Race Information
Race Information
This 20th edition of The Ridgeway Challenge will take place on Saturday 31st May 2025.
Below we have detailed all the essential race information. If you have any further questions prior to entering the race, please email hello@runawayracing.com.
Jump to...
The 2025 edition of The Ridgeway Challenge has been selected as the British Trail Running Championships, Ultra Distance event.
First, second and third place in both the women's and mens events will be awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze British Athletics Medals.
Age Group prizes are awarded in five year categories from V35 all the way up to V80+.
Key Info
Event Downloads
Last updated - Jan 2025 - New resources added
Race route
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.
Navigation
The Ridgeway National Trail benefits from permanent signage throughout the entire trail (pictured).
For the majority of the race this signage is more than sufficient to direct you the correct way. On some sections where navigation is less clear, the route will be marked by additional race signs.
All runners must carry the race route on their watch/phone or on a physical map, just incase you find yourself off course.
Registration & Start
The start of The Ridgeway, and the race, is at Ivinghoe Beacon at the National Trust's Ashridge Estate near Tring in Hertfordshire.
Arrival and registration will take place between 08:00-09:15, followed by the race briefing and a short walk to the Beacon, ready for a prompt 10am start.
Finish
The finish of The Ridgeway Challenge is within the Avebury Manor National Trust Estate.
During opening hours (10:00-17:00) there is a cafe on-site. Crew & spectators will have access to the finish area outside of public opening times.
Checkpoints
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 - 15:40
- CP3, Lewknor - 18:30
- CP4, Nuffield - 21:00
- CP5, South Stoke - 23:30
- CP6, West Ilsley - 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
Getting to the race
Take a look at our race logistics page, which covers all the information on how to get to and from the race route.
Race logistics
