Ultra Running

Malvern Hills Ultra entrants can choose various race distances, between 22, 29, 38, 45 & 90 miles (The Double). The total ascent of the 45 mile race is over 6,000 ft, the 90 mile race is obviously double that!

The race is open to Solo Runners and Relay Teams. Trophy Categories consist for the individual winners for men and women of all race categories, veteran men and women for the 45 & 90 Ultra races only, teams of three, and a relay team event where team members just run between checkpoints. Checkpoints are a minimum of 7 miles and a maximum of 10 miles apart. Completion of the Malvern Hills Ultra 45 mile race allows two qualifying points for Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc Race. The 45 mile race (Purple Route) and the 90 mile race (Black Route) both start and finish at the Abberley Hall School and then to The Admiral Rodney Inn at Martley which is CP1. CP1 is also the starting point for the 39 mile race (Red Route). From Martley the route follows the Worcestershire Way, over Ankerdine Hill and into Storridge where The New Inn is CP2. CP2 is also the starting point for 29 mile race (Yellow Route). Continuing on the Worcestershire Way, over the Malvern Hills and to The Malvern Hills Hotel which is CP3. It is at CP3 that all competitors turn and retrace their tracks back to the finish at the Abberley Hall, utilising previous CP Stations. CP3 is also the starting point for the 22 mile race (Blue Route). For the 90 mile race competitors repeat the same route.
The Race Start time for the MHU 90 and the MHU45 is 7.00am on Saturday 5th May 2018, signing in and checks open at 5.45 am, and close at 6.30am (PROMPT). Late entrants may be refused entry. A race brief will then follow and a group photograph. Food: for the 2017 race the food at the finish was chilli and rice and 2018 race will be on a similar basis. Check points will have unlimited water, coke, orange squash together with a selection of items such as malt loaf, peanuts, jelly beans, jam or peanut butter sandwiches, cakes. Under no circumstances is litter to be left along the route.

This is one of the shorter sections of the Severn Challenge. In order to get to the source of the Severn, the race start takes competitors through a near four mile mountain trek, up the Plynlimon which has been described as the most dangerous mountain in Wales; due mainly to the splattered and concealed bogs, so best progress will be made in keeping to the designated routes! A Race Marshall will be in waiting at the source to ensure that everybody has arrived safely and competitors can then commence their journey on Britains longest river path. Hopefully nobody will have pulled out before this point! Good news the altitude drop from the source at this stage is a remarkable 1,600ft! The route takes you through some inspiring scenery unchanged by many a year.

Utilising the longest riverside walk in Britain, the Severn Challenge takes you along 210 miles of path, from the source of Afon Hafren (Welsh for River Severn) to the mouth of the River Severn. Added to this the four mile trek to reach the source, the Severn Challenge commands an impressive distance of 217 miles.

The Severn Challenge is split into five stages, over a five day period. Within the five stages are three unique races in their own right, with each having bespoke winners medals and trophies and t-shirts. Complete all five stages and you get a finishers medal and t-shirt for each of the three unique races and also for the Severn Challenge. In addition any competitor completing the Severn Challenge in less than thirty-six hours will receive the soon to be coveted Severn Challenge jacket.

From Maesmawr B&B the route remains away from the river, going through Hollybush, Rhyd-y-felin, and finally rejoining the river Severn at Dolerw Park, passing the Gorsedd stone circle, which marks the site of Newtons Eisteddfod. Continue along the river Severn which joins the Montgomery Canal Walk, past the Pwll Penarth Nature Reserve, Welshpool, Offas Dyke Path, Breidden Hills through to Montford Bridge. Onward through Bicton entering the outskirts of Shrewsbury and finally reaching Camp-Two which is the Wingfield Arms Camping Site.

Third stage of the Severn Challenge, which can be done as a single Ultra event. Meandering through Shrewsbury the 60 mile course is mostly flat and hugs the river for much of its length, producing stunning scenery and landmarks.

This is another comparatively flat stage. Heading through; Grimley, Worcester, Upton-on-Severn and Tewkesbury. Reaching Gloucester, the river meanders, taking in Epney, Priding and Frampton-on-Severn where the path follows the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal to Manor Farm, which is Camp-Four.

This is another comparatively flat stage. The path soon reaches the river again at Purton, briefly departing at Sharpness and Newton before circumnavigating the Berkeley Power Station, then back to the river taking on Oldbury-on-Severn, Oldbury Pill and Littleton Pill.

