Centurion Running

We often receive questions about why we have a mandatory gear list for each of our events, and why specific items are included on it. This page is dedicated to explaining the reason for the inclusion of each item. No compromise will be taken in ensuring the safety of runners at our events. We prefer to run trails with the mininum amount of necessary equipment, however the items we list as mandatory equipment may save your life if you are caught out in bad conditions, become lost, disorientated or injured during an ultra distance event. Never underestimate how quickly conditions may deteriorate or change away from forecast.

There are many options regards kit for fulfilling these requirements and those of other events. We stock what we believe to be the best options at our online store available by clicking here under the Mandatory Gear Section. Please ask us if you have any questions.

The expectation is that a race gear list requires you to pack and carry a big heavy rucksack. This is very far from the case. For tips on how to pack, what gear to look at and how to fit everything you need in to less than 8 litres worth of space please see this video from James at Centurion Running.

Mobile Phone

Your mobile phone can be used to call Race HQ or the Medical Team in case of emergency away from an aid station involving you, or another runner. It allows us to guide you to safety and it allows us to locate you more quickly and easily. Our races take place in the South East UK where phone reception is widespread and often good even on more remote trails. 

Head Lamp or Primary Light Source

If the event you are running in will involve running after sunset for any competitor in the field, then a headlamp/ primary light source will be included as mandatory equipment. Running at night requires light for safe negotiation of terain, improved navigation and can be used as a beacon for runners in distress easing location of their whereabouts by race staff or search and rescue teams. Faster runners may finish well before sunset in shorter events, however all runners must carry the same equipment to ensure parity/ fairness. It is also impossible to tell how a race may go for any individual, with many taking longer than expected, or getting lost and requiring additional time to cover the distance involving unplanned night time running.

A phone is not acceptable as a primary or secondary light source.

Back Up Light Source NOT Spare Batteries

Your secondary lamp must be a minimum of 25 lumens. Quite simply if your bulb goes in your primary lamp, no amount of batteries will allow you to rectify that issue. A spare lamp is there to prevent running in total darkness if the bulb goes or the primary lamp malfunctions. Carrying spare batteries is an extremely worthwhile exercise in addition.

A phone is not acceptable as a primary or secondary light source.

Route Map & Compass

Our courses are marked by national trail waymarkers and our own additional course markings. Course markings can be either vandalised or removed. Having a map and compass provides you, the runner, a source for getting back on course should course markings be removed/ vandalised or should you find yourself off course due to a navigational error on your part. We strongly advise all runners to ensure knowledge of navigation using map and compass prior to taking part in ultra distance trail events. 

Whistle

If you suffer an injury and are unable to proceed in poor or low visibility conditions, the whistle may facilitate your being located vastly more quickly than without one. It isn't necessary to use any distress call, simply blowing the whistle may dramatically reduce the time it takes race staff or search and rescue teams to find you. 

Waterproof With Sealed Seams

A waterproof is essential kit on the trails in all but the warmest summer months in the UK, and when running at night at any time of the year. Rainfall is common year round, runners who are caught out and become wet through suffer reduced core temperatures, leading to a slowing in pace and the beginning of a viscious circle which can lead very quickly to hypothermia. Jackets without sealed seams, will not keep you dry. Wherever a waterpoof jacket is listed as mandatory, sealed seams are essential. The fabric should also be verified waterproof and NOT wind or shower proof. The same criteria exist where water proof trousers are listed. The minimum water resistance of a jacket should be 10,000mm.

If you have a jacket that is less than that level of water resistance or is shower / wind proof only, it will NOT pass kit check. Please don't tell us that you've 'been training in it all winter and it's been fine'. The conditions in the dark, wet and wind at hour 5-29 on your 50 or 100 mile race when you are moving very much more slowly and are much more heavily fatigued than you have ever reached in training, catch people out every time we hold an event. It may be that you are a mountain leader with Himalayan experience, or a first timer - the rules have to remain the same for everyone.  

Bottles or Bladder with caacity for 1 litre of liquid

Our aid stations are frequent, the longest distance being 12 miles between two points, the shortest just over 3 miles. It is necessary to carry water between aid stations in order to ensure runners can manage their hydration both under regular conditions but particularly if they become lost, injured or disorientated resulting in vastly increased time taken to cover the distance between two water points.

