Solstice at the Lakes

Kent's Premier Timed Trail Event

6 Hour • 12 Hour • 24 Hour • Relay

Saturday 19th – Sunday 20th June 2027

How Far Will You Go?

Returning in 2027 after a hugely successful and incredibly popular inaugural event, Solstice at the Lakes is back for another unforgettable weekend beside the beautiful Leybourne Lakes Country Park.

Inspired by the spirit of the summer solstice, Solstice is far more than a timed trail event. It's a celebration of endurance, community and personal achievement, bringing together runners, long-distance walkers, relay teams, families and friends for a weekend of challenge, camaraderie and unforgettable memories.

Every participant arrives with their own goal. For some, it's completing their first marathon or ultra marathon. For others, it's covering their longest ever distance, experiencing the challenge of running through the night, sharing the journey with teammates or simply discovering they're capable of more than they ever imagined.

Whatever your reason for standing on the start line, you'll never take on the challenge alone.

Throughout the weekend you'll be supported by the incredible Embrace Ultra community. From our dedicated volunteers and support crews to fellow participants who'll celebrate every lap alongside you, the atmosphere is built on encouragement, friendship and a genuine desire to see everyone succeed. It's this sense of togetherness that makes Solstice at the Lakes unlike any other endurance event.

More than anything, Solstice is a celebration of ordinary people achieving extraordinary things together.

Why Choose a Timed Event?

Timed events offer one of the most accessible, inclusive and rewarding ways to experience endurance sport.

Unlike a traditional race, there isn't a fixed distance to complete. Instead, you simply choose how long you want to take on the challenge and cover as much distance as you can before the clock reaches zero.

That freedom allows everyone to approach the event differently. Some participants will be chasing podium places, while others will be discovering endurance sport for the first time. Many will run every step, others will enjoy the challenge as a long-distance walk, but everyone shares the same goal—to discover what's possible.

The fully marked 2.5km lakeside loop means you're never far from your own kit, your support crew or the heart of the race village. Every lap brings fresh encouragement, familiar faces and another opportunity to keep moving, creating an atmosphere that's difficult to find anywhere else in endurance sport.

There isn't one definition of success at Solstice at the Lakes—only the one you set for yourself.

Whether you leave having covered 15 kilometres or 150, every lap contributes to your own story.

Every Lap Counts.

Choose Your Challenge

However you choose to experience Solstice at the Lakes, every event shares the same stunning lakeside course, welcoming race village and incredible sense of community.

Whether you're taking on your first timed trail event, looking to push beyond marathon distance or gathering a group of friends for an unforgettable weekend together, there's a challenge waiting for you.

24 Hour Solo or Relay (2-4 Participants)

The Ultimate Solstice Experience

Saturday 12:00 – Sunday 12:00

The 24 Hour is the signature event of the weekend and the ultimate test of endurance.

Take on the full challenge as a solo participant or share the experience in a relay team of between two and four people. However you choose to tackle it, you'll experience every side of Solstice—from the excitement of the midday start and the golden evening light, through the quiet determination of the night and into the celebration of a new day.

For many, it becomes far more than simply covering distance. It's about resilience, teamwork, unforgettable moments and discovering just how much is possible in twenty-four hours.

12 Hour Solo

Setting new boundaries

Saturday 12:00 – Sunday 00:00

The perfect stepping stone into ultra-distance running.

Long enough to test your endurance, yet accessible enough for those looking to move beyond marathon distance for the first time, the 12 Hour offers an unforgettable challenge in a welcoming and supportive environment.

You'll experience the full atmosphere of Solstice, from the energy of the afternoon through to the magic of a summer evening beside the lakes.

Daylight 6 Hour Solo

Finding your place

Saturday 12:00 – 18:00

If you've ever wondered what a timed event is all about, this is the perfect place to start.

The Daylight 6 Hour offers six hours on a beautiful, flat and fully marked course, giving you the opportunity to challenge yourself without the commitment of a longer event.

Whether you choose to run or walk, every lap is another achievement and another step towards discovering what you're capable of.

Twilight 6 Hour Solo

Chase the Sunset

Saturday 18:00 – Sunday 00:00

There's something special about running as the sun begins to set.

The Twilight 6 Hour offers a completely different atmosphere, with cooler temperatures, beautiful evening scenery and the unique experience of watching day turn to night around the lakes.

As darkness falls and the lights of the race village come to life, you'll experience a side of endurance running that's both peaceful and unforgettable.

One Course. Endless Possibilities.

Every race takes place on the same fully marked 2.5km loop around Leybourne Lakes Country Park.

Designed specifically for timed events, the course combines smooth trail, gravel paths and tarmac to create a flat, fast and highly runnable circuit that's equally suited to experienced endurance athletes, first-time participants and long-distance walkers.

Every lap returns through the heart of the race village, where your support crew, nutrition, spare kit and the encouragement of the Embrace Ultra community are never more than a few minutes away.

That simple format creates something truly special. Participants taking on different challenges share the same course, encourage one another throughout the weekend and celebrate every achievement together—whether it's a first lap, a fiftieth lap or the final lap before the clock runs out.

Your Basecamp

One of the things that makes Solstice at the Lakes so unique is the opportunity to create your own basecamp for the weekend.

