The Ridgeway Challenge

The route follows the entire length of The Ridgeway National Trail, starting at Ivinghoe Beacon in the East and finishing at Avebury Stones in the West.

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• Fully supported race
• 28 hours to complete the event
• Huge finishers medal and technical t-shirt
• 8 major checkpoints
• Licensed by the Trail Running Association
• Mid-race bag drop access

There are 9 checkpoints on route that runners can use to top up their water and nutritions supplies.

Due to the remote nature of the trail, particularly towards the 2nd half of the route, some checkpoints offer more facilities than others.

All checkpoints will contain:
Water
Coke
Precision Fuel & Hydration - PH 1000 Electrolyte Drink
Precision Fuel & Hydration - PF 30 Gels
Selection of crisps and sweets
Selection of flapjacks/bars
Selection of Fresh fruit
Sandwiches (cheese, jam, peanut butter)

GPS TRACKING
All runners will receive a GPS tracker at race registration. The tracker must be carried for the full duration of the event, allowing race control and supporters to follow each runners progress.
Trackers must be returned to race staff at the finish line, or in the event of a DNF, you must return it to your closest checkpoint.

CUT-OFF TIMES
An overall cut-off time of 28 hours will apply to all runners. In order to maintain this speed the following cut-off times will apply at each checkpoint. To be allowed to continue you must leave the checkpoint by this time.

CP1, Wendover - 13:15
CP2, Whiteleaf - 15:20
CP3, Lewknor - 18:30
CP4, Nuffield - 21:00
CP5, South Stoke - 23:30
CP6, Bury Down - 02:50
CP7, Sparsholt - 05:50
CP8, Foxhills - 08:30
CP9, Barbury Castle - 11:55
Finish - 14:00

DROP BAGS
We will transport drop bags to both CP5 - South Stoke and the finish line.
You will be provided two baggage tags at race registration and you must clearly attach these to your bag before dropping them off.

BAG 1 - CP5, SOUTH STOKE
This bag should not contain any valuable items and must not exceed the size of a standard shoebox. Bags will be transported to the finish line after the closure of this checkpoint.

BAG 2 - FINISH
Your finish line bag must not exceed the size of medium backpack. If you DNF, you must collect your bag from the finish line by 14:00 on Sunday 1st June. Bags not claimed will be transported back to Runaway Racing HQ and a surcharge will apply for this to be sent back to you.

CREWING
Providing support to a runner is permitted at The Ridgeway Challenge.
Crewing is permitted at CP2, CP3, CP6, CP7, CP8 & CP9.
Crewing is not permitted at CP1, CP4 or CP5. A time penalty of 15-minutes will be applied to any runner being supported at this locations.
With the exception of the above locations in red, you may meet your runner at any other point on the course to provide additional fluid or nutrition and moral support. Crew must not run with their runner and cannot carry any of their mandatory kit.

PACING
Pacing is not permitted. However, for your safety, you may be accompanied by another runner during the night (between the hours of 10pm-6am). This runner is not permitted to carry any of your mandatory kit, and must be on foot (no bikes allowed).

MANDATORY KIT
The following items must be carried for the full duration of the run. Checks will be carried out at registration and the finish.

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
Survival blanket or bag: 1.4m x 2m minimum
Primary light source (min 75 lumens)
Back up light source (min 25 lumen)
Head covering (beanie or buff)
Re-usable soft cup
Waterproof jacket (must have hood & sealed seams)
Item of warm clothing (long sleeved base layer or fleece)
Basic first aid supplies (plasters/tape/bandage)
Supply of nutrition
Cash or bank card

With The Ridgeway Challenge being a linear route that spans three counties, it's important you plan the best way to get to and from the event.
To help make this as easy as possible we are arranging several transport options that you can take advantage of.

GETTING TO THE START
The start takes place from Ivinghoe Beacon, a short walk away from Ivinghoe Beacon Car Park. You have the following options for getting there:

Tring Train Station + Shuttle
We are operating a free shuttle service from Tring train station to the start. Tring operates regular fast trains to/from London Euston. A booking form will be shared with participants closer to race day.

Coach Transfer
Park in Swindon and take the coach to the start line (journey time 1h45), departs ~0700 on race morning. This is an additional cost and can be booked during registration, or via the link below. After the race, we are operating shuttles back to Swindon (25 min journey).
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Drop off at Ivinghoe Beacon Car Park
There is parking for ~100 cars at start area.
Shuttle from Premier Inn Tring
We are operating a free shuttle service from Premier Inn Tring. Please book your hotel stay ASAP, it tends to fill up quickly. A booking form will be shared with participants closer to race day

GETTING HOME
Once you have finished the race, you have the following options to get home:

COACH TRANSFER - SWINDON TO START
Take the coach to the start line from Swindon Train Station, departing at 07:00 on race morning

PRE-RACE SHUTTLE
Get picked up and taken to the start from either Tring Train Station, or Premier Inn Tring.

Get picked up
Parking is available at the National Trust Car Park and within the sports club car park.
We strongly discourage driving a vehicle immediately after the run. Please make arrangements to either get picked up, or have accommodation close-by to allow you to rest before making a longer journey home.

MID-RACE DNF
The nature of such a long run, means you have to consider the possibility of not making it to the finish line.

We strongly recommend having a contingency plan for this potential outcome, which if possible should include arrangements for a partner/relative/friend to pick you up from a checkpoint.

A sweeper minibus will be available to transport DNF'd runners off the course, however you will still need to arrange onwards transport to get yourself home.