Ultra Running

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.

The Midnight Express follows the same 45 mile route as the Green Man Ultra only in reverse (clockwise).

As this race is mainly in the dark, it is mandatory for each competitor to carry a route-loaded GPS device. A GPX file will be made available to competitors prior to the race to take into account the actual race route including last minute diversions that we are aware of. It is also a requirement for each competitor to understand how to obtain their location grid reference from their GPS device in case of an emergency.

The Buff Joust 24hr is a medieval themed 24hr off road race suitable for teams and solo BUFF logo+ TOMH horizontal for Sports line CMYKrunners. Camping is situated around the race start location at Top Barn Camp Site on the 1st /2nd September 2018. The race will be run over a circa 4.95 mile loop following parts of the Severn Way along the river until Grimley then returning back to the camp site through a mixture of fields, footpaths and very quiet lanes. The course is well marked and marshalled, easily navigable and relatively flat.

Well, the route goes through the village of Hallow so this race series just had to happen! The Halloween race is a 7 in 7 challenge - compete in 7 consecutive marathons in 7 days. The route is a two loop course starting from Little Bowbrook, Hartlebury; the terrain is mainly tarmac, generally on footpath, and flat. All the races are open for single day entry and you can further choose between three distances - marathon, half marathon or 10k. 30 October - 5 November.