Centurion North Downs Way 50 is a 100km ultra marathon in Farnham, United Kingdom. Distance: 100km. Elevation: 2,400m D+. Difficulty: moderate (Challenge Rating 36/100). DNF rate: 15%. Time limit: 22h. Surface: trail. Established 2017.
Centurion North Downs Way 50
Farnham, Surrey, United Kingdom
"100km along the North Downs Way. Chalk ridges, ancient pilgrimage route, and the English countryside at its best."
A classic English 100km along the North Downs Way — chalk ridgelines, pilgrimage heritage, and quintessential countryside running.
The Course
A point-to-point along the North Downs Way National Trail from Farnham to Ashford. The course follows chalk ridgelines, passes through the Surrey Hills and Kent Downs AONB, and crosses the famous White Cliffs near Dover. Runnable trail with rolling hills.
hilly
point-to-point
10
Runner Experience
Standard aid station support with food, drinks, and basic medical assistance at regular intervals.
Warm, inclusive finish line with a strong community feel. Runners celebrate together regardless of finish time.
Race Day Weather
18°C
12° – 24°
70%
30%
English summer — warm but unpredictable. Rain is always possible. Long daylight hours.
Stats & Records
2017
250
14:00:00
08:30:00
Sam Amend (2022)
Entry
£130
January
weeks
Lore & Trivia
Centurion's North Downs Way 50 follows England's chalk ridge trail from Farnham to the white cliffs near Dover — a 50-mile traverse across the Surrey and Kent countryside that passes within earshot of the M25 motorway while running through ancient woodland. It's the most accessible of Centurion's race series: runnable chalk paths, well-stocked aid stations, and a course that proves you don't need mountains to have a proper ultra.
- ▸ The North Downs Way follows an ancient route used by pilgrims traveling to Canterbury Cathedral.
- ▸ The chalk ridgeline provides excellent drainage, making this a good race even in wet conditions.
- ▸ Centurion Running is one of the UK's most respected ultra race organizers.
- ▸ The course passes through the same landscape that inspired Chaucer's Canterbury Tales.
- ▸ Established in 2017.
The North Downs Way: chalk, mud, and the M25 roaring in the distance. Quintessentially English ultra running.
Compare with another race
Similar Races
17 JAN 2027
Country to Capital Ultra
Wendover, United Kingdom
JUN
Bob Graham Round
Keswick, United Kingdom
24 MAY 2026
Cape Wrath Ultra
Fort William, United Kingdom
10 OCT 2026
Centurion Autumn 100
Goring-on-Thames, United Kingdom
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Centurion North Downs Way 50? +
Centurion North Downs Way 50 is a 100km (100km) ultra marathon with 2,400m of elevation gain. The course is point-to-point on trail terrain.
How hard is Centurion North Downs Way 50? +
Centurion North Downs Way 50 is rated moderate with a Challenge Rating of 36/100 (Moderate). The DNF rate is 15%. Runners have 22 hours to finish.
What is the weather like at Centurion North Downs Way 50? +
Average temperature is 18°C (range 12°C to 24°C) with 70% humidity and a 30% chance of rain. English summer — warm but unpredictable. Rain is always possible. Long daylight hours.
Are crew and pacers allowed at Centurion North Downs Way 50? +
Crew access is allowed. Pacers are allowed after 50km.
What is the course record for Centurion North Downs Way 50? +
The men's course record is 08:30:00 set by Sam Amend in 2022.
What is the average finish time for Centurion North Downs Way 50? +
The average finish time is 14:00:00. About 250 runners finish each year. The DNF rate is 15%.
Are you the organizer? Claim this race
Stay in the loop
New races, course records, and stories from the trail — monthly