Start
Putteridge Bury
Google Maps
- Start time
- 08:15
- Distance
- 50.3km
- Time limit
- 9 hours
Bib collection: Race morning, 06:45–07:45
North Chilterns 50K
Race details
Next edition - 21st November 2026
Experience the stunning North Chiltern trails, with flowing ridgeline running and views that stretch for miles.
The 5th edition will take place on Saturday, 21st November 2026.
This is a delightful route to run, with several stunning viewpoints including Warden Hill and Barton & Pegsdon Hills.
Waiting list closedThe waiting list has now reached capacity. We will be in touch with all on the waiting list over the next two weeks to let you know if we can offer you an entry.
Enter event
Standard Entry
£75 (£73 UKA Affiliated)
Race full
Race Full
Key Information
Race info
Date
Sat 21st November 2026
Start Time
08:15
Start/finish
Putteridge Bury, LU2 8LE
Distance / Elevation
50.3km / 725m+
Max Runners
250
Time Limit
9 hours
Navigation
Fully Marked
Terrain
Trail
UTMB Index
Minimum Age
20
Dogs permitted
No
Licence
Licensed by the Trail Running Association (#8216). Race held under UKA rules.
Male Course Record
Mike Van Der Merwe
03:36:45 (2024)
03:36:45 (2024)
Female Course Record
Zoe Smith
04:13:45 (2025)
04:13:45 (2025)
Route Map
Explore the route and elevation profile below, or download the route for your watch, OS Maps, Garmin and more.
Route Description
From our event base at Putteridge Bury, runners follow the Chiltern Way towards Lilley and out to Warden and Barton Hills, arriving at the first checkpoint at 14.5km.
After leaving CP1, the route traverses flatter land to the village of Pirton, a fast section with great views of the hills you'll be climbing later. Pirton provides you more fuel with the 2nd checkpoint here, 23.6km complete.
Out of CP2 a trip up Pegsdon Hill awaits, which will feature the toughest climb of the day, and also the best views.
Then it's onwards to the village of Offley, initially passing through at 35km for your first stop at the village hall checkpoint. You must then complete an undulating loop that brings you back to the hall for one last refuel before powering onto the finish back where you started.
Overall the terrain keeps the running varied and doesn't ever feel like your doing too much of one thing. The route changes for 2026 provide a much more natural loop, and with fewer fast road crossing to navigate - We think you will enjoy it!
Image Highlights
Videos
Event Downloads
Last updated - October 8th - Runner's guide uploaded
RR Live app
On race day, use the RR Live app to view your location on the route, and contact the race organisers.
Checkpoints
Where each checkpoint is, how far into the route, and what to expect when you get there.
-
Start
-
14.5km
CP1 - St Nicolas Church, Barton 14.5km · Cut-off 10:50
St Nicolas Church, Barton
- Into route
- 14.5km
- To next CP
- 9.1km
- To finish
- 35.8km
- First runner
- 09:20
- Cut-off
- 10:50
- Toilet
- Yes
Crew & spectators: No – park in Barton and see your runner before or after the checkpoint
-
23.6km
CP2 - Pirton Village Hall 23.6km · Cut-off 12:30
Pirton Village Hall
- Into route
- 23.6km
- To next CP
- 11.4km
- To finish
- 26.7km
- First runner
- 10:00
- Cut-off
- 12:30
- Toilet
- Yes
Crew & spectators: No – park in Pirton and see your runner before or after the checkpoint
-
35km
CP3 - Offley Village Hall 35km · Cut-off 14:30
Offley Village Hall
- Into route
- 35km
- To next CP
- 8.4km
- To finish
- 15.3km
- First runner
- 10:50
- Cut-off
- 14:30
- Toilet
- Yes
Crew & spectators: No – park in Offley and see your runner before or after the checkpoint
-
43.4km
CP4 - Offley Village Hall 43.4km · Cut-off 16:00
Offley Village Hall
- Into route
- 43.4km
- To next CP
- n/a
- To finish
- 6.9km
- First runner
- 11:30
- Cut-off
- 16:00
- Toilet
- Yes
Crew & spectators: No – park in Offley and see your runner before or after the checkpoint
You pass through Offley twice, at 35km and 43.4km.