Warm Hat & Gloves

Body heat is lost most rapidly through the head. A hat will ensure runners stay warm for longer. Aside from providing warmth and a means of retaining heat, gloves faciliate the use of fingers for dealing with changes of clothes or operation of other survical equipment for longer. 

Base Layer

This must be a separate layer to that which you start the race in, even if you are wearing two tops on the start line. This layer should be kept dry and used only in an emergency. 

Many of the above items are available for purchase in our store. They are also all widely available at any number of good online and bricks and mortar retail outlets. 

Cup

We do not provide cups at our events so as to reduce the environmental footprint and remove the huge volume of plastic waste that cups generate. Either a soft cup ie. Hydrapak Speed Cup for soft/ cold drinks or a heat resistant cup ie. Light My Fire - Pack Up Cup, for hot drinks/ soup are your best options. It's often most practical to carry both and the additional weight/ size is minimal. Both models of cup are available at the store at a discounted rate. 

This page is designed to provide runners an understanding of our refund and transfer policy, with information behind the reason for it.

First and foremost, we are runners ourselves, we understand all too well how frustrating it is not to be able to make the start line of an event that you/we have invested huge time and energy towards. We therefore try to be absolutely transparent with this policy and leave absolutely no room for confusion.

Our Refund/ Transfer policy for all Events is as follows:

Withdrawals up to 4 weeks prior to race day (0600 GMT Saturday 28 days prior) are eligible for a 70% refund. Withdrawals after that time will not be refunded as all race day costs have been incurred by that stage and you will not be replaced. There are no deferals or transfers to alternative/ later events. Exception to this is ONLY ifor pregnancy and in which case you must notify us by email of your pregnancy no later than 4 weeks prior to race day to be eligible for a 100% refund. You must acknowledge that you understand and agree to this policy during the registration process.

You will find the above listed on the registration page on our website, and all runners are presented with the exact details of the below policy during the registration process. Runners must tick the box in agreement to this policy in order to register for a race. Quite simply we do not want anyone for any reason to feel cheated or let down if they need to cancel their entry. We simply cannot be more transparent than this. 

To put it simply, if you do not agree with the refund/ policy, please do not enter the event. 

We make the policy as clear as possible by making you aware of it and asking you to agree to it during the registration process. We are not in a position to judge every case on it's individual merit. We can only have one completely clear policy for every situation faced.

FAQ's

Can I transfer my entry to another runner?

The answer to this is no and here's why. We are fortunate enough that every event we have staged since 2012, has sold out.  Previously we operated waitlists but this added an air of uncertaintly for many on that list as they were never sure if they would get a place and therefore it could affect training.  This way you simply have a place or you don't.  If we allowed transfers this would be unfair on the many who missed out initially but don't know anyone who is giving up their place and the system would no longer be fair.

Can I transfer my entry to another race?

The answer to this is no and here's why. When entries go on sale for a new event, the priority is given to volunteers from the previous year. Entries are then opened at a given date and time for everyone else. Sometimes the races fill up very quickly indeed. If we transfer entries for runners from one race to the next or one year to the next, those people are effectively bypassing the registration process as it applies to everyone else. The system would no longer be fair. We would also see a number of runners securing entries to events they had no intention to run, simply to transfer/ guarantee entry to another which fills up very quickly.

Can I get a refund inside of 4 weeks prior to race day?

The answer to this is no and here's why. Exactly 4 weeks out from race day, we shut the waiting list and no further entries are taken. If you cancel inside of 4 weeks, you will no longer be replaced. The reason for that is administrative. It is at that point we do the following:

- Run all runner registration details for medical declarations and communicate those to our chief medical officer. We then liaise with the runners with outstanding conditions as to their being fit to compete.
- Check all runner qualifier details and correspond with those runners who have listed incomplete or missing qualifiying data (and who then may not be permitted to start the race).
- Finalise the awards orders, most importantly T- Shirt sizes. 
- Collect and collate Runner Emergency Contact Details and communicate those to the three key members of staff who hold those on race day.
- Send the first of our two runner pre-race mail outs.
- Collate and print all runner manual bib timing sheets.
- Collate and print our registration sheets, divided in to 3 groups by alphabetical order.

Any changes to the start list inside of 4 weeks would render us having to amend or re-run every one of the above items, some of which simply cannot be done any later than 4 weeks prior to race day. That is why we pick that period of time. Remember, you are not the only person who has to cancel their spot. 

