack light but remember your water bottle. Bring your Cancer Research UK t-shirt, back sign and hiking number and don’t forget to add your emergency details.
• Check the weather forecast in the build up to your Big Hike, and pack appropriately for the conditions.  
• Weather conditions can change throughout the day. Stay sun safe using sunscreen with at least SPF15 and a 4 or more star rating.
• Toilets and first aid services will be available at the start/finish areas and at the support points along the route. Water refill points, hot drinks and snacks will be provided at the support points. 
• Full marathon participants will receive lunch at the second support point, followed by a hot meal at the finish. Half marathon participants will receive a hot meal at the finish. Dietary requirements will be catered for on the day.
• Your Big Hike will also be chip timed (you will notice the little chip device attached to your hiker number). So after your event, you will be able to view your personalised timings. 

• Read our FAQs for more information about Big Hike 2023.