Thames Trail Ultra

THAMES TRAIL ULTRA : event overview

The Thames Trail Ultra is a point-to-point ultra running event organised by Go Beyond Events. The course runs from Iffley, Oxford to Henley-on-Thames and covers 47 miles. The finish is at the YMCA Y Centre in Henley-on-Thames, where hot food, showers and changing facilities are provided. The race is listed in the Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB) Index System in the 50K category. The event has an age limit of 18 years and over.

Course, support and requirements

The route follows the Thames Path and parts of the Ridgeway, with terrain composed of about 40.4 miles of cross-country trails and riverside paths (86%) and 6.6 miles of roads (14%). Total elevation gain is +947 ft (+289 m) with elevation loss of -1053 ft (-321 m). There are 5 aid stations offering water, snacks and Go Beyond fruitcake, plus partnership bars from Real Meal (high-calorie, low-sugar, gluten-free, vegan). Toilets are available near Checkpoints 1, 4 and 5. The event uses real-time GPS tracking; trackers upload position every 10 seconds.

All runners must carry mandatory kit, including a fully charged mobile phone, power bank, minimum 1 L water container, survival blanket, waterproof jacket, whistle, headtorch with spare batteries, hat and gloves, long-sleeved base layer or fleece, and a debit/credit card for emergency use. Baggage transfer is offered with a maximum bag size of 56 x 45 x 25 cm. Some sections can become very muddy; trail shoes are recommended. Limited parking is available in Iffley and a shuttle service runs from Oxford train station. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.