The Sussex Obstacle Dash is a brand new event on Sunday 8th November 2009.

The event is a fun running race based at the South of England Centre in Sussex.

The race is no ordinary run. It is a cross country course that will take you over a series of horse jumps and fences and is guaranteed to get you wet. It will also be really dirty. Check out the Sussex Obstacle Dash Survival Guide:

You can choose from 2 different distances: 10k or 5k. Mminimum age for entry is 16yrs.

Team Option

As an alternative to the individual race you can compete as a team of 2, 3 or 4. Teams will race together 'adventure race' style. The time recorded will be when all team members cross the finish line so teams will need to work together to get around. A fantastic team-building opportunity. (Further info on teams available below).

Race Instructions and Start List Information

Race Entry Information

Entry links will appear below.

10 km SUSSEX OBSTACLE DASH - The SOD (Two Laps)

Entries are not open

5 km SUSSEX OBSTACLE DASH - The Little SOD

Entries are not open

Sussex Obstacle Dash T-Shirt

You can buy the limited edition SOD T-shirt as an optional extra when you enter online. Please note these t-shirts are a snug fit so order your size accrdingly.

CLICK HERE to view some of the obstacles and other images from our previous events.

CLICK HERE to watch Urbanrace TV which includes a promo video for The SOD.

Course Maps and Guides

Clicking the image on the left will download a PDF map of the course for printing or viewing.

We have also published an interactive Sussex Obstacle Dash Course Map on Google. You can view the course on satellite view and zoom around the course for orientation.

You can also click on this link for the Sussex Obstacle Dash Survival Guide.

Mud Warning

You are guaranteed to get wet and muddy during this race. Those people who are allergic to mud should NOT enter.

Jump Warning

The course includes obstacles designed for horses. This includes 'The Drop' and 'The Dunker' which will need to be negotiated with care as you are probably not a horse. The race will be a tough test as the 10km event will negotiate about 20 obstacles providing a challenge around every 500m.

Fancy Dress

Fancy Dress is welcome at this race and we will be awarding a prize for the best costume of the day. Please be sensible with your fancy dress though given the above warnings.

Venue

The South of England Centre, Ardingly, West Sussex, RH17 6TL.

The nearest train station is Haywards Heath which is approximately 3.5 miles away from the South of England Centre and provides good access from London, Brighton and Gatwick. Bus services to Ardingly are limited at weekends. A pre-booked taxi from Haywards Heath station costs around £6.

Click on this link for the South of England Centre location, map and directions.

Start Times

The 5km race will start at 11:05am.

The 10km race will begin at 11:15am.

Food & Beverages

Athletes and spectators will be able to purchase a range of drinks and snacks on race day inside the South of England Centre.

Entries

You can enter online via the urbanrace shop which uses secure encrypted technology. Entering online will give you an email confirmation of your race entry.

The closing date for entries is 1 November 2009 if the event has not sold out before this date. If available last minute entries will be charged at £20 per person which includes an automatice donation of £1 to the official race charity. To ensure safety and service we have a limited amount of entrants. The minimum age for entry is 16 years.

Team Members and Adjustments

Team Protocol

Teams race 'adventure race' style. This means you have to complete the course together. By together we mean within 5 metres of your team at all times. At the finish line your whole team must finish within 10 seconds of the first team member to finish or you will not qualify for a time and automatically be excluded from the results. It is all about team-work. Your time recorded will be the time of your slowest team member so support them to succeed.

Adding Team Members:

Please note team member adjustments cause us administration issues. However you can add new members to existing teams at this link until 1 November. Any additions are charged at £16 per person. After this time we unfortunately cannot add team members so if your friends want to join you they need to enter the individual race.

Racing with a Depleted Team:

If your team is reduced for any reason before the race, for example because of injury, we can transfer your team to a different race. For example we can move you from the 4 person team race to the 3 person team race. However, to do this you must advise us at the race day registration area before 10am. If you don't advise us your team will be disqualified.

What happens once I have entered?

Race instructions will be emailed to competitors around 10 days prior to the event and will include details of your start time. A start list will also appear on our website prior to the event.

Accommodation

The Sussex Obstacle Dash Accommodation Guide provides a list of local accomodation in the area.

Prizes

Trophies will be awarded as follows:

Sussex Obstacle Dash 10K

Male and Female 1st, 2nd and 3rd.

1st place only for 2 person team, 3 person team and 4 person team.

Sussex Obstacle Dash 5K

Male and Female 1st, 2nd and 3rd.

1st place only for 2 person team, 3 person team and 4 person team.

Official Race Charity

The official charity for The Sussex Obstacle Dash is The National Autistic Society.

Urbanrace will be collecting optional donations for the charity as part of online entries to the race. You can also compete in the race as part of the NAS team to raise sponsorship funds. To do this please contact events@nas.org.uk or telephone 08450 509 001.

You can find out more about the charity below or by clicking on the logo to be taken to the NAS website.

The National Autistic Society is the UK's leading charity for people affected by Autism.

Over 500,000 people in the UK have autism. 

Together with their families they make up over two million people whose lives are touched by autism every single day. Despite this, autism is still relatively unknown and misunderstood. Which means that many of these two million people get nothing like the level of help, support and understanding they need.

The National Autistic Society was founded in 1962 by a group of parents who were passionate about ensuring a better future for their children. Today they have over 18,000 members, 80 branches and provide:

• Information, advice, advocacy, training and support for individuals and their families.
• Information and training for health, education and other professionals working with people who have autism and their families.
• Specialist residential, supported living, outreach and day services for adults.
• Specialist schools and education outreach services for children.
• Out-of-school services for children and young people.
• Employment training and support and social programmes for adults with autism.

A local charity with a national presence, they campaign and lobby for lasting positive change for those affected by autism in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Please consider joining the NAS team and raise funds for this worthy cause at The Sussex Obstacle Dash. Many Thanks.

Registered as a charity in England and Wales No 269425.

Associate Charities

Associate charities have guaranteed places in the Sussex Obstacle Dash. When the event is sold out you can only get a place in the race through one of the charity places. Please contact the charities below directly to check their availability of places and raise sponsorship funds for them.

St Peters & St James Hospice (Registered Charity No: 1056114)

Their mission as a registered charity is to provide specialist care, love and support for people living with progressive, life limiting illnesses who are from East and West Sussex.

They care for patients from Burgess HIll, Haywards Heath, Lewes, Uckfield and the surrounding villages. Last year they provided care for more than 400 patients and their families. All of the hospice services are free of charge and they receive just 15% of their funding from the government. They have to raise more than £1.3 million every year through fundraising. That is £3,600 every day.

CLICK HERE for the charity website. You can also find out more about the work of the hospice and fundraising by telephoning 01444 471598 or by email.

Sussex Obstacle Dash Event Management Team

Race Director                   Dan James              

Deputy Race Director    David Jones

Sponsorship Director     Gary Laybourne

Logistics Director            Dave Perry      

You can contact a member of the management team on info@urbanrace.co.uk