T184

September 26th 2024 2pm Start

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Starts September 26th 2024 2pm Start

Iconic minimal support race, a mostly self sufficient adventure race through one of the worlds most iconic cities along the worlds best known river. 184 miles from the underground source of the River Thames to the Thames Barrier and the open mouth of the river as it flows into the sea.

Run through and past some of the most scenic towns and villages and past some of London’s biggest landmarks.

Formerly part of the T-Series races, Challenge Running bought the events in 2020/21 just as Covid hit hard and we have now brought it back.

You have 3 days and 4 hours (76) hours to navigate your way across London averaging 2.5 mile an hour or better.

Minimal race support, buy food from shops and rest where you choose along the route. Your adventure your way.

• Live GPS tracking via our tracking partner Open Tracking
• Water stations every 25(ish) miles – for water and welfare checks only
• Access to a Halfway resupply bag – at a little after 100 miles.
• Medical and safety cover
• Indoor Finish location with great transport links and nearby London hotels.
• Bespoke Medal and optional finishers T-Shirt

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Date

Start time 2pm on Thursday the 26th of September 2024

Timings

Registration opens 12pm – Please do not arrive before this unless you are staying at the Pub.

Briefing and walk to the Stone for the start 1:30pm.

Start 2pm Thursday

Each CP/Water Station has it’s own Cut-off time to ensure we keep runners spread to a minimum and all those on course are with in the pace to complete the race. See CP info for details.

Finish Cut-Off time 6pm Sunday Evening

Exact timings for CP cut-offs below.

Location

Start location is the Thames Head, Cirencester. We have 2 pitches booked at the Pub Campsite a short walk from the actual Source stone where we will start the race. The 2 pitches are space for us to set up registration and check in and kit check. Not for runners to camp.

If you wish to camp overnight before the race you need to book your own pitch or room and are responsible for your own meals, breakfast and lunch. Registration is only open from 12pm.

Parking

Please do not park on site at the pub, it is a busy pub especially at lunchtime and vehicles can not be left there during the race or during the day, you can be dropped off at the pub only (no staying even for a short time to watch the start) but can we please park in the nearby Kemble Train Station which has long term parking available and is only a 15-20min walk away. Please respect this or we will lose the start location.

Finish location is the Clockhouse Community Centre just a short distance past the Thames Barrier. Parking is limited here and on street parking if the community centre car park is full.

Route

The Route starts at the source of the River Thames in Cirencester and follows the Thames, sometimes on the north side and sometimes on the south side all the way to the Barrier on the South bank and finishes at the Clock House Community Centre less than a mile past the barrier where we have some indoor space for finishers and they can be looked after until being collected or travelling onwards.

To download a copy of the route clock the “Learn More” Button and download in the format you want via the buttons on the top right. You can interact directly with the map on the page, zoom and pan etc.

The GPX file and map above includes all the current and expected diversions, based on the National Trails info on their interactive map here https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/thames-path/trail-information/

Thanks to those who have updated us or told us about various diversions.

Checkpoints

The checkpoints below are for the 2024 and have been finalised.

There will be checkpoints approximately every 25 miles providing a welfare check, water and first aid provision. They have no shelter or other comforts and will be staffed by 1 person who is not responsible for anything nut providing you water and feeding back to HQ about your welfare or condition.

At Approximately 112 miles you will have access to your drop bag and be able to change kit and resupply, Drop bags are limited to 15kg max though you should not need anywhere near this amount of stuff.

Checkpoints will be basic and outdoors with a van or other vehicle providing water, support or first aid from the roadside or car park locations.

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Facilities

The start/registration location will have indoor space and toilets.

The finish location will have indoor space, toilets and food.

All other CP locations will be outside and you will be reliant on local open facilities for toilets and shelter or sleeping. Only the 112 mile CP4 will have resting space and access to your resupply bag..

Timing/Tracking

Race Tracking will be provided by Open Tracking and you will be able to track the runners progress during the race and this will also allow us to monitor runners safety including the ability for runners to press an SOS button in an emergency that tells us they need help and give us an exact location.

Kit List

This is a challenging long distance mostly self sufficient event and you will need to carry a basic minimum of kit to ensure you have what’s required for potential weather changes and minor cuts and scrapes. This ensure you can look after yourself until assistance gets there in the event of an injury or incident.

We require you to carry the following items as a bare minimum.

