Event information
Date: 10 October 2026
Location: Detling Hill Showground, Maidstone, ME14 3JF
An end of season Ultra Challenge®– in the ‘Garden of England’.
A basecamp near Maidstone, with parking & weekend camping options, the main 50km looped route heads anticlockwise around the Kent Downs – starting on the North Downs Way to Blue Bell Hill, around picturesque Aylesford, and following the River Medway to Mote Park at halfway for a picnic. Along the Len Valley Walk to the majestic Leeds Castle, then the North Downs Way back to the showground finish line and celebration.
It’s easily accessible; you’ll get full support; and with 25km & 10km options also available, there’s a Kent Downs Ultra Challenge® waiting for you!
Take on a challenge this year!
Looking for a big challenge to sink your teeth into this year? Sign up to the Kent Downs 50 Ultra Challenge® and fundraise for Heart of Kent Hospice.
There’re marquee rest stops, lots of food & drink, medical & massage teams, with a fully signed route & GPS tracking to guide you. A big finish-line celebration awaits with an amazing sense of achievement, and once the aches subside you’ll feel energised, and up for more of life’s real challenges!
How to join
1. Choose your funding option
Choose how you want to join the Challenge:
- Full Charity Sponsorship
- Mixed Fundraising For Charity
- Own Place Charity Fundraising
2. Choose your distance
Confirm the distance you’ll take on (eg: Full ~100km / Half ~50km / Quarter ~25km / 10km etc) – then select a provisional Start Time slot (actual start times are confirmed 4 weeks prior to the event; for Teams – it will be as per the Team Captain’s choice).
3. Create or join a team
Everyone has to register. Teams can be of any size; members can opt for the same or different funding options/distances.
Funding options:
Full Charity
Sponsorship
Pay a small Reg Fee and fundraise for us
(we'll pay for your place)
50km CHALLENGE
£40 Reg Fee & at least
£375 fundraising/sponsorship
25km CHALLENGE
£30 Reg Fee & at least
£275 fundraising/sponsorship
10km CHALLENGE
£15 Reg Fee & at least
£150 fundraising/sponsorship
Mixed Funding
For Charity
Pay for half your place cost and fundraise less
(we pay half of your place cost)
50km CHALLENGE
£75 Reg Fee & at least
£225 fundraising/sponsorship
25km CHALLENGE
£50 Reg Fee & at least
£150 fundraising/sponsorship
10km CHALLENGE
£25 Reg Fee & at least
£100 fundraising/sponsorship
Own Place Charity
Fundraising
Pay for your place and fundraise whatever you can (with just an admin fee for us)
50km CHALLENGE
£139 Reg Fee
& fundraise whatever you can
25km CHALLENGE
£89 Reg Fee
& fundraise whatever you can
10km CHALLENGE
£49 Reg Fee & at least
& fundraise whatever you can
Find out more
For route information, a 'Fly Thru', the map, start and finish times, and distances, see the Kent Downs Ultra Challenge® website.
Kent Downs Ultra Challenge® Ultra Challenge® Fact SheetEvent information
Date: Sunday 4 April 2027
Venue: Brighton
Minimum Fundraising Sponsorship: £500
Registration Fee: £35
Register your interestRun the extra mile for Heart of Kent Hospice at the Brighton Marathon
We have a limited number of places available for the 2027 Brighton Marathon.
The coastal, undulating course is perfect for runners looking for a quicker time or to take in the views. It is also renowned for its roaring crowd support!
Why run the Brighton Marathon for Heart of Kent Hospice?
When you sign up to run the Brighton Marathon for us you will receive:
- Entry
- Personalised support
- Training plans and tips
- Heart of Kent Hospice running vest
Register for the Brighton Marathon here!
Event information
Date: 11 October 2025
Distance: 50k
Registration fee: £40
Minimum fundraising target: £375
You can help raise funds for Heart of Kent Hospice by choosing us as your chosen charity when taking part in the Kent Downs Ultra Challenge this autumn.
