FAQs

How tough is the course? 

The course is 100 miles in length and has only 3840 feet of gain. In terms of terrain, roughly 80% of the course is on trail and around 10% on the road. The trail varies between open grassland, woodland single/ double track, crushed gravel/ dirt road, farmers fields and paved roads. Both the Thames Path and Ridgeway trails can become much more difficult to negotiate in the wet. If the temperatures are low but above freezing and the course receives a lot of rain, the ground underfoot will become muddy, waterlogged and slippery and potentially even flooded, icy or covered in snow, resulting in much slower conditions. It is possible that the temperatures may drop below freezing before or during the race and that snow may be a factor making it extremely tough going. This is a 100 mile race in UK winter so you must prepare for conditions to be very difficult and very cold. The wind speeds on the Ridgeway section to Chain Hill and return can also be extremely high. 

What do I get for my entry fee? 

Principally you get a fully supported race weekend including:

16 fully stocked aid stations

Full Medical Support in the form of dedicated race ambulances and roving vehicles as well as static first aid teams and medical volunteers at aid stations.

Finishers Buckle & T Shirt.

Is there a limit to the number of entries into each distance/ Can I enter on race day?

The race will be limited to the first 140 entrants. There will be no entries on the day.

Is there a minimum qualification standard to achieve before I can enter?

You may enter the race without first having qualified. In order to start the event however, you must have completed a minimum of a 30 mile distance non-stop race since January 1st 2010 and before race date. As organisers, we reserve the right to refuse anybody entry into the 100 who does not meet the qualification standard. This is for runners own safety. This race has more of an element of self sufficiency to it because of the time of year so we advise all runners to get as much ultra race experience under their belt as possible before taking on a 100 mile race during the winter.

Will there be live updates during the race for friends and family to follow? 

There will be a live webcast during the event. Live times will be published as runners come through each aid station. A link to the live site will appear on the homepage in the week leading up to the race. 

Are there any road crossings or gates/ stiles to negotiate? 

Yes. There are sections of the course where you will be running along single lane carriage ways or crossing the occasional busier road. The majority of these are very quiet country roads, however the trail does appear at busy road junctions, at some points abruptly and therefore you must be alert at all times. The busiest junctions will be signed. Runners pass along the course entirely at their own risk. Much of the course is on private land and as a result there are gates and stiles to negotiate. All gates must be closed properly after you make your way through.

How many aid stations are there?

A full aid station list is available here.

There will be 16 aid stations including the finish.

How do I get to the start/ finish?

The race start/ finish and HQ is at The Morrell Room, Church Lane, Streatley, Berkshire, RG8 9HT. You can find details of how to get there and away as well as details on parking under the Travel and Accom tab.  

What time does the race start?

You must register within the times listed on the Schedule page. Your race number will not be posted to you before race day, you must collect if from registration. Start times are also on the schedule page.

Are pacers allowed?

Runners are permitted pacers from mile 75, but only one pacer can travel with a runner at any time. Pacers must travel on foot only. Handovers are permitted. 

Are crews allowed?

Runners may have a crew for this race, but the crew may NOT gain access to race HQ/ The Morrell Room under any circumstances. The hall is small and has only a very limited capacity for looking after you the runners. Other aid stations off limits to crews are listed as NO ACCESS FOR CREWS in the aid station table.

Crew Instructions can be found here. 

Where can I access my drop bags?

You can access drop bags each time you return to Streatley at mile 25, 50, 75 and at the finish. 

Do I need to carry any mandatory equipment?

Runners must carry the following mandatory equipment at all times. There will be kit checks before during and after the race. A time penalty of one hour will be imposed for any item found to be missing at any point on course:

• Fully Charged Mobile Phone including the numbers for the Race Medic and Race Director (on the number you have given at registration)
• Water Bottles/Bladder capable of carrying a minimum of 1 litre. 
• Survival Blanket: 1.4m x 2m minimum
• Waterproof Jacket: Gore-tex or similar (must have sealed seams)
• Waterproof trousers or full length tights (must have sealed seams)
• Route Maps: Thames Path and Ridgeway Harvey Maps are recommended
• Compass
• Headtorch (store recommendation)
• Back Up Light source (store recommendation)
• Warm Hat
• Gloves
• Base layer or fleece top at least 180g in weight (Mens Medium)

Will I need a map or compass?

