Key details
When: 10 October 2026
Where: Maidstone Basecamp, Kent Downs
Registration fee: £20 - £139 depending on fundraising and distance options chosen
Minimum sponsorship: £70 - £375 depending on fundraising and distance options chosen
Kent Downs 50 Ultra Challenge 2026
Event details
An end of season Ultra Challenge in the ‘Garden of England’. A basecamp near Maidstone, join up to 2,000 adventurers and you can take it on at your pace as a walk, jog, or run – and fundraise for your favourite charity! The 50km looped route heads anticlockwise on the North Downs Way to Blue Bell Hill, following the River Medway to Mote Park at halfway for a picnic. Along the Len Valley Walk to the majestic Leeds Castle, and the North Downs Way back to the showground finish line. Sign up as an individual or as a team; you’ll get full support all the way, plenty of food & drink, optional camping & transfers, a special medal, T shirt and celebration finish. With 25km & 10km options also available – there’s a challenge for everyone! Push yourself further in 2026, take on an Ultra Challenge – the UK’s No.1 Series of treks & trail challenges!
What you'll get
- Inclusive & fun event with a great atmosphere and camaraderie
- Choose your distance – 10km, 25km, or 50km
- Walk, jog, or run – it’s your challenge, your way!
- Regular covered rest stops, with free food & drink
- An epic finish line moment, with a glass of fizz, medal and t-shirt
- Full fundraising support, and a choice of fundraising options
Sign up now
Fundraising for the MS Trust
We understand that fundraising can sometimes be just as much of a challenge as the event itself, but our dedicated fundraising team will be there to support you every step of the way. We will be there to get you started with our brilliant fundraising pack and will be in regular contact with support, advice and ideas.
As a MS Trust fundraiser you will also receive a free MS Trust branded t-shirt for you to wear as you train and during the event itself.
We recommend that our fundraisers use Just Giving to collect sponsorship online. It is quick to set up and you can easily share your page with friends, family, and colleagues to reach your fundraising goals. Plus, everything is seamless. The money you raise, as well as Gift Aid, is sent straight to us as the MS Trust so that's one less thing to worry about! You can kickstart your fundraising on Just Giving here.
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We'll keep in touch in the run up to your event and so if it looks like you might need to give your fundraising an extra boost, or if you might need some more time after the challenge to reach your target, we'll be there to help. We can discuss different tips to boost your fundraising or even maybe help you to plan an event.
There is a minimum sponsorship amount (unless you choose to purchase your own space), as we have to pay the costs of your place from what you raise in advance of the challenge. You'll have to have raised 50% of your target 3 weeks before the challenge weekend and we know that it can sometimes be tough to raise this much so far before your challenge starts. That's why we'll help get your fundraising going right from the moment you register.
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There are three different fundraising options for this event:
1) Full charity sponsorship option - pay a small registration fee and then fundraise with a set target for the MS Trust (we'll cover the rest of the cost of your place)
2) Mixed funding option - pay for half your place cost and fundraise with a smaller target for the MS Trust (we'll pay half of your place cost)
3) Self funding option - pay for your place and then fundraise whatever you can for the MS Trust with no set target (we won't pay anything)
Exact fundraising targets and registration fees depend on the distance chosen and can be found by pressing the "sign up now" button.
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Many people with MS take part in Ultra Challenges without any problems - while you are able to tackle this event at a pace that works for you, it can still be physically demanding, so you do need to be generally fit and have a good level of mobility. If this trip isn't for you, perhaps you might be interested in one of our other events such as Miles for MS.
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Yes! There are over 20 different Ultra Challenge events in 2026 from you to choose from taking place in a variety of different places. You can find out about other options available here.
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You must be 18 or over on the day of the challenge if taking on a Full (100km) Challenge, 16+ & accompanied by an adult if taking on a Half (50km) Challenge, 14+ & accompanied by an adult if taking on a Quarter (25km) Challenge.
Under 18s taking part cannot sign themselves up – they must be signed up by someone over 18.
Get in touch
Please email fundraising@mstrust.org.uk or call 01462 536007 if you have any questions about taking part in the Kent Downs 50 Ultra Challenge.