Start
Ivinghoe Beacon Car Park
Google Maps
- Start time
- 08:30
- Distance
- 60km
- Time limit
- 10.5 hours
Bib collection: Open on race morning from 8am
The Ridgeway Chase
Race details
Next edition - 29th May 2027
The Ridgeway Chase is a 60km point-to-point ultramarathon following the historic Ridgeway National Trail.
Starting at the iconic Ivinghoe Beacon, runners will journey along ancient trails and scenic ridgelines, across the Chilterns and North Wessex Downs. The route finishes at Ridgeway View Campsite, near Wallingford.
Taking place alongside the longer Ridgeway Challenge, the Ridgeway Chase offers a shorter, more accessible way to experience this iconic route, a perfect introduction to the full challenge.
New: For 2027 this race will be fully marked with our orange arrow markers and ribons.
Enter event
Ridgeway Chase
£72 (£70 UKA affiliated)
Entries open on 11/07/2026
Price tiers
£72/£70
First 50 entries
▶ Active
£82/£80
Entries 51-99
£92/£90
Entries 100+
Enter now and save
£20
vs the final price
Same day, different distance
Up for the full 86 miles? Run the whole trail to Avebury, on the same day. View the Challenge
- 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
08:30
Time allowed
10.5 hours
Distance/Elevation
60K / 1000m+
Start Location
Ivinghoe Beacon
Iconic start of The Ridgeway National Trail
Iconic start of The Ridgeway National Trail
Finish Location
Ridgeway View Campsite
Near Wallingford
Near Wallingford
Tracking
Yes - Open Tracking
Navigation
Full Marked
Transport/Parking
Free parking available at the finish, with coach transfers to the start pre-race.
Max Runners
150
Minimum Age
20
UTMB Index
Licence
Licensed by the Trail Running Association. Race held under UKA rules.
Male Course Record
Joseph Turner
04:59:00 (2026)
04:59:00 (2026)
Female Course Record
Emily Bousfield
06:40:24 (2026)
06:40:24 (2026)
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 first 60km of The Ridgeway National Trail, Britain's oldest road, from Ivinghoe Beacon to Ridgeway View Campsite, near Wallingford. This is arguably the most scenic part of the trail, running the length of the Chiltern Hills with big ridgeline views, beech woods and chalk grassland.
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 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 Nuffield (54.8km). The trail follows the ancient Icknield Way below the hills, then climbs through beech woods to the final checkpoint at Nuffield (CP4).
Nuffield to the finish (60km). The last leg is a fast, gently downhill run along Grim's Ditch, an Iron Age earthwork lined with trees, towards the River Thames and the finish at the campsite near Wallingford.
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 11:30
St Mary's Church, Wendover Google Maps ///pizza.submit.tomato
- Into route
- 17.6km
- To next CP
- 10.3km
- To finish
- 42.4km
- First runner
- 09:50
- Cut-off
- 11:30
- Toilet
- Yes
Crew & spectators: No – meet your runner at Witchell Pavilion, a few hundred metres after the checkpoint
-
27.9km
CP2 - Whiteleaf 27.9km · Cut-off 13:15
Whiteleaf Cross Car Park Google Maps ///denoting.gulped.small
- Into route
- 27.9km
- To next CP
- 13.2km
- To finish
- 32.1km
- First runner
- 10:30
- Cut-off
- 13:15
- Toilet
- No
Crew & spectators: Yes – small car park on site (height restricted)
-
41.1km
CP3 - Aston Rowant 41.1km · Cut-off 15:45
Directly on the trail near the junction with Aston Hill Road (A40) Google Maps ///rocket.outwards.roof
- Into route
- 41.1km
- To next CP
- 13.7km
- To finish
- 18.9km
- First runner
- 11:30
- Cut-off
- 15:45
- Toilet
- Yes
Crew & spectators: No crew allowed at this location
-
54.8km
CP4 - Nuffield 54.8km · Cut-off 18:05
Nuffield Church, RG9 5SN Google Maps ///yelled.factories.margin
- Into route
- 54.8km
- To next CP
- n/a
- To finish
- 5.2km
- First runner
- 12:40
- Cut-off
- 18:05
- Toilet
- Yes
Crew & spectators: No crew allowed at this location
-
Finish
Finish Ridgeway View Campsite, near Wallingford Google Maps
- Distance
- 60km
- Time limit
- 10.5 hours
- Course closes
- 19:00
What's at each checkpoint
There are four checkpoints (see below for details of each). All checkpoints will contain the following items.
