Blackcap Handicap

The annual Blackcap Handicap race is a 5.25 mile race for club members (and their dogs!) across the top of the Downs from Ditchling Beacon car park to Blackcap trig point and back. This is open to all members regardless of ability.

Names are taken down a few weeks beforehand and a handicap starting system is worked out. Individual start times are calculated on the basis of, mostly, recent race performances and a few guesses! The aim is to get everyone to finish around the same time. The first person home is obviously the winner, and more often than not it turns out to be someone who betters their usual performance on the night.

Handicap race is held on a Wednesday night, as close to the 21st June as possible. Post-race analysis is held in a pub in Ditchling and the winner receives a lovely shiny salver at the Annual Awards Evening.