Start
Ivinghoe Beacon Car Park
Google Maps
- Start time
- 10:00
- Distance
- 86-miles / 139km
- Time limit
- 28 hours
Bib collection: Open on race morning from 8am
The Ridgeway Challenge
Race details
Next edition - 29th May 2027
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.
Enter event
Ridgeway Challenge
£162 (£160 UKA affiliated)
Entries open on 11/07/2026
Price tiers
£162/£160
First 50 entries
▶ Active
£177/£170
Entries 51-99
£182/£180
Entries 100+
Enter now and save
£20
vs the final price
Same day, different distance
Fancy a shorter day? The Ridgeway Chase covers the first 60km of the same route, from Ivinghoe Beacon to Wallingford, on the same day. View The Ridgeway Chase
- Coach Transfer - Pre-race coach transfers will be available to book from January 2027 onwards.
Key Information
Race info
Date
Saturday, 29th May 2027
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
Fully marked for first 60K and where permanent signage is poor thereafter.
Max Runners
150
Minimum Age
20
UTMB Index
Licence
Licensed by the Trail Running Association. Race held under UKA rules.
Male Course Record
Dan Lawson
12:07:00 (2015)
12:07:00 (2015)
Female Course Record
Sarah Burns-Morwood
14:00:00 (2018)
14:00:00 (2018)
Route Map
Explore the route and elevation profile below, or download the route for your watch, OS Maps, Garmin and more.
Route Description
The route follows the entire length of The Ridgeway National Trail, Britain's oldest road, starting at Ivinghoe Beacon in the east and finishing among the Avebury Stones in the west. Over 86 miles (139km) the trail changes character completely, from the wooded ridges of the Chiltern Hills to the wide, open chalk downs of Wiltshire.
Ivinghoe Beacon to Wendover (17.6km). From the start on top of the Beacon, the trail drops off the chalk escarpment and along Pitstone Hill, with big views across the Vale of Aylesbury, before heading through the woods above Tring and down into Wendover for CP1.
Wendover to Aston Rowant (41.1km). A short climb takes you onto Coombe Hill, one of the best viewpoints in the Chilterns, before the trail skirts the Chequers estate and rises to Whiteleaf Hill (CP2). From here the route runs along the foot of the escarpment, past Chinnor Hill, to Aston Rowant (CP3).
Aston Rowant to South Stoke (67.1km). The trail follows the ancient Icknield Way below the hills before climbing through beech woods to Nuffield (CP4). An arrow-straight section along Grim's Ditch, an Iron Age earthwork, leads down to the River Thames, which you follow to South Stoke (CP5).
South Stoke to West Ilsley (85km). After crossing the Thames at Goring and Streatley, the race leaves the Chilterns behind. The trail climbs onto the North Wessex Downs, where it becomes a broad, open chalk track with huge skies and very little shelter. Most runners reach this section in the evening, and many will run on into the night.
West Ilsley to Ogbourne St George (124km). This is the historic heart of the Ridgeway, passing the Uffington White Horse and Uffington Castle (CP7), then the Neolithic long barrow of Wayland's Smithy and the hillfort at Liddington Castle, before dropping down to Ogbourne St George for the final checkpoint.
Ogbourne St George to Avebury (139km). The last leg climbs past Barbury Castle and over Hackpen Hill. Before the trail's official end at Overton Hill, the race turns off the Ridgeway and heads down into Avebury, finishing beside its famous stone circle.
Image Highlights
Event Downloads
Last updated - May 2026
RR Live app
On race day, use the RR Live app to view your location on the route, and contact the race organisers.
Runner's Guide
A downloadable PDF with all key race information.
Checkpoints
Where each checkpoint is, how far into the route, and what to expect when you get there.