I need to cancel and it is more than 4 weeks to race day. How much of a refund am I eligible for?

As above, inside of 4 weeks there are no refunds for any reason. Outside of 4 weeks prior to race day, no matter the reason for cancelling your entry, you are eligible for a 70% refund. The reason for this is that there is a physical and administrative cost to processing your refund. The cost of that is 30% of the entry fee. 

The exception to this is pregnancy. See below.

Pregnancy refund level

Runners who notify us of pregnancy outside of 4 weeks prior to race day are eligible for a 100% refund. 

Summary

Once again, we try to be as clear as we can with the above policy. The only way to ensure parity across the board is to have one clear policy and stick to it, however much of blow it comes to a runner who discovers they are unable to run the race they have entered.  

What happens if the event is changed and/or cancelled?

Race management reserve the right to modify, at any time, the course or aid station locations listed. 

In the case of severe/ extreme weather conditions including but not limited to flooding after the event start, race management reserve the right to abandon the event at any time.  No refunds will be offered in that situation but a suitable alternative will always be sought.

If the event cannot take place for reasons out of the control of race management including but not limited to flooding, severe weather or denial of access to the original course (foot and mouth outbreak for example), race management reserve the right to postpone the event to a later date and all entries will be carried forward to the new date. Refunds may not be offered under these circumstances. Event cancellation due to reasons such as Coronavirus or other such pandemic, public health, local authority travel and movement restrictions and bans of any kind etc. are beyond our control and no refund will be given in such circumstances. If the event is cancelled for reasons which require the event to be postponed indefinitely, race management reserve the right to retain all entry fees against costs incurred. 

We often receive questions asking for clarification of whether a runner is qualified to compete at one of our events. Here is a brief overview of what counts, and what doesn't.

Please note that these are the absolute minimum qualifications required in order to start. We advise gathering a great deal more experience than a single qualifier before attempting the 50 mile, but especially the 100 mile distance. 

100 mile Distance - What Counts for 2018?

All Results must be from between 1/1/2015 and the race date of the chosen event. 

  • Completion of a 50 mile single stage ultra within 15 hours and with a published set of results. (Note if you have finished a 50 mile event within the cut off of that event, but in a time over 15hrs, you may apply to the committee for exception). 
  • Completion of a single stage ultra longer than 50 miles in length.
  • Completion of a Double Iron Distance Triathlon (Run Stage is single stage and over 50 miles in length)
  • Completion of a multi-day race where one individual stage is longer than 50 miles and invividual stage results/ lengths are published. Example: Marathon Des Sables where the long day is greater than 50 miles in length. 
  • Completion of over 50 miles in a timed event up to 12hr (runners may not use splits or final distances achieved at 24hr, 48hr or 6 Day Races)
  • Completion of over 75 miles in a timed event up to 24hr (runners may not use splits or final distances achieved at 48hr or 6 Day Races)

100 mile Distance - What Doesn't count for 2018?

  • A race that is less than 50 miles in length. Please do not email us requesting to use a race less than 50 miles in length, as a qualifier. We have to draw a firm line.
  • Completion of a 50 mile event outside of 15hrs total time.
  • Running the qualifying distance in training only. GPS traces/ Links to Garmin Connect or Movescount do not count.
  • Running the distance as part of a military exercise where no results are published.
  • Running the qualifying distance in an official race, but not as a single stage effort: Example: Completing 50 miles over a two day event or over two separate runs on the same day.
  • Ironman 
  • Completing over 50 miles in an ultra distance event, but not completing the full event. Example: DNF at the SDW100 at mile 70.
  • Old results. Example: Standard must be achieved between 1/1/2015 and race date, and the entrant offers a result from 2014.

50 mile Distance - What Counts for 2018?

All Results must be from between 1/1/2015 and the race date of the chosen event. 

  • Completion of a marathon (or greater distance) single stage race within the time limits of that event and with a published set of results. 
  • Completion of an Iron Distance Triathlon (Run Stage is single stage and 26.2 miles in length)
  • Completion of a multi-day race where one individual stage is longer than 26.2 miles and invividual stage results/ lengths are published.  
  • Completion of over 26.2 miles in a timed event (includes up to 6hr but NOT more ie. 12hr, 24hr, 48hr or 6 Day+ Races)

50 mile Distance - What Doesn't count for 2018?

