Country to Capital Ultra Marathon

Country to Capital Ultra

The Country to Capital Ultra is a point-to-point 43-mile race from Wendover to Little Venice in London. The route starts in Buckinghamshire countryside, follows sections of cross-country trails and roads, and finishes along the Grand Union Canal towpath in central London near the Stowe Centre and Little Venice Canal Basin. The event is presented as a season opener and forms the first race of a four-event Grand Slam series.

The course composition is given as approximately 11 miles cross-country trails, 12.1 miles of roads and paths, and 20 miles of canal towpath, with total elevation changes of about +1375 ft and -1720 ft. The route is waymarked but still requires navigation. Real-time tracking is provided via a GPS tracker and the Geo Tracks app, with updates every 10 seconds; the tracking feed can be followed by friends and family.

Support includes five checkpoints supplying water, snacks and fruit cake. Finishers receive a medal and Go Beyond merchandise, and prizes are awarded to the top three male and female finishers. Practical arrangements include a single carry-on-sized baggage transfer to the finish, parking and train options with no parking at the pub, and mandatory kit such as a charged phone, power bank, water bottles, survival blanket, waterproof jacket, whistle, torch, hat and gloves, and a long-sleeved base layer. Trail shoes are advised; road shoes are recommended for the canal section if carried. Training support via the Runna App and a trainer recycling option are listed. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.