Chiltern Ridge Ultra Trail
Race details
The Chiltern Ridge is an iconic 50km ultra marathon set in the heart of the Chiltern Hills.
The 6th edition of the Chiltern Ridge Ultra Trail 50km will take place on Saturday 11th May 2023 at 9am [TBC]
Our single loop course takes runners on a stunning journey along The Ridgeway, Chiltern Way and Ashridge Estate.
The course offers a variety of terrain, combining forest running, ridgeline views and picturesque countryside.
50KM Ultra Trail
£68 unaffiliated / £66 affiliated
Key Information
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Route Description
The course is a single loop with a short connecting section to get to/from the event base.
Runners complete the route in an anti-clockwise direction running along some of the very best trails in the Chilterns.
A large majority of the route sits within National Trust's Ashridge Estate and includes an idyllic section of The Ridgeway between Ivinghoe Beacon and Aldbury.
Event resources
Last updated - 4th May 2023 - Race Briefing added
Route Map
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Aid stations
There are three checkpoints on the route, at 17km, 30km & 43km, these will have the following supplies available. There is an additional water only aid station at 8km.
- Water
- Coke
- Mountain fuel electrolyte drink (pre-mixed, raw flavour)
- Mountain fuel energy gels (lime or orange)
- Selection of crisps and sweets
- Tribe energy bars
- Fresh fruit (banana, orange)
Event base
Our event base, held at Fuzzy’s Farm in Hertfordshire is designed for runners and spectators to enjoy both pre and post race.
Hot drinks will be on offer throughout the day, along with food and local beer.
Car parking is available on site, along with toilets and a bag drop facility.
Required gear
All runners will be required to carry the following items for the entirety of the run:
- Mobile phone (emergency number saved)
- Route map on watch/phone or paper map (provided)
- Windproof or light jacket
- Refillable water/hydration system (0.5L min)
- Cash or bank card
Entry details
Registration is £68 (or £66 to affiliated runners), runners must be aged 20 years or older.
- Entry to the 50KM race
- Event permitted by the TRA
- Car parking at the event base
- Finishers medal
- Chip timing with live results
- Four on-route aid stations
- Course wide medical support
- Bag drop at the event base
T-Shirts are available to purchase on our store.
Event FAQs
We've answered some common questions below. Please contact us if you have any further queries.
How difficult is this race?
The Chiltern Ridge 50K is considered to be a challenging run set on undulating/hilly terrain. That being said, during previous editions of the race we have seen many runners complete this as their first ultra, well within the cutoff time.
Overall drop-out rates are very low and providing you adopt an intelligent strategy, such as a walk/run approach, we are confident all runners can complete this course within the 9-hour cutoff time.
Do I need to qualifiy?
No, there are no qualifiying standards required to enter this race.
I'm worried about getting lost?
Our route will be marked throughout with orange signage/ribbons, along with marshals at several key points. Course checkers will be out during the race ensuring that signage remains in place.
We ask runners to make sure they have access to the route via a phone or watch, to act as a backup in an emergency. If you are unsure how to set this up we will be creating some video content in the lead up to the race to help you.
What are the cut-off times for this race?
There is an overall 9-hour time limit for this race. Anyone running significantly behind this time at each checkpoints will be monitored and maybe advised to stop for safety reasons.
Where can toilets be found at this event?
There will be temporary toilets at the event base. The majority of these will be unisex, however we will have some female-only portaloos that have sanitary products available.
Indoor toilets will also be available at our 17km and 30km aid stations.
Are there changing facilities available?
Yes, there will be several pop-up changing tents at the event base for runners to use.
How can I attend this event without a car?
Hemel Hempstead is the closest train station to our event base. From the station it is a short 5-min taxi journey or and 11-minute cycle. We will provide a safe place to store bikes whilst you are running.
Coming soon - We are launching a ride sharing feature to allow other participants to offer lifts to others.
What footwear should I wear at this race?
Please wear trail running shoes for this race. You will encounter varried terrain along the route that will become slippery/muddy in wet weather conditions.
What prizes are awarded at this event?
There are awards for the top three male and female finishers overall, along with age category awards for FV40, MV40, FV50, MV50, FV60, MV60, FV70, MV70.
How do I follow the route using my phone or watch?
Most GPS watches allow you to upload a GPX file of the route for you to follow whilst running. Typically this is done via by loading the GPX file into the app (i.e Garmin Connect), and then syncing your phone/watch together.
If you don't have a GPS watch we would recommend using OS Maps (£20/year) or Strava Premium (£48/year).
Withdrawal options
By entering our race, you agree to the following withdrawal policy. This policy applies to all runners with the exception of women of cannot compete due to pregnancy.
To make a withdrawal request, please follow the button below and fill in the form.
Withdraw from race
It was so well organised both in the weeks building up to it and on the day, and the course was so well marked you couldn’t possibly go wrong out there.
Darren
Chiltern Ridge 50km, 2021
Good organisation , great people, excellent route marking , all put together to make a super event. Even a bit of weather to add to the atmosphere :)
Edward
Chiltern Ridge 50km, 2021
Our Races
Friendly and challenging trail running races, set in the beautiful English countryside.