About the event
An end of season Ultra Challenge®– in the ‘Garden of England’. A basecamp near Maidstone, with parking & weekend camping options, the main 50km looped route heads anticlockwise around the Kent Downs – starting on the North Downs Way to Blue Bell Hill, around picturesque Aylesford, and following the River Medway to Mote Park at halfway for a picnic. Along the Len Valley Walk to the majestic Leeds Castle, then the North Downs Way back to the showground finish line and celebration.
If you have any questions about this event, don't hesitate to get in touch with our events team at events@hokh.co.uk or by calling 01622 792200.
Sign up to fundraise for us and you'll receive:
- Entry to the event
- Personalised support from our friendly team
- Training plans and tips to keep you on track
- A Heart of Kent Hospice t-shirt for you to wear with pride
Kent Downs Expression of Interest Form
Event information
Date: 2 March 2025
Time: 9am - 12pm
Location: Cornwallis Academy, Hubbard's Lane Loose ME17 4HX
Book nowJoin us on Sunday 2 March 2025 for a 10k or 5k run to raise money for Heart of Kent Hospice!
The run offers two distances providing the perfect warm up for the Spring race season. We offer a chip timed circular 10K run and 5K run with both routes departing from Cornwallis Academy. We are also offering a 1K family run for little legs!
10K run
Take on the 10k route through the beautiful rural villages of Maidstone. A wonderful run for intermediate runners and those wanting to challenge themselves. This run starts at 9:30am. Adult entry is £15, you are committing to raising £100 and you will receive a Maidstone Road Run Running Vest.
Download the 10k route map5K run
Taking in part of the 10k route this is a perfect yet challenging run for all abilities. This run starts at 10am. Adult entry is £10, you are committing to raising £75 for Heart of Kent Hospice and you will receive a Maidstone Road Run Running Vest.
Download the 5k route mapFamily Fun Run
Perfect for younger runners the 1k Family Fun Run takes place on site at Cornwallis Academy. Come in your favourite fancy dress and run, walk, skip or hop your way to the finish line. This run starts at 10.30am. Entry £5 per person.
To participate in our event, we ask each participant to aim for a minimum sponsorship of £100. This target is set to encourage community engagement and support for our cause.
We understand that raising this amount can be challenging, but every effort counts and makes a significant difference.
Here are some ideas to help you reach your goal:
- You could ask 10 friends or family members to donate £10 each
- Ask your colleagues or business to sponsor your run or match your fundraising efforts
- Use social media to share your fundraising page with a wider audience
While we encourage everyone to strive for this goal, we appreciate any amount you can raise. Your participation and dedication are what truly matter, and we are grateful for your support in helping Heart of Kent Hospice.
You have until Wednesday 2 April to raise your pledged amount!
You will receive chip timing results, a finishers medal and a Maidstone Road Run branded vest!
We've set up a Facebook group to help keep you motivated, where you can chat with other runners and share fundraising successes, training tips and more. Click on the button below to join:
Maidstone Road Runners groupCalling all running clubs!
Are you a member of a running club or gym? Why not register as a team?
Raise £50 and receive a Heart of Kent Hospice running vest, raise £100 and receive a Heart of Kent Hospice water bottle.
“We’re so excited to be part of the Maidstone Road Run 2025, not just for the love of running, but to support the incredible work of Heart of Kent Hospice”
FAQ
Is there parking available?
Free parking is available at Cornwallis Academy, Hubbards Lane, Maidstone ME17 4HX
Child entries
Child entries for 16 and under. Please note all children under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian
Event information
Date: Sunday 4 April 2027
Venue: London
Minimum Fundraising Sponsorship: £400
Registration Fee: £30
Register your interestSee the sights and support our hospice with the London Landmarks Half Marathon!
The London Landmarks Half Marathon is a closed road, central London run and is the only half marathon to go through both the City of London and City of Westminster. The event is not your average half marathon! From cultural landmarks and heritage to the city's quirky and hidden secrets, runners get to explore the capital on a route like no other!
We have a limited number of places available for the 2027 London Landmarks Half Marathon.