Yes both are mandatory. You must be able to read a map, use a compass and be prepared to use both if the markings disappear. We strongly advise all runners who have the opportunity in advance of race day, to recce the course. The route is marked for the entire duration with national trail way-markers. We will be adding markers in the form of tape and and arrows. If the markers do get removed or vandalised, runners will need to pay close attention to the way markers. Any significant change in direction will be made as obvious as possible. The course is conducted entirely on the Thames Path and Ridgeway National Trails. The Harvey maps available here are concise, waterproof and easy to read. Thames Path and Ridgeway editions are required. 

Will there be toilets at the start/ finish or on the race route? 

There will be toilets at the start, finish and every 25 miles on course. There are also toilets at Wallingford, Whitchurch, Reading and North Stoke aid stations. At certain points the route runs close to and even right past pubs or cafes where you may be able to use the facilities but that is not a guarantee. If you need to answer a call of nature whilst on the route you must make sure you are as far off of the marked trails as you can go. 

What are the prizes/ awards?

All finishers will receive a Centurion 100 mile finishers belt buckle. Finishers in under 24 hours will receive a special '100 miles - One Day' Buckle, finishers between 24 and 30 hours will receive '100 mile Finisher' buckles. Male and Female winners of each distance will also be awarded additional prizes. Those finishing the Grand Slam will be given special awards on completion of the Winter 100. 

What happens if I need to drop out?

If you have to drop please do so only at an aid station and preferably at Streatley. Please inform the aid station captain on arrival that you intend to drop and whether you need assistance. If you drop at an aid station which is not Streatley, the Aid Station Captains will inform you when it is possible to get transport back to the start point. It may be that you have to wait some considerable time so please be patient with the volunteers. 

What food and drink will there be on route?

All aid stations for all distances will have a full selection of the usual aid station fare and a whole lot more. At a minimum you will be able to pick up water, coke, chocolate, nuts, fruit, crisps, sandwiches, a limited number of gu energy gel packets and other sweet and savoury snacks. There will be hot food at Streatley.

What level of medical support can I expect?

Medical support is of paramount importance to us as organisers. Throughout the event there will be at least one roving medical unit and a fixed medical team on hand at Streatley. Individual first aiders/ medical volunteers will also be present at some aid stations. Contact numbers for the medical team will be available at registration. They will be contactable round the clock for the duration of the race. 

I need to withdraw, what is the refund/ transfer policy?

Withdrawals up to 4 weeks prior to race day are eligible for a 70% refund. Withdrawals after that time cannot be refunded for any reason as all race day costs have been incurred by that stage. The refund policy is listed on the e mail you receive upon registration. We no longer accept transfers because future races are filling up very quickly and we need to treat each one on a first come first served basis to ensure everyone has the same fair chance of gaining entry to any one event.

What happens if the event is re-routed, cancelled or abandoned?

The organisers reserve the right to modify, at any time, the course or aid station locations listed on the course. 

In the case of severe/ extreme weather conditions including but not limited to flooding after the event start, the organisers reserve the right to abandon the event at any time.

No refunds will be offered in that situation. If the event cannot take place for reasons out of the control of the organisers including but not limited to flooding, severe weather or denial of access to the original course (foot and mouth outbreak for example), the organisers reserve the right to postpone the event to a later date and all entries will be carried forward to the new date. Refunds will not be offered under these circumstances. If the event is cancelled for reasons which require the event to be postponed indefinitely, the organisers reserve the right to retain all entry fees against costs incurred. 

How do I get in touch on race day?

The race director James will be contactable at all times throughout race weekend on numbers given at registration and also on e mail at [email protected].

Is there any recommended reading?

The national trail guides are excellent and you can purchase them easily online. They contain maps of the entire route and accurate route descriptions if you would like or are able to recce the route prior to race day.