1. Waterproof Jacket and Trousers – Jacket must have a hood, Minimum 10,000mm HH for both.

2. Spare Base Layer top and bottom cover – Full length not 3/4 or short sleeve

3. Spare Socks – 1 pair

4. Hat or Buff – If forecast is chilly we recommend a warm hat.

5. Gloves – to keep hands warm at night, consider waterproof if forecast is for wet weather.

6. Basic first aid kit to take care of blisters, cuts and scrapes – You decide the contents based on your needs. This must include any medications you take on a regular or daily basis.

7. Capacity to carry 2ltrs of water/fluids – bottles or bladder, there can be long gaps with no resupply especially at night so you need to be able to carry enough to last between top ups.

8. GPS device with the route on it OR printed maps of the route – Watch or handheld or paper maps but phones are not allowed as a sole GPS device as battery life is poor when using constant GPS location.

9. Charged Mobile Phone and Charging device – you must always leave a CP location with 50% charge. You need to be able to charge your device to keep it topped up so a battery bank capable of keeping your Phone and GPS device charged is required.

10. Headtorch with spare batteries or a second headtorch – If you use a rechargeable headtorch you must have a spare headtorch as most wont charge and work at the same time.

11. Bivvy Bag for emergencies or naps on the trail – This can be a foil bivvy like a Sol bivvy or plastic survival bag but we would recommend a proper bivvy bag that is more durable and can be reused more easily and wont stand out as much if sleeping on the side of the trail/river.

Entry

Entries are open now and will be until one of two things happens.

We reach the maximum 50 runners for the event or 2 weeks before the race date.

Up to October 31st it will cost £150 per person. This is the Very Early Bird entry price and represents great value.

Up to December 31st it will cost £184 which is still £1 per mile.

After Jan 1st it will be £200 to enter.

Please note this race is now advertised via the Eventrac entry system and is under our new terms as listed on our Policy Page.

That means NO REFUNDS unless you book the Refund Protection insurance and all refunds/transfers/deferrals go through the entry system and not through us – You will also have the option to pay in instalments on larger races.

You will be able to manage your details and defer/transfer your entry up to the event closing date which is 2 weeks before the race date. This is all done now through the entry system by logging on to Eventrac via the link in your confirmation email.

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FAQ’s

• Can I run with my dog? – No
• Can anyone run with me on the course, it is a public footpath? No this is considered unofficial support and not allowed.
• Can people bring me out stuff? No this is outside support
• How Strict will the cut-offs be? Very
• How will you keep me safe on the trails at night? You have a tracker and phone and we can monitor you remotely but ultimately you are responsible for your safety and if you are concerned about running in the dark at night on your own we would recommend running with a friend or another runner entered in the race at night. Just like our TR250 race we do not allow buddy runners on the course.

Rules

Specific Race Rules applicable to this event [in addition to the general rules above.

• No outside support allowed – You may purchase items from shops such as food and drink and batteries and so on but you can not be met by anyone who brings you for example spare clothing or shoes or delivers food. This is an unfair advantage and you must be self reliant. If you need someone to bring something like medicines you have lost etc then please message us to gain permission.
• No person who is not in the race can run on the course with you, supporters can wave at you as you pass but not run with you or carry anything for you along the course, this is an unfair advantage.
• No Dogs allowed, you cant run with your dog
• No staying in hotels for a sleep, it’s not in the spirit of the event being a self sufficient challenge
• If you drop out we will come pick you up when we can but ultimately you are responsible for onwards travel home once we return your drop bag. We will take you to the nearest station or look after you until a station opens in the morning but we have no obligation to transport you to a hotel or to the finish area. We advise you to be self sufficient and have the means on your person to purchase a train ticket or otherwise get yourself to the finish or where your drop bag is.
• If you drop out and do not return the tracker to us then you are responsible for additional hire charges and costs.
• We reserve the right to pull you from the race on medical or safety grounds if we think you are a danger to yourself or present a risk to the safety of the race or cause others to be diverted from the race to assist you. .
• Cut-offs will be enforced fully, if you are timed out then you are out and can not continue as part of the race and if you insist you will carry on the tracker and race number will be removed from you and you will be made to sign the race number to agree that you understand the race has no more responsibility for your safety.

Volunteering

Volunteering roles and info will appear here shortly

To Volunteer to help on this event please to to our Volunteering page and fill the form in or sign up to our email list above.

Results

Past historical results will appear here shortly

Media

Previous media such as blogs and articles will be posted here soon