FKT: Stephan Tietz - New Lipchis Way (United Kingdom) - 2021-04-01

I have run bits of this route between Chichester and Liphook a few times and really wanted to give it a go for the last 2-3 years as it takes in a lot of different scenery around Midhurst. I never quite had the fitness/time to give it a serious go, but felt that I need to do it now before the time becomes even faster!

I started at 7:15am to make sure I covered some distance before the temperature increases and the wind picks up. It was very hazy for the first two thirds and the wind didn’t start picking up until The Trundle. Ground conditions were almost perfect apart from some mild mud on the climb through Hartley Green Copse and the public right of way being ploughed over just before Heyshott.

Overall I had almost perfect and enjoyable run, but the last 20 flat kilometres were definitely a struggle. From Salterns Lock the pendulum definitely started to swing away from enjoyment. I am glad I gave it a go and surprised by the outcome. (I have never run that fast in a race.)

I had a 3kg backpack with 1.5l water and c2,000kcal of food/tailwind. I refilled the water at a public tap. (Thanks to Jamie for mentioning it in his report and to Heyshott community for providing the tap!)

I had a look at the route on the official guide, OS map and from Adrian, Jamie and Kevin’s tracks beforehand. There seems to be a few variation. I thought I record them here in case other find them helpful and I also indicated the options I chose.

• Start point: I started on the entrance for Liphook train station. This seems to match Adrian and the OS map.
• Ash House: This is a tricky spot and mentioned in the guide. I thought I made mistake during an earlier run by dropping off the main path and into the valley to early (as I thought the sign post points straight on)  and ended up adding a few meters. Oh well.
• Route along Rother after Stedham mill. The guide suggests that you stick to the path along the river while the OS map and way markers take you up some stairs to Brambling farm. I did the latter.
• Midhurst: The guide and OS map show the route as passing through Midhurst high street. I found a few way markers along the way. That matches Adrian’s route. Jamie and Kevin went past Midhurst castle (and why wouldn’t you, as it is probably more scenic!), which I think makes the route mildly longer.
• Heyshott: Turn left after the village hall. The sign post is hidden!
• Mid Lavant: I followed the OS map and guide which take you off the Centurion way for a bit. I struggled finding way markers and struggled rejoining the Centurian Way.
• Chichester: After coming off the Centurian Way there are two options for your first right turn. There is a sign posted footpath (for the train station) past a council building. I think Jamie and Kevin went this way and it is probably more scenic. The guide and OS maps take you straight for a little bit further to turn right on a road junction. I took this route, but either will be the same distance.
• Finish point: The guide and OS map allows to either end on the beach or within West Wittering. I choose the beach (flag post on the wave breaker) as it is a few meters longer and seems a more momentous conclusion to the journey. That matches Adrian. Jamie and Kevin finished in West Wittering.