Chilterns Trail Races
From evening time trials to the 139km Ridgeway Challenge, all our Chilterns races take in the best trails, ridgelines and woodland in the Chiltern Hills.
Our home trails
The Chiltern Hills are our home. Every year we put on races here at every distance, from evening time trials to a non-stop 139km along the Ridgeway, on chalk ridgelines, through beech woods and over some of the best viewpoints in south-east England.
Ultra marathons in the Chilterns
- The Chiltern Ridge Classic 50K runs point to point from Berkhamsted Castle to Wendover, via Ashridge, Ivinghoe Beacon, Coombe Hill and Whiteleaf.
- The Chiltern Ridge Winter 50K is a single loop from Berkhamsted, held in the autumn.
- The North Chilterns 50K explores the quieter northern end of the Chilterns, including Warden Hill and the Barton and Pegsdon Hills.
- The Chiltern Hills 100K is a single loop from Chesham covering the best of the Chilterns in a day.
- The Ridgeway Chase (60km) and The Ridgeway Challenge (139km) both start at Ivinghoe Beacon and follow the Ridgeway National Trail west.
Half marathons, 10Ks and shorter races
- The Chiltern Ridge Half Marathon runs from Wendover along the Ridgeway to Whiteleaf Hill, with over 500m of climbing.
- The Dunstable Downs Half Marathon is set on the National Trust's Dunstable Downs estate, with sweeping ridge views, fast descents and tough climbs.
- Race The Light is a summer evening 5K and 10K at Wendover Woods.
- The Runaway Racing Invitational 10K is our end-of-season 10K trail championship at Wendover Woods, open to runners who finish in the top 20% at our races during the year.
- The Autumn Time Trial Series is three evening trail time trials of around 8km.
Our Chilterns races
Median times and finish rates are from the most recent edition of each race. Click a race for the full route, checkpoints and entry details.
| Race | Next date | Distance | Climb | Time limit | Median time | Finish rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chiltern Ridge Winter 50K | Sat 31 Oct 2026 | 50km | 800m+ | 9 hours | 6:12:56 | 97% |
| North Chilterns 50K | Sat 21 Nov 2026 | 50km | 798m+ | 9 hours | 5:49:30 | 99% |
| Autumn Time Trial Series | 23 Sept, 21 Oct, 25 Nov | ~8km | ~150m | – | – | – |
| Runaway Racing Invitational 10K | Sun 6 Dec 2026 | 10km | 295m+ | – | – | – |
| Chiltern Ridge Classic 50K | Sat 17 Apr 2027 | 50km | 980m+ | 9 hours | 6:11:36 | 97% |
| The Ridgeway Chase | Sat 29 May 2027 | 60k | 1000m+ | 10.5 hours | 8:03:42 | 83% |
| The Ridgeway Challenge | Sat 29 May 2027 | 86-miles / 139km | 1800m+ | 28 hours | 23:40:49 | 70% |
| Dunstable Downs Half Marathon | Sun 20 Jun 2027 | 21.2km | 450m+ | 4 hours | 2:30:48 | 97% |
| Chiltern Ridge Half Marathon | Sun 4 Jul 2027 | 21.2km | 526m+ | 4 hours | 2:26:48 | 99% |
| Race The Light at Wendover Woods | Fri 16 Jul 2027 | 5K & 10k | 180m+ | – | – | – |
| Chiltern Hills 100K | Sat 2 Oct 2027 | 100k | 1800m+ | 19 hours | 13:54:46 | 87% |
Chiltern Ridge Winter 50K
Experience the autumn/winter edition of our classic Chiltern Ridge race, following a scenic single-loop 50K course starting and finishing in Berkhamsted.
North Chilterns 50K
Experience the stunning North Chiltern trails, with flowing ridgeline running and views that stretch for miles.
Autumn Time Trial Series
Three friendly evening time trials through the Chilterns during autumn 2026.
Runaway Racing Invitational 10K
Our end of season 10K trail running championship event at Wendover Woods.
Chiltern Ridge Classic 50K
An iconic 50K ultra marathon in the Chiltern Hills, traversing the stunning ridgeline trails between Ivinghoe Beacon & Whiteleaf.
The Ridgeway Chase
The Ridgeway Chase is a 60km point-to-point ultramarathon following the historic Ridgeway National Trail.
The Ridgeway Challenge
An 86-mile (139km) point-to-point trail running race along the entire length of The Ridgeway National Trail.
Dunstable Downs Half Marathon
Take on a scenic trail half marathon set in the heart of the National Trust’s Dunstable Downs estate.
Chiltern Ridge Half Marathon
An epic half marathon along The Ridgeway National Trail between Wendover & Princes Risborough in Buckinghamshire.
Race The Light at Wendover Woods
Join us for an evening of trail running at Wendover Woods, raising funds for the amazing Chilterns Neuro Centre charity.
Chiltern Hills 100K
A 100K ultra marathon along the best and most loved trails within the Chiltern Hills.
Frequently asked questions
Where are the best places to trail run in the Chilterns?
Some of the best-known trail running spots in the Chilterns are Ivinghoe Beacon, the Ashridge Estate, Coombe Hill, Wendover Woods, Whiteleaf Hill, Bledlow Ridge, Dunstable Downs and the Barton and Pegsdon Hills. The Ridgeway National Trail links many of them, and our races use all of these places.
Are the Chilterns hilly?
Yes. The Chilterns are chalk hills with short, steep climbs rather than long mountain ascents. Our Chiltern Ridge Half Marathon has over 500m of climbing in 21km, and the Chiltern Hills 100K has around 1,800m.
What are the trails like?
Expect a mix of chalk and flint paths, beech woodland, grassy downland and farm tracks. After rain the chalk can be slippery and the woods muddy, so trail shoes with good grip are recommended for every race, especially in autumn and winter.
Which Chilterns race is best for beginners?
For a first trail race, try Race The Light (5K or 10K at Wendover Woods) or our evening Autumn Time Trial Series. For a first ultra, the Chiltern Ridge Classic 50K and Winter 50K both have a 9-hour time limit and a finish rate of over 96%.
Can I get to the races by train?
Many of our Chilterns races start close to a train station with direct services from London, including Berkhamsted, Wendover and Chesham. See our guide to ultra marathons near London for details.
Explore more races
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50K ultra marathons
Four trail 50Ks with 9-hour time limits. The perfect first ultra.
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100K ultra marathons
The Chiltern Hills 100K and the 139km Ridgeway Challenge.
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Half marathons
Hilly trail half marathons in the Chiltern Hills.
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5 & 10K trail races
Short, fast trail races, great for first-time trail runners.
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Loved this! Course was beautiful and very well signposted. Friendly and really helpful marshals. Aid stations well stocked. Very well organised- would definitely do again.
Dee
Chiltern Ridge 50km, 2023
Brilliant event, very hilly at the end, but a really great course and exceptionally well marshalled - can't wait to sign up next year.
Lisa
Dunstable Downs Half, 2023
Keep up with the pace
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