Thames Trail Ultra
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Event overview
Thames Trail Ultra is a 47-mile point-to-point ultra marathon from Iffley (near Oxford) to Henley-on-Thames. The route follows sections of the Thames Path and the Ridgeway National Trails. The event is registered on the Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB) index in the 50K category. The race has a cut-off time of 11.5 hours and is restricted to competitors aged 18 and over.
Course, support and logistics
The route mixes riverside paths, cross-country trails and roads: 40.4 miles (86%) off-road and riverside, and 6.6 miles (14%) on road. Total elevation is about +947 ft (+289 m) and -1053 ft (-321 m). The course is waymarked and marked electronically; runners are provided with a GPS tracker and access to route files and maps. Note that the Donkey Bridge is closed near the finish and there is a closed footway at Benson Weir; diversions are shown on the GPX/tracker.
There are five checkpoints offering water and snacks; toilets are a short walk from some checkpoints. The finish moved to the YMCA Y Centre in Henley-on-Thames with showers, hot drinks and changing facilities. One competitor bag is transferred to the finish (maximum size 56 x 45 x 25 cm). Mandatory kit includes a charged mobile phone, power bank, at least 1 litre water capacity, survival blanket (1.4 x 2 m), waterproof jacket, whistle, headtorch with spare batteries, hat and gloves, a long-sleeved base layer or fleece, and a debit or credit card. Parking is limited at the start; a shuttle from Oxford train station is usually arranged. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.