  • Running the qualifying distance in training only. GPS traces/ Links to Garmin Connect or Movescount do not count.
  • Running the distance as part of a military exercise where no results are published.
  • Running the qualifying distance in an official race, but not as a single stage effort.
  • Completing over 26.2 miles in an ultra distance event, but not completing the full event. Example: DNF at the SDW50 at mile 42.
  • Old results. Example: Standard must be achieved between 1/1/2015 and race date, and the entrant offers a result from 2014.

* One caveat here are races which are published to be a certain distance, but are renowned for being short. If a race is advertised as 50 miles by an organiser, it will be counted as a 50 mile race and will be accepted as a qualifier. 

There are three elements to sustainability that we focus on as a business. Carbon Footprint, reduction of waste and removal of plastic usage/ generation.

Centurion Running is formed principally of three elements. The Events, our Store and our Coaching.

Our Coaching is conducted entirely remotely and as such the direct carbon footprint of that area of the business is extremely small. The business is 100% electronic with no plastic, paper or waste generation. 

Our store is both in-person and online. We focus on using recycled packaging, selecting sustainable or recycled materials wherever possible from the brands we work with and pushing them to do better in their product creation and design. Look out for this logo on our online store, which denotes products that are made using recycled materials or from sustainable resources. You can find them quickly by searching the tag 'Sustainable' or by clicking here.

The biggest single difference we can make as an organisation, to reduce the carbon footprint of our events. The majority of this comes from the travel of runners to and from our events. Our mission from 2023 onwards is to look to offer solutions to reducing emmissions from that transport. Lift sharing solutions, increased use of public transport and provision of communal travel options (coaches and buses) will become more prevalent and accessible as we move forward. These things take time to implement and require good communcation from us to our runners to make work. Our goal is to continue to reduce emissions with every event that passes.

With reference to waste and material use. Our commitment since the outset has been to try to use less, reduce waste and recycle/ upcycle as much of waste generated, that we can. Over the years we have worked to refine practices to eliminate or reduce waste without affecting runners safety or enjoyment of events. These are scratching the surface of what we can do and we will continue to do all we can to eliminate waste. Key dates for us have been:

2016: Removal of dates from finisher buckles - eliminating waste
2017: Adding re-usable cup to mandatory kit for all events and eliminating use of single use plastic cups
2017: Removal of dates from medals and re-stitching of new dated ribbons to medals in their place - eliminating waste
2019: Removal of dates from finisher tees - eliminating waste
2020: Providing runners the choice not to take awards as they register for event to reduce production levels
2021: Elimination of any waste from course marking - Introduction of upcycled Tyvek Marker Ribbons and re-usable cable ties, moving away from plastic barrier tape.

The biggest change from the above for us came at the end of 2016 when we made a cup part of mandatory gear for all events, and scrapped plastic cups at our aid stations. This reduced waste at our events down from 1800 litres on average, to 800 litres, of which 400 litres is recycled cardboard and plastic.

At the present time, waste we generate is dealt with as follows:

- 100% of cardboard from our farm office, store and from events, is recycled.

- 100% of plastic waste generated through food packaging and plastic bottles at check points is recycled.

- 100% of paper generated via our store and in our farm offices is shredded and composted.

We often receive questions asking for clarification of whether a runner is qualified to compete at one of our events. Here is a brief overview of what counts, and what doesn't.

Please note that these are the absolute minimum qualifications required in order to start. We advise gathering a great deal more experience than a single qualifier before attempting the 50 mile, but especially the 100 mile distance. 

We recognise that for 2021 events, many runners had planned qualifiers over 2020 or the early part of 2021 that have either been postponed or cancelled. In light of the situation we are willing to accept other qualification criteria being met. If you do not have a qualifier that meets the criteria but have any of the following, you may email us by clicking here, with details of what you would like us to consider instead. We will need to see proof of the alternative qualifier either through Strava/ Garmin/ Suunto link or similar for virtual events, or a link to results for older/ shorter events. This situation is just for 2021 as it stands and each case will be treated on its merits:

- Runner has a qualifer that meets the standard but is from prior to 2017

- Runner was able to complete the qualifing criteria as part of a virtual race

- Runner has a qualifier which is shorter than the standard but demonstrates ability to safely complete the event they are qualifying for due to other conditions.

100 mile Distance - What Counts for 2021?

