Country to Capital Ultra Marathon
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Event overview
Country to Capital is a 43-mile point-to-point ultramarathon from Wendover to Little Venice, London. The race starts at the Shoulder of Mutton Pub in Wendover and finishes at the Stowe Centre near the Little Venice canal basin, close to Paddington and Royal Oak stations. The event is limited to competitors aged over 18. The published entry fee is £80 and includes a GPS tracker. The official cutoff for the race is 11 hours. Prizes are given to the first three male and female finishers; all finishers receive a medal and event merchandise.
Course, navigation and support
The route passes through Buckinghamshire countryside, crosses the M25 by bridge, then follows the Grand Union Canal towpath into London. Terrain breakdown:
- 11 miles cross-country trails (26%)
- 12.1 miles roads and paths (28%)
- 20 miles canal towpath (46%)
Total elevation is +1375 ft and -1720 ft. The course is waymarked but requires navigation. Competitors receive a Geo Tracks GPS tracker for real-time tracking and navigation; trackers upload position every 10 seconds and have approximately 70 hours battery life. The race uses five checkpoints that provide water, snacks and fruit cake. One competitor baggage bag (carry-on size 56 x 45 x 25 cm) will be transferred to the finish. Mandatory kit is required and includes a charged mobile phone, powerbank, at least 1 litre water capacity, survival blanket, waterproof jacket, whistle, torch, hat and gloves, and a long-sleeved base layer. Parking and train access information is provided for arrival and return logistics. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
