Frequently asked questions

You can complete the registration form and sign up here

When you sign-up, your fundraising page will be automatically set up for you.

You can only purchase a ticket for yourself. Anyone else who would like to join you needs to purchase their own ticket.

The challenge is on Sunday 13 September 2026.

When you register, you'll have the option to choose one of the following start times:

6:30am
6:50am
7:10am
7:30am

If you'll be walking at a slower pace, please select an earlier start time and if you'll be walking at a faster pace, please select a later start time.

This is a 26.2‑mile (42km), marathon‑distance trek across the North Downs, finishing at The Royal Marsden in Sutton. You can expect rolling hills with some steep ascents/descents, mixed grass/gravel paths, occasional tarmac sections and a few road crossings. 

Yes, tickets are £25 per person.

*We'll be offering a 50% off discount until 21 May 2026

It should take most walkers approximately 8-9 hours but can take some walkers up to 12 hours, depending on fitness levels and weather conditions.

This event is not a race and everyone is encouraged to walk at a comfortable pace. All walkers will wear timing chips and there is a cut-off time of 8pm at the finish to ensure all walkers have safely finished the event and everyone can celebrate together.

Yes, there will be a route map provided on the day, the route will be well signposted and there will be marshals and volunteers to help direct you on the day. 

You can find a route map on our On the Day page.

We aim to make The Big Marsden Trek as inclusive as possible and will do our best to support participants with health conditions or disabilities. However, please note that our routes are not wheelchair accessible. 

If you have any questions about accessibility or specific needs that could help make the trek more comfortable for you, we encourage you to get in touch with us at fundraising.events@rmh.nhs.uk 

The minimum age limit for The Big Marsden Trek is 18. All participants must be at least 18 on event day.

Unfortunately, dogs are not permitted to take part in the trek due to safety issues and due to us trekking on privately owned land.

We'll have members of the team spread along the route, and a back marker walking at the rear. The route will be well-marked with brightly coloured marker arrows and there will be extra marshals at any sections that are less straightforward.

There'll also be staffed rest stops along the route, where we’ll be on hand to provide help and plenty of encouragement, and there will be refreshments, water refill stations, first aid support and toilets at all rest stops.

Yes, this event is a fundraising challenge, and every penny raised will support The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. The suggested fundraising target is £350 per person, but this is just a guide – every contribution, big or small, makes a real difference.

Yes, this event is a fundraising challenge, and every penny raised will support our cause. The suggested fundraising target is £350 per person, but this is just a guide – every contribution, big or small, makes a real difference.

• Share your fundraising page loud and proud, you’re doing something amazing so make sure to let everyone know.
• Tell your story, let friends and family know why you’re supporting The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and why their support would mean the world to you.

You can pay in your offline donations in a few ways. Please make cheques out to 'The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity' and send to the below address with a note of your full name and a reference to 'The Big Marsden Trek'. 

The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity 
Fulham Road 
London 
SW3 6JJ 

Or if you would like to find out about other ways to pay your sponsorship in, please contact us at fundraising.events@rmh.nhs.uk

Yes, please make sure you have collected and sent in all your sponsorship money by 16 October 2026.

A downloadable sponsorship form is available here

During the registration process you will be asked if you would like to ‘join’ or ‘create’ a team. Simply select ‘join’ and a search bar will appear where you can search for the team you would like to join.  
 
Once a team has been created, you can also join at any time after registration by logging in, searching for your team page and clicking ‘Join Us’. Make sure the team captain has chosen to make the team ‘Public’  in the team page settings to allow others to join, and this button will appear on the page.

During the registration process you will be asked if you would like to ‘create’ a team.  

Then you can choose your team name and fundraising target, and decide whether you would like others to be able to join your team - you can do this by making the team 'public' or 'private'.

You can also create a team after registration by  logging in and clicking the ‘Create a Team’ button on your dashboard.  

Your ticket includes:

• A Charity branded breathable trekking t-shirt 
• Snacks & refreshments along the route
• A fundraising pack
• Training guidance 
• Support at each checkpoint & along the route
• A Big Marsden Trek finishers medal 
• Pizza at the finish!

If you are no longer able to take part on the day, please get in touch with fundraising.events@rmh.nhs.uk to cancel your place.

Yes, you can change your trekking top! Although we are unable to offer exchanges via post, you are more than welcome to pop into The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity's office in Sutton to pick up a different size. Alternatively, there will be a chance to exchange on the day, although this is subject to availability and we cannot gurantee we'll have your preferred size. 

We’ll be sending these out on a weekly basis from June onwards. If you haven’t received yours by 1 September, please get in touch with us at fundraising.events@rmh.nhs.uk. 

The route is designed to be challenging but is achievable for most people provided you train well in advance. When you sign up we’ll send you a training guide to help you prepare.

You will need to be able to carry all essential kit required for the challenge, for example waterproofs, layers, a water bottle, sun cream and snacks. Check the kit list to be sure of everything you will need.

Make sure you have trained with your backpack, carrying everything you need, so that you are used to trekking with your pack at full weight.