Race to the Stones | Day One | Thames Valley 50K

2025 details to be confirmed.

Fitness level

Anyone can take on ultra marathons. Especially you.

Let's bust the myth that ultra marathons are for elite athletes only. Naturally, some people think they are are only for maniacs, experienced in sprinting up snow-topped mountains and crossing vast, barren deserts. But try telling that to the participants! They are mums and dads, nurses and teachers, grandparents and students. They are weekend hikers, post-work yoga masters and two-wheeled commuters. One thing they all share is the belief that more is in them, and with the support of each other, they will make it to the finish!

This challenge will not be easy and it will require a commitment from you to train and prepare for the event, but with enough focus and support, anything is possible.

Are ultra marathons only for elite athletes?

This event has been designed to be a challenge, whatever your fitness level. More serious runners aim for a specific time while for others completing the distance is the goal. Whichever you are, with the right preparation, you can do it!

The aim is for all walkers and runners to cross the finish line with an unimaginable sense of achievement and a lifetime of amazing memories.

I don’t have enough time to train!

Training isn’t easy! Juggling family and social life and work is no walk in the park, however, this event is planned to make your journey as smooth as possible. Above all, you will have an incredible crew and the most incredible community to share the experience and keep you motivated from sign-up to start line.

Training. Where do I start?

Taking on your first ultra uarathon can be daunting to say the least. However, from sign up to start line you will be supported every step of the way, with training plans for walkers and runners, tips, and great offers from partners. You also get access to an incredible Facebook support forum where you can find nearby walkers and runners to help you train, share advice or just share your blister photos!

Get social

If you're unsure what kit to take or you're looking for a training partner or someone to walk the trail with, join the Trail Series Facebook forum and chat with fellow ‘racers’.

Team challenge

• Enter a team from 10 to 100+
• This is the perfect corporate event
• Accommodates all ages, experience and fitness levels
• Walk or run a variety of distances
• Options to camp overnight or take it on in one go

Whether it’s a small group of you or most of the company – there's a package for you. Optional extras include hospitality zones, bespoke kit and live Q & A’s for your team.

Team benefits

• A healthier, happier and engaged workforce
• Team building across seniority levels
• Investing in your people’s physical and mental health
• Raising money for your chosen charity
• Bonding with clients in a unique and active way
• Empowering your team with a greater sense of self esteem, optimism and resilience

Easy team admin

The admin is light! The participant comms ensure your team has all the info it needs, as well as being on hand to answer any questions. All the training guides and kit lists are provided, plus there's help with the logistics of getting to and from the event.

Event HQ

Field Farm Bungalow
Shirburn Road
Lewknor
Watlington
Oxfordshire
OX49 5RR
UK

Start

Field Farm, Lewknor, Watlington, Oxon, OX49 5RR

WHAT3WORDS: chop.mailers.motivations

Field Farm offers a spacious start venue which is easily reachable by road (it's close to the M40), offering easy access from London and the Midlands.

There is a drop off zone at the start, where friends and family are able to wait and watch competitors depart from the start line.

Basecamp

Latin Down Kiln, The Ridgeway, Wantage, Oxon, OX12 8PA

WHAT3WORDS: call.unsecured.coupler

Finish

Finish: Rutland Farm, Avebury, SNB 1RH

WHAT3WORDS: whirlwind.startles.flagging

By rail

By rail, the closest stations are Saunterton and Princes Risborough.

Overview

Starting in Lewknor, the Thames Valley 50k presents a varied and scenic route that is steeped in history. Crossing England’s longest river at the halfway mark at the ancient twin villages of Goring and Streatley, the route then heads back up onto higher ground, culminating with a triumphant climb towards the iconic Lattin Down basecamp finish line.

Map

The organiser's sustainability framework highlights that sustainability is embedded in all events they organise, including this one. They believe passionately that their events should strive to have as positive impact on the natural world as they do on the teams and individuals that participate in them.

