History of the Three Forts Challenge
1970 was a boom time for marathon running. The New York Marathon had started with circuits of Central Park and in 1976 it first took to the city‘s streets. Former Olympic champion, Chris Brasher, had yet to have his idea to hold a marathon in London. The London Marathon eventually started in 1981.
1977 saw the start of The Three Forts Marathon. It had been devised by Southdown Orienteers as a 26 mile cross-country. The course followed a figure of eight loop starting and finishing at Portslade. It took in the Iron-age hill forts of Chanctonbury Ring, Cissbury Ring and Devil‘s Dyke. The event was a success and subsequently the Southdown 10 race was held on the same day. The events were always in the heat of mid-June. Although successful, by 1986 the numbers entering began to match the number of marshals required to guide the runners. The event then stopped.
1988 - With the loss of the event, the current Race Director, Mike Airey, having run the course each year between 1982 and 1986, was inspired to keep it on the calendar for dedicated runners who knew the course. As a member of Portslade Hedgehoppers, he gathered a group of twelve runners to run the full marathon course for no other reason than it being known as 'the tough one‘ with its 3,450 feet of climb. It also included some of the best sections of the South Downs Way. Club members volunteered to staff the aid-stations and the event took off again. This time it was low key and un-marshalled. It only made money to help fund St John Ambulance and Raynet who provided First Aid and Radio cover for the event. Other clubs heard that the Three Forts was being raced again and asked to join in. The clubs were encouraged to be responsible for one of the aid-stations and year on year the event quietly grew. 80 to100 runners 'in the know‘ were able to race the course each year.
2003 - After sixteen years the event could have ended. It had gradually become more difficult to get sufficient staff to cover the all the aid-stations. Mike then linked up with the Rotary Clubs of Worthing, Worthing Steyne, Storrington and Steyning & Henfield who wanted to organise a similar event.
2004 was the first year that the 3FM was raced over a new course. The event now had the aim of raising money for charity. The route was hastily re-arranged to start and finish at Worthing. It still took in the three highest points, but insufficient planning resulted in the course being 29 miles long! During the next couple of years minor adjustments to the route were made to bring it closer to the marathon distance of 26.2 miles. The current course is 27 miles which still allows the highest points to be included. Most runners agree it is worth 'going the extra mile‘ to take part in this marathon. In 2006 The Team Challenge was introduced. Recent additions have been the half marathon and the name change to the Three Forts Challenge as participants can choose the particular challenge they wish to take. There were also two walks. a five mile walk to Cissbury or a ten mile walk to Cissbury and Chanctonbury. These were replaced by a single 1/2 marathon walk in 2012.
2010 – This year was set to be better than ever and even some of the worst rain of the year failed to dampen the runners spirits. Despite the atrocious weather a new course record was set for the Half Marathon. In both 2009 and 2010 the main charity was the Shoreham Lifeboat Appeal and we raised over £9000 to help the building of their new boathouse.
2011 - The event continued to grow in popularity and we supported the Ferring Country Centre, a local independent charity that provides meaningful training and work experience for people with learning difficulties.
2012 - New introductions for 2012 are Chip Timing and a Marathon Relay race. We shall again be supporting the Ferring Country Centre.
The event is set to run and run!