-
Start
-
17.6km
CP1 - Wendover Church 17.6km · Cut-off Saturday 13:30
St Mary's Church, Wendover Google Maps ///pizza.submit.tomato
- Into route
- 17.6km
- To next CP
- 10.3km
- To finish
- 121.4km
- First runner
- 11:30
- Cut-off
- Saturday 13:30
- Toilet
- Yes
Crew & spectators: No – please use Witchell Pavilion playing field, a few hundred metres further on
-
27.9km
CP2 - Whiteleaf 27.9km · Cut-off Saturday 15:30
Whiteleaf Cross Car Park Google Maps ///denoting.gulped.small
- Into route
- 27.9km
- To next CP
- 13.2km
- To finish
- 111km
- First runner
- 12:20
- Cut-off
- Saturday 15:30
- Toilet
- No
Crew & spectators: Yes – small car park on site (height restricted)
-
41.1km
CP3 - Aston Rowant 41.1km · Cut-off Saturday 18:15
Aston Rowant Estate Office Google Maps ///rocket.outwards.roof
- Into route
- 41.1km
- To next CP
- 13.7km
- To finish
- 98km
- First runner
- 13:30
- Cut-off
- Saturday 18:15
- Toilet
- Yes
Crew & spectators: No crew allowed at this location
-
54.8km
CP4 - Nuffield 54.8km · Cut-off Saturday 21:00
Nuffield Church, RG9 5SN Google Maps ///yelled.factories.margin
- Into route
- 54.8km
- To next CP
- 12.3km
- To finish
- 84km
- First runner
- 14:45
- Cut-off
- Saturday 21:00
- Toilet
- Yes
Crew & spectators: No crew allowed at this location
-
67.1km
CP5 - South Stoke 67.1km · Cut-off Saturday 23:30
South Stoke Village Hall, RG8 0JT Google Maps ///skylights.punctured.expressed
- Into route
- 67.1km
- To next CP
- 17.9km
- To finish
- 72km
- First runner
- 15:50
- Cut-off
- Saturday 23:30
- Toilet
- Yes
Crew & spectators: No crew allowed at this location
Youe drop bag will be available here
-
85km
CP6 - West Ilsley Village Hall 85km · Cut-off Sunday 03:00
West Ilsley Village Hall Google Maps ///sunroof.divisible.defeated
- Into route
- 85km
- To next CP
- 21km
- To finish
- 54km
- First runner
- 17:20
- Cut-off
- Sunday 03:00
- Toilet
- Yes
Crew & spectators: No crew allowed at this location
-
106km
CP7 - Uffington 106km · Cut-off Sunday 07:15
Directly on the trail, next to Uffington White Horse car park Google Maps ///glimmers.snowboard.envisage
- Into route
- 106km
- To next CP
- 18km
- To finish
- 33km
- First runner
- 19:10
- Cut-off
- Sunday 07:15
- Toilet
- Yes
Crew & spectators: Yes - Crew should park within the National Trust car Park and walk down to the checkpoint
-
124km
CP8 - Ogbourne St George 124km · Cut-off Sunday 10:45
Ogbourne Village Hall Google Maps ///warns.worth.spring
- Into route
- 124km
- To next CP
- n/a
- To finish
- 15km
- First runner
- 22:00
- Cut-off
- Sunday 10:45
- Toilet
- Yes
Crew & spectators: No
-
Finish
Finish The Clubhouse, Avebury Google Maps
- Distance
- 86-miles / 139km
- Time limit
- 28 hours
- Course closes
- Sunday 14:00
What's at each checkpoint
There are eight checkpoints along the race route. All checkpoints will contain the following items + much more
Drinks
- Water
- Coke
- Precision Fuel & Hydration - PH 1000 Electrolyte Drink (pre-mixed)
- Hot water will be available at all checkpoints at CP3, CP5, CP6, CP7 & CP8.
Fuel
- 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 CP5, CP6 & CP8.
Event base
We are extremely grateful to the National Trust for their support at both the start
The event registration and start takes place at the iconic Ivinghoe Beacon within the Ashridge Estate.
The finish of the race is situated at The Clubhouse in Avebury, thank you to Giles and his team for their support of the event.
Mandatory Kit
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 or spare battery for primary
- Head covering (hat or buff)
- Basic first aid supplies (plasters/tape/bandage)
- Re-usable soft cup (non-collapsible if using for hot drinks)
- Update - Waterproof jacket (must have hood) OR a spare item of warm clothing
- Supply of nutrition
- Cash or bank card
Entry details
Registration starts at £162 (or £160 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
- GPS Tracking
- Medical support
- Drop bag at at CP5 and finish
Event FAQs
We've answered some common questions below. Please contact us if you have any further queries.
Are runners allowed support from crews at this race?
