Thames Path Ultra Challenge®
The Thames Path Ultra Challenge takes place on 12/13 September 2026 along the Thames Towpath, starting at Putney Bridge and finishing in Henley. The route runs upstream and passes Richmond, Hampton Court, Runnymede and Windsor, ending at a riverside finish. The event typically attracts over 3000 participants and allows walking, jogging, or running, with solo and team entry options.
Distances available:
- 100 km
- 75 km
- 50 km
- 25 km
- Henley 10K
The weekend also includes a separate 25 km Thames Bridges Trek and the Moonlight 10 Walk through central London as part of the festival programme.
Support and logistics are provided along the route. Covered rest stops appear approximately every 12.5 km with major stops about every 25 km; catering includes snacks at shorter intervals and meals at longer intervals, with dietary requirements catered for. The route is signed with arrows and glow-sticks where needed, and a GPS tracking app records progress. Timing checkpoints scan participants at rest stops and progress is monitored by a control room.
Medical and welfare provision includes doctors, paramedics, first aid, podiatry and massage teams, plus self help blister supplies and mobile emergency medical teams. Camping packages, shuttle buses to local stations and other transport options are available. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
The Ultra Challenge Experience
Endurance events for a wide range of fitness & ages – and UK’s #1 series of treks & trial runs. Choose your Challenge – do it at your pace, and there’re 2O events in the Series. Our support enables you to go further, whilst enjoying the great outdoors & camaraderie.There’re marquee rest stops, lots of food & drink, medical & massage teams, with a fully signed route & GPS tracking to guide you. A big finish-line celebration awaits with an amazing sense of achievement, and once the aches subside you’ll feel energised, and up for more of life’s challenges!
Before your Challenge
Good preparation & smart planning are key, and from the moment you sign up you’ll have access to our Challenge App – with training guides, optional training walks, maps, online forums, and the latest news & updates.
Covered Rest Stops
Rest Stops every ~12.5 km with ‘major’ ones every ~25 km, and are much more than the shaky gazebo with water that you see on some events. We’ve marquee cover, large medical & welfare tents, catering services, seating areas for recovery, changing rooms, and a friendly welcome!
Signed Route & GPS Tracking
00’s of pink arrows + glow-sticks (at night) mark the route, and with Google route maps in the App you won’t get lost on an Ultra Challenge®!Our Timing System scans you at rest stops, with your progress logged and monitored by our Control Room.For 2025 – we’ve upgraded our system, with an APP for your mobile with GPS Tracking – which you can share in ‘real time’ with family & friends – without draining your phone’s battery – and you also get all the info on the route lying ahead!
FREE Food & Drink
Keeping you well fed & hydrated is key. We pride ourselves on the quantity & quality of our catering, and whichever distance you are on – meals, snacks & drinks are included – so no need to carry much!Snacks & drink stops every 12.5 kmSnacks – from the healthy to treatsMeals / food every 25 kmEnergy drinksAll dietary requirements catered forLighter options for ‘runners’Finishers meal
Camping Packages
We generally have a ~50 km campsite for rest & sleep if you’re on the 2 day ‘Daylight’ 100 km option, or if you finish / start a 50 km ‘half’ Challenge. Book an inclusive package or ‘pitch your own’ – there’re showers and chill out areas.
Medics, Podiatrists, Massage
We’ve experienced Doctors, Paramedics, First Aiders, Podiatrists, and Massage Teams at Rest Stops. There’re ‘Self Help’ areas with blister plasters, talc, Vaseline, and tape if you want to patch your own feet. Our mobile Emergency Medical Teams are only a phone call away, via our 24 hour Control Room
Medal, T Shirt, Glass of Fizz
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