Join us for the Three Castles 50km Ultra Marathon!

Run 50km along the beautiful river Medway, passing three medieval castles, picturesque villages, and lush countryside. Whether you're a seasoned ultra runner or just starting out, this race is perfect. Enjoy a flat course, aid stations, and a triumphant finish at the Tonbridge athletics track. Run with friends and make unforgettable memories!

Course Description

Get ready to experience the stunning Medway Valley Walk like never before. Our course follows the trail from Rochester to Tonbridge, with a gentle final 5km segment leading to the finish line at Tonbridge athletics track. You'll be running alongside the gorgeous River Medway on flat marked trails and towpaths for most of the route.

​Start off by departing from Rochester and follow the river path for approximately 13km through charming villages like Burham and Wouldham, before arriving at Aylesford Priory and your first aid station. After taking a breather, head through Aylesford village before rejoining the river. Soon you'll arrive at Allington Lock and as you pass through keep your eyes open for the second castle nestled by the river on your right-hand side.

​From here, you'll follow the paved towpath through the vibrant town of Maidstone and the beautiful village of East Farleigh, where you'll reach your second aid station. The path then returns to trail, passing through Teston Country Park and Wateringbury before arriving at the riverside town of Yalding, a great location for supporters to cheer you on.

​After a brief road section, you'll cross the river bridge at Yalding and follow the narrow towpath on hard-packed trail until you reach the camping field at the Hop Farm and your final aid station. Now with only 13km to go, you'll continue to follow the serene river medway, passing working locks and open fields until the bustling town of Tonbridge comes into view. Crossing the high street, you'll pass the final castle, and embark on the last leg of your journey along well marked trails until you reach the Tonbridge athletics track, where a victory lap awaits.

​Included in entry fee

• Finishers medal (if finished within the official time limit)

• Fully marked course.

• Live race timing / GPS tracking. 

• Medical support throughout the race.

• Three fully stocked aid stations.

• Epic track finish / event venue

• Bag transfer to finish line.

• Awards for 1st, 2nd, 3rd Male & Female.

Time & Location

• Start: The race starts at 9am in the shadow of Rochester Castle, with registration between 07:30am and 08:45am

• Finish: The race cut off is 18:00pm. The race will finish with a lap of the 400m athletics track at the Tonbridge School Centre, London Road, Tonbridge, Kent, TN10 3AD.

Wave Start

To ensure the best possible race experience and prioritise runner safety, the Three Castles 50km will begin with a three-wave start.

• Wave 1 – 09:00

• Wave 2 – 09:15

• Wave 3 – 09:30

This staggered approach helps reduce congestion on the course, particularly in the early stages and at narrow trail sections, allowing everyone to settle into their pace more smoothly.

Waves will be assigned based on your estimated finish time, with the fastest runners starting in Wave 1. If you're planning to run with friends or clubmates, make sure you all submit the same estimated finish time on your booking form —this is the only way to ensure you're placed in the same wave.

You can update your estimated finish time at any time after registering by editing your entry form, up until wave assignments are finalised—approximately two weeks before race day. Once set, waves cannot be changed.

Cut-off time will be 9 hours for all runners regardless of your wave start.

Shuttle Bus

Runners have the option to purchase a shuttle bus ticket to transport them from the finish line to the start. Tickets cost £12 and are available to runners only. The coach will leave the Tonbridge School Centre no later than 07:00am. Runners must be ready to leave at this time. Full details will be provided closer to the event.

Race Registration

Race registration will open from 07:00am and close at 08:30am. At registration you will be issued your race number, GPS tracker and drop bag luggage label. You must ensure your personal details are written on the back of the race number and leave your drop bag (with attached label) in the designated luggage area. There will be no race registration packs posted before the event.

At registration you will have access to water, toilets and changing facilities. 

The race director will give a final race briefing at 08:45am before runners are escorted to the start line. There will not be an option to start late.

Checkpoints

• Checkpoint 1 (13km) - The Friars, Aylesford Priory (Cut Off: 2hr 10mins)

• Checkpoint  2 ( 24km) - Barming Bridge (Cut Off: 4hrs 15mins)

• Checkpoint 3 (37km) - Hop Farm (Cut Off: 6hrs 40mins)

Our amazing and friendly volunteers will welcome you into our checkpoints, which will have plenty of food, drinks, and goodies to keep you moving.

Due to the locations and agreed permissions with landowners, spectators are not permitted at checkpoint 2 or 3. We will notify runners of suitable spectator locations prior to the race, but it is your responsibility to ensure they do not attend these official aid stations.

​Event Rules

• To participate in this event, runners must be at least 20 years old on race day.

• Bibs must be visible and secure on the front of your body throughout the entire race.

• Stay on course - any intentional shortcuts will result in disqualification from this and future events.

• The challenge is to complete the race on foot - any use of other transportation will result in disqualification from current and future events.

• No storage of supplies or kit is permitted along the race route.

• Only registered runners are allowed to participate. Pacers / buddy runners are not permitted in this race.

• Crewing is permitted at spectator locations only. Locations will be provided in advance

• Runners must check in at all checkpoints. Any missed checkpoints will result in disqualification.

• The race operates a strict 9hr cut off time. If a runner crosses the finish line after this time, they will not be eligible for an official result and will not receive a finishers medal.

• Each checkpoint will have a strict cut off time. If a runner has not departed by the cut off time they must hand their race bib to a checkpoint volunteer and will no longer eligible for an official time or medal.

• Participants must inform the race director via the official phone number if they decide to withdraw from the race. 

• Runners who withdraw from the race must check in at the closest aid station, return their race number and tracker as soon as possible.

• Dogs are not allowed to run with participants on the course. Breaking this rule will result in disqualification.

• This race has a zero tolerance policy for littering. Any runner found breaking this rule will be disqualified from the race.

• For your safety and enjoyment throughout, please comply with instructions given by the race director, management team and volunteers.

​Mandatory Kit

• Fully charged mobile phone with the race directors number saved

• Drinks bottles with capacity to hold 1 litre of fluids. A final decision on drink bottle capacity will be communicated 3 days prior to the race and may reduce down to 500ml.

Please remember that this is a long distance event and whilst you will never be far from help, we highly recommend that runners suitably prepare for the race ahead.  The great British weather can be very unpredictable in June, so to help you prepare, we would recommend you carry the following non mandatory items:

• Waterproof jacket

• Cap or head buff

• Sun cream

• Cash / card

• Food for between aid stations

​This is also a cup less event. Runners may choose to carry a reusable plastic cup for aid stations in addition to their mandatory drinks bottles.

​Race Permit

 The race is permitted by the Trail Running Association. Permit Number: TBC. The TRA is an associate member of UK Athletics (UKA). The TRA supports UKA in the management and regulation of trail running, and through this association with UKA, the TRA is able to issue permits to race organisers on behalf of UKA. 

Other Information

- The route is mainly on shared towpath and trails. Runners must be considerate of other users of the path.

- There are some sections of the course that cross busy roads or follows country lanes. Runners must stay vigilant to traffic and only cross when it is safe to do so.

- There will be a drop bag service available. Runners must clearly label their bags and place them in the drop bag area of the registration hall. Bags will be transferred to the finish line.

- At the finish line runners will have access to toilet, shower and changing facilities. There will also be food and drink available.