Three Shires Way Ultra & Marathon
The event offers two point-to-point distance races along the Three Shires Way through the rural landscapes and ancient woodlands of Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire, finishing with a loop around Grafham Water.
Distances:
- 50 Mile Ultra
- Marathon
The 50 mile route links with the Swan’s Way, follows county boundaries at Threeshire Wood and includes an added section near Hanslope to reach fifty miles. The marathon route starts at Yelden and shares the finish area at Marlow Park, Grafham Water. GPX files for both routes are available for download.
Both races are licensed by the Trail Running Association and are held under UKA rules. Minimum ages are 20 for the 50 mile race and 18 for the marathon. Cut-off times are 14 hours for the 50 mile event and 8 hours for the marathon, with progressive checkpoint cut-offs. No pacers are permitted. Entries and transfers close seven days before the event.
On-course support includes professional first aid at the start and finish and volunteers providing hydration and nutrition at checkpoints. The event is cupless so runners must carry their own cup. Trail shoes are advised. Mandatory kit includes a charged mobile phone with race contact numbers, at least 1 litre of water capacity, a survival blanket and a whistle. Additional mandatory items apply for the 50 mile race, including a long-sleeved layer, reflective clothing, hat and gloves and a headtorch for low-light sections.
Transport options include coach transfers from the finish to the starts for a fee. Parking at the finish is available at a reduced price for runners. Prizes are awarded to the top three male and female finishers in each race and all finishers receive an event medal. Free digital race photos are provided after the event. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
Start time/location
50 Mile Ultra: Race HQ and Start at Hanslope Village Hall, Newport Road, Hanslope, Milton Keynes MK19 7NZ. Registration from 07:00. Start at 08:00. Finish at Marlow Park, Grafham Water, Grafham, Huntingdon PE28 0BH.
Marathon: Race HQ and Start at Yelden Village Hall, Spring Ln, Yelden MK44 1AT. Registration from 09:30. Start at 10:45. Finish at Marlow Park, Grafham Water, Grafham, Huntingdon PE28 0BH.
Transport to the start
Coaches will operate from the Finish at Marlow Park to the respective Start lines.
- 50 Mile Ultra Coach departs Marlow Park: 06:00. Arrives Hanslope Village Hall: 07:10.
- Marathon Coach departs Marlow Park: 09:25. Arrives Yelden Village Hall: 10:00.
Coach places are priced at £14 and can be booked during entry.
Parking
Parking at the finish at Marlow Park, Grafham Water, Grafham, Huntingdon, PE28 0BH, will be available for runners at a reduced price of £5 for the day.
The routes
Linking with the Swan’s Way at the start, the 49 mile Three Shires Way takes in the county boundaries of Bucks, Beds and Northants at Threeshire Wood, with a 12.4 mile loop around Grafham Water to finish. We’ve added a section to the village hall at Hanslope to get to the magic 50, and created a marathon route that starts at Yelden.
Route Diversion – 50 Mile Ultra 2026: Due to a section of the Three Shires Way being closed and dangerously rutted, the route has been diverted using footpaths and bridleways. The diverted route now leaves Clifton Reynes towards Newton Blossomville at 10.2 miles; passing through Newton Blossomville (11.2 miles), Turvey (12.6 miles).