Thames Trot 50 – The Return of the Boat Race

Great cake at aid station

Having run over 100 ultras I do keep drifting back to this one, which is testiment to how enjoyable and well organised it is. Navigiation is easy just follow the Thames Path signs and generally keep the river in site, albeit there are a couple of places where the path leaves the river. The path is muddy and slippery in many places, but I'm a mud monster, so I love this. Dont whine and complain about it, just plough through it. Since its winter the weather is often variable, but again there's no such thing as bad weather, just weak people. To sum up, it's a brilliant race, which every ultra runner should run at some point.

It was an experience to say the least, maybe one i wasn't expecting to be so muddy, i managed to survive the swamps of mud along the course, but i have to be honest, there was certainly not enough communication on how bad it is, seeing as they said before the race this was the best for the past few years. We were there to run, and i believe in doing my research even with Film My Run review on YouTube which is paid for by the marathon cleverly DOES NOT mention or film any of the parts (1/3 course) as swamp. I dont mind but i think the organisers have a duty to be honest, because it can be dangerous and i believe for 2018 only half the field completed it.

This was my second time at the Thames Trot 50. A well organised event with great volunteers. The aid stations were well stocked and the volunteers were really encouraging and understanding. The course is a point to point along the Thames path. With the race being run in February conditions are boggy underfoot but nothing that a good pair of trail shoes can't take in their stride. I really enjoyed the point to point route, it always amplifies the sense of achievement in an ultra. The route winds through a lot of pretty countryside and picturesque towns which line the river & you really feel like you are getting to see the best of the Thames. The finish is well manned but retains the paired back simplicity of an ultra event. Hot tea and Jammie Dodgers at the finish line definitely revived me before the train back to town.

Great race, clear directions and well organised. Beautiful course but very tough going in places with the mud

The oragnisation was second to none, fantastic race. Checkpoints well spaced and well stocked. Course is marked fairly well with national trail markers (would reccomend a couple of way markers in the trickier sections, but nothing a bit of planning wouldn't have avoided on my part!). The ground was very difficult going underfoot, but that was due to the weather (very wet) and comes with running at this time of year (early Feb), so is part of what makes this race such a good challenge. Overall, I would definitely reccomend this to all those looking for a first 50miler or those looking for a good shot at a PB.

Given the weather and muddy stretches it was a challenge, but all in all a good long training run at the beginning of a few months of hard training. It is a great test of your physical and mental strength too key elements of any successful ultra-runner.

The organisation of this event was fantastic right through from registration, the check points straight through to the finish line!! The volunteers who attended aid stations and pointed me in the right direction were incredibly friendly and really helped! Overall this event was tough but highly enjoyable and I will be signing up again!!! Thank you!

Fun and generally great experience. Well organised. Met great people. Lovely volunteers. The race was tougher than I expected. I knew there would be some muddy parts, didn't expect to have so many. Would have prepared differently [more grip on shoes than the trail shoes I wore) would I have known (or be made aware off).

It was good, very hard because of the mud really, I think the event would be much more fun if run in summer. The muddy conditions really were painful