The North Downs Run 30K is the latest race in the south to reach its 40th anniversary and the milestone event takes place from Cyclopark, Gravesend, Kent on Sunday 30 June 2024.

With a month to race day, the organising club Istead & Ifield Harriers is working hard to promote another memorable event that will once again host the British Masters Multi-Terrain Championships.

Last year's race was held on the hottest day of the year, with temperatures soaring to 30C, and there was a running fashion statement by 'umbrella-man' Adam Bailey who wore a colourful heat shield, as reported in runABC South here.

Despite the torrid conditions, Ed Bovingdon of Istead and Ifield Harriers set a course record 1:51:37 as he claimed the British Masters M35 title with his outright race win. Amy Clements (Kent AC, 2:27:44) was the first female, adding to her victories between 2015 and 2019.

North Downs 30K passes through some of the finest scenery in Southern England (see photo below). The well-marked, multi-terrain course uses undulating (hilly) paths and established tracks threading through woodlands, fields, and parkland across the beautiful North Downs.

The marshalls are knowledgeable, supportive, and enthusiastic and there are home-made cakes for all finishers, a technical T-shirt, and a bespoke medal. The 2023 race won the respected BARR Committee Award for consistently high organisational standards.

The cut-off time for completion of the course is 4hrs 30mins. The race venue is the Cyclopark bike race circuit at Gravesend, with toilets, onsite parking, refreshments, and a bar.

Entries are still available via the England Athletics entry portal here.

Full results and previous reports are at the runABC South race listing here.

Race details at the Istead and Ifield Harriers website here.

Photos courtesy of Istead & Ifield Harriers