Thames Trot Ultra
1 race scheduled · 250 participants · Sat 23rd Oct 2021 · Village
£58.00Free injury protection
About this event
Run along the largest river in England with this superb ultra challenge. Great for those new to trail running and experienced trail runners alike, the course meanders its way from Iffley through to Henley. Come for the superb views or for the flat course.
Raceday details
Your organiser
Our roots are in off road sports. We offer a complete series of Ultra trail runs many of which have become "must do events" in the Ultra race calendar. Staying with the off road and trail theme we have a sprint style duathlon which once again is in a fantastic location with fabulous trails. But we like to provide something for everyone. We are also the organisers of the Northampton Half Marathon and The Pitsford Triathlons (Sprint and Standard), in fact we are a one stop shop for all the races you will ever need. Go Beyond was founded in 2008 and purchased in 2018 by Simon Hollis. We now work with over 30 charities helping them carry out fundraising through sport. So please, come and join us and take your fitness to a new level - and why not raise money for a good cause at the same time.
How to enter
Tickets available until Mon Oct 18 2021
What's included:
- Chip timed event
- Finisher's medal
- Finisher's T-shirt
- Aid Stations
- Water Stations
- Bag Transfer
Ultra
8:30am Sat 23rd Oct 2021
Run 50mi
£58.00
Benefits of booking with Let's Do This
Free injury protection - Refunds until 4 days before the event.
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What people think
4.121 reviews
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.… read more
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. … read more
Frequently asked questions
Is there a bag drop?
Yes, there will be a bag drop. Also, each competitor will be able to have one bag transferred from the start to the finish. … read moreWhat is the cut-off time?
There is a cut-off time of 11 hours. … read moreHow many checkpoints will there be?
There will be 5 checkpoints located at 8-9 mile intervals. Full details of the checkpoint locations will be sent out to those registered. … read moreYou may also like
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Running Events in the United Kingdom
Route description
Route description
Starting 3 miles south of Oxford, the course closely hugs the River Thames as it makes its way through towns, villages and countryside on its way to London.
Runners will use the well maintained footpaths and bridleways and will be able to enjoy the ever changing scenery of the Thames valley.
The finish will be in Henley, where runners will be met with a post race goody bag.
Aid Stations
There will be well stocked feed stations where runners can be cheered on by enthusiastic spectators. There are 5 Check Points, located at approximately 8-9 mile intervals. Each will have water, and a selection of supplementary energy gels, snacks and the famous Go Beyond fruit cake plus savouries at CP3.
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
My first Thames Trot was the mudfest that I expected, and then some. I'd run along the Thames Path a few times in the preceding month and noted that it was muddy...but with 250 runners it was something else. Some sections were almost impassable and even walking with studded shoes was a mission. But it was a challenge and it was fun. I didn't hear the briefing at the beginning because I was near the back (no megaphone?) but it was pretty obvious: follow the Thames Path all the way to Henley. The volunteers were excellent: helping to fill up my water bottles at the aid stations was a great help as my hands were cold. The food stations were okay, (the cake was AMAZING - I swear it's a performance enhancing drug and should be illegal), but could have done with a bit of fruit...half a banana or some orange here and there. There was a nasty double road crossing near Shillingford that really needed a marshall - tired runners can easily make mistakes, and this was a blind national speed limit (or perhaps 50mph) road. At the end of the race, a mobile shower block would have been a dream, but probably a bit too much to ask for, especially as it would become clogged with mud. Overall an enjoyable event, although too muddy to make me contemplate doing it again. The mooted October version of this event may be a big improvement.
Great experience - the mud made it the toughest ultra I have done so far, but all the marshalls and other runners were amazing at keeping me going! Really felt like I had earnt my medal at the end!
The course is great but just too muddy, not much you can do about that though! Was well organised but think the aid stations could be better stocked, fruit, Coca Cola etc would have been very welcomed, but overall very good. The cake is amazing!
Dont be fooled by this ultra- whilst there are no hills it can be extremely muddy and 50m in the mud can be as extreme as 50m on the hills. It is a good run but because it is flat you are constantly using the same running pattern, bashing the same muscle type with no change for 50m. And unlike other ultras where you slow up for the hills- this one you have to try to keep the same pace for 50m. Do not underestimate this run! Bear in mind I ran this on a very wet February day where it rained all day- on a dry day this could be a very quick ultra!
