Welcome to the Dark Downs 50k. A 50km Dusk till Dawn loop in the South Downs, starting and finishing at Plumpton Racecourse. 

There is something quite unique about running at night. The atmosphere, the camaraderie, the challenge, the novelty, and the cooler temperatures all make for a fantastic experience and this 50k will hopefully provide all of this. The South Downs as always will bring rolling hills, runnable trails, and are also ideal for a race in the dark due to its untechnical terrain.
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Night running is something that a lot of ultras require nowadays, so not only is this a great race in itself, it is also a great opportunity to get out and get some night running experience in a race format. Great practice for any upcoming ultras and especially our Winter races later in the year.

The South Downs were awarded the Dark Sky Reserve Award in 2016 due to its exceptional starry nights, so there is no better place for a race like this to get some amazing views.
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The race will start at 6.30pm on Saturday, September 27th 2025, as the sun is setting, and runners/walkers will have 12 hours to complete it. There will be 4 amazing aid stations as always with our fantastic volunteers, a fully marked course with very high visibility/reflective signage and Marshall's out at regular intervals. 

This race will also form the third part of our new "50k" South Downs Triple Crown. Along with our other two 50k races, Springtide 50k in April and the South Downs 50k in May, this will provide a unique and fun challenge. 

For lots more information visit our website UkUltra