Thames Trail Ultra

Event Overview

The Thames Trail Ultra is a point-to-point ultra-marathon that follows the path of England's longest river. The course covers a total distance of 47 miles, starting from Iffley, south of Oxford, and concluding in Henley-on-Thames. This event is officially recognized as a UTMB Index Race in the 50K category.

Course and Terrain

The route primarily consists of off-road segments, with 86% of the course (40.4 miles) featuring cross-country trails and riverside paths along the Thames Path and the Ridgeway National Trails. The remaining 14% (6.6 miles) is on roads. Participant navigation is supported by GPX files and a live GPS tracking system that updates positions every 10 seconds. The course features an elevation gain of 289 meters and an elevation loss of 321 meters.

Participant Support and Facilities

The event provides the following services and facilities:

• 5 Aid Stations - Offering water, snacks, fruitcake, and specialized energy bars.
• Baggage Transfer - Transportation of one bag from the start to the finish line.
• Finish Line Amenities - Hot food, showers, and changing facilities at the YMCA Y Centre.
• Shuttle Service - A courtesy bus from Oxford train station to the start line.

Safety and Requirements

Participants must be at least 18 years old. There is a total cut-off time of 11.5 hours, with progressive cut-off points starting from the third checkpoint. Runners are required to carry a mandatory kit, including a mobile phone, power bank, 1L water capacity, survival blanket, waterproof jacket, whistle, headtorch, hat, gloves, and a base layer. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.