Runaway Racing
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Race details

Next edition - 30th May 2026

An 86-mile (139km) point-to-point trail running race along the entire length of The Ridgeway National Trail.

Embark on this historic journey from Ivinghoe Beacon in Hertfordshire to the Avebury Stones in Wiltshire, following a path that has endured for over 5,000 years.

The next edition will take place on 30th May 2026 - Entries are now open.

✅ Early entry encouraged!
Sign up early to save on entry costs and withdraw anytime up to 4 weeks before the race for a 90% credit, redeemable next year or on any of our other races.

🔥 The Ridgeway Sprint
We’re putting together a half-distance race (~70km) to run alongside the main Ridgeway Challenge. More details coming your way soon!

Enter event

General Entry

£172 (£170 Affiliated)

Available until: 31/12/2025

Late Entry

£182 (£180 Affiliated)

Available until: 15/05/2026

Coming soon

There's 35 weeks until this race, enter now whilst there's plenty of time to train!

 

Key Information

Race info
Date
Saturday 30th May 2026
Start Time
10:00
Time allowed
28 hours
Distance/Elevation
86-miles (139km) / 6060ft (1850m+)
Start Location
Ivinghoe Beacon, Hertfordshire
Finish Location
Avebury, Wiltshire
Tracking
Yes - Open Tracking
Navigation
Permanent Signage + Runaway markers where needed
Max Runners
250
Minimum Age
20
UTMB Index
UTMB World Series Index Race
License
TRA License 7125.
Race held under UKA rules.

Route Map

Training hub

Looking for help getting ready for this event? Visit our training hub for help and support.

More info

Event Downloads

Last updated - March 2025 - Final route updates

Runners Guide
A downloadable PDF with all key race information.
GPX File
A raw GPX track of the route.
Route via Ordnance Survey maps
Download the route to your Garmin device
View the route on Strava
Interactive route via Google Maps
Printable Map
An PDF version of the race route

Route Description

The route follows the entire length of The Ridgeway National Trail, starting at Ivinghoe Beacon in the East and finishing at Avebury Stones in the West.

Aid stations
CP1 - Wendover
10.1 miles / 16.3km
WC
CP2 - Whiteleaf
17.3 miles / 27.9km
CP3 - Aston Rowant
25.5 miles / 41.1km
WC
CP4 - Nuffield
34 miles / 54.8km
WC
CP5 - South Stoke
41.7 miles / 67.1km
WC
CP6 - West Ilsley
52 miles / 83.7km
CP7 - Uffington
64.6 miles / 104km
CP8 - Ogbourne St George
76.4 miles / 123km
WC

Videos

Previous editions

The Ridgeway Challenge 2025

Entrants List

Please note this list does not update immediately after sign-up.

Name

Club

Comments

Rohan Archer
Harold Wood Running Club
Iandra Biavatti Luiz
Swindon Striders
Danika Castle
Fergus Chalmers
Richard Eden
Tate Eldred
Tring RC
Ryan Faulkner
PAUL FERNANDEZ
Abingdon AC
Matt Fowler-Jones
Handy Cross Runners
Jonathan Ganly
Chatteris Running Club
Craig Gibbin
Witney Road Runners
Todd Gill
Matthew Godman
Peter Harrison
Roger Heath
Marlborough Running Club
Oliver Highton
Ian Hunt
Doug Jarvis
Paul Kellett
Tring running club
Tim Knight
Rosie Lanyon
Brian Layton
Tring Running Club
Hugh Lovatt
Sue Macpherson
Trail Running Association
Andrew Miles Malleson
Edmonton Running Club
Andria Manantena
Swindon Striders
Rob McCarthy
Dave McCarthy
Hanno Nickau
Headington Roadrunners
Emily Niekoop-Bird
Burnham Joggers
Fiona Norris
Jeff Palmer
Jan Payne
100 Marathon
Stuart Pickering
Richard Pinchin
Swindon Striders
Tom Pothecary
Robert Pullin
Daniel Ramsden
MIKE RANSOM
Swindon striders
James Reeley
Peter Ricks
Swindon Striders
Jonathan Riley
Westbury Harriers
Matthew Robertson
Garden city runners
Jamie Rogers
Tom Shanks
Cheltenham and Gloucester Trail Runners
Lily Shepherd
Liz Sheppard
Slinn Allstars
Sophia Stylianou
Watford Joggers
Joseph Toman
Rob Treadwell
100 Marathon Club
Olly turner
handy cross runers
Ashley Walcott
Black Trail Runners
Lorna Walters
Bad Boy Running
Bradley Washford
Ben Wheeler
Ben Woodham

Keep scrolling for more event info

Race Navigation
Race checkpoints

Aid stations

There are eight checkpoints (see route description section for more details). All checkpoints will contain the following items.

  • Water
  • Coke
  • Precision Fuel & Hydration - PH 1000 Electrolyte Drink (pre-mixed)
  • Precision Fuel & Hydration - PF 30 Gels
  • Precision Fuel & Hydration - PF 30 Chews
  • Selection of crisps and sweets
  • Pre-made sandwiches (jam, peanut butter, cheese)
  • Selection of Fresh fruit (banana, orange, watermelon)
  • Hot food - Available at South Stoke (CP5 - 41.7 miles / 67.1km) & Ogbourne (CP8 - 76.4 miles / 123km)
  • Hot water will be available at all checkpoints from CP3 onwards.
Event base

Event base

We are extremely grateful to the National Trust for their support at both the start and finish of the trail.

The event registration and start takes place at the iconic Ivinghoe Beacon within the Ashridge Estate.

All the way at the finish, you'll be welcomed across the line at Avebury Manor.

View on Google Maps

Required Gear

Required gear

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

  • Fully charged mobile phone (switched on throughout)
  • Access to the route via GPX on your phone or watch, or via a paper map
  • Water bottles/bladder capable of carrying a minimum of 1 litre
  • Foil blanket or survival bag
  • Primary light source (min 75 lumens)
  • Back up light source (min 25 lumen)
  • Head covering (beanie or buff)
  • Basic first aid supplies (plasters/tape/bandage)
  • Re-usable soft cup
  • Waterproof jacket (must have hood & sealed seams)
  • Item of warm clothing (long sleeved base layer or fleece)
  • Basic first aid supplies (plasters/tape/bandage)
  • Cash or bank card

Entry details

Registration starts at £172 (or £170 to affiliated runners). Prices will increase at various intervals as we get closer to the race. Runners must be 20 or over to enter.

  • Entry to race
  • Event permitted by the TRA/UKA
  • Huge finishers medal
  • Chip timing with live results
  • GPS Tracking
  • Medical support
  • Marked/marshalled route
  • Drop bag at at CP5 and finish
  • Event photos

Entry details

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
Precision Fuel & Hydration
Ugoku Projects
UTMB World Series
Trail Running Association

Our trail running races

Wild Run Cotswolds 28th Sep 25
North Chilterns 50K 12th Oct 25
Chiltern Ridge Winter 50K 1st Nov 25
Chiltern Hills Invitational 30th Nov 25
Chiltern Ridge Classic 50K 18th Apr 26
Chiltern Hills 100K 9th May 26
The Ridgeway Challenge 30th May 26
Dunstable Downs Half Marathon 21st Jun 26
Chiltern Ridge Half Marathon 5th Jul 26
Race The Light at Wendover Woods 18th Jul 26
Suffolk Coastal Path 50K 12th Sep 26