- Sat 10 Jan 2026
Country to Capital Ultra
08:45
Age 18 & over
£80
- 43 miles trail running + 419 m ascent
Event overview
The ultra season has started!
If you are into ultra running, you need to have a crack at this race!
It’s true to say that the always popular Country to Capital Ultra attracts a global field, with some of the best runners in Britain and beyond racing the 43-mile course.
This famous race is the curtain raiser for the ultra running season – and the starting point for those brave runners wishing to take on the Grand Slam of four ultra marathons over 180 gruelling miles.
Country to Capital takes you through the Buckinghamshire countryside, crossing the M25 – by bridge of course! – and heading towards the well-heeled surroundings of Denham. From there, runners pick up the Grand Union Canal towpath for the final run into London.
The finish is near the Little Venice canal basin, a surprisingly tranquil setting in the heart of the capital and close to both Paddington and Royal Oak Tube stations. The race concludes at The Stowe Centre, where you can enjoy showers, toilets and a large hall to relax in after finishing.
Country to Capital is historically a sell-out event, so be sure to get your entry in early. It is fully tracked and interactive, allowing your friends and family to follow your progress from the comfort of their armchairs. You can also make sure that you are following the route correctly!
Event photos
Event video
- All fitness levels
- Event village
- Newcomers
- Spectators
Timetable
Shoe type
Trail shoes mainly then change to road shoes at Denham Aerodrome/Denham Green Road if possible.
Kit list
A mandatory kit list is readily available.
Your own crew
You can have your own crew. The golden rule is only do what would be possible for everyone else to do if they had a crew!
Specators spots
Chesham (Germain Street), Chorleywood, Horn Hill (Dumb Bell Pub) and Denham Country Park.
- Bag transfer
- Cafe
- Toilets
Event HQ
Shoulder of Mutton
20 Pound Street
Wendover
Aylesbury
Buckinghamshire
HP22 6EJ
UK
Accommodaton
For anyone wanting to stay overnight in Wendover either before or after the event there is Airbnb or the Red Lion Hotel.
By car
If you are planning to return to your car by train, parking is available in the station car park which is recommended. There is a public car park on the High Street (HP22 6DX) or surrounding on-street parking. There is no parking in the pub car park.
By train
The train from Marylebone usually arrives just before 8:30am so you will need to arrive ready to run and you will be processed through registration in time for the 8:45am start.
- Check points
- Cut off time
- Food stations
- Point to point
- Sweeper
- Toilets
- Undulating
- Water stations
- Way markers
- GPX available
GPX route
The route is displayed on the map above.
Overview
Country to Capital is a 43 mile point to point Ultra Marathon starting at the Shoulder of Mutton Pub, Pound Street in Wendover and finishing at the Stowe Centre next to the Little Venice Canal basin close to London’s Paddington station and Royal Oak tube station. The route is a mix of country trails and canal towpath.
A map book isn't provided but you have a tracker and the free voice navigation.
Map
Terrain
The route is 11.0 miles of cross country trails (26%); 12.1 miles of roads and paths (28%); and 20 miles of canal tow path (46%). Elevation is +1375 ft (419m) and -1720 ft (-524m).
Waymarkers
The course follows a waymarked route but requires some navigation. You will have an electronic tracker as standard which, with the app or webpage, will allow you to navigate the course with ease. Various resources will be provided to keep you on track. The course is covered by OS Maps 181, 172 and 173.
Checkpoints
There are 5 checkpoints. Each will have water, a selection of supplementary snacks and of course the famous fruit cake.
Cut off
11 hours.
There are progressive cut off times from checkpoint 3 onwards. Details will be provided.
Sustainability
- Recycling
- Cake
- Chip timing
- Drinks
- GPS tracking
- Medal
- Snacks
Included
- Medal
- Merchandise
- Tracker
Prizes
Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Male and Female Competitors.
Fundraising
- Fundraising incentives
- Age 18 & over
- Entries open
- Enter online
- Event merch available
Entry fees
Entry fee
£80.00
The tracker provided was brilliant, I had family and friends, even those not very good with technology able to follow along :) makes it much more enjoyable for everyone, the pub at the start is warm and cosy, ideal for a coffee and pre race bib checks etc, portaloos in the pubs rear car park with clean and stocked, no complaints. Alex F
Great course, event, organization. Chris K
This is an excellent race. The team running it are fantastic and look after the runners exceptionally well. The race is unmarked, which can be a put off for some, but the supplied GPX is perfect and there are few places where people get lost. The amount of veterans who do the race year on year helps a lot too. The medal this year was exceptional, and the event aims to give something useful in place of a t-shirt. This year it was a snood, last year armwarmers. Crispin K
Great course and was well looked after at the checkpoints no complaints from me I look forward to next year! Peter V
Very well run event. Was nervous about the navigation but it was very easy. Luke V
Absolutely loved it again, quicker than last year as a bonus. Cannot fault the race one bit, even when my race number was issued to someone else it was sorted quick and with no fuss. I will be back next year. Peter H
Absolutely fantastic event with seamless organisation! Jack M
My sixth year running this event! Always a great start to the year. Brilliantly organised, nice varied course with a great mixture of terrain. I'd recommend this race to anyone, seasoned Ultras of first timers alike. Jim W
Another well organised and supported race. If you're into Ultra running then you need to have a crack at this race, a real mix of terrain to challenge your physical ability and mindset. Friendly support staff, decent aid stations, well marked challenging course. Trev C
Reviews thanks to RaceCheck