The second race in our Challenger Series…

Ultra Running Limited is extremely proud to introduce ‘The Thames Challenge’.

England’s longest river path; Commencing from the source of The Thames in the Cotswolds, before finally reaching the Thames Barrier in Greenwich, a distance of 184 miles. The challenge is to complete the entire length over a four day period.

The Thames Challenge is the ‘Sister’ event of The Severn Challenge, one of our other multi-day events.

Competitors completing this event earn 6 points towards entry into Notorious, (10 points are required in total).  Notorious is the ultimate conclusion to the Challenger Series.

The Thames Challenge is split into four stages, over a four day period. Within the four stages are three unique races in their own right:

  • The Cotswold Ultra
  • The Oxford Ultra
  • The Windsor Ultra

with each having bespoke winner’s medals and trophies and t-shirts. Complete all four stages and you get a finishers medal and t-shirt for each of the three unique races and also for the Severn Challenge. In addition any competitor completing The Thames Challenge in less than twenty-five hours will receive the soon to be coveted ‘Thames Belt’.

We want every competitor to enjoy this challenge and at each Check-Point Station along the route, unlimited water and some nutrition will be available.

Immediately following completion of each stage, race results and ‘Thames Challenge’ competitor positions will be posted on our web-site prior to commencement of the following day’s race, with a brief race report, so that family and friends can get a glimpse of each competitor’s progress. At the end of each stage Ultra Running provide camping facilities and will serve an evening meal and breakfast the following day. Competitor food requirements between these meal times are the responsibility of each individual competitor. Please see list of mandatory items that competitors must carry.

The course distance is very challenging and for competitors own safety and fairness the event rules must be adhered to. Failure to comply with these rules may result in disqualification from this and future events.

The four stages

Stage 1 – The Cotswold Ultra
Thursday 13th September 2012 – 47 miles.

Stage 2 – The Oxford Ultra
Friday 14th September 2012 – 63 miles.

Stage 3 – The Windsor Ultra
Saturday 15th September 2012 – 47 miles

Stage 4 – Final stage of The Thames Challenge
Sunday 16th September 2012 – 27 mile

Support

Ultra Running Limited will give as much support to everyone to achieve their goals in whichever challenge they choose. Our named check-points will provide water and some nutrition, but it is each individual competitor’s responsibility to ensure they are fit enough or well enough to compete in or complete a stage or full race distance. Any special requirements a competitor has must be catered for by themselves.

It is strongly recommended that you seek your own doctor’s advice prior to signing up for these ultra challenges; which are incredibly demanding both mentally and physically. Our support vehicle will also assist in the transferring of one kit bag per competitor to the following days Camp Facility; although this is only done with the acceptance by that competitor that they take sole responsibility for these items whilst in transit, and by requesting this service, automatically indemnify Ultra Running Limited or any of its employees in liability for any loss or damage in transit whatsoever.

Accommodation and Food

Ultra Running Ltd provides Camping Facilities at the end of Stage 1, Stage 2,
Stage 3. The evening meal is available for all competitors, the breakfast is only available for ‘Thames Challenge’ competitors. At these camping stations the following is also supplied:

  • Stage 1 Camp – Evening meal, breakfast and unlimited water, tea & coffee
  • Stage 2 Camp – Evening meal, breakfast and unlimited water, tea & coffee
  • Stage 3 Camp – Evening meal, breakfast and unlimited water, tea & coffee
  • End of stage 4 – Food and drinks will be provided prior to trophy presentations

Logistics

Race start time for each Stage will be 9.00am. Registrations will be open at 7.00am, 2 hours before the race and will close at 8.30am to allow time for a race briefing. Competitors must be self-sufficient in their transportation to the start of the race and also at completion of the event.

Race Presentations

Trophy presentations will take place at Barrier Gardens, north side of the Thames, for The Thames Challenge competitors. The Cotswold Ultra, The Oxford Ultra and The Windsor Ultra presentations will take place on the completion of each respective race.
 
 

Thames Challenge Race Rules

The Event

The Thames Challenge, The Cotswold Ultra, The Oxford Ultra, and The Windsor Ultra are all organised by Ultra Running Limited and are open to runners, walkers, teams of three or more, and relay teams of maximum four. All entrants must be 18 years of age or over at the start of the race. Each competitor must ensure that they carry with them all of their individual requirements needed to complete the race.

Every entrant must confirm that they have read these rules and other event information and therefore understand the nature of the event and that participation is at their own risk.

Race Entries

Competitors must register at the noted registration points as detailed within the particular Ultra Race description at least one hour before the start of the race and present their kit for examination on request.

Each participant will be given a race number which must be clearly attached by safety pins to the front chest. If this is not clearly visible you may be delayed at checkpoints.

Teams must have pre-registered before the day and consist of at least three competitors who will also count as individual competitors amongst the rankings. For a Team to successfully complete the race, a minimum of three members of that Team must finish.

