Runaway Racing

Race details

Next edition - 27th April 2024

An iconic ultra in the Chilterns, traversing the stunning ridgeline trails between Ivinghoe Beacon and Whiteleaf Hill.

Starting from Berkhamsted Castle our new route takes runners to Ashridge, Ivinghoe Beacon, Coombe Hill and Whiteleaf, showcasing some of the best trails and viewpoints in the Chiltern Hills.

Come join us for the sixth edition of this brilliant race.

Enter event

50K Ultra Trail

£68/£66 (UKA Affiliated)

 

Key Information

Date
Saturday 27th April 2024
Start Time
09:00
Distance / Elevation
50.4K / 996m+
Start/Finish
Berkhamsted Castle to Hamdpden Meadow, Wendover
Coach Transfer to start
Yes - Book during sign-up
Max Runners
250
Time Limit
9 hours
Navigation
Marked - Arrows + ribbons
Terrain
Trail
UTMB Index
UTMB World Series Index Race
Price
£68/£66 (UKA affiliated)
Minimum Age
20
License
TRA Permit Pending.
Race held under UKA rules.

Image Highlights

Image highlights from the Chiltern Ridge Ultra 50K Image highlights from the Chiltern Ridge Ultra 50K Image highlights from the Chiltern Ridge Ultra 50K Image highlights from the Chiltern Ridge Ultra 50K Image highlights from the Chiltern Ridge Ultra 50K Image highlights from the Chiltern Ridge Ultra 50K Image highlights from the Chiltern Ridge Ultra 50K Image highlights from the Chiltern Ridge Ultra 50K Image highlights from the Chiltern Ridge Ultra 50K Image highlights from the Chiltern Ridge Ultra 50K Image highlights from the Chiltern Ridge Ultra 50K Image highlights from the Chiltern Ridge Ultra 50K

Event Downloads

Last updated - 14th Sept - New Route

GPX File
A raw GPX track of the route.
OS Maps
Route trace via Ordnance survey maps, subscription required to view OS map layer.
Garmin
Route via Garmin Connect.
Google Maps
Interactive route viewable using the Google Maps app
Printable Map
An A4 map of the route to print at home.
Info document
A downloadable PDF with all key race information.

Route Description

The race starts from the historical grounds of Berkhamsted Castle and finishes within Hampden Meadow in Wendover.

The Ridgeway National Trail traverses these two locations and runners join the trail from Ivinghoe Beacon, having completed an enjoyable undulating first 10K through the Ashridge Estate (National Trust).

The trail from Ivinghoe to Aldbury is arguably the best 5K of the entire Ridgeway (135K long!) and will treat runners to some brilliant views.

As the route heads towards Wendover there are many ancient woodlands and rolling hills to tackle.

After a pit-stop in Wendover the route continues up Coombe Hill and along Whiteleaf Hill and looping back to complete the 50K distance.

Pistone Hill Car Park
15.1KM
WC
Runaway HQ, Wendover
28.9KM
WC
The Plough
42.8KM
WC

Videos

A route preview and race briefing video will appear here closer to the event.

Video coming soon

Route Map

Previous editions

Chiltern Ridge Ultra Trail 2023
Chiltern Ridge Ultra Trail 2022
Chiltern Ridge Ultra Trail 2021
Chiltern Ridge Ultra Trail 2020
Chiltern Ridge Ultra Trail 2019

Entrants List

The entrant list updates once every 24 hours.

Name

Club

Charlie Ashe
none
Claire Backhouse
Lonely Goat
Harry Bishop
Aloha Tri
Simon Blanchflower
none
Sinead Bradbeer
none
Rupert Bulgin
Witham Running Club
Molly Burlingham
St Albans Striders
Alex Chan
Redway runner
James Collet
Lonely Goat
Jac Currie
Tring Running Club
Anne-Marie Delrosa
Cotswold Allrunners
William Etchell
none
Mark EVANS
none
Jonathan Foan
Garden City Runners
Joe Forrest
none
David French
none
Thomas Gilthorpe
none
Karl Guest
none
Alexander Hamlet
none
Tom Harper
none
Luke Harwood
none
Katherine Hesketh
St Neots Riverside Runners
Karl Hicks
none
philip hine
none
Ben Hobbs
none
Paul Holmes
Silson AC
Michael Hopton
none
David Jenkins
Orpington Road Runners
Mary Jones
Olney Runners
Andrew Jones
Olney Runners
Harri Kane
none
Stephen Lamb
none
Robert Manning Smith
none
Scott Maynard
none
Sarah McAuliffe
Olney Runners
Mark McCormick
none
Frazer Merrick
none
Jackie Morse
By Vyken Race Team
Thomas O'Reilly
none
Jonathan Page
Stocksbridge Running Club
John Parsons
none
Charlotte Phillipson
none
James Pollock
none
Emlyn Rees
none
Lynn Roberts
none
Thomas Robson
none
Craig Rose
none
Sam Rowe
Bys Vyken Race Team
Anne Schumann
none
Ed Scott
Crystal Palace Fun Runners
Andrew Scott
none
Mark Singer
none
Tom Sugden
none
Jonathan Tripp
Lonely Goat RC
Andrew Van Eeden
none
Anna Van Eeden
none
Chris Williamson
none
terri wood
none
Paul Wright
none
Stuart Yeates
none
Oleksandr Zhurakovskyi
none

Keep scrolling for more event info

Race Navigation
Race checkpoints

Aid stations

There are three checkpoints on the route, details of the locations will be confirmed soon.

