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.

• Tree planted by Ecologi.

• Marked course.

• Live race timing. 

• Medical support throughout the race.

• Three fully stocked aid stations.

• Epic track finish.

• Bag transfer.

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

Time & Location

• Start: The race starts at 9am. Registration will take place in the Rochester Masonic Hall. At 08:45am runners will be escorted to the start line at Rochester Pier on the Esplanade.

• 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.

Race Registration

Race registration will open from 07:30am and close at 08:45am. At registration you will be issued your race number, chip timer 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.

Inside the masonic hall 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.

​Aid Stations

• Aid Station 1 (13km) - Grass verge outside Aylesford Priory

• Aid Station 2 ( 24km) - Barming Bridge

• Aid Station 3 (37km) - Hop Farm camping field (runners must reach this aid station within 7hrs or will be timed out).

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

Due to the locations and agreed permissions with landowners, we operate a strict non spectator at aid station rule. We will notify runners of suitable spectator locations prior to the race, but it is your responsibility to ensure they do not attend 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 - support crew and pacers are not permitted in this race.

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

• Aid Station 3 will have a strict 7hr cut off. If a runner has not departed by the cut off time they must hand their race bib to the aid station 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: 5917. 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.

Three Castles 50km no-group

• 01/06/2024, 09:00 - 18:00

  Three Castles 50km

  Join Waiting List £65.00 - £67.00

Location

Directions

By Rail

Start: The nearest railway station to the start line is Rochester, which is a 5-minute walk from the Rochester Masonic Hall, where the registration takes place. Rochester is a main trainline station with direct services to London and Dover.

Finish: The nearest train station to the finish line is Tonbridge, which is a 15-minute walk from the Tonbridge School Centre. Trains from Tonbridge run directly to London and Dover. Indirect trains to Rochester run frequently and take around an hour.

By Car 

The race registration and start are located at the Rochester Masonic Hall, Gundulph Square, Rochester, Kent ME1 1QD. There are many paid parking spaces along the Esplanade or in car parks located within a 5-minute walk.

The finish line is on the athletics track at the Tonbridge School Centre, London Road, Tonbridge, TN10 3AD. There is parking available on the campus or alternatively there are local roads and paid car parks within a 10-minute walk.

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