-
Finish
Finish Putteridge Bury Google Maps
- Distance
- 50.3km
- Time limit
- 9 hours
- Course closes
- 17:15
What's at each checkpoint
There are four aid stations along the route. These will contain (at a minimum) the following items:
Drinks
- Water
- Coke
- Precision Fuel & Hydration - PH 1000 Electrolyte Drink (pre-mixed)
Fuel
- Precision Fuel & Hydration - PF 30 Gels
- Precision Fuel & Hydration - PF 30 Chews
- Selection of crisps and sweets
- Selection of Fresh fruit (banana, orange, watermelon)
Crewing & Supporters
Crewing locations are very limited outside of the main villages that we use for checkpoints. Crew and supporters are permitted to park within the villages of Barton, Pirton and Offley. Please do not come to the official checkpoints, as they are small and not suitable for spectators. Instead, meet your runner before or after the CP location.
Crewing rules
Crewing means giving your runner assistance along the route, such as food, drink or a change of clothing. Crew are not allowed to run alongside their runner, and the runner must carry the mandatory kit at all times.
- Crewing is only permitted at the official crew locations listed below.
- Crewing is not permitted at official checkpoints.
- Crew must not run alongside their runner at any point.
- Runners must carry the mandatory kit at all times, even when meeting their crew.
Permitted crewing locations (3)
| Distance | Crew location | Crewing | Map |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14.5km | Barton-le-Clay Park within the village and meet your runner before or after CP1 at St Nicolas Church. Please do not come to the checkpoint itself. Google Maps | Crewing permittedCrewing permitted | Map |
| 23.6km | Pirton Park within the village and meet your runner before or after CP2 at Pirton Village Hall. Please do not come to the checkpoint itself. Google Maps | Crewing permittedCrewing permitted | Map |
| 35km & 43.4km | Offley Runners pass through Offley twice, at CP3 and CP4. Park within the village and meet your runner before or after Offley Village Hall. Please do not come to the checkpoint itself. Google Maps | Crewing permittedCrewing permitted | Map |
Plan where to meet your runner using the full route on Google Maps.
View full routeOfficial checkpoint rules (4)
| Distance | Checkpoint | Crewing |
|---|---|---|
| 14.5km | CP1 - St Nicolas Church, Barton Small checkpoint, not suitable for spectators. Meet your runner in Barton before or after the CP. | No crewingNo crewing or supporting |
| 23.6km | CP2 - Pirton Village Hall Small checkpoint, not suitable for spectators. Meet your runner in Pirton before or after the CP. | No crewingNo crewing or supporting |
| 35km | CP3 - Offley Village Hall Small checkpoint, not suitable for spectators. Meet your runner in Offley before or after the CP. | No crewingNo crewing or supporting |
| 43.4km | CP4 - Offley Village Hall Second visit to Offley. Meet your runner in the village before or after the CP. | No crewingNo crewing or supporting |
Support at the start & finish
Supporters are welcome at Putteridge Bury to see runners start and finish. Free parking is available in the main car park, and there are toilets and a café close to the finish line. The best place to watch runners finish is from the lawn beside the finish arch.
Food & drink: Coffee/hot drinks are available pre-race. Post race we will have Wesley's Artisan Pizza serving all afternoon.
Event base
Our event base is held at the beautiful Putteridge Bury Country House.
There will be indoor facilities for registration and toilets. Coffee and other hot drinks will be available.
Our start/finish area will be situated at the back of the property, with direct access to trails.