Drinks
- Water
- Coke
- Precision Fuel & Hydration - PH 1000 Electrolyte Drink (pre-mixed)
- Hot water will be available at CP3.
Fuel
- Precision Fuel & Hydration - PF 30 Gels
- Precision Fuel & Hydration - PF 30 Chews
- Selection of crisps and sweets
- Pre-made sandwiches (jam, marmite, cheese)
- Selection of Fresh fruit (banana, orange, watermelon)
Event base
We are extremely grateful to the National Trust for their support of the race.
The event registration and start takes place at the iconic Ivinghoe Beacon within the Ashridge Estate.
The finish line is at Ridgeway View Campsite, in a great location directly off the Grim's Ditch section of The Ridgeway.
Please note, that parking is available at the finish for those wanted to take the coach transfer to the start. Additionally spectators are welcome to park on site in order to see their runner finish and take them for a well earned drink after!
Camping is available on site, please contact Ridgeway View Campsite directly to arrange this.
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
- Re-usable soft cup (non-collapsible if using for hot drinks)
- Supply of nutrition
- Cash or bank card
Entry details
Registration starts at £72 (or £70 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 licensed by the TRA/UKA
- GPS Tracking
- Finishers medal
- Medical support
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 CP1 (Wendover) and CP2 (Whiteleaf). At Wendover, please meet your runner at Witchell Pavilion, a few hundred metres after the checkpoint, rather than at the checkpoint itself.
Crewing is not permitted at CP3 (Aston Rowant) or CP4 (Nuffield), and a time penalty will be applied to any runner supported at these locations. You may meet your runner at any other point on the course.
Are pacers permitted?
No, runners are not permitted to have pacers at this race.
What are the cut-off times?
There is an overall 10.5-hour time limit for the entire race. Checkpoint cut-off times will be published in the runner's guide ahead of race day.
Can I have a drop bag?
Yes, you may drop a bag with us at the start, this will be transported to the finish for you. It must not exceed 50 litres in size.
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. Our sweeper minibus will transport you to the finish location, where you can arrange onwards travel or pickup.
What transport options are there to get to the start?
Before the race, We are operating a coach service to the start from the finish. This will depart at 08:00 on race morning. You may park you car at the finish for the duration of the race. The car park opens at 07:30.
What transport options are there at the finish?
You must arrange your own onwards transport from the finish.
There is parking available at the finish base for spectators to see you in and transport you home.
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 Challenge race page for more details.
Is the route marked?
Yes, for 2027 the Ridgeway Chase will be fully marked with our orange arrow markers and ribbons, in addition to the permanent Ridgeway National Trail signage. All runners must still carry the route on their watch or phone in case you find yourself off course.
How many checkpoints are there?
There are four checkpoints: Wendover (17.6km), Whiteleaf (27.9km), Aston Rowant (41.1km) and Nuffield (54.8km).
All checkpoints stock water, Coke, Precision Fuel & Hydration electrolyte drink, gels and chews, sandwiches, fruit, crisps and sweets.
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 mandatory kit do I need?
Please see the full list in the kit section above.
Can I camp at the finish?
Yes, camping is available at Ridgeway View Campsite. Please contact the campsite directly to arrange this.
Is there food at the finish?
There will be a finish line 'aid station', with plenty of drinks/snacks for runners. There is no hot food available at the finish, but there are some very nice pubs close by.
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. Spectators are welcome at the finish, where there is free parking on site.
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 04:59:00, set by Joseph Turner in 2026. The women's course record is 06:40:24, set by Emily Bousfield in 2026.
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.
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
