Challenge Running Ltd
Next Race: 22/04/2026
Morrell Rooms, Church Lane, Streatley, Reading, RG8 9JA
Next Race: 22/04/2026
Morrell Rooms, Church Lane, Streatley, Reading, RG8 9JA
race tracking page - Updated just before the race
The Thames Ring 250 is an iconic 250 mile (More like 256) trail race starting in Streatley-on-Thames and following an anti-clockwise loop East along the Thames, up the Grand Union Canal and back to the Thames via the Oxford canal before returning to the start in Streatley.
The route almost entirely on canal and riverside paths and relatively flat, though not as easy as you may think.
Runners have 100 hours (4 days 4 hours) to complete the run, navigating using maps, gpx files and being supported by checkpoints every 25 miles or so.
It's an extremely tough run, testing runners endurance to the limit with many long hours with little sleep and dark nights.
The first race of this distance in the UK and for many years the longest non-stop race in Europe.
It may be flat but it's not easy...
The Date for the 2026 race will be 22nd- 26th of April
Starting at 10am on the Wednesday and finishing by Sunday 2pm. 100 hours total.
Below you should find all the information you need.
Please read our refund policy before entering
The entry fee for the 2026 race will be £350 (plus admin charges),
It includes tracking, food, medical support, baggage transportation and medal.
We have slightly increased the price for 2026 as unfortunately many venues have dramatically increased
We have made the printed maps and hoodies/T-Shirts and optional extra to keep prices as low as possible. If you enter early it's still only £1.20 per mile which is great value on events these days.
We do however offer big discounts for early entry which helps us get money in quickly so we can book venues and facilities early and we try to reward that early financial commitment with a large discount.
Entries before july 1st 2025 are only £300 - a £50 saving on full price
Entries Before Jan 1st 2026 are £325 - a £25 saving on full price
Entries after theses dates up till entries close are £350
You have the option to pay the race in instalments over 6 months to help out those who find it's a large entry fee to pay at once.
You have the option to insure the race entry against illness or injury for an additional 15% of the total cost. This insures 100% of the entry fee if you can't run due to a last minute illness, travel issue or other emergency. No refunds are issued by Challenge Running if you choose to not insure the race. (see our policies).
Please note you must be 18 or over to enter this race.
Only finishers will receive a finishers Medal. The medal will be huge! 130mm across and 10mm thick. Each Year a different colour is chosen for the optional hoody and other merchandise, the 2024 will be pink and the 2025 will be grey. The Biff is always the same colour.
There will be an option on the entry form to order a T-Shirt and Buff should you want them at additional cost to match the design of the Hoody. We don't make profit on these items but aim to just cover costs.
Entries will close on Monday the 7th of April 2025 so we can collate all the entries and plan the race effectively.
Qualifying Criteria
We have no specific criteria for entry as this is a challenge that has been completed by runners of all ages and speeds and previous performances. It's also not been completed by some very good runners so we don't set specific standards for entry, however we do suggest you have a good background in endurance events and are prepared to push yourself.
Cut Offs are Strictly enforced.
Start/Finish Location - Morrell Rooms, Streatley-on-Thames, RG8 9JA
Facilities - Toilets, Changing, Indoor Space to sleep post race, Kitchen, Hot and Cold foods at the finish.
Spectators/Support - Yes, please do not park out front and park considerately locally.
Google Maps - https://maps.app.goo.gl/xcaiaqVeSes3aEdP6
CP 1 Location - Hurleyford Farm, Hurley
Facilities - No Toilets, basic hot and cold foods.
Spectators/Support - No, unless collecting a runner you will not be allowed access to this location which is on private ground.
Google Maps - https://maps.app.goo.gl/jG7Fm9USCM25A2BN7
CP 2 Location - Kingfisher Pub, Chertsey (CP in car park to rear)
Facilities - Toilets when pub is open (till 11pm), Basic hot and cold foods. Food in Pub.
Spectators/Support - No, there is no spare parking at this location. Please only visit if you are collecting a runner.
Google Maps - https://maps.app.goo.gl/TPXZHMra1Rg8xeYLA
CP 3 Location - Tesco Store, Yiewsley
Facilities - Toilets only when store opens at 7am, basic hot and cold foods. Sleeping tents. Superstore when open.
Spectators/Support - Yes but please use the car park spaces near the CP location.
Google Maps - https://maps.app.goo.gl/5CNJjzsEkqaL4T7q8
CP 4 Location - Rising Sun Pub, Berkhamsted
Facilities - Toilets, basic hot and cold foods, sleeping Tents. Basic Pub Sandwiches and bar food.
Spectators/Support - No, parking and access is very limited here please do not visit.
Google Maps - https://maps.app.goo.gl/V6DtxEy11EG7V9Yf
CP 5 Location - Milton Keynes
Facilities - No toilets, Basic hot and cold foods, sleeping tents.
Spectators/Support - Yes there is a small car park near the CP and space on the access road.
