2-day
ultra-
challenge
66 MILES | 7-8th Feb
THE PILGRIM CHALLENGE
AN UNFORGETTABLE ADVENTURE
The Pilgrim Challenge
Our most popular event is back! Take on the best of the North Downs Way, following in the footsteps of ancient pilgrims bound for Canterbury. This 2-day journey leads you through stunning countryside, historic villages, and landscapes steeped in legend.
Effortless Simplicity & Support
From luggage transfers to hot meals and cheering aid stations, we take care of the logistics so you can focus on what matters: running strong, embracing the elements, and enjoying every mile.
Winter Challenge with Soul
Run in the footsteps of ancient pilgrims across a route steeped in history. With crisp air, rolling hills, and a little North Downs mud, this isn’t just a race — it’s a full-body reset to start your year right.
Adventure, Not Just a Race
The Pilgrim Challenge is about more than distance. With overnight stay, evening speakers, and two full days of support and camaraderie, it’s an ultra-experience you’ll never forget — and one you’ll want to repeat.
What to
Expect
A weekend of wild weather, muddy trails, and shared resilience. Breathe in the cold morning air, and soak up the quiet beauty of the North Downs Way as you move through ancient countryside with purpose.
The route follows the most celebrated section of the North Downs Way National Trail — a path once walked by pilgrims en route to Canterbury. You’ll pass through peaceful woodlands, rolling fields, and charming villages, with historic churches and centuries-old tracks lining the way.
Over two days, you’ll experience the full spectrum of British winter conditions — from snow and ice to bright, sunlit miles — and that unpredictability is part of what makes it so special.
The course is well-marked, and we provide full GPX files for your watch or phone. Our support crew and signage will keep you on track — and at the end of each day, you’ll be welcomed back with food, warmth, and stories shared over dinner.
WHY THE PILGRIM CHALLENGE?
Your chance to test your resilience, embrace the unknown, and discover what you’re capable of — surrounded by mud, laughter, and people who get it. This is an experience you’ll carry forever.
Embrace the Elements
From frozen fields to sticky, legendary mud — this route is a love letter to British winter trail running. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s beautiful in a way only February can be.
Belong to Something Bigger
The weekend isn’t just about miles — it’s about shared struggle, warmth at aid stations, stories over dinner, and that deep, rare sense of community forged on the trail.
Start Your Season Right
Whether you’re training for the MDS or just need a goal to kickstart the year, this is the perfect reset. You’ll come away stronger, more focused, and ready for whatever comes next.
Kit List
The only compulsory kit is a fully charged mobile phone, a minimum 500ml of water, a waterproof jacket and a head torch if you are likely to finish in the dark (once darkness falls, if you don’t have a headtorch you will be withdrawn at a check point). It’s also worth taking a look at our recommended kit list.
Other equipment may be made compulsory by the race director depending on the weather.
Medical
The event is supported by a Course Manager and a fully qualified medical crew will be in attendance. We strongly recommend taking a moment to read our medical page before booking.
FAQs
We’ve answered a range of common questions in our FAQ. For other questions, say hello on info@xnrg.co.uk.
Accommodation & Logistics
Everything Taken Care of: With Pilgrim, your accommodation, transportation, and logistics are handled. Focus on the challenge; we’ve got the rest covered.
Accommodation
Accommodation included within your ticket is in the local school hall, if however you would like to book your own hotel please see options below that we offer drop off and collection to and from.
MID-EVENT HOTELS
We’ll be running minibus shuttles to and from three local hotels during the event:
Premier Inn Redhill
This Premier Inn hosts the local Beefeater which can be found here.
Redhill Town Centre Travelodge
Redhill Travelodge
Please note: these are the only hotels our minibus will run to. If you’re planning to stay somewhere else, please make sure you’ve booked taxis to and from the event.
Getting There
Whether you are joining us for the full event or just one day, it’s easy to get to both days’ start points by train or road.
By train to the start on day 1: Trains run from London Waterloo to Farnham roughly every half an hour from 05:00. We’ll be running minibus shuttles to the start on day one, with the last pick up from Farnham Station at 09:00, and shuttles back to the station from 16:00.
By train to the start on day 2: Redhill Station (Southern) is a few minutes walk from the school.
For the return journey, trains run from Redhill to London Waterloo every half hour.
Let us know your train travel plans when you book.
By road: Farnham is on the A31, A331 from Junction 4 of the M3. Redhill is on the A25, A271 and A25 from Junction 8 of the M25.
If you are only doing day one we ask you to park at Farnham Station Car Park and make use of the minibus shuttle.
There is parking at Sandy Farm (at your own risk) for the full weekend, but it is locked up on Saturday night. Space is limited, we would encourage lift sharing where possible.
Shuttle Service
All shuttles listed below, except coach transfer, are free.
Any other transfers at the competitors’ expense via local taxi companies.
| Day 1 Start | Day 1 Finish |
|
Farnham Train Station, from 07:00 |
Redhill Train Station, from 16:00 Premier Inn Redhill, Brighton Road, Salfords, Redhill RH1 5BT Redhill Town Centre Travelodge, 26 London Road, Surrey, Redhill RH1 1NN Redhill Travelodge, 2 Redstone Hill, Redhill RH1 4BL |
| Day 2 Start | Day 2 Finish |
|
Premier Inn Redhill, Brighton Road, Salfords, Redhill RH1 5BT Redhill Town Centre Travelodge, 26 London Road, Surrey, Redhill RH1 1NN Redhill Travelodge, 2 Redstone Hill, Redhill RH1 4BL |
Farnham Train Station, from 15:00 |
Please note: if you would like to drive to the event and are doing day 1 only, we recommend you park at Farnham Station and use our free shuttle from the station to the start. You would need to make your own arrangements to get back to Farnham Station at the end of day 1.
If you are driving and taking part on day 2 only, you could either:
Park at Redhill Station, which is in walking distance from the starting point (you would need to arrange your own transport back to Redhill Station at the end of the day)
Park at Farnham Station, arrange your own transport to the start, and then use our free shuttle back to Farnham Station at the end of the day.
Parking is available at Sandy Farm Business Park for those doing the full event but the gates will be locked until we return there on Sunday afternoon so this is not an option for single-day participants.
Registration
Please register and pick up your timing chip from:
Full event/
Day 1 only entrants
7:00am on Saturday
Sandy Farm Business Park, Sands Road, The Sands, Farnham, Surrey GU10 1PX
Grid ref: SU87694676
Day 2 only
entrants
06:30am on Sunday
Carrington School, Noke Drive, Redhill RH1 4AD (day 1 overnight location).
Grid ref: TQ28465073
Event Day Info –
The Details You Need
Note: You will be sent an email on the Saturday night to let you know what start you’ll be in for the second day.
DAY ONE
| 07:00 | Mini-bus pick up from Farnham Station begins |
| 7:00 | Registration opens |
| 08:00-08:30 | Walkers start |
| 09:00-09:30 | Run/Walkers start (expected finish time slower than 6 hours) |
| 09:30-10:00 | Runners start (expected finish time less than 6 hours) |
| 16:00 | Transport to station available |
| 18:00 | Evening meal available |
| 19:00 | Most competitors finished |
DAY TWO
| 06:00 | Breakfast available. |
| 07:00 | Walkers start |
| 07:45 | Run/Walkers start |
| 08:30 | Runners start |
| 15:00 | Transport to station available. |
| 18:00 | Most competitors will have finished |
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