Winter Wanderlust Races

Winter Wanderlust 50km

The Winter Wanderlust 50km is a point to point trail race on Sunday 20 December 2026 covering 50 km with approximately 1,000 m of elevation. The route runs along the North Downs Way from Kent Country Showground in Detling to Wye Village Hall in Wye, Ashford, Kent.

The course leaves the showground and reaches Boxley Warren within the first 10 km, then climbs onto the North Downs passing vineyards, woodlands and the ruins of Thurnham Castle. The route includes ridge running and rolling countryside, passes Lenham Cross, moves through open fields and sheltered woodland, and finishes with an 8 km loop on the Wye Downs Nature Reserve that passes the Wye Crown and the Devil's Kneading Trough before the final descent to Wye.

Entry includes a finisher’s medal for those who complete the race within the official cut-off, live GPS tracking, on-course medical support, a fully marked route and three checkpoints, two of which are indoors and offer hot food and drinks. Podium awards are provided for top finishers and hot food and drinks are available at the finish.

Practical information includes a bag drop at the start transferred to the finish, free parking at both start and finish locations, and an optional prebooked one way shuttle from Wye to Detling for a fee. The event is run under a Trail Running Association permit with qualified medics positioned along the course.

Mandatory equipment must be carried throughout the race. Required items include a fully charged mobile phone, minimum 1 L water capacity, a waterproof jacket with sealed seams, a survival blanket, a primary headtorch (minimum 75 lumens), a red rear flashing LED light, a long sleeved base layer carried, warm hat and gloves, and a reusable cup. Kit checks take place at the start and randomly during the race and missing mandatory items may prevent a start or lead to disqualification.

All participants must be 20 years or older on race day. Runners must wear the provided tracking device and bib, follow the marked course, check in at every checkpoint, and observe checkpoints and final cut-offs. Pacers and dogs are not permitted, crewing is allowed only at designated access points, and there is a strict no littering policy. At the Wye level crossing runners must not cross when lights are flashing and may use the pedestrian footbridge. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.