Three Castles 50km
Three Castles 50km
Rochester Masonic Hall, Gundulph Square, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1QD
Sat 1st June 2024
Starting at 09:00
1 race
£67.00
Organiser's Description
Welcome to the Three Castles 50km Ultra Marathon! This breathtaking race takes you on a 50km journey along the river Medway, from the historic town of Rochester to the delightful town of Tonbridge. Along the way, you'll pass through idyllic villages, picturesque countryside, and most importantly, three stunning medieval castles.
Whether you're a seasoned ultra marathoner or just starting out on your ultra running journey, this is the perfect race for you! With a flat fully marked course, three aid stations, and generous time limit, you'll be inspired every step of the way.
And when you cross the finish line, you'll be greeted with a triumphant lap around the Tonbridge athletics track – the perfect way to celebrate your incredible achievement. So gather your running buddies and join us for an unforgettable day of running, inspiration and celebration!
Price
Affiliated: £65 | Unaffiliated: £67
Time & Location
Start: The race starts at 9am. Registration will take place in the Rochester Masonic Hall, Gundulph Road, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1QD. At 8:45am runners will be escorted from the Masonic Hall to the start line, which is located next to Rochester Pier on the Esplanade.
Finish: The final cut off is 6pm. 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 7:30am and close at 8:45am. At registration you will be issued your race number, GPS tracker and drop bag luggage label. You must ensure your personal information is written on the back of your race number and leave your drop bag (with attached label) in the designated baggage area. There will be no race registration packs posted before the event.
Inside the masonic hall you will have access toilet facilities and water for your bottles.
The race director will give a final race briefing at 8:45am, before escorting runners on the short 5min walk to the start line. Please ensure you have registered and are ready to depart for the start line by this time. There will not be the option to start late or register beyond this time.
Course Description
Get ready to experience the stunning Medway Valley Walk like never before. Our course covers the entire trail from Rochester to Tonbridge, with a gentle 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 16km through charming villages like Burham, Wouldham, and Aylesford. Once you reach Allington Lock, you'll receive your first aid station. Take a breather and 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 for 8km through the vibrant town of Maidstone and the beautiful village of East Farleigh. The path then returns to trail for another 7km, passing through Teston Country Park and Wateringbury before arriving at the riverside town of Yalding and the second aid station.
After a brief road section, you'll cross the river bridge at Yalding and follow the towpath on hard-packed trail for 11km. As you pass several locks, Tonbridge and the final aid station come into view. With only 8km left to go, you'll soon cross the high street, pass the final castle, and embark on the last leg of your journey.
This final 5km section takes you away from the River Medway and towards the Tonbridge athletics track, where a celebratory 400m lap awaits. Get ready to experience the beauty of the Medway Valley Walk like never before.
Aid Stations
There will be three aid stations on the course approximately 15km apart. 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.
Included in entry fee
- Finishers medal.
- Tree planted by Ecologi.
- Marked course.
- Live race tracking.
- Medical support throughout the race.
- Three fully stocked aid stations.
- Epic track finish.
- Bag transfer.
- Prizes for 1st, 2nd, 3rd Male & Female.
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.
- Each aid station has a cut off time limit. 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.
There are also standard Terms and Conditions which can be found on our website and the race booking form.
Mandatory kit
- Fully charged mobile phone with the race directors number saved
- Drinks bottles with capacity to hold 1 litre of fluids
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.
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.
- The race will be permitted by the Trail Running Association on behalf of England Athletics.
Whether you're a seasoned ultra marathoner or just starting out on your ultra running journey, this is the perfect race for you! With a flat fully marked course, three aid stations, and generous time limit, you'll be inspired every step of the way.
And when you cross the finish line, you'll be greeted with a triumphant lap around the Tonbridge athletics track – the perfect way to celebrate your incredible achievement. So gather your running buddies and join us for an unforgettable day of running, inspiration and celebration!
Price
Affiliated: £65 | Unaffiliated: £67
Time & Location
Start: The race starts at 9am. Registration will take place in the Rochester Masonic Hall, Gundulph Road, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1QD. At 8:45am runners will be escorted from the Masonic Hall to the start line, which is located next to Rochester Pier on the Esplanade.
Finish: The final cut off is 6pm. 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 7:30am and close at 8:45am. At registration you will be issued your race number, GPS tracker and drop bag luggage label. You must ensure your personal information is written on the back of your race number and leave your drop bag (with attached label) in the designated baggage area. There will be no race registration packs posted before the event.
Inside the masonic hall you will have access toilet facilities and water for your bottles.
The race director will give a final race briefing at 8:45am, before escorting runners on the short 5min walk to the start line. Please ensure you have registered and are ready to depart for the start line by this time. There will not be the option to start late or register beyond this time.
Course Description
Get ready to experience the stunning Medway Valley Walk like never before. Our course covers the entire trail from Rochester to Tonbridge, with a gentle 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 16km through charming villages like Burham, Wouldham, and Aylesford. Once you reach Allington Lock, you'll receive your first aid station. Take a breather and 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 for 8km through the vibrant town of Maidstone and the beautiful village of East Farleigh. The path then returns to trail for another 7km, passing through Teston Country Park and Wateringbury before arriving at the riverside town of Yalding and the second aid station.
After a brief road section, you'll cross the river bridge at Yalding and follow the towpath on hard-packed trail for 11km. As you pass several locks, Tonbridge and the final aid station come into view. With only 8km left to go, you'll soon cross the high street, pass the final castle, and embark on the last leg of your journey.
This final 5km section takes you away from the River Medway and towards the Tonbridge athletics track, where a celebratory 400m lap awaits. Get ready to experience the beauty of the Medway Valley Walk like never before.
Aid Stations
There will be three aid stations on the course approximately 15km apart. 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.
Included in entry fee
- Finishers medal.
- Tree planted by Ecologi.
- Marked course.
- Live race tracking.
- Medical support throughout the race.
- Three fully stocked aid stations.
- Epic track finish.
- Bag transfer.
- Prizes for 1st, 2nd, 3rd Male & Female.
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.
- Each aid station has a cut off time limit. 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.
There are also standard Terms and Conditions which can be found on our website and the race booking form.
Mandatory kit
- Fully charged mobile phone with the race directors number saved
- Drinks bottles with capacity to hold 1 litre of fluids
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.
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.
- The race will be permitted by the Trail Running Association on behalf of England Athletics.
Races
-
Three Castles 50km
Sat 1st June 2024
£67.00
UK Athletics (UKA) save £2.00
Trail Running Association (TRA) save £2.00
CLOSED
Book
-
Three Castles 50km
Sat 1st June 2024
£67.00
UK Athletics (UKA) save £2.00
Trail Running Association (TRA) save £2.00
CLOSED
Course Details
How to Get There
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 is 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.
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 is 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.