All Results must be from between 1/1/2017 and the race date of the chosen event. 

  • Completion of a 50 mile single stage ultra within 15 hours and with a published set of results. (Note if you have finished a 50 mile event within the cut off of that event, but in a time over 15hrs, you may apply to the committee for exception). 
  • Completion of a single stage ultra longer than 50 miles in length.
  • Completion of a Double Iron Distance Triathlon (Run Stage is single stage and over 50 miles in length)
  • Completion of a multi-day race where one individual stage is longer than 50 miles and invividual stage results/ lengths are published. Example: Marathon Des Sables where the long day is greater than 50 miles in length. 
  • Completion of over 50 miles in a timed event up to 12hr (runners may not use splits or final distances achieved at 24hr, 48hr or 6 Day Races)
  • Completion of over 75 miles in a timed event up to 24hr (runners may not use splits or final distances achieved at 48hr or 6 Day Races)

100 mile Distance - What Doesn't count for 2021?

  • A race that is less than 50 miles in length.
  • Completion of a 50 mile event outside of 15hrs total time (Exceptions apply for significantly more diffiult events at the discretion of the committee).
  • Running the qualifying distance in training only. GPS traces/ Links to Strava, Garmin Connect or Movescount do not count.
  • Running the distance as part of a military exercise where no results are published.
  • Running the qualifying distance in an official race, but not as a single stage effort: Example: Completing 50 miles over a two day event or over two separate runs on the same day.
  • Ironman 
  • Completing over 50 miles in an ultra distance event, but not completing the full event. Example: DNF at the SDW100 at mile 70.
  • Old results. Example: Standard must be achieved between 1/1/2017 and race date, and the entrant offers a result from 2016.

50 mile Distance - What Counts for 2021?

All Results must be from between 1/1/2017 and the race date of the chosen event. 

  • Completion of a marathon (or greater distance) single stage race within the time limits of that event and with a published set of results. 
  • Completion of an Iron Distance Triathlon (Run Stage is single stage and 26.2 miles in length)
  • Completion of a multi-day race where one individual stage is longer than 26.2 miles and invividual stage results/ lengths are published.  
  • Completion of over 26.2 miles in a timed event (includes up to 6hr but NOT more ie. 12hr, 24hr, 48hr or 6 Day+ Races)

50 mile Distance - What Doesn't count for 2021?

  • Running the qualifying distance in training only. GPS traces/ Links to Strava, Garmin Connect or Movescount do not count.
  • Running the distance as part of a military exercise where no results are published.
  • Running the qualifying distance in an official race, but not as a single stage effort.
  • Completing over 26.2 miles in an ultra distance event, but not completing the full event. Example: DNF at the SDW50 at mile 42.
  • Old results. Example: Standard must be achieved between 1/1/2017 and race date, and the entrant offers a result from 2016.

* One caveat here are races which are published to be a certain distance, but are renowned for being short. If a race is advertised as 50 miles by an organiser, it will be counted as a 50 mile race and will be accepted as a qualifier. 

We often receive questions asking for clarification of whether a runner is qualified to compete at one of our events. Here is a brief overview of what counts, and what doesn't.

Please note that these are the absolute minimum qualifications required in order to start. We advise gathering a great deal more experience than a single qualifier before attempting the 50 mile, but especially the 100 mile distance. 

100 mile Distance - What Counts for 2023?

All Results must be from between 1/1/2019 and the race date of the chosen event. 

  • Completion of a 50 mile single stage ultra within 15 hours and with a published set of results. (Note if you have finished a 50 mile event within the cut off of that event, but in a time over 15hrs, you may apply to the committee for exception). 
  • Completion of a single stage ultra longer than 50 miles in length.
  • Completion of a Double Iron Distance Triathlon (Run Stage is single stage and over 50 miles in length)
  • Completion of a multi-day race where one individual stage is longer than 50 miles and invividual stage results/ lengths are published. Example: Marathon Des Sables where the long day is greater than 50 miles in length. 
  • Completion of over 50 miles in a timed event up to 12hr 
  • Completion of over 75 miles in a timed event up to 24hr

100 mile Distance - What Doesn't count for 2023?

