Organisers of the North Downs Run are confident that this year’s event will be one of the best yet.
Over 600 entries have now been received and with online entries set to remain open until this Friday (20 June), it’s expected that a full entry list will set off to take on the challenge of the undulating paths and trails of North Kent this Sunday, 22nd June 2014
Since its inception in 1984, the multi terrain event has gained a growing reputation and appreciation amongst the running community of Kent and beyond. Although the run takes in beautiful scenery, undulating hills and peaceful woodland trails, many of the runners will spare little time for the breathtaking views as they look to complete the 30km race which starts and finishes in Gravesend.
Runners will thread their way across farmland to Shorne, before descending gently southwards through Cobham Park into the Cuxton Valley and the steep drop down to Lower Bush. Then begins the relentless climb to Holly Hill, followed by a welcome descent into Great Buckland.
The route then crosses the fields to Luddesdown Court and onto the event’s iconic feature, “Cricket Pitch Hill” in Luddesdown, before returning via Cobham and Shorne to the finish at Cascades Leisure Centre in Thong Lane
The course ascends from its lowest point to at Lower Bush to a height of 180 metres at Holly Hill. If the gradients are a challenge, the runners will also need to negotiate the numerous stiles and kissing gates that are characteristic of the North Downs countryside.
The event has gone from strength to strength since Istead and Ifield Harriers assumed responsibility for its organisation. It may be renowned as one of the stiffest tests on the calendar, yet it regularly features amongst the list of events that athletes choose as the highlight of the year.
Now in its thirty-first year, the North Downs Run was voted the best ‘Other Distance’ race in the UK by the readers of “Runner’s World” This year race has been accredited with a “Gold” grading from the British Association of Road Races (BARR) – only the second trail race to have achieved this status.
The race begins at Cascades Leisure Centre, Thong Lane, Gravesend at 10.30am, with the lead athletes expected to start returning from 12:20pm onwards.
Online entries are available via the Istead and Ifield Harriers website at http://www.isteadandifield.org.uk until Friday or until the entry limit of 650 is reached.
There will also be a children’s 1 km fun run held within the grounds of the Cascades Leisure Centre, with entries accepted on the day.