North Downs 50 Challenge 2024

About the event

We’re heading to the North Downs with a fabulous challenge setting out from our Guildford basecamp. Choose your distance, and walk, jog or run the full looped 50km route, a 25km half challenge, or even the Guildford 10km.

Take in some of the best of the Surrey hills, the North Downs Way, and the surrounding countryside. A route with real variety and some wonderful scenery and views – and easily accessible from London – there’s a North Downs 50 Challenge for everyone.

You can walk, jog or run as an individual or a team, with full support and hospitality all the way.

Sign up and fundraising options

Charity sponsorship

You pay a small registration fee, do lots of fundraising and we cover the cost of your event place.

As we are an official charity partner, if you sign up and commit to fundraising for us, you’ll get 50% off the standard charity place registration fee.

• 50km: £15 - fundraising target: £360
• 25km: £10 - fundraising target: £240
• 10km: £5 - fundraising target: £100

Mixed funding

Pay half of the event place cost yourself, fundraise a bit less and we pay the balance of the event place cost.

• 50km: £75 - fundraising target: £225
• 25km: £50 - fundraising target: £150
• 10km: £22.50 - fundraising target: £70

Self fund

You pay the full cost of the event place and fundraise whatever you want. There's no set target or deadline and no cost at all to Mind.

• 50km: £139
• 25km: £89
• 10km: £39
  
  

Register

What to expect

Your entry to the event includes: 

• Free food and drink
• Support from medics and marshals
• Massage teams
• A glass of fizz, t-shirt, and a special medal to celebrate your achievement as you cross the finish line.

You will get full support and hospitality from the event organisers Action Challenge every step of the way. At the event, you can expect:

• A fully signposted route
• Rest stops every 12.5km
• Shuttle and transfer services (bookable on the Ultra Challenge website)

All levels of experience are welcome. You can walk, run or jog. You may also walk at your own pace for over 24 hours if needed.

To register and find out more, go to the North Downs 50 page on the Ultra Challenge website.

How we'll support you

As well as the hospitality from our event organisers Action Challenge, we also offer all our fundraisers a fantastic support package, including:

• Loads of training and fundraising advice, with regular email updates
• A Mind technical top
• A dedicated and experienced event coordinator to provide information and support in the run-up to your event

Any questions?

Find out more about the route, support, and hospitality on the North Downs 50 Challenge page on the Ultra Challenge website.

Ultra series FAQs

Trekking across Iceland for mental health - Maria's story

"We knew that the challenge was going to be difficult. 58km covering volcanic rock, miles upon miles of thick snow, ice cold river crossings with steep ascents and descents that pack a punch on the knees. But we've supported each other through mental health problems; we can support each other through anything."

Read Maria's story

Where does the money go?

You can find out more about our work in the 2021/22 annual review

and more about our finances in our 2021/22 annual accounts