Kent downs 50

Challenge Options

Sat 11 October 2025 - REGISTRATION OPEN

Join us for the end of season Kent Downs 50 Challenge! Set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty offering dramatic views, vibrant communities, a rich historic heritage, and diverse wildlife and habitats – it is home to part of the North Downs Way National Trail and other popular walking routes.The new event is comprised of a looped 50 km route starting and finishing at the Kent Showground, Detling with participants walking up to 50km on public footpaths, rights of way, roads, and pavements. Participants can choose to do shorter routes including a 25 km Loop or a 10 km Loop Challenge. With easy access by car or train – 50 km, 25 km, and 10 km distance options, and a Kent Showground basecamp with optional camping packages – there’s a fantastic new challenge waiting for you!

50 km Challenge

Maidstone Loop

Sat 11 October 2025

Walk, Jog, or Run

From the basecamp it’s anticlockwise around the Kent Downs. Heading out on the North Downs Way to Blue Bell Hill before turning south and around to the picturesque village of Aylesford one of the River Medway’s hidden jewels via Eccles. From Aylesford the route follows the River Medway to Maidstone and then onto and through Mote Park.  From Mote Park the route continues southwest along the Len Valley Walk to Leeds Castle where it turns to rejoin the North Downs Way to Detling and back to the Kent Showground.

50 km &  ~1000 metres

  • Start: Kent Showground – Maidstone.
  • Start times: 07:30 for runners, 07:30 – 09:00 for walkers & joggers.
  • Finish: Kent Showground – Maidstone.
  • Finish times: Runners 4 – 7 hrs, joggers 7 – 10 hrs, walkers 10 – 16 hrs

Every 10-15 km under marquees with support – toilets, massage, changing rooms, medics, rest areas, hot drinks, water & snacks & much more. 

  • Snacks & drinks – every 10-15 km
  • 25 km – picnic lunch & fizzy drinks
  • 50 km – hot meal
  • Finish – glass of fizz, medal & t-shirt

There’s a range of optional parking & pre or post Challenge shuttle bus transfer services, to make it easy to join & exit – and to provide flexible options for your planning. These include:

  • Parking at Kent Showground (basecamp) 
  • Shuttles from Maidstone Station to the Start.

 

See ‘Bookable Extras’ page for full details.

Kent Showground Ground  – Fri 10 Oct – &/or Sat 11 Oct

  • Stay overnight at our basecamp
  • All inclusive pre picked tent packages (inc breakfast)
  • Or ‘pick only’ – tent / camper van
  • Friday evening meal & breakfast options

 

Visit ‘Bookable Extras’ for full details 

2 available (TBC)

Walk, Hike, or Trek

THE KENT DOWNS
50 km < 12 hours!

Up for a NEW Style of Ultra Challenge?

Many who run & jog can crack the 12 hr/50km target. However, an ‘Ultra March’ is about WALKING at a brisk & consistent pace with like minded challengers to achieve it – a bit like a march! – but taking in the great rest stops & services of the Kent Downs 50 Ultra Challenge!

  • Participants opt in to the Ultra March category
  • Up to 300 will set off together as a big Ultra March group.
  • Single Start Time 9.00am Saturday.
  • FREE Ultra March T shirt & headband picked up on the day.
  • Ultra March Pacing Sheet in the app (with ‘sensible’ rest stop time).
  • Special Finishers Medal & Certificate.

 

THE RULES:

Over & above the general Ultra Challenge Rules, with an Ultra March it’s:

  • STRICTLY WALKING ONLY (no jogging / running)
  • Stage times will be checked to ensure the above.
  • You must complete 50km is sub 12 hours to qualify for special medal & certificate.
  • If you are outside of the 12 hr target you still celebrate with a conventional Ultra Challenge medal / certificate.

NOT YET SIGNED UP TO THIS ULTRA CHALLENGE?

  • You will be able to ‘opt’ into the Ultra March Category on the ’50km’ Registration / Sign Up Form. So follow the normal ‘Sign Up’ links.

25 km & 450 metres

  • Start: Kent Showground – Maidstone
  • Start times: 07:30 for runners, 08:30 – 09:30 for joggers & walkers
  • Finish: Kent Showground –  Maidstone
  • Finish times: Runners 2 – 3 hrs, joggers 3 – 5 hrs, walkers 4 – 7 hrs

Every 10-15 km under marquees with support – toilets, massage, changing rooms, medics, rest areas, hot drinks, water & snacks & much more. 

  • 12 km – snacks & drinks
  • 25 km – finishers meal
  • Finish – glass of fizz, medal & t-shirt

There’s a range of optional parking & pre or post Challenge shuttle bus transfer services, to make it easy to join & exit – and to provide flexible options for your planning. These include:

  • Parking at Kent Showground (basecamp) 
  • Shuttles from Maidstone Station to the Start.

 

See ‘Bookable Extras’ page for full details.

Kent Showground Ground  – Fri 10 Oct – &/or Sat 11 Oct

  • Stay overnight at our basecamp
  • All inclusive pre picked tent packages (inc breakfast)
  • Or ‘pick only’ – tent / camper van
  • Friday evening meal & breakfast options

 

Visit ‘Bookable Extras’ for full details 

25 km Challenge

Maidstone Loop

Sat 11 October 2025

Walk, Jog, or Run

The 25km loop sits within the 50km loop and splits off at the picturesque village of Aylesford one of the River Medway’s hidden jewels heading east on Augustine Camino to Detling via Boxley and back to the Kent Showground. 

Maidstone 10k

Basecamp Loop

Sat 11 October 2025

Walk, Jog, or Run

The 10 km loop sits within both the 50km and 25km loop and splits off at the Pilgrim Way returning to Detling via Boxley and back to the Kent Showground. You’ll be rewarded with a medal, glass of fizz & discounted hot meal to celebrate your achievements.

10 km & 180 meters

  • Start: Kent Showground
  • Start times: 10:30 Runners will set off first, then joggers & walkers
  • Finish: Kent Sgowground (10 km)
  • Finish times: Runners 40 minutes – 1 hr, joggers 1 – 2 hrs, walkers 2 – 3 hrs

At your finish at Kent show ground – toilets, changing rooms, medics, rest areas, hot drinks, water & snacks & much more. 

  • Finish – optional ‘discounted’ finishers meal, glass of fizz, medal & t-shirt

There’s a range of optional parking & pre or post Challenge shuttle bus transfer services, to make it easy to join & exit – and to provide flexible options for your planning. These include:

  • Parking at Kent Showground (basecamp) 
  • Shuttles from Maidstone Station to the Start.

 

See ‘Bookable Extras’ page for full details.

Are you ready to sign up ?

Factsheet

All you need to know about the Challenge. Print it off or send it to your friends!