1st Quarter
Sat 13 Jun 2026 Cirencester, Gloucestershire, UK

Cotswold Way Ultra Challenge | 1st Quarter

The 1st Quarter of the Cotswold Way Challenge will start from Cirencester basecamp. It's tough with some steep ascents and descents taking you into the heart of this beautiful landscape.

Enter now
  • Sat 13 Jun 2026
Cirencester Basecamp, Cirencester > Painswick, Stroud
1st Quarter

09:00

Age 14 & over

£89

  • 23 km trail running + 600 m ascent

Event overview

The Cirencester basecamp is the start of the full 100km looped route through the heart of the Cotswolds, providing a stunning setting for 2,000 adventurers to test themselves.

Rolling hills, villages, the Cotswold Way, footpaths and trails, with some fabulous views en route. You’ll get full support, including optional ‘university style’ accommodation at basecamp, and with 50km half, 25km quarter and a Cirencester 10K distance option also – there’s a Cotswolds Challenge for everyone.

The Ultra Challenge Experience

This endurance event is for a wide range of fitness and ages. Choose your distance and do it at your pace. The support enables you to go further, whilst enjoying the great outdoors and camaraderie.

There are marquee rest stops, plenty of food and drink, medical and massage teams, and a fully signed route with GPS tracking to guide you. A big finish-line celebration awaits with an amazing sense of achievement, and once the aches subside, you’ll feel energised and up for more of life’s challenges!

This event is part of Cotswold Way Ultra Challenge.

Event video

  • All fitness levels
  • Beginner-friendly
  • Event village
  • Families

Your challenge, your way

Whether you’re a walker and new to challenge events, an experienced trekker, a marathon enthusiast upping the distance, or a seasoned ultra runner after ITRA points, there’s an Ultra Challenge® for you! Walk, Jog, or Run, as an Individual or a Team, for a charity of your choice or just for you. On the Full and 1st Half challenges, there’s a new Ultra Trailblazerz® for ‘rapid runners’, and an Ultra March® option for ‘hasty hikers’, plus a friendly ‘Solo Challenger’ start time to join up with others.

The Cotswold Way Ultra Challenge® is fun, safe, and rewarding, with full support all the way, enabling you to push yourself further in stunning English countryside.

Best support & hospitality

This Ultra Challenge® famously lays on the best support and hospitality available on any UK endurance-style event. This enables you to step up and confidently tackle an 'Ultra' distance, with the best chance of success - and to enjoy your challenge!

  • Check points
  • Distance markers
  • Entertainment
  • First aid
  • Food stations
  • Marshals
  • Mass start
  • Navigation not required
  • No headphones
  • Point to point
  • Return transport
  • Sleeping facilities
  • Sweeper
  • Toilets
  • Undulating
  • Water stations
  • Way markers

Overview

The 1st Quarter of the Cotswold Way Challenge will start from the basecamp in Cirencester. The route is a tough section with steep ascents and descents taking you into the heart of this beautiful landscape. 

Map

map

Checkpoints

  • Snacks and drinks every 10-15km
  • 24km | picnic lunch and fizzy drinks
  • Finish | glass of fizz, medal and t-shirt

  • Accommodation
  • Bag transfer
  • Bar
  • BBQ
  • Cafe
  • Camping
  • Changing facilities
  • Entertainment
  • Free parking
  • Music
  • Rural
  • Secure bag storage
  • Showers
  • Toilets
  • Urban

Event HQ

Cirencester Basecamp
Cirencester
Gloucestershire
GL7
UK

Accommodation

Cirencester - Friday and Saturday:

  • Stay at the ‘university hall’ accommodation 
  • Single and twin rooms available
  • Pre-registration on Friday 
  • Saturday breakfast included
  • Baggage storage, hot showers and more

  • Camping
  • Chip timing
  • Drinks
  • Event app
  • Fizz at the finish
  • GPS tracking
  • Map
  • Massage
  • Medal
  • Pre-event training sessions
  • Snacks
  • Training plan
  • T-shirt

Before

  • Challenge app
  • Facebook forum
  • Training guides
  • Fundraising support
  • Training walks and runs
  • Video briefings
  • Travel planning
  • Parking

During

  • Baggage transfers
  • The start line
  • Timing and GPS tracking
  • Rest stops
  • Food and drink
  • Medical support
  • Camping

Along the route

  • Fully signed route
  • Apps, maps and GPS
  • Route safety experts
  • Emergency response
  • Trek masters
  • 24 hour control room

After

  • Finish line experience
  • Finish times and certificate
  • Shuttles and transfers
  • Hot meal
  • Medical care and follow up
  • Deals on future challenges

Bookable extras

  • Rooms and camping packages
  • Parking
  • Pre challenge transfers
  • Post challenge transfers
  • Extra meals
  • Baggage services

  • Age 14 & over
  • Entries open
  • Charity places
  • Event merch available

14-17 year olds need to be accompanied by an adult.

Entry fees

Entry fee

£89.00

Enter now

Other races at event

  • Sat 13 Jun
  • #2 of 8
Painswick, Stroud > Wotton-under-Edge, Wotton-under-Edge
2nd Quarter

09:30

Age 14 & over

£89

  • 30 km trail running + 1000 m ascent
  • Sat 13 Jun
  • #3 of 8
Cirencester Basecamp, Cirencester > Wotton-under-Edge, Wotton-under-Edge
1st Half

07:00

Age 18 & over

£139

  • 53 km trail running + 1600 m ascent
  • Sat 13 - Sun 14 Jun
  • #4 of 8
Wotton-under-Edge, Wotton-under-Edge > Cirencester Basecamp, Cirencester
2nd Half

10:00

Age 18 & over

£139

  • 47 km trail running + 650 m ascent
  • Sat 13 - Sun 14 Jun
  • #5 of 8
Cirencester Basecamp, Cirencester
Full 100km continuous

07:00

Age 18 & over

£199

  • 100 km trail running + 2250 m ascent
  • Sat 13 - Sun 14 Jun
  • #6 of 8
Cirencester Basecamp, Cirencester
Full 100km over 2 days

07:00

Age 18 & over

£199

  • 100 km trail running + 2250 m ascent
  • Sat 13 - Sun 14 Jun
  • #7 of 8
Painswick, Stroud > Cirencester Basecamp, Cirencester
3/4 Challenge

09:30

Age 18 & over

£169

  • 76 km trail running + 1650 m ascent
  • Sat 13 Jun
  • #8 of 8
Cirencester Basecamp, Cirencester
Cirencester 10km

12:00

Age 15 & over

£39

  • 10 km trail running + 200 m ascent
4 steps to wellbeing
Sleep well

A good night's sleep is an essential foundation for a healthy lifestyle, effective training and weight control.

Train slow

Low-intensity training is easier for you, reduces the risk of injury and helps builds an efficient aerobic system.

Eat natural

Cut out sugar & junk food, reduce carbs, eat natural foods and train your body to burn fat for fuel.

Get outdoors

Fresh air, natural light and reconnecting with nature all help to improve mental and physical wellbeing.