Yes, crews are permitted at this race at official crew points only. A list of these locations will be shared soon. We do not allow crews at the official checkpoint locations.
Are pacers permitted?
Pacers are permitted from Goring-on-Thames onwards. Runners can only have one pacer with them at any time, and this person must be on foot (no bicycles, horses or motorised vehicles please!).
What are the cut-off times?
There is an overall 28 hour cutoff for the entire race. Please see our checkpoints section for the cut-off time at each checkpoint.
Can I have a drop bag?
Yes, you may drop a bag with us at the start. This bag will be transported to checkpoint 5 (South Stoke) and then on to the finish. The size of this bag should not exceed 60 litres.
What happens if I drop out mid race?
If you decide not to continue, this must be done at one of the checkpoint locations, unless there is a medical reason that prevents you from doing so. If you stop prior to CP5, we will transport you to CP5, where you will have access to your drop bag, and can arrange onwards travel/pickup. If you stop after checkpoint 5, we will transport to you to the finish.
What transport options are there to get to the start?
We will be providing a coach transfer to the start, details of this will be shared in January 2027.
What transport options are there at the finish?
You must arrange your own onwards transport from the finish.
If you are getting picked up, there is a large National Trust car park that is open for the full duration of the event.
We will provide details of local taxi firms that operate in the area. Additionally, there are local buses to Swindon and Devizes from ~9am on Sunday morning.
We will provide shelter and warmth whilst you are awaiting pickup, however the are no sleeping facilities at the finish.
How can friends and family follow my progress?
All runners will be given a GPS tracker (Open Tracking) which broadcasts their location for the full duration of the race.
How far is The Ridgeway Challenge?
The Ridgeway Challenge covers the entire Ridgeway National Trail, a distance of 86 miles (139km) with around 1,850m of elevation gain. The point-to-point route starts at Ivinghoe Beacon in Hertfordshire and finishes in Avebury, Wiltshire, crossing the Chiltern Hills and the North Wessex Downs.
What's the difference between The Ridgeway Challenge and The Ridgeway Chase?
Both races start at Ivinghoe Beacon on the same day. The Ridgeway Challenge covers the full 86-mile (139km) Ridgeway National Trail to Avebury, with a 28-hour time limit. The Ridgeway Chase covers the first 60km to Ridgeway View Campsite near Wallingford, with a 10.5-hour time limit, and is the perfect introduction to the full Challenge.
View the Ridgeway Chase race page for more details.
Is the route marked?
The Ridgeway National Trail has permanent signage along its entire length, which is enough to guide you for most of the race. We add our own orange race signage across the first 60km (The Ridgeway Chase route) and on any sections where the permanent signage is less clear or where there is a diversion from the main trail.
All runners must carry the route on their watch or phone, or on a paper map, in case you find yourself off course.
How many checkpoints are there?
There are eight checkpoints: Wendover (17.6km), Whiteleaf (27.9km), Aston Rowant (41.1km), Nuffield (54.8km), South Stoke (67.1km), West Ilsley (85km), Uffington (106km) and Ogbourne St George (124km).
All checkpoints stock water, Coke, Precision Fuel & Hydration electrolyte drink, gels and chews, sandwiches, fruit, crisps and sweets. Hot food is available at CP5, CP6 and CP8, and hot water at CP3, CP5, CP6, CP7 and CP8. See our checkpoints section for full details.
What mandatory kit do I need?
Please see the full list in the kit section above.
Is there food at the finish?
Yes, basic hot food and drinks will be available for runners at the finish in Avebury, along with a warm indoor area to rest while you wait for your onward travel.
Is this a UTMB Index race?
Yes, The Ridgeway Challenge is a UTMB World Series Index race in the 100K 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 12:07:00, set by Dan Lawson in 2015. The women's course record is 14:00:00, set by Sarah Burns-Morwood in 2018.
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 completed the ridgeway challenge this year (just about). The race benefits from a lovely route in a lovely area of the country. But what really made it stick out for me was how well organised it was, particularly on the day. The aid stations were great. The support provided was also amazing.
Jamie
The Ridgeway Challenge, 2025
Extremely well organised, such a great effort from all the staff and volunteers 👏
James
The Ridgeway Challenge, 2025
