We’re thrilled to announce a new home for Race to the King in 2024.
Moving just around the corner from Goodwood Racecourse, the historic West Dean Gardens will host our legendary basecamp and offer a new, stunning backdrop for the ultra marathon start and finish.
Nestled at the foot of the South Downs, West Dean Gardens are one of the greatest restored gardens open to the public today. Our Race to the King basecamp will be set in the heart of the grounds, giving participants a spectacular backdrop of the Jacobean West Dean House. The stunning natural beauty of West Dean includes the amazing restored walled garden, surreal fibreglass trees and the banks of the winterbourne River Lavant, offering the perfect setting for an ultra-marathon celebration and recovery.
We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of what this means for a participants of Race to the King below.
Changes to Routes
Both the Castle Loop and Coastal Loop distances remain the same. All we have done is tweaked them slightly to connect further north at West Dean Gardens rather than Goodwood Racecourse. Elevation profiles will adjust slightly, but total elevation remains very similar to the 2022 and 2023 routes.
At the beginning of both loops, you will run or walk through West Dean ornamental gardens – usually out-of-bounds for runners – passing specimen trees and historic sculptures before hitting the trail for the remainder of the course.
Coastal Loop
There are improvements on the coastal section in Bosham with wonderful views of the village and the high tide from an upper road that runs along the coastline.
Castle Loop
The route into Arundel now follows a more direct route into the town, offering improved views of Arundel Castle and the surrounding countryside.
Getting There
If you’ve taken part in Race to the King before, very little will change with regards to your travel plans for race day. West Dean Gardens are less than 3 miles from Goodwood Racecourse, with the same dedicated parking facilities available for friends and family, right next to the Start / Finish line.
If you’re travelling via public transport, the number 60 bus from Chichester train station to Midhurst serves West Dean Gardens. Simply follow the yellow AA signage for Race to the King – a short walk which will be clearly signposted on the day. For bus timetables, take a look at Stagecoach’s website.
Up-to-date transport information will be included in your event booklet, which will be shared with you prior to the event.
On-site Accommodation
If you’d like to keep your pre- and post-race steps to a minimum, there are a limited number of double bedrooms available at West Dean College for race weekend. Roll out of bed and head straight to the start line, then shuffle your way back to a comfortable night’s sleep after you’ve finished.
Bookings are available for a two-night stay only and include:
- Double bed with en suite bathroom
- On-site private pool
- Breakfast and on-site parking
We anticipate these rooms will sell out fast, so book them ASAP if you’re interested.
