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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.

More details

Key Info

Date 31st May 2025
Start Time 10:00
Distance 86 miles / 139km
Elevation Gain 6060ft / 1850m
Time allowed 28 hours
No. of Checkpoints 9
License TRA
Min Age 20

Route Downloads

The race route is available to view in various formats below. The entire route is open to the public and can easily be recced prior to the race.

GPX File Download
Ordnance Survey View
Garmin Connect View
Google Maps View

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.

View on Google Maps

The start of The Ridgeway Challenge

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.

View on Google Maps

Avebury Stones at the finish of The Ridgeway Challenge

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)
CP1 - Wendover
Location Runaway Racing HQ View on Google Maps
Distance Overall - 10.1 miles / 16.3km To CP2 - 6.3 miles / 10.2km To finish - 76.2 miles / 122.7km
Crew Permitted No
Toilet? Yes
CP2 - Whiteleaf
CP3 - Lewknor
CP4 - Nuffield
CP5 - South Stoke (Drop bag available)
CP6 - Bury Down
CP7 - Sparsholt
CP8 - Foxhills
CP9 - Barbury Castle

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

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