  • A race that is less than 50 miles in length.
  • Completion of a 50 mile event outside of 15hrs total time (Exceptions apply for significantly more diffiult events at the discretion of the committee).
  • Running the qualifying distance in training only. GPS traces/ Links to Strava, Garmin Connect or Movescount do not count.
  • Running the distance as part of a military exercise where no results are published.
  • Running the qualifying distance in an official race, but not as a single stage effort: Example: Completing 50 miles over a two day event or over two separate runs on the same day.
  • Ironman 
  • Completing over 50 miles in an ultra distance event, but not completing the full event. Example: DNF at the SDW100 at mile 70.
  • Old results. Example: Standard must be achieved between 1/1/2019 and race date, and the entrant offers a result from 2018.

50 mile Distance - What Counts for 2023?

All Results must be from between 1/1/2019 and the race date of the chosen event. 

  • Completion of a marathon (or greater distance) single stage race within the time limits of that event and with a published set of results. 
  • Completion of an Iron Distance Triathlon (Run Stage is single stage and 26.2 miles in length)
  • Completion of a multi-day race where one individual stage is longer than 26.2 miles and invividual stage results/ lengths are published.  
  • Completion of over 26.2 miles in a timed event (includes up to 6hr but NOT more ie. 12hr, 24hr, 48hr or 6 Day+ Races)

50 mile Distance - What Doesn't count for 2023?

  • Running the qualifying distance in training only. GPS traces/ Links to Strava, Garmin Connect or Movescount do not count.
  • Running the distance as part of a military exercise where no results are published.
  • Running the qualifying distance in an official race, but not as a single stage effort.
  • Completing over 26.2 miles in an ultra distance event, but not completing the full event. Example: DNF at the SDW50 at mile 42.
  • Old results. Example: Standard must be achieved between 1/1/2019 and race date, and the entrant offers a result from 2018.

* One caveat here are races which are published to be a certain distance, but are renowned for being short. If a race is advertised as 50 miles by an organiser, it will be counted as a 50 mile race and will be accepted as a qualifier. 

 

Below are some of the commitments we make to ensure barriers to female participation in our events are removed. If you require any further information on the below, please email us here

You will find a podcast 'Women in Ultrarunning' featuring a more in depth discussion of many of these topics here

- Imagery/ Content: Our website is dedicated to promoting inclusivity. From the homepage through the race pages, to the previews and results. We will always dedicate as much space and resource to the each race - womens, mens and non-binary. Our aim is always to feature at least as many pictures of women, as well as People of Colour and an age spread of runners in every post race page and report.

- Race Overviews and Language: We have and will never use unnecessary terminology to make the races appear artificially more difficult and raise a barrier to inclusion. More than the sheer act of running these distances and events requires anyway.

- Fair Deferral/ Refund policies for pregnancy and post partum: Every race has a separate, explicit 100% refund policy for pregnancy and post-partum - these are listed on the registration pages. Women should feel comfortable entering our events whilst planning pregnancy, in the knowledge that they won't be disadvantaged if they do receive the good news before the race. 

- Toilets: Everywhere we can have a toilet we have one. Mens and Womens are separately signed. Any check point where we are not permitted a toilet by the landlord or by access, we are working on relocating. BUT! That is easier than it sounds and sometimes takes years.

- Feminine Hygiene: You will find spare tampons at every check point. These are stored with the general aid station kit, simply ask the volunteers or staff when you arrive if you require any help.

- Safety: We offer a buddy system at overnight check points to group runners up. The reason we allow pacers in the 100s that are point to point is purely as a safety consideration. 

- Volunteering: We will ensure there are women in each aid station volunteer team.

- Anonymity: Any request to anonymise results will be honoured.

- Awards: T- shirts come in male and female cut and sizes. Opt out for Trees not tees

- Breastfeeding/ Expressing: We deal with breastfeeding requests with runners and volunteers alike, making special provision wherever required. Please just email us for a personal discussion around your requirements.

- Room to race: We don’t generally have problems with busy start lines as our starting fields are small, but if there is a tight start line (NDW50 and 100) we will always call faster men and women forward in advance of the count down.

- Unaccetapble Behaviour: We will treat any report of unacceptable beahviour or harassment with utmost severity, take swift action and ensure that there is an appropriate outcome/ punishment for it.

- Prize money / awards: Have and will always been equal.