England's longest river path from the source of the Thames in the Cotswolds, to the Thames Barrier in Greenwich, a distance of 184 miles. The challenge is to complete the entire length over a four day period. The Thames Challenge is the 'Sister' event of The Severn Challenge. Each daily Ultra - Cotswold Ultra, Oxford Ultra, Windsor Ultra, Richmond Ultra - can be done individually. 10-13 August.

First stage of the 4-day Thames Challenge, which can be done as a single one-day Ultra. 45 miles from the source of the Thames through the Cotswolds, taking in several meanders, pretty bridges and locks. Competitors of the Thames Challenge & the Cotswold Ultra, must arrive at Kemble Station for registration and equipment checks.

After a short trek from Kemble Station, along the Thames Path to the source, competitors retrace their steps back to Wysis Way then continue on The Thames Path through Neigh Bridge Country Park and on to Manor Ho.
Crossing back and forth over a couple of bridges you pass Lower Mill Nature Reserve to the right, Aston Keynes and onto Cricklade the first township of the Thames.
From Castle Eaton village the route strays from the river until Blackford Farm where it re-joins the Thames briefly before again departing over meadows until meeting again just before Lechlade.
Taking in several meanders, pretty bridges and locks, going through Shifford Lock, and Newbridge, eventually arriving at Bablock Hythe which is the conclusion of The Cotswold Ultra.

Second stage of the 4-day Thames Challenge, which can be done as a single one-day Ultra. 66 miles from the Ferryman Inn at Bablock Hythe, through Oxfordshire, much of the route following the Thames Path. Competitors of the Thames Challenge & the Cotswold Ultra, must arrive at Kemble Station for registration and equipment checks.

From the Ferryman Inn at Bablock Hythe, the path leaves the river here for a while, returning at Skinners Weir and along to Pinkhill Weir. Between Wytham Great Wood and the Thames, the path leads on to Oxfords edge, the spectacular Sandford Weir and then Culham and Cholsey.
A departure from the river bank brings us through Moulsford, but soon returns, going past Streatley and Whitchurch-on-Thames. A short deviation through the town of Purley Park, past Tilehurst, Reading, finally arriving at Hurley Caravan & Camping which is Camp-Site Two for Thames Challenge competitors, or the conclusion of The Oxford Ultra.

Third stage of the 4-day Thames Challenge, which can be done as a single one-day Ultra. This beautiful 43 mile route meanders along the Thames Path, taking in Windsor Castle, the Queen Mary Reservoir and Eton School.

Competitors for the Windsor Ultra must arrive for registration and equipment checks, between 7.00am and 7.30am on Saturday 11th August 2018. Race start for both events will be 8.00am, following a race brief. Full details of options for getting to Hurley Caravan & Camping will be provided later, but all competitors must be self-sufficient in this respect.

From Hurley Caravan & Camping continue down river to Seven Corner Alley and Marlow Lock.
At Cookham Bridge leave the river briefly, into the village and onto the open common, Cookham Moor. Returning to the river at Formosa Place and taking the river crossing at Maidenhead Bridge. Under the M4 motorway bridge and continue into the field of Dorney, Thames Field.
Several meanders more, taking in Boveney Lock, the Windsor Racecourse and the bathing places for the school boys of Eton.
Enter Brocas Meadow, with Windsor Castle in full view, over Windsor Bridge. Continue through Runnymede, Bellweir lock, Staines Bridge and the intake to the vast Queen Mary Reservoir.

Past Shepperton Lock, along Walton Lane, through Teddington continue on to Albany Canoe & Sailing Centre which is Camp-Site Three for Thames Challenge competitors, or the conclusion of The Windsor Ultra.

The Richmond Ultra starts from Albany Canoe & Sailing Centre (KT2 5SL) and is also the final race day of The Thames Challenge and will start at 8.00am, following a race brief.

Continue past Richmond Lock, Kew Palace, and then a whole host of famous bridges: Chiswick Bridge, Barnes Bridge, Hammersmith Bridge and Putney Bridges.
Wandsworth Bridge, Chelsea Harbour Pier, Battersea Bridge, Albert Bridge, Chelsea Bridge, Grosvenor Bridge, Vauxhall Bridge and Lambeth Bridge.
Westminster Bridge, Hungerford Bridge, Waterloo Bridge, Blackfriars Bridge, Millennium Bridge, Southwark Bridge, London Bridge, Tower Bridge, through to the races ultimate location The Thames Barrier.

This stage also benefits from two check-points. Water and nutritional nibbles will be available, together with energy bars and gels from our sponsors 9Bar and GU Energy.