  • Water
  • Coke
  • Mountain fuel electrolyte drink (pre-mixed, raw flavour)
  • Mountain fuel energy gels (lime or orange)
  • Selection of crisps and sweets
  • Tribe energy bars
  • Fresh fruit (banana, orange)
Event base

Event base

Our new event finish will be hosted at Hampton Meadow in Wendover.

Hot drinks, food and local beer will be available.

We recommend runners park at Wendover Train Station and take the coach transfer to the start (20 min).

View on Google Maps

Required Gear

Required gear

All runners will be required to carry the following items for the entirety of the run:

  • Mobile phone (emergency number saved)
  • Route map on watch/phone or paper map (provided)
  • Windproof or light jacket
  • Refillable water/hydration system (0.5L min)
  • Cash or bank card

Entry details

Registration is £68 (or £66 to UKA affiliated runners), runners must be aged 20 years or older.

  • Entry to the 50KM race
  • Event permitted by the TRA
  • Finishers medal
  • Chip timing with live results
  • Three on-route aid stations
  • Course wide medical support
  • Free on-route photos

Tehnical race t-shirts will be available to purchase during registration and on the event day.

Entry details

Event FAQs

We've answered some common questions below. Please contact us if you have any further queries.

How difficult is this race?

The Chiltern Ridge 50K is considered to be a challenging run on undulating/hilly terrain. That being said, during previous editions of the race we have seen many runners complete this as their first ultra, well within the cutoff time.

Overall drop-out rates are very low and providing you adopt an intelligent strategy, such as a walk/run approach, we are confident all runners can complete this course within the 9-hour cutoff time.

Do I need to qualifiy?

No, there are no qualifiying standards required to enter this race.

I'm worried about getting lost?

Our route will be marked throughout with orange signage/ribbons, along with marshals at several key points. Course checkers will be out during the race ensuring that signage remains in place.

We ask runners to make sure they have access to the route via a phone or watch, to act as a backup in an emergency.

What are the cut-off times for this race?

There is an overall 9-hour time limit for this race. Anyone running significantly behind this time at each checkpoints will be monitored and maybe advised to stop for safety reasons.

Where can toilets be found at this event?

There will be temporary toilets at the event base. The majority of these will be unisex, however we will have some female-only portaloos that have sanitary products available.

Are there changing facilities available?

Yes, there will be pop-up changing tents at the finish base for runners to use.

How can I attend this event without a car?

Berkhamsted and Wendover both have train stations very close to the event start and finish locations.

What footwear should I wear at this race?

Please wear trail running shoes for this race. You will encounter varried terrain along the route that will become slippery/muddy in wet weather conditions.

What prizes are awarded at this event?

There are awards for the top three male and female finishers overall, along with age category awards for FV40, MV40, FV50, MV50, FV60, MV60, FV70, MV70.

How do I follow the route using my phone or watch?

Most GPS watches allow you to upload a GPX file of the route for you to follow whilst running. Typically this is done via by loading the GPX file into the app (i.e Garmin Connect), and then syncing your phone/watch together.

If you don't have a GPS watch we would recommend using OS Maps (£20/year) or Strava Premium (£48/year).

Withdrawal options

By entering our race, you agree to the following withdrawal policy. This policy applies to all runners with the exception of women of cannot compete due to pregnancy.

Withdrawal date
Credits issued
More than 4 weeks before race day
90%

Credits can be used on future race entries, any time during the following 2 years.

Withdrawal requests must be completed online via our manage booking functionality.

Manage Booking
Event withdrawal

It was so well organised both in the weeks building up to it and on the day, and the course was so well marked you couldn’t possibly go wrong out there.

Darren

Chiltern Ridge 50km, 2021

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

Event partners

National Trust
The Ridgeway National Trail
English Heritage
UTMB World Series
She Races
Ugoku Projects
Chiltern Society
Runaway Racing Trig Point Illustration

Our trail running races

Chiltern Hills Invitational 9.75km -10th December 2023
Tewinbury 10K 10km -7th April 2024
Hughenden Trail 10K 10K -13th April 2024
Chiltern Ridge Ultra 50K 50km -27th April 2024
Greensand Country 50K 50km -26th May 2024
Chiltern Ridge Half Marathon 21.2km -16th June 2024
Dunstable Downs Half Marathon 21.2km -14th July 2024
Suffolk Coastal Path 50K 50km -14th September 2024
North Chilterns 50K 50km -13th October 2024
Chiltern Hills 100K 100K -5th April 2025

Past results & photos

Not sure which race to choose, check out our past event results and photos.

Results & photos