North Downs Way 50

A 50-mile point-to-point run along the western half of the North Downs Way National Trail in Surrey and Kent. Runners leave the trailhead in Farnham and head east past Puttenham and Guildford, over Newlands Corner and Ranmore Common, then cross the River Mole on the stepping stones before the steepest climb of the day up Box Hill. The route drops off the far side, climbs again to Reigate and Colley Hill, and rolls on through Merstham, Caterham and Botley Hill before leaving the national trail for the last half mile into the village of Knockholt Pound. About 80% is trail, a mix of hard chalk, soft woodland paths, sand and mud, with roughly 5,600 ft of climbing spread over short, sharp hills and several flights of steep, rutted steps. Six aid stations support runners inside a 13-hour limit, with intermediate cutoffs at each. There is no crew or pacer access. The course is the first 50 miles of the NDW100 and is the second race of Centurion's 50 Mile Grand Slam each May.