Three Forts: South Downs hills and the Lancing race hub
The marathon’s South Downs setting makes climbing, descending and trail footing central to preparation. Build experience on comparable terrain with the equipment you expect to carry, and judge effort by the slope and surface rather than trying to preserve road-marathon splits. Review the full-distance map once the organizer publishes or confirms the next route.
The leisure-centre race hub serves several distances. Select the marathon schedule and route on your confirmation, and learn any split from the half marathon or shorter trail. Supporters should use the approved access information instead of assuming that a scenic point on the map can be reached by car.
The current course-support page is explicitly labelled 2026 and mentions a six-hour maximum. Confirm the 2027 limit and intermediate arrangements before entering on that assumption. If the supported window does not match your current readiness, choose an appropriate shorter distance or another event rather than planning to remain on an unsupported course.
The older instructions say to withdraw at an aid station and notify marshals, with limited transport back to the start. Keep that accounting principle in your plan and follow the final briefing’s return procedure. Check the weather, required kit and aid locations shortly before race week. Save the current route and organizer contact information, allow time to reach the start from parking, and arrange a finish-area meeting point that does not depend on phone reception along the hills.
Confirmed race date
Three Forts Marathon: May 2, 2027. Verified on October 14, 2026 against the official event information.
Current race profile
The organizer remains authoritative if the course, distance program, venue, registration or schedule changes. Historical conditions are not a forecast; use current organizer advisories and the race-week forecast.
Training calendar anchors
These dates are calendar arithmetic, not proof that a plan length is appropriate.