The clear framework is underpinned by the vision to have a net positive impact on the natural world. This will be achieved by:

Sustainability framework

• Reducing the negative impact of the events

  1. Reducing: Implementing strategies to reduce the negative environmental impact of the events (emissions, ecological impact, water use, plastic pollution).

  2. Off-setting: Off-setting the carbon footprint of the business through initiatives that reduce emissions locally and globally.

• Increasing the positive impact of the events

  3. Inspiring: Inspiring social and industry behaviour change by sharing, promoting and advocating for partnerships with suppliers, sponsors, clients, participants and the public.

  4. Advancing: Quantifying the impact of the events and setting SMART objectives. Basing strategies on science and sharing data within the Infront Group, the industry and academia.

This framework is regularly reviewed and is available in greater detail.

There are well-supported ultra marathons and then there is this one.

Preparation

• Training plans tailored to your package and level
• Top tips from trail running experts
• Exclusive offers from event partners and suppliers
• Team on hand to answer any questions you may have
• Community with access to the event forums to ask questions and share advice

On the trail

• Fully signposted trails for navigation in day and night conditions
• Routes through heritage sites, AONBs and along National Trails
• Pit stops with heaps of food, drink, toilets, medical (and emotional) support
• Route checking and support throughout the event
• All routes and wave timings planned for minimal bottle-necks
• Individual chip timing throughout the event
• Event photographers at all the top spots along the trail

Safety

• Independent event and route risk assessments
• Rapid response paramedic teams throughout the event
• Qualified medical personnel at all pit-stops
• Medical clinics at the basecamp and finish points
• Centralised event control system for runner emergencies
• Additional support contingencies for extreme weather events

Food and drink

• Fully stocked pit stops including cereal bars, chocolate, sweets, fresh fruit, crisps, sandwiches, tea, coffee, porridge and more
• A mix of water, squash and flat coke at stops along the way
• Hot meals at halfway and a hot meal at the finish
• Cooked and continental breakfasts for those camping overnight
• Sports nutrition including electrolyte, hydration and recovery products from High5
• Additional food concessions at the start, halfway and finish for supporters
• Bars at the basecamp and at the finish
• Offerings for special dietary requirements throughout

Transport

• Bag transfer to daily finish point for all runners and walkers

The finish

• Top quality finisher’s medal
• Live MC welcoming you over the line
• Finish line photographer
• Hot meal when you cross the finish line
• Hot showers for all participants
• Spectator zones at the finish with food and drink concessions
• Onward shuttle options
• Merchandise stand
• Bag collection

Basecamp - extra

• 1,000 tents ready and set up for the campers
• Hot showers, plenty of toilets and a pamper zone with hairdryers, mirrors and more
• Dining area for thousands of runners
• Chill out zones with beanbags and stretching areas
• Fully stocked bars, cake and coffee concessions
• Charging stations
• Live music
• Fire pits and some extra evening magic

Optional extras

• Event merchandise
• Glamping options
• Shuttles to and from the start and finish
• Parking at the start and finish
• Individual trackers
• Individual event photos

Entry fees

Really enjoyed Race to the Stones - my first ultra, and it was so well waymarked and organised that we just needed to concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other, while the organisers provided food, put up tents, carried bags etc. | Katherine

A really well-organised event. The Pit stop crews were all amazingly supportive. The information sent was first class. Which all made for an enjoyable event. | Joanna

I just wanted to send a message of thanks and huge congratulations for the Race to the stones team. It was a fantastic event, so well organised. I felt 100% confident and safe in following the route thanks to the diligently placed red arrows, facilities were great, medics were awesome, vibe was brilliant, staff and volunteers were so helpful and friendly. You were mindful and attentive to our physical needs when the weather changed and adapted things accordingly. | Gemma

Such a good event. Felt like a real achievement to get across the finish line after a great support team! So beautiful as well. | Jack C

I would recommend RTTS to anyone evolving their ultra trail distances. This is an excellent route and well organised event. | Ted F

Reviews thanks to RaceCheck