- Sat 1 Aug 2026
08:30
Age 16 & over
£139
- 50 km trail running + 830 m ascent
Event overview
The routes have real variety and some wonderful scenery and fabulous views out to the south – plus they're easily accessible from London!
You’ll get full support and hospitality and with 25km and 10km options also available, along with optional University-style accommodation at basecamp – there’s a North Downs Ultra Challenge for you!
The Ultra Challenge Experience
This endurance event is for a wide range of fitness and ages. Choose your distance and do it at your pace. The support enables you to go further, whilst enjoying the great outdoors and camaraderie.
There are marquee rest stops, plenty of food and drink, medical and massage teams, and a fully signed route with GPS tracking to guide you. A big finish-line celebration awaits with an amazing sense of achievement, and once the aches subside, you’ll feel energised and up for more of life’s challenges!
This event is part of North Downs 50 Ultra Challenge.
Event photos
Event video
- Average fitness
- Beginner-friendly
- Event village
- Families
Your challenge, your way
Whether you’re a walker and new to challenge events, an experienced trekker, a marathon enthusiast upping the distance, or a seasoned ultra runner, there’s an Ultra Challenge® for you! Walk, Jog, or Run at your pace, as an Individual or a Team, for a charity of your choice or just for you.
There’s a new Ultra Trailblazerz® option for ‘rapid runners’, and an Ultra March® option for ‘hasty hikers’, plus a friendly ‘Solo Challenger’ start time to join up with others. The North Downs 50 Ultra Challenge® is fun, safe, and rewarding, with full support all the way, enabling you to push yourself further in wonderful Surrey scenery, and enjoy a great day out!
Best support & hospitality
This Ultra Challenge® famously lays on the best support and hospitality available on any UK endurance-style event. This enables you to step up and confidently tackle an 'Ultra' distance, with the best chance of success - and to enjoy your challenge!
- Check points
- Circular route
- Distance markers
- First aid
- Food stations
- Marshals
- Sweeper
- Toilets
- Undulating
- Water stations
- Way markers
Overview
Join the mid-summer North Downs 50 Challenge! The 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 base camp 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 and 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 – 50km and 25km distance options, and a Guildford base camp with optional University style accommodation – there’s a fantastic challenge along the famous North Downs waiting for you!
Map
Checkpoints
- Snacks and drinks | every 10-15km
- 25km | picnic lunch and fizzy drinks
- 50km | hot meal
- Finish | glass of fizz, medal and t-shirt
- Bag transfer
- Bar
- BBQ
- Cafe
- Camping
- Changing facilities
- Entertainment
- Free parking
- Music
- Park
- Rural
- Secure bag storage
- Showers
- Toilets
- 2 Running Stones
- Camping
- Chip timing
- Drinks
- Event app
- Fizz at the finish
- Goody bag
- GPS tracking
- Map
- Massage
- Medal
- Post-race meal
- Pre-event training sessions
- Snacks
- Training plan
- T-shirt
Before
- Challenge app
- Facebook forum
- Training guides
- Fundraising support
- Training walks and runs
- Video briefings
- Travel planning
- Parking
During
- Baggage transfers
- The start line
- Timing and GPS tracking
- Rest stops
- Food and drink
- Medical support
- Camping
Along the route
- Fully signed route
- Apps, maps and GPS
- Route safety experts
- Emergency response
- Trek masters
- 24 hour control room
After
- Finish line experience
- Finish times and certificate
- Shuttles and transfers
- Hot meal
- Medical care and follow up
- Deals on future challenges
Bookable extras
- Camping packages
- Parking
- Pre challenge transfers
- Post challenge transfers
- Extra meals
- Baggage services
I cannot thank everyone enough for their personal support and unlimited energy. 5★★★★★ and 10/10 in all my experiences.
For my first event, I was amazed at how well-organised it was. Particularly as I was on my own. Very well signposted. Excellent medical assistance. Very friendly crew. Fab event!
Do it for charity
Looking to do this event for charity? Do it for one of the charities below or see the full list of charities on the North Downs 50 Ultra Challenge charity places | Full 50km page.
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- Age 16 & over
- Entries open
- to 10/07/2026
- Charity places
- Enter online
- Event merch available
16-17 year olds need to be accompanied by an adult.
Entry fees
Entry fee
£139.00
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