Mandatory Kit
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
- Waterproof jacket
- Headtorch
- Refillable water/hydration system (0.5L min)
- Cash or bank card
- Warm hat & gloves
- Foil Blanket
Entry details
Entry is open to all runners aged 20 years or older, there are no qualifying requirements. Your entry includes:
- Entry to the 50km race
- Event permitted by the TRA
- Finishers medal
- Chip timing with live results
- Three on-route aid station
- Course wide medical support
- Bag drop
- Free onsite parking
Event FAQs
We've answered some common questions below. Please contact us if you have any further queries.
How difficult is this race?
Our North Chilterns event is undulating throughout, with a few sharper hill climbs scattered throughout. The route is similar to our Chiltern Ridge 50K, however due to the late autumn date it is likely the ground conditions may be softer and more challenging.
Do I need to qualify?
No, there are no qualifying 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. You must leave each checkpoint by the following times to continue: CP1 Barton (14.5km) 10:50, CP2 Pirton (23.6km) 12:30, CP3 Offley (35km) 14:30 and CP4 Offley (43.4km) 16:00.
Where can toilets be found at this event?
There will be fixed separate male & female toilets at the event base. Toilets will also be available at all four of our checkpoints.
How can I attend this event without a car?
Luton is the closest train station to our event base. From the station it is a 10/15-min taxi journey.
What footwear should I wear at this race?
Please wear trail running shoes for this race. The trails are generally non-technical, but there will be plenty of mud around at this time of the year.
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 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).
When and where is registration?
Registration takes place indoors at Putteridge Bury on race morning, from 06:45 to 07:45. There is a short walk from the event base to the start line.
Where can I park?
Free parking is available on site at Putteridge Bury, with a hardstanding car park and an overflow area on grass. The entrance is on the A505 Hitchin Road (there is no access via Putteridge Road). Please car share where possible.
Is there a bag drop?
Yes, there is an indoor area to keep bags and jackets while you are running. Please do not leave valuables unattended.
How many checkpoints are there?
There are four checkpoints: St Nicolas Church in Barton (14.5km), Pirton Village Hall (23.6km) and Offley Village Hall, which you pass through twice (35km and 43.4km).
Checkpoints stock water, Coke, Precision Fuel & Hydration electrolyte drink, gels and chews, flapjacks, fruit, crisps and sweets, with sandwiches from CP2 onwards. This is a cupless race, so please bring a soft cup or bottle if you would like to take on fluids at the aid stations.
What mandatory kit do I need?
Please see the full list in the kit section above.
Are pacers or dogs allowed?
No
Can friends and family support me during the race?
Yes, crewing and spectating are permitted along the route, but not at the official checkpoints, which have extremely limited parking. You're welcome to park in the villages near each checkpoint (Barton, Pirton and Offley) and see your runner before or after they pass through. Please park legally and respectfully.
Is there food at the finish?
Yes, coffee and hot drinks are available at the event base, and Wesley's Artisan Pizza will be serving at the finish line from 1pm.
Is this a UTMB Index race?
Yes, this is a UTMB World Series Index race in the 50K category. The race is also licensed by the Trail Running Association and held under UKA rules.
What are the course records?
The men's course record is 03:36:45, set by Mike Van Der Merwe in 2024. The women's course record is 04:13:45, set by Zoe Smith in 2025.
Where can I find results and photos?
Live results are available immediately after the race on our website, and a selection of race photos will be available to download for free 24-48 hours after the event.
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 are only redeemable once, and can be used on future race entries, any time during the following 12 months.
Withdrawal requests must be completed online via our manage booking functionality.
Manage Booking
I had an absolutely amazing time. Everyone was friendly and helpful and the route was well marked!
Clare
North Chilterns 50K, 2023
Thank you so much to you and the teams of marshals / check-point volunteers. It was my first ultra and I thoroughly enjoyed it. You created a supportive and engaging atmosphere among runners and organisers alike.
Mike
North Chilterns 50K, 2023
