Charity places in 1st Half
Sat 21 Jun 2025 Cirencester, Gloucestershire, UK

Cotswold Way Ultra Challenge | 1st Half

The second half option of the Thames Path Challenge from Runnymede along the meandering river through Cookham to Henley-on-Thames, home of the regatta, to a celebration finish and family BBQ.

Charity places

Event overview

If you're keen to take on a proper challenge, shape up, re-energise and support an important cause, this ultra will help you go further than ever before - whether you walk, jog or run your way to the finish line.

You'll be supported all the way from the moment you sign up with an event app, online guides, forums and training walks. On the challenge there are safe venues, camping options, fully signed routes, chip timing, marquee rest stops, fantastic food and drink and expert safety, medical and welfare teams to get you over the finish line where you'll receive a huge cheer, medal, glass of fizz, t-shirt, massage, BBQ and more!

Challenge options

  • Full continuous 100km (Sat)

    100km, at your pace, through the day and night if you’re walking.

  • Full two-day daylight 100km (Sat and Sun)

    100km over 2 days, with optional camping packages at half way – or book a hotel or B&B – and rest!

  • 3/4 challenge 76km (Sat)

    New for this year and ideal if you want to ‘up your distance’ – without committing to a Full 100km – and you start with the fantastic 2nd Quarter scenery. 

  • 1st half challenge 53km (Sat)

    A scenic and tough ‘half’ Challenge – the best of the Cotswold Way.

  • 2nd half challenge 47km (Sun)

    Wotton to Cirencester.

  • 1st quarter challenge 23km (Sat)

    Cirencester to Painswick.

  • 2nd quarter challenge 30km (Sat)

    Painswick to Wotton. A fantastic ‘Quarter’. Tough and amazing views!

  • Cirencester 10K (Sat)

    New for this year – and ideal if you’re in and about Cirencester and want some exercise. Families welcome.

Charity places

These charities have places in the event. To secure your place, select a charity and complete the form to ask a question or get signed up.

Children

NSPCC

Every childhood is worth fighting for.

  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£30

Fundraise
£375

Cancer

Macmillan Cancer Support

No one should have to face cancer alone.

  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£20

Fundraise
£375

Children

Child Bereavement UK

Supporting bereaved children and families to help rebuild their lives.

  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£30

Fundraise
£375

Mental health

Mind

The mental health charity.

  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£20

Fundraise
£375

Children

Dreams Come True

Making dreams come true to bring joy to seriously ill children.

  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£40

Fundraise
£375

Children

Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity

Helping the hospital offer a better future to seriously ill children across the UK.

  • Technical t-shirt
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials

Sign up
£20

Fundraise
£375

Children

Make-A-Wish UK

Creating life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.

  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£30

Fundraise
£375

Health and Medical

Stroke Association

Rebuilding lives after stroke.

  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£30

Fundraise
£375

Health and Medical

Epilepsy Society

Transforming the lives of people with epilepsy through world-leading research, advocacy and care.

  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£30

Fundraise
£375

Children

Young Epilepsy

Informing, educating, inspiring, and engaging to help young people with epilepsy.

  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£30

Fundraise
£375

Social welfare

Alcohol Change UK

Working to end serious alcohol harm in the UK.

  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£40

Fundraise
£375

Health and Medical

Cure Parkinson's

Here for the cure; working with urgency to find new treatments to slow, stop and reverse Parkinson’s.

  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£30

Fundraise
£375

Homelessness

St Mungo's

Ending homelessness, rebuilding lives.

  • T-shirt
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Training plan
  • Online training zone
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£30

Fundraise
£375

  • Event village
  • Newcomers

Solo or with others

Taking on an ultra trek or run is a serious challenge and tough for most people, but also achievable with the right training plan which you'll get access to when you sign up. This challenge is fully supported meaning it's the perfect way to have-a-go at a longer distance.

Charity challenge

Fundraising for a cause close to your heart is part of the challenge and you'll receive a wealth of support, advice and tips from your chosen charity to make sure you smash your fundraising target.

  • Accommodation
  • Bag storage
  • Bag transfer
  • Bar
  • BBQ
  • Cafe
  • Camping
  • Changing facilities
  • Entertainment
  • Free parking
  • Music
  • Rural
  • Showers
  • Toilets
  • Urban

Event HQ

Cirencester Basecamp
Cirencester
Gloucestershire
GL7
UK

  • Check points
  • Distance markers
  • Entertainment
  • First aid
  • Food stations
  • Hilly
  • Marshals
  • Mass start
  • Point to point
  • Return transport
  • Sleeping facilities
  • Sweeper
  • Toilets
  • Water stations
  • Way markers

The 1st Half Cotswold Way loop will start at basecamp in Cirencester, finishing in Wotton-under-Edge, the route is perhaps the toughest loop with steep ascents and descents taking you into the heart of this beautiful landscape. 

  • Chip timing
  • Event app
  • Goody bag
  • GPS tracking
  • Map
  • Massage
  • Medal
  • Pre-event training sessions
  • Training plan
  • T-shirt

Included before

  • Dedicated challenge app to help you prepare
  • Challenge manual and event guides
  • Training walks and runs
  • Kit and equipment lists – discounts and advice
  • Preparation videos and pre-event briefing
  • Online forums – meet fellow challengers

Included on the challenge

  • Rest stops every ~12.5km – covered with seating, toilets & rest areas
  • Free food and drinks – catering to all dietary requirements
  • First aid support – at stops and en route
  • Fully signed route and online maps
  • Chip-timing – keeping track of you
  • Trek Masters – to help guide you
  • Baggage transfer service
  • Emergency support and route pick-ups
  • Shuttles for retirees to take you forward
  • Bookable transfers before and after your challenge
  • Medal, t-shirt and glass of fizz at the finish

Fundraising

  • Fundraising materials
  • Fundraising support