Challenge Running Ltd
Thames Ring Series
Next Race: 21/04/2027 + 1 other
Morrell Rooms, Church Lane, Streatley, Reading, RG8 9JA
Thames Ring Series
The Thames Ring 250 is an iconic 250-mile trail race following an anti-clockwise loop along the Thames, the Grand Union Canal, and the Oxford canal. New for 2026 onwards, the event is a series featuring the TR250, TR150, and TR100.
Live tracking by Open Tracking is included. It is mainly rural towpaths and footpaths and is notoriously tough, with historical sub-50% finish rates.
Entry Options & Pricing
The Full Loop
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Thames Ring Series
The Thames Ring 250 is an iconic 250-mile trail race following an anti-clockwise loop along the Thames, the Grand Union Canal, and the Oxford canal. New for 2026 onwards, the event is a series featuring the TR250, TR150, and TR100 distances.
Live tracking by Open Tracking. The route is mainly rural towpaths and footpaths. It's an extremely tough run testing endurance to the limit, with a historical finish rate of below 50% for the full distance.
Entry Options & Pricing
The Full Loop
10am Wed start. Keep going for up to 100 hours. Price: £375 (£325 for first 15 entries).
Start to Nether Heyford
10am Wed start. Finishes at the 158-mile CP. Price: £200 (£150 for first 15 entries).
Nether Heyford to Finish
12pm Friday start. 98 miles to Streatley. Price: £150 (£100 for first 15 entries).
Entry includes tracking, food, medical support, baggage transportation, and a bespoke medal for finishers. Dynamic pricing applies to the first 15 entries. You can pay via instalments over 6 months.
Race Schedule & Deadlines
Logistics, Drop Bags & Support
Drop Bags
250 and 150 runners: You are permitted 1 single drop bag of up to 15kg transported to each CP. Holdalls are best. Tieing 2 or 3 bags together is not permitted.
100 runners: Same size drop bag, but only accessible at the Lower Heyford CP halfway.
Checkpoints (CPs)
Checkpoints are located approximately every 25 miles. Most outdoor checkpoints are near pubs with toilets. Sleeping tents are available after 75 miles for 250/150 runners. Hot and cold foods/drinks are provided.
Navigation
150 Miles
Starts at Nether Heyford and finishes at Streatley. Competitors must reach the finish by the same event cutoff time.
Entry: £225
100 Miles
Starts at Streatley and finishes at Nether Heyford. Share the first 100 miles with the TR250 runners.
Entry: £160
Prices include tracker hire, checkpoint access with hot food/sleeping space, and finishers' bespoke medals.
Important Deadlines & Insurance
Optional ticket insurance is offered during sign-up for an additional 15%. This protects you against injury/illness. Without this optional insurance, we do not offer refunds, deferrals, or transfers under any circumstances.
Race Day Schedule
Travel, Logistics & Checkpoints
Location & Parking
Streatley HQ: The Morrell Room, Church Lane, Streatley on Thames, Berkshire, RG8 9HT.
Nether Heyford HQ: Nether Heyford Village Hall, The Green, Nether Heyford, Northampton NN7 3LE.
Parking info will be emailed prior to the event.
Checkpoints
Checkpoints (village halls) are spaced roughly every 35 to 65 miles. CP2 and CP3 have strict cutoffs. You can sleep at these halls, access drop bags, and enjoy basic hot food, tea/coffee.
The Route & Navigation
Anti-clockwise loop tracking the Thames Path, Grand Union Canal, and Oxford Canal. The route is unmarked. You must navigate using GPX files and maps. It is largely off-road on towpaths.
Crews & Drop Bags
You are permitted 1 drop bag (max 15kg/80 litres) transported to each major CP for TR250/150 runners. TR100 runners do not get a drop bag (finish bag only). Crew support is allowed at public locations, but not inside CPs.
Course Records
Race Specific Rules
- This is an unsupported continuous race. You must carry mandatory kit (water, foil blanket, fully charged phone, headtorch, map/GPS) at all times.
- You must use the provided GPS tracker, fixed securely to your pack.
- Sleeping is only permitted at the official checkpoints (C1, C2, C3) or in commercial accommodations (B&Bs, hotels). No rough sleeping or bivvying under bridges/hedges.
- No pacers allowed.
- Strict cutoff times apply at CP2 (45 hrs), CP3 (70 hrs) and the Finish (100 hrs).
Volunteering
Volunteers are vital to manning the long hours at checkpoints. If you would like to support the runners on this incredible endurance challenge, please contact us or see our Volunteering page for available shifts.
Location
Directions
There is a train station near to the start/finish, Goring on Thames. The Finish of the 150 and start of the 100 are a bit more remote and the nearest stations are Long Buckby (4 miles away) and Northampton (7 miles away).
- Total No. Entries : 37