North Downs 50
Challenge Options

Sat 27 JULY 2024 - REGISTRATION OPEN

Join us for the mid-summer North Downs 50 Challenge! Our looped route is set in an area of outstanding natural beauty of the Surrey Hills, taking in chalk ridges and ancient woodlands. Setting out from a Guildford  basecamp it’s through Chantry Woods overlooking Chilworth and  Chinthurst Hill, with spectacular views at the top of St Martha’s Hill – also home to a historic church. With some ups & downs along the way – Newlands Corner, a nature reserve, provides some of the best views over the Surrey Hills. With easy access from London and the Home Counties by car or train – 50 km & 25 km distance options, and a Guildford basecamp with optional University style accommodation – there’s a fantastic challenge along the famous North Downs waiting for you!

50 km Challenge

Guildford Loop

Sat 27 july 2024

Starting at our basecamp near Guildford (you can stay in the ‘optional University accommodation’ on Friday before the Challenge, and /or on Saturday afterwards) we set out Saturday morning for a continuous 50km challenge – finishing back at in Guilford. You’ll get full support all the way – and there are 3 rest stops en route.

50 km & 830 metres

  • Start: Surrey Sports Ground – Guildford
  • Start times: 07:00 for runners, 07:30 – 09:00 for joggers & runners
  • Finish: Surrey Sports Ground – Guildford
  • 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 full 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 near Surrey Sports Ground (basecamp) 
  • Shuttles from Guildford station to the Start.

 

See ‘Bookable Extras’ page for full details.

Surrey Sports Ground  – Fri 26 & /or Sat 27 July

  • Stay overnight close to our basecamp
  • University style accommodation 
  • Individual rooms with en suite facilities 
  • Friday evening meal & breakfast option

 

Visit ‘Bookable Extras’ for full details 

2 available (TBC)

Walk, Hike, or Trek

THE NORTH 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 N 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 – 9.0am Saturday.
  • FREE Ultra March T shirt & headband picked up ‘on-the-day’.
  • Ultra March ‘Pacers’ set min. pace (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.

 

ALREADY SIGNED UP TO THIS ULTRA CHALLENGE?

  • If you’ve already signed up for 50km as a walker – you can ‘switch’ into the ‘Ultra March’ category on this event at ZERO cost. Use the LINK BELOW to request this; select North Downs – and we’ll get it processed.
ULTRA MARCH REQUEST >>

25 km & 530 m

  • Start: Surrey Sports Ground – Guildford
  • Start times: 07:00 for runners, 08:30 – 09:30 for joggers & walkers
  • Finish: Surrey Sports Ground –  Guildford
  • 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 full 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 near Surrey Sports Ground (basecamp) 
  • Shuttles from Guildford station to the Start.

See ‘Bookable Extras’ page for full details.

Surrey Sports Ground  – Fri 26 & /or Sat 27 July

  • Stay overnight close to our basecamp
  • University style accommodation 
  • Individual rooms with en suite facilities 
  • Friday evening meal & breakfast option
  • Visit ‘Bookable Extras’ for full details 

25 km Challenge

GUILDFORD LOOP

Sat 27 JULY 2024

Our 25 km looped Challenge sets out from Guildford early Saturday morning, along some of the most picturesque parts of the Surrey Hills  Way – with a rest stop at half way with snacks & drinks. After 25 km & over 500 metres of climb – it’s a celebration & lunch back at basecamp!

~25 km Challenge

1st Half of 50 km Route (NEW)

Sat 27 july 2024

Starting at our basecamp near Guildford (you can stay in the ‘optional University accommodation’ on Friday before the Challenge, and /or on Saturday afterwards) we set out Saturday morning following the N Downs Way to Dorking, for a 24 km challenge with fabulous views. You’ll get full support all the way, a rest stops en route, and a picnic lunch at the finish. Optional transfers back to Guilford basecamp.

24 km & ~600 metres

  • Start: Surrey Sports Ground – Guildford
  • Start times: 8 – 9am
  • Finish: Milton Court, Nr Dorking
  • 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. 

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

There’s a full 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 near Surrey Sports Ground (basecamp) 
  • Shuttles from Guildford station to the Start.
  • Transfers back from Dorking finish to Guildford basecamp.

See ‘Bookable Extras’ page for full details.

Surrey Sports Ground  – Fri 26 & /or Sat 27 July

  • Stay overnight close to our basecamp
  • University style accommodation 
  • Individual rooms with en suite facilities 
  • Friday evening meal & breakfast option

 

Visit ‘Bookable Extras’ for full details 

Guildford 10k

Guildford loop - 10 km

SAT 27 July 2024

A beautiful 10km looped route from the basecamp at Surrey Sports Park.  The route explores public footpaths within Littleton pas Loseley Park. You’ll be rewarded with a medal, glass of fizz & discounted hot meal to celebrate your achievements.

10 km & 233 meters

  • Start: Surrey Sports Park
  • Start times: 10:00 – 11:00 Runners will set off first, then joggers & walkers
  • Finish: Surrey Sports Park (10 km)
  • Finish times: Runners 40 minutes – 1 hr, joggers 1 – 2 hrs, walkers 2 – 3 hrs

At your finish in Surrey Sports Park – toilets, changing rooms, medics, rest areas, hot drinks, water & snacks & much more. 

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

Are you ready to sign up ?

Download Factsheet

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