Competitors must be self sufficient, and carry the following mandatory items:

  • Backpack or equivalent
  • Head Torch with spare batteries
  • OS Map or our downloadable maps are acceptable
  • Compass or GPS device
  • Whistle
  • Mobile phone
  • Emergency food pack consisting of a two chocolate bars, Mars or similar
  • First Aid Kit

Checkpoints and Water Stations

The Thames Series of Ultra’s are self sufficient races with the exception of water supply and camp meals. Water stations are located at all checkpoints at pre-determined points along the race. At the discretion of the organisers, some nutritional nibbles may be available at selected checkpoints.

Competitors must go through all check points and it is their sole responsibility to ensure that the check point attendant has recorded their race number; failure to do so at any check point will mean the competitor has failed to complete the race and will be disqualified.

Any competitor found to not follow the pre determined race route will be disqualified.

Competitor Retirement

If any competitor has to retire for whatever reason they must contact the race organisers immediately, either by advising a checkpoint attendant or telephoning the emergency number given at the start of the race. The emergency number will also be texted to each competitor before race day.

Time Restraints

The organisers have set a cut off time for each checkpoint for Health and Safety reasons; the allowance should be within the ability of a walker at 3.5 miles per hour. These times are noted on the Checkpoint details.

Accommodation

Thames event competitors will be provided with free camping facilities, arranged by Ultra Running Limited. Camping facilities are likely to be on a shared basis.

Competitors for The Cotswold Ultra, The Oxford Ultra, and The Windsor Ultra can also make use of these facilities but only by prior arrangement and an additional contribution of £15.00 each.

It is requested that all camping facilities are respected and all litter etc is removed by the responsible competitor. Abuse of facilities (as deemed by Ultra Running Limited) will result in removal and disqualification from the race.
The organisers are more than happy to source alternative accommodation such as B&B or hotel, subject to availability and cost, for any family member or supporter who wishes to attend any or all of the events.

Registration & Entry Fees

The Thames Challenge:

  • Individual entries are £245.00 per person (this is a discounted price if fully paid at time of booking). It includes all transfers, camping & meals as described.
  • Team Relay entries (min 3, max 4 people) are £205.00 per person and this assumes they make their own transport arrangements between checkpoints for team members.

The Cotwold Ultra:

  • Individual entries are £45.00 per person
  • Team Relay entries (min 3, max 4 people) are £30.00 per person.

The Oxford Ultra:

  • Individual entries are £45.00 per person
  • Team Relay entries (min 3, max 4 people) are £30.00 per person.

The Windsor Ultra:

  • Individual entries are £45.00 per person
  • Team Relay entries (min 3, max 4 people) are £30.00 per person.

NB. You cannot change your race entry category once the race has started.

Places for The Thames Challenge are limited and we advise anybody who has an interest to secure their place by booking early. An initial deposit of £90.00 will secure your place, a further £90.00 payable no later than 1st March 2012, and a final £90.00 payable no later than 1st July 2012. It is important to note that deposits will not be refunded and failure to make instalment payment on or before the due date will render the entry place forfeited and we will offer the place to a competitor on the waiting list. These terms are non-negotiable.

To complete your entry into any of the above Thames Series Races, the applicant must submit the following documents:

  • Online registration form
  • Personal Information form
  • Full payment (see above) payable to ‘Ultra Running Limited’

Optional:

  • emailed photograph of competitor which may be uplifted onto the site for promotional reasons.
  • Brief description of your reasons for doing the Thames Challenge event which may be uplifted onto the site for promotional reasons.

Cancellation

In the event of cancellation of the race, Ultra Running Ltd. undertakes to refund payments received, less any out of pocket expenses which are determined at 25%. Cancellations within four weeks of the event will not receive a refund but at the discretion of the organisers may be transferred to the following year’s race.

Photo coverage

Ultra Running Ltd. reserves all exclusive rights for photo coverage of The Thames Series of Races, as hereby described. Participants agree that Ultra Running Limited may use exclusively their individual or collective names and pictures for anything related directly or indirectly to their participation in this event.

Finisher Medals & Trophies

All finishers will receive a bespoke medal and T-Shirt applicable to the event or events they have entered. Competitors of the ‘7’ will automatically get medals and t-shirts for The Cotswold Ultra, The Oxford Ultra and The Windsor Ultra, as they complete those various stages of the challenge.

The following trophies are applicable to all four races: (1) The Thames Challenge, (2) The Cotswold Ultra, (3) The Oxford Ultra, (4) The Windsor Ultra.

  • Men’s individual winner trophy
  • Ladies individual winner trophy
  • Men’s veteran individual winner trophy (over 55)
  • Ladies veteran individual winner trophy (over 55)
  • Team trophies
  • Team Relay trophies
  • Individual Trophy winners will receive free entry into next year’s event.

Insurance

It is recommended that you take out your own personal and cancellation insurance that covers you for the activities undertaken. Deposits are not refundable.

The organisers reserve the right to change or amend any part of the event.