This is my second time doing this race. I thought last year was muddy! Loved it and cursed it in equal measure but can not fault Go Beyond!! This will clash with an event I am RD for in future or Id be back in a flash!!
A great event for the 3rd time completing it. The organisation was outstanding and all the helpers were fantastic. The only point I have is regarding the aid stations. Me personally would like to see more option of food.
Course is good but the weather turned it into a bog pit which was totally demoralising. The aid stations were poorly stocked but the team were nice.
This event maintains a personal feel that many other events have lost. The GoBeyond team are fab and supportive. The event is tough but then its an Ultra in February - if it was easy everyone would do it - loved it !!
The race seemed organised but the course conditions were ridiculous and I Imagine that would have been the main reason that people sadly timed out. I must admit I did expect a bit more selection of food on the CPs and for the amount we paid it seemed to be lacking something. It was a recce for the 100 that Im doing in May so for me it did that job and I would consider racing it again. Lets just hope the trail is dry by then.....
I've done this race previously in 2016 and was out for revenge as I didn't have such a good time with the wind and mud last time out. Had a great day out on a classic Thames path in February, full of mud! Volunteers were all amazing as they were before too. Organisation was great. Having the race hq in the hotel is brilliant at this time of year. As the race has become one of the best openers of the year the atmosphere is always good with lots of veterans but also lots of first timers looking to get a flat intro into the sport. Thanks for both years, it's been great!
4.121 reviews
Rate this event
Logistics and schedule
Schedule
07:00 Registration opens
08:30 Ultra start
All runners should arrive at least 45 minutes before the start of the race in order to drop their bag and complete the registration process.
Spectators
Spectators are more than welcome. The best place to view runners will be at the checkpoints
Volunteers
If you are interested in volunteering for this event, please contact [email protected]
How to get there
Hawkwell House Hotel Oxford By Accor, Church Way, Iffley, Village, Oxford OX4 4DZ, UK
Get directionsAddress: Hawkwell House Hotel, Church Way, Iffley village, Oxford OX4 4DZ
Finish: Mill Meadows, Henley On Thames, RG9 1BF
There is limited parking in Iffley, if you are driving to the start, you will be directed to street parking areas in the vicinity.
For anyone travelling by train there is a courtesy shuttle bus from Oxford train station which is usually very popular.
Runners can park in the station car park provided they buy the return train ticket from the ticket office on the morning of the race.
Overnight Accommodation
For anyone wanting to stay overnight before or after the race at The Hawkwell House Hotel, which is also the location for the race HQ.
To book please call 01865 749988 and please let them know you are taking part in the race.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a bag drop?
Yes, there will be a bag drop. Also, each competitor will be able to have one bag transferred from the start to the finish. What is the cut-off time?
There is a cut-off time of 11 hours. How many checkpoints will there be?
There will be 5 checkpoints located at 8-9 mile intervals. Full details of the checkpoint locations will be sent out to those registered. Will there be toilets?
There will be toilets at the start and finish.Is there an age requirement to take part in the Thames Trot Ultra?
Due to the length of the race, participants must be over 18 years old.Booking related questionsDo you have a question about bookings, cancellations, or refunds?
Route description
Route description
Starting 3 miles south of Oxford, the course closely hugs the River Thames as it makes its way through towns, villages and countryside on its way to London.
Runners will use the well maintained footpaths and bridleways and will be able to enjoy the ever changing scenery of the Thames valley.
The finish will be in Henley, where runners will be met with a post race goody bag.
Aid Stations
There will be well stocked feed stations where runners can be cheered on by enthusiastic spectators. There are 5 Check Points, located at approximately 8-9 mile intervals. Each will have water, and a selection of supplementary energy gels, snacks and the famous Go Beyond fruit cake plus savouries at CP3.
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
My first Thames Trot was the mudfest that I expected, and then some. I'd run along the Thames Path a few times in the preceding month and noted that it was muddy...but with 250 runners it was something else. Some sections were almost impassable and even walking with studded shoes was a mission. But it was a challenge and it was fun. I didn't hear the briefing at the beginning because I was near the back (no megaphone?) but it was pretty obvious: follow the Thames Path all the way to Henley. The volunteers were excellent: helping to fill up my water bottles at the aid stations was a great help as my hands were cold. The food stations were okay, (the cake was AMAZING - I swear it's a performance enhancing drug and should be illegal), but could have done with a bit of fruit...half a banana or some orange here and there. There was a nasty double road crossing near Shillingford that really needed a marshall - tired runners can easily make mistakes, and this was a blind national speed limit (or perhaps 50mph) road. At the end of the race, a mobile shower block would have been a dream, but probably a bit too much to ask for, especially as it would become clogged with mud. Overall an enjoyable event, although too muddy to make me contemplate doing it again. The mooted October version of this event may be a big improvement.
