Date: Saturday 9th October 2027
Location: Kent Downs
Kent Downs 50 Ultra Challenge 2027
Entry: £15 – £139
Sponsorship: £0 – £375
Organiser: Ultra Challenge
Contact: Acorns Events team
Telephone: 01564 825037
Take on the Kent Downs 50 Ultra Challenge
Get ready for a spectacular end of season event in the ‘Garden of England’. Join over 1,500 challengers walking, jogging, and running across the Kent Downs, whilst fundraising for Acorns and making a real difference.
Head out from basecamp near Maidstone on an anticlockwise journey across the North Downs Way. Walk, jog, or run past Blue Bell Hill, then follow the River Medway to Mote Park at the halfway mark for a rest and relax with a picnic. It’s then along the Len Valley Walk to the majestic Leeds Castle, and back on the North Downs Way back to the showground finish line.
Join as an individual or as a team and get ready to experience full support every step of the way. Regular rest stops packed with food and drink, hot meals, fully marked routes, massage and medical care, marshals on course and walking the route with you, and of course an unbeatable community. There are even camping and transfer options available so you can plan your whole weekend smoothly.
Push yourself further in 2027 for Acorns and take on an Ultra Challenge – the UK’s number one series of treks and trail challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I walk the challenge?
Absolutely, you can walk, jog or run – or use a combination of all three.
There is no requirement to run, and many participants choose to complete the challenge at a walking pace. Choose a pace that is realistic for you.
Do I need to train for this challenge?
Yes, we recommend training for all Ultra Challenges. Preparing properly and gradually building up your endurance will help you feel more confident and make the challenge a more enjoyable experience.
Are there cut off times?
Some challenges have specific timings or cut-offs to help keep participants and the event team safe; these timings are usually in line with organised rest stops.
Please visit the Ultra Challenge website for more information.
Will the route be signposted?
The route will be clearly and fully signed with pink arrows, hazard signs, kilometre markers, and the nighttime stages will be supplemented with reflective tape and glow sticks.
Google maps are available online on the Challenge website page at all times. In the week before the event a GPX file will be published with up-to-date diversions.
Please make sure you always follow the arrows on the day as this is the only fully correct route with any and all diversions.
What if I need to retire during the challenge?
If you unfortunately have to drop out of your challenge, you can do so at the nearest checkpoint, here you can alert the event staff, who will ‘log’ you out of the event.
From the halfway stage onward there are support vehicles, and shuttle services to the nearest train stations for you to safely and easily return home.
If for whatever reason you don’t complete the distance you had signed up to – don’t worry Ultra Challenge will celebrate your achievement and give you a medal and finisher’s t-shirt for the distance you managed to complete!
Are there toilets and refreshment stops?
Yes, there will be regular rest stops along the route, with facilities varying between challenges. Refreshment stops typically provide drinks and snacks to help you stay fuelled and hydrated.
Please visit the Ultra Challenge website for location of rest stops, as these vary between challenges.
Will there be transfer and camping options?
Some Ultra Challenges include different add ons for transfer and camping options, these can be added on after you have signed up, and the options are different for each challenge. Please visit the Ultra Challenge website to find out the options for this challenge.
Can I join as part of a team?
Yes, when registering through Ultra Challenge there will be an option to create a team or join a team. This allows your team to start within the same wave for the challenge and to have your team’s name printed onto your bib. Please note that all fundraising targets are an individual’s responsibility.