- Cut offs: Our cut offs are in place essentially to allow the maximum time to finish the course without encouraging walking the entirity. We are a running event organiser and aim to deliver running events, where organisations like the LDWA do a superb jog of encouraging runners and walkers and hence have much extended cut offs. The average pace required to finish is indicative of encouraging a percentage of running, whilst accepting that every runner will walk some, up to the majority of the race. We can and will have walkers finish our events (Sandra Brown walked the Autumn 100 in 24:36 aged 66) but we are primarily for runners. Our cut offs in elite races make things clearer. The 17 hour cut off at the track 100 is designed entirely around female athletes. The mens qualifying standard is a sub 15 hour 100. The Womens is a sub 17 hour 100. Precisely to level the field. But, we also don’t have a ‘Womens and a mens’ cut off as the course is open already for the duration. The aim is to have the courses open for anyone of any age to complete within a generous enough limit but that still allows that sense of achievement and having done something special as a runner.

RESOURCES

Centurion Running Podcast: Women in Ultrarunning

She Races. Fill in the She Races Survey to help provide more data and feedback from which guidance can be given back to the sport.

Fitrwoman App: Track Your Period and Train Smarter

Sport and Female Health: Roar by Stacey Sims

Sport and the Menopause: Next Level by Stacey Sims

Sophie Power: Return to Running Documentary

Active Pregnancy

Postnatal: Return to Running Medical Guidelines

We often receive questions asking for clarification of whether a runner is qualified to compete at one of our events. Here is a brief overview of what counts, and what doesn't.

Please note that these are the absolute minimum qualifications required in order to start. We advise gathering a great deal more experience than a single qualifier before attempting the 50 mile, but especially the 100 mile distance. 

100 mile Distance - What Counts for 2024?

All Results must be from between 1/1/2020 and the race date of the chosen event. 

  • Completion of a 50 mile single stage ultra within 15 hours and with a published set of results. (Note if you have finished a 50 mile event within the cut off of that event, but in a time over 15hrs, you may apply to the committee for exception). 
  • Completion of a single stage ultra longer than 50 miles in length.
  • Completion of a Double Iron Distance Triathlon (Run Stage is single stage and over 50 miles in length)
  • Completion of a multi-day race where one individual stage is longer than 50 miles and invividual stage results/ lengths are published. Example: Marathon Des Sables where the long day is greater than 50 miles in length. 
  • Completion of over 50 miles in a timed event up to 12hr 
  • Completion of over 75 miles in a timed event up to 24hr

100 mile Distance - What Doesn't count for 2024?

  • A race that is less than 50 miles in length.
  • Completion of a 50 mile event outside of 15hrs total time (Exceptions apply for significantly more diffiult events at the discretion of the committee).
  • Running the qualifying distance in training only. GPS traces/ Links to Strava, Garmin Connect etc do not count.
  • Running the distance as part of a military exercise where no results are published.
  • Running the qualifying distance in an official race, but not as a single stage effort: Example: Completing 50 miles over a two day event or over two separate runs on the same day.
  • Ironman 
  • Completing over 50 miles in an ultra distance event, but not completing the full event. Example: DNF at the SDW100 at mile 70.
  • Old results. Example: Standard must be achieved between 1/1/2020 and race date, and the entrant offers a result from 2018.

50 mile Distance - What Counts for 2024?

All Results must be from between 1/1/2020 and the race date of the chosen event. 

  • Completion of a marathon (or greater distance) single stage race within the time limits of that event and with a published set of results. 
  • Completion of an Iron Distance Triathlon (Run Stage is single stage and 26.2 miles in length)
  • Completion of a multi-day race where one individual stage is longer than 26.2 miles and invividual stage results/ lengths are published.  
  • Completion of over 26.2 miles in a timed event (includes up to 6hr but NOT more ie. 12hr, 24hr, 48hr or 6 Day+ Races)

50 mile Distance - What Doesn't count for 2024?

  • Running the qualifying distance in training only. GPS traces/ Links to Strava, Garmin Connect or Movescount do not count.
  • Running the distance as part of a military exercise where no results are published.
  • Running the qualifying distance in an official race, but not as a single stage effort.
  • Completing over 26.2 miles in an ultra distance event, but not completing the full event. Example: DNF at the SDW50 at mile 42.
  • Old results. Example: Standard must be achieved between 1/1/2020 and race date, and the entrant offers a result from 2018.

* One caveat here are races which are published to be a certain distance, but are renowned for being short. If a race is advertised as 50 miles by an organiser, it will be counted as a 50 mile race and will be accepted as a qualifier.