Why run the LLHM for Heart of Kent Hospice?
When you sign up to run the London Landmarks Half Marathon for us you will receive:
- Entry to this unique event
- Personalised support from our friendly team
- Training plans and tips to keep you on track
- Heart of Kent Hospice running vest for you to wear with pride
Register for the London Landmarks Half Marathon here!
Event information
Please note this event has now sold out. Thank you to all those that have reserved their place, we look forward to seeing you on the track!
Date: 3 July 2025
Time: 6:45pm, race start at 7:00pm
Location: Brands Hatch Circuit, West Kingsdown, DA3 8NG
Cost: £32
Take on the Brands Hatch 10k for Heart of Kent Hospice
We are delighted to be Brands Hatch 10k's 2025 Charity Partner.
The Brands Hatch 10k is a rare opportunity to run the world famous ex- Formula 1 motor racing circuit. It really is a run for everyone, of all ages and abilities and whether you’re at the beginning of your running journey or regularly lace up your trainers. Taking place on the evening of Friday 4th July 2025 with a start time of 7pm, we can’t wait to see you.
Fundraise for us
Make your Brands Hatch 10k run go further - fundraise for Heart of Kent Hospice this July!
Your kind donations and every pound you raise help us to provide free, compassionate, end-of-life care to local families who need us.
Set up your fundraiserFAQs
How do I travel to Brands Hatch?
Brands Hatch is 3 miles from junction 3 of the M25 and free parking is available. The postcode for satnav is DA3 8NG. The nearest station is Swanley and there are regular services from London Victoria, Charing Cross and Blackfriars all taking around 30 minutes. There is an optional shuttle bus service from Swanley Station.
Is parking available at the venue?
There is a huge amount of free parking available.
Is this a timed run?
Yes, you will get your run time using chip timing.
Event information
Date: 12 October 2024
Location: Kent Showground, Maidstone
Distance: 50k, 25k and 10k
Cost:
Charity Sponsorship – you pay a small registration fee, do lots of fundraising and we cover the cost of your event place! 50km: Reg fee £30 / fundraising target £360. Shorter distances and lower fundraising targets are also available!
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: Reg fee £75 / fundraising target £225. Shorter distances and lower fundraising targets are also available!
Self Fund – you pay the full cost of the event place - fundraise whatever you want, with no set target or deadline, and there’s no cost at all to the charity! 10km: £39 25km: £89 50km: £139.
Book nowYou can help raise funds for Heart of Kent Hospice by choosing us as your chosen charity when taking part in the Kent Downs Ultra Challenge this autumn.
This event, run by Action Challenge, is a NEW end of season Ultra Challenge®– in the ‘Garden of England’. With basecamp near Maidstone, parking & weekend camping options anyone can take part. The main 50km looped route heads anticlockwise around the Kent Downs – starting on the North Downs Way to Blue Bell Hill, around picturesque Aylesford, and following the River Medway to Mote Park at halfway for a picnic. Along the Len Valley Walk to the majestic Leeds Castle, then the North Downs Way back to the showground finish line and celebration. It’s easily accessible; you’ll get full support; and with 25km & 10km options also available, there’s a Kent Downs Ultra Challenge® waiting for you!
Walk, Jog, or Run – as an Individual or a Team. The Kent Downs Ultra Challenge is fun, safe, and rewarding – with full support all the way, enabling you to push yourself further and then celebrate your achievements at the Maidstone basecamp.
Set up your Just Giving fundraising page and go the extra mile by helping raise vital funds for Heart of Kent Hospice.
If you have any questions about this event, don't hesitate to get in touch with our events team at events@hokh.co.uk or by calling 01622 792200.
Applications for a place in the London Marathon have now closed. If you have your own place and would like to fundraise for Heart of Kent Hospice please see below for how to set up your fundraiser.
Got your own place?
If you have already secured a place in the 2024 London Marathon or have a rolled over place from a previous event then you can still join the Heart of Kent Hospice team as an own place runner. You get to set your own fundraising target and still get the support from Heart of Kent Hospice.