Participants are welcome to bring a tent or gazebo and set up within the designated race village, creating a space that's entirely your own. Whether you're taking on the 6 Hour, 12 Hour or 24 Hour event, your basecamp becomes somewhere to rest, refuel, reorganise and prepare for your next lap.

For relay teams, it's where teammates recover, plan their next changeover and celebrate every completed lap together. For solo participants, it's a place to gather your thoughts, recharge and enjoy the encouragement of friends, family and fellow participants before heading back out.

With the course passing directly through the race village every 2.5km, your support is never far away.

The Race Village

The race village is much more than a start and finish area—it's the heart of Solstice at the Lakes.

Throughout the weekend it becomes a place where strangers become friends, achievements are celebrated and everyone, regardless of pace or distance, is encouraged to keep moving towards their own goal.

Whether you're arriving back from another lap, enjoying a well-earned meal, supporting a teammate or simply soaking up the atmosphere, there's a genuine sense of togetherness that runs throughout the event.

You'll find experienced endurance athletes sharing advice with first-time participants, relay teams cheering each other on, volunteers offering encouragement long into the night and support crews celebrating every milestone, no matter how big or small.

It's this atmosphere that people remember long after the event has finished.

Race Village Facilities

Space for participant tents and gazebos

Hot food served throughout the event

Drinks and refreshments

Toilets and changing facilities

Tables and seating for participants and support crews

Dedicated crew area

Medical support throughout the event

Professional live timing and lap updates

On-site café during opening hours

Spectators welcome throughout the weekend

What's Included

Every Solstice at the Lakes entry includes:

Fully marked 2.5km course

Professional chip timing and live lap updates

Medical support throughout the event

Finisher's medal for every participant completing at least one lap

Hot food served during the event (6pm / 10pm / 2am / 6am)

Full access to the race village

Space to create your own basecamp

Awards for category winners

Friendly support from the Embrace Ultra community from start to finish

More Than Just a Weekend of Running

The distances covered at Solstice will all be different.

Some participants will leave with a personal best.

Some will complete their first ultra marathon.

Some will spend the weekend supporting teammates and celebrating every lap together.

But everyone will leave having been part of something bigger than themselves.

That's what makes Solstice at the Lakes special.

Not just the distance you cover, but the people you share the journey with.

Final Distance

Your official result is determined by the number of full laps completed before your event time expires.

Each lap measures 2.5km, with only completed laps counting towards your final distance. Participants are free to rest, refuel and return to the course whenever they choose during their event, allowing you to pace the challenge in a way that works for you.

Complete at least one full lap within your allocated race time and you'll receive an official result and a Solstice at the Lakes finisher's medal.

Parking & Spectators

Paid parking is available within Leybourne Lakes Country Park throughout the weekend.

Family, friends and support crews are warmly encouraged to come along and enjoy the event. Spectators are welcome around the race village, where they'll be able to cheer participants on throughout the weekend while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere, on-site café and beautiful surroundings of the country park.

Participants are welcome to create their own basecamp within the designated race village by bringing a tent or gazebo, giving support crews the perfect place to relax, refuel and be part of the Solstice experience.

Please note that participants / teams are only allowed to bring one tent or gazebo, with space allocated on a first come, first served basis. There is also a maximum of 2 support crew allowed in the race village marquee at any time.

Event Rules

To ensure everyone enjoys a safe and memorable event, all participants must follow the event rules below.

Participants must be at least 20 years old on race day.

Race bibs must be worn and clearly visible throughout the event.

The course must be completed on foot. No external assistance (including poles) or alternative transport is permitted.

Participants may only receive support within the designated crew area.

Participants may not have anyone run with them on the course at any time.

Participants may rest between laps but must complete at least one lap within their allocated event time to receive an official result and finisher's medal.

Relay teams may consist of 2–4 participants, with only one team member on the course at any time.

Only laps completed before the official finish time count towards the final result.

This is a cupless event. All participants must bring a reusable cup.

Participants continuing after dark must carry a suitable headtorch, with spare batteries.

Please respect other park users and remain on the marked course at all times.

Music is permitted using headphones, but participants must remain aware of their surroundings.

Anyone withdrawing must report to Race Control before leaving the event.

The event will proceed in all weather conditions unless deemed unsafe by the organisers.

Event Rules

The race is permitted by the Trail Running Association. Permit Number: TBC. The TRA is an associate member of UK Athletics (UKA). The TRA supports UKA in the management and regulation of trail running, and through this association with UKA, the TRA is able to issue permits to race organisers on behalf of UKA.

Ready to take on the challenge?

Whether you're chasing a new distance, taking on your first timed event or creating unforgettable memories with friends in a relay team, Solstice at the Lakes offers an experience unlike any other.

Inspired by the spirit of the summer solstice, it's a weekend of challenge, camaraderie and community, where every participant is encouraged, every achievement is celebrated and every lap becomes part of your own story.

Join us on Saturday 19th – Sunday 20th June 2027 at Leybourne Lakes Country Park and discover what you're capable of alongside the incredible Embrace Ultra community.

We can't wait to welcome you to the start line.

Enter today and make Solstice at the Lakes 2027 part of your story.

Every Lap Counts.

Description supplied by the event organiser.