Great experience - the mud made it the toughest ultra I have done so far, but all the marshalls and other runners were amazing at keeping me going! Really felt like I had earnt my medal at the end!
The course is great but just too muddy, not much you can do about that though! Was well organised but think the aid stations could be better stocked, fruit, Coca Cola etc would have been very welcomed, but overall very good. The cake is amazing!
Dont be fooled by this ultra- whilst there are no hills it can be extremely muddy and 50m in the mud can be as extreme as 50m on the hills. It is a good run but because it is flat you are constantly using the same running pattern, bashing the same muscle type with no change for 50m. And unlike other ultras where you slow up for the hills- this one you have to try to keep the same pace for 50m. Do not underestimate this run! Bear in mind I ran this on a very wet February day where it rained all day- on a dry day this could be a very quick ultra!
This is my second time doing this race. I thought last year was muddy! Loved it and cursed it in equal measure but can not fault Go Beyond!! This will clash with an event I am RD for in future or Id be back in a flash!!
A great event for the 3rd time completing it. The organisation was outstanding and all the helpers were fantastic. The only point I have is regarding the aid stations. Me personally would like to see more option of food.
Course is good but the weather turned it into a bog pit which was totally demoralising. The aid stations were poorly stocked but the team were nice.
This event maintains a personal feel that many other events have lost. The GoBeyond team are fab and supportive. The event is tough but then its an Ultra in February - if it was easy everyone would do it - loved it !!
The race seemed organised but the course conditions were ridiculous and I Imagine that would have been the main reason that people sadly timed out. I must admit I did expect a bit more selection of food on the CPs and for the amount we paid it seemed to be lacking something. It was a recce for the 100 that Im doing in May so for me it did that job and I would consider racing it again. Lets just hope the trail is dry by then.....
I've done this race previously in 2016 and was out for revenge as I didn't have such a good time with the wind and mud last time out. Had a great day out on a classic Thames path in February, full of mud! Volunteers were all amazing as they were before too. Organisation was great. Having the race hq in the hotel is brilliant at this time of year. As the race has become one of the best openers of the year the atmosphere is always good with lots of veterans but also lots of first timers looking to get a flat intro into the sport. Thanks for both years, it's been great!
4.121 reviews
Rate this event
Logistics and schedule
Schedule
07:00 Registration opens
08:30 Ultra start
All runners should arrive at least 45 minutes before the start of the race in order to drop their bag and complete the registration process.
Spectators
Spectators are more than welcome. The best place to view runners will be at the checkpoints
Volunteers
If you are interested in volunteering for this event, please contact [email protected]
How to get there
Hawkwell House Hotel Oxford By Accor, Church Way, Iffley, Village, Oxford OX4 4DZ, UK
Get directionsAddress: Hawkwell House Hotel, Church Way, Iffley village, Oxford OX4 4DZ
Finish: Mill Meadows, Henley On Thames, RG9 1BF
There is limited parking in Iffley, if you are driving to the start, you will be directed to street parking areas in the vicinity.
For anyone travelling by train there is a courtesy shuttle bus from Oxford train station which is usually very popular.
Runners can park in the station car park provided they buy the return train ticket from the ticket office on the morning of the race.
Overnight Accommodation
For anyone wanting to stay overnight before or after the race at The Hawkwell House Hotel, which is also the location for the race HQ.
To book please call 01865 749988 and please let them know you are taking part in the race.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a bag drop?
Yes, there will be a bag drop. Also, each competitor will be able to have one bag transferred from the start to the finish. What is the cut-off time?
There is a cut-off time of 11 hours. How many checkpoints will there be?
There will be 5 checkpoints located at 8-9 mile intervals. Full details of the checkpoint locations will be sent out to those registered. Will there be toilets?
There will be toilets at the start and finish.Is there an age requirement to take part in the Thames Trot Ultra?
Due to the length of the race, participants must be over 18 years old.Booking related questionsDo you have a question about bookings, cancellations, or refunds?
£58.00Free injury protection