Google Maps - https://maps.app.goo.gl/6wbDszNr6JLhkwLJ7
CP 6 Location - Nether Heyford Village Hall
Facilities - Toilets, Changing, indoor sleeping, proper cooked hot foods and basic cold foods.
Spectators/Support - Yes you can visit here but please park considerately in the village.
Google Maps - https://maps.app.goo.gl/jMofZTaiVN7wmhQ16
CP 7 Location - The Wharf Inn, Fenny Compton, CV47 2FE
Facilities - Toilets on Campsite and in pub hen it's open. Basic hot and cold foods, sleeping tents. Food in Pub.
Spectators/Support - Only during pub open times/Daytime. There is a campsite we dont want to disturb and people live in the Pub.
Google Maps - https://maps.app.goo.gl/TmmJP4ZsKvwTdDMs7
CP 8 Location - King Georges Field, Community Centre, Lower Heyford, OX25 5PG
Facilities - Toilets, Changing, indoor sleeping, proper cooked hot foods and basic cold foods.
Spectators/Support - Yes but during day only as it's a residential area.
Google Maps - https://maps.app.goo.gl/u79DT5tjtNoJ9AaL9
CP 9 Location - Abingdon, Hales Meadow,
Facilities - One pay per use public toilet, Basic hot and cold foods, sleeping tents. Food and Shops nearby.
Spectators/Support - Yes, please park in car park.
Google Maps - https://maps.app.goo.gl/P4vfy3j65JcbekX39
Maps - These will be made available in the race packs at least 1 month before the event.
GPX files and route - can be downloaded and viewed from the maps page.
Start, Finish and the 2 indoor Checkpoints have toilets and indoor sleeping space.
The Majority of the outdoor Checkpoints are near pubs and will have the use of toilets when they are open, When closed there are plenty of bushes, shops, train stations and trees on the route or nearby to the CP's.
The final CP9 has a contactless payment operated public toilet.
Tracking will be available and is included in the price with entry and you will be able to track a runner all the way through the event - Runners also have an emergency SOS button on the trackers.
For the race tracking page see button at top of page - This will only be live 1 week before the race.
We keep the kit list as minimal as possible but require the below items to be carried at all times for safety and emergencies.
1 Litre of Fluids - You must have the ability to carry this as a minimum but we would advise more when shops may not be open such as late at night.
Full Waterproof cover - Thats top and Bottoms folks, must be waterproof not windproof. It's for your safety. (taped seams)
Hat or Buff - Again for insurance against cold, hot or wet weather
Food - You must be self sufficient between checkpoints of about 25 miles apart which late in the race could take you 8+ hours to cover. You cannot rely on places to buy stuff especially at night please ensure you take enough with you - If we think you are not carrying enough we will insist you take more.
Mobile Phone - For Emergency, must have battery/charging facilities to last the full 4 days - Stay off twitter and Facebook etc unless you really know it will last and be there when you need it. If we know your phone is dead we will not let you leave a checkpoint until it is at least 50% charged.
Head Torch (minimum of 100 lumens) - Must be carried at all times so you can't get caught out at night without it - Spare batteries to last the night are a good idea or a spare headtorch if you cant change the battery such as a rechargeable one.
Failure to abide by any of theses rules and you run the risk of disqualification and the RD's decision is final.
Without the small army of volunteers who help out at our events, we would not be as successful at putting on great events. We would like to reward and recognise the dedication of those volunteers who come and make the runners’ experience a great one.
The Thames Ring event requires a large dedicated team over the 4 days and without that team the event would not exist.
Bellow are the timings and locations of the checkpoints with roles already allocated, take a look at them and then pop over to the Volunteer Page and fill in the form to let us know how you can help. You don't have to be available for the whole shift at a CP and if you can do more than one CP or even all 4 days we would love your help.
We also need help before the start and at the finish.
If you volunteer for more than 24 hours total you will get an event Hoody the same as the runners, Less than 24 hours and we will give you an event T-Shirt or Buff.
We will cover transport cost's such as Fuel or Train tickets and will reimburse you after the event upon sending in receipts up to a reasonable amount.
A radio documentary of the 1st ever TR250 in 2009.
https://www.milestogether.co.uk/thames-ring-250
https://ultra-average.com/2017/07/12/thames-ring-250-june-2017
https://braziliangunner.blogspot.com/2017/07/thames-ring-250-race-report-2017.html
https://ultraian.wordpress.com/2013/07/11/thames-ring-250-2013-race-report
https://mikeultrablog.wordpress.com/category/thames-ring-250
https://ultrarunningcommunity.com/13-report/1328-thames-ring-250-john-hunt
http://anne-green.net/personal/blog/files/TR250.html
https://lukeashton.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-thames-ring-250.html
https://hathawaykaren.blogspot.com/2015/07/race-report-thames-ring-250-june-2015.html
https://rajeevtherunner.blogspot.com/2009/07/untamed-thames-ring-250.html
https://paulsrunningblog.com/2013/07/10/2013-thames-ring