Sweaty Smiles and Family Cheers: Conquering the North Downs 50 Ultra Challenge
- Andy Hood
- Oct 28
- 6 min read
There’s something uniquely challenging, yet undeniably rewarding, about an ultra event. But when you throw in a scorching 32-degree day, dusty trails winding through the historic Surrey Hills, and the unexpected delight of Freddos at rest stations, you’ve got a recipe for pure, unadulterated adventure. That, my friends, was the magic of the North Downs 50 – an experience that was much more than just an Ultra Challenge run for me.
My early years were spent not far from Guildford, the very base camp for this year's ND50. Being back on familiar ground, combining the run with a stay at my parents' house, provided a 'magic sauce' that elevated this ultra above others. Often, I cross a finish line to the hearty applause of strangers, and while always incredibly grateful for their support, there's a different kind of warmth that washes over you when your own family is there, beaming.
This year, my parents, along with one of our sons and his girlfriend, were poised to greet their sweaty, dusty son/father as I brought it home in my usual style. My father, bless him, always comments on how "fresh" I look after an ultra. I think he secretly expects me to crawl the last hundred yards, collapse in a heap, and have the medal hung around my neck as I drift in and out of consciousness.
A Loop Through History and Heat
The route for 2025 was a fantastic loop starting and finishing at the Surrey sports ground in Guildford. It took us out via the iconic Newlands Corner, guiding us through a labyrinth of dusty, rooty woodland trails towards Dorking. From there, we turned, heading back towards Guildford on a different, equally scenic route, winding through charming villages like Chilworth.
The weeks leading up to this July event had been unusually dry – one of the longest dry spells in many years. This meant the trails themselves were in prime condition for running, offering firm footing and a clear path. However, the tarmac sections were brutal, radiating heat as the day edged towards that blistering 32-degree mark under a relentless, cloudless sky. The ground was so parched that, in a bizarre twist of fate, in the 24 hours after the race, I saw the very first large field we ran through catch light, becoming the scene of a major bush fire. A stark reminder of just how dry everything had become.
Dialled Back, Tuned In
Approaching this run, I was "super dialled back." This event fell perfectly, or perhaps coincidentally, midway through my training block for Mont Blanc, which was just five weeks away. In an amazing stroke of luck, my Runna programme had scheduled a 32-mile long run for the exact day of the North Downs 50 – how rarely does that happen in a training block?
One of the true joys of Ultra running, particularly at events like the Ultra Challenges, is the incredible community spirit. At the start line, I met several lovely people. There was Stephen, who had seen my posts in the Ultra Challenges group Facebook page about me running with the names of those affected by cancer on my pack. And then there was Jelly, with whom I chatted for quite some time, and who so generously donated to the cancer charities I am supporting this year. I consistently find Ultra Challenge events to be among the friendliest of all the races I run. I think it’s because of the diverse mix of people – those hiking or walking it, and those running but without a specific focus on time. It’s not a competitive environment at all; I like that very much.
"I Love Your Bum!" – A Conversation Starter
"I love your bum!" Well, that's certainly not something you hear every day on an ultra, but it was, I guess, to be expected today. This North Downs 50 was the inaugural outing for my new design of shorts – my cheeky balls, emblazoned with the powerful messages 'Testicular cancer survivor' and 'Check ya balls'. As I passed people, the "love your bum!" comment was frequent, always delivered with a laugh and a knowing smile. At the first rest stop, a guy approached me and shared that he had been diagnosed with testicular cancer many years ago too. It’s vitally important that we talk about this cancer, share experiences, and encourage others to check themselves. It's precisely why I designed those shorts. If they spark even one conversation, one check, it's a win.
There was also a rather peculiar encounter with another runner. We ended up leap-frogging each other a handful of times over about 15 miles. I’d power past her up the hills, and she’d overtake me on the flats as I dialled back my pace. This continued until I went past her and, I thought, never saw her again. Well, that was until a few miles later when she suddenly appeared ahead of me, and I know she hadn’t overtaken me. Still scratching my head about that one!
Fuelling the Fire: My Strategy
This year, Maurten has become a core part of my new fuelling strategy. I’ve been keen to combine fluids and carbohydrates effectively, and their Drink Mix 160 delivers 40g of carbs per 500ml – it’s an incredibly easy product to mix into your bottle. I’d top this up with Precision Hydration’s PF90 gel, whose neutral taste works well with my palate and sits comfortably on my stomach. I was also very conscious of getting in enough sodium, as it was going to be a hot, sweaty day, and the Maurten product provided a good base. In previous long runs, I’d been suffering some cramp in my calves, and I’d hoped this new strategy might help. It did, right up until about 40K when I had a small amount of cramp in one calf. A quick stretch out on a pavement curb soon sorted that, and I had no further issues. My carb intake was around 70-80g per hour, which gave me plenty in the tank. Maurten isn’t cheap, but I truly feel it’s worth the investment for the sustained energy and reduced GI distress.
A Muted Finish, A Meaningful Welcome
The finish at Guildford was quite muted, with not many people around the finish line. However, the most important people to me were there: my family. I unfurled my ULTRA’25 banner and ran with it through the finish, with our son capturing some truly great photos. Afterwards, I chatted with Michelle, the Trek Master General, and Simon, one of the amazing Ultra Challenge team members at the finish. Without them, events like this simply cannot take place, so I am forever grateful for everything they put in and bring to the day. The organisation, the support, the volunteers – it all combines to create these unforgettable experiences.
North Downs 50, you were a great ultra. I absolutely loved the course, winding through ancient woodlands and quaint small villages. The rest stops were incredibly well-stocked, making it easy to refill bottles and visit the 'facilities'. And a dousing from a water gun at the halfway stop. So welcome, so cooling, so necessary on such a hot day!
Despite the heat, which took its toll on many, the spirit of Ultra running shone through. I remember a runner falling ahead of me in the woods, lying there for many moments, probably shocked and a little dehydrated. I stopped, helped him up, checked he had fluids and nutrition, provided him with some wet wipes to clean up a cut, before heading off again. In the world of ultra-running, we are truly in it together, and you never know when you may need a helping hand.
The North Downs 50 wasn't just another race; it was a journey back to my roots, a testament to the power of community, and a vibrant reminder that even in the toughest conditions, there's always a reason to smile – especially when you've got Freddos waiting at the next aid station and your family at the finish line.
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