North Downs 50 Ultra Challenge

Event overview

The North Downs 50 Ultra Challenge takes place on Saturday 1 August 2026 with a Guildford basecamp. The main route is a looped 50 km course starting and finishing at Loseley Park, Guildford, that uses sections of the North Downs Way and Surrey hills. Options include walking, jogging, or running, plus team or individual entries. The event offers an Ultra March category for walkers and a new Trailblazerz category for faster, competitive runners. Camping and adjacent university-style en suite accommodation are available as bookable extras.

Routes, logistics and support

• 50 km - Guildford basecamp loop; ~830 m elevation; start/finish Loseley Park.
• 25 km - Guildford basecamp loop; ~530 m elevation.
• ~24 km - First half of 50 km route; start Loseley Park, finish Milton Court (near Dorking); ~600 m elevation.
• 10 km - Guildford basecamp loop; ~230 m elevation.

Rest stops are typically every 12.5 km with major stops at about 25 km and 50 km. Meal and snack provisions are included in entry: snack stops every 12.5 km, a meal every 25 km, hot drinks, water and energy drinks at stops, and a hot food finishers meal. Covered rest-stop infrastructure, medical teams, podiatrists and massage services are provided. The route is waymarked with arrows and glow-sticks, and participants have GPS tracking via the event app; a timing system scans progress at rest stops. Shuttle buses, transfers and parking options are provided. Registration fees vary by distance. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.