- Wed 22 Apr 2026
- Early bird
Early bird on now
10:00
Age 18 & over
£325-£350
- 250 miles trail running + 2857 ft ascent
Event overview
The Thames Ring 250 is one of the UK’s toughest ultra-distance challenges — a 250-mile (actually closer to 256) loop through scenic countryside, historic towns, and along tranquil canal paths. Starting in Streatley-on-Thames, this epic journey tests endurance, navigation, and mental resilience like few others.
Over several days with a cut off of 4 days 4 hours, runners battle fatigue, changing weather, and the clock as they trace the Thames, Grand Union, and Oxford canals before returning to Streatley. It’s an unforgettable adventure for experienced ultrarunners ready to push beyond limits.
The experience of a lifetime.
Great value and perfect beginning to end.
Highlights
- 250-mile circular route through several counties
- 100-hour time limit to complete the full course
- Stunning riverside and canal scenery
- Checkpoints, dropbag transfers, food and drink
- One of the UK’s ultimate endurance tests
- New 100-mile and 150-mile options
This event is part of Thames Ring Series.
Event photos
- Event village
- Newcomers
- Spectators
- Superfit
Drop/resupply bags
- 250 and 150 runners | 1 drop bag of up to 20kg, which will be transported to each CP for you
- 100 runners | get the same size drop bag, but they are only accessible at the Lower Heyford CP halfway
Support
- No outside support is allowed during the race except at some checkpoint locations.
- Family and friends can only give you physical support at checkpoints such as would be given by CP staff: assistance changing and eating and First Aid, but no other assistance can be provided.
- You must be self-sufficient for food and kit.
- Runners are allowed to purchase food from shops along the way.
Pacers/buddy runners
No pacers or buddy runners are allowed. Apart from meeting someone at a checkpoint, runners are not allowed to travel any distance with anyone other than another runner.
Compulsory kit
A compulsory kit list will be provided.
Entry criteria
There are 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 has also not been completed by some very good runners so there are no set specific standards for entry, however it is suggested you have a good background in endurance events and are prepared to push yourself.
Cut offs are strictly enforced.
- Check points
- Circular route
- Cut off time
- First aid
- Flat
- Food stations
- Headtorch required
- Marshals
- Mostly traffic free
- Navigation required
- Single start
- Sleeping facilities
- Toilets
- Water stations
- GPX available
GPX route
The route is displayed on the map above.
Overview
Mainly rural towpaths and footpaths with some stretches of urban areas.
Cut off
100 hours (Sunday 2pm).
Navigation
Maps of route provided as a free download so you can print or you can order waterproof copies on entry. You will navigate using the provided maps and GPX files.
Checkpoints
- Checkpoints have some or all of the following:
- Toilets
- Changing
- Indoor space to sleep/tents
- Kitchen
- Hold and cold food and drinks
- Pub sandwiches/bar food
- Supermarket/shops
- Bag transfer
- Changing facilities
- Rural
- Secure bag storage
- Toilets
- Urban
Event HQ
Morrell Rooms
Church Lane, High Street
Streatley
Reading
Berkshire
RG8 9JA
UK
Facilities
There will be changing and toilets at the start and finish and at some checkpoints, there will be sleeping tents available after 75 miles and various hot and cold foods and drinks available at checkpoints.
- Cake
- Drinks
- GPS tracking
- Map
- Medal
- Post-race meal
- Snacks
Included
- Pre-challenge communications
- Downloadable routes
- Tracking
- Changing and sleeping facilities
- Hot and cold food and drinks
- Medical support
- Baggage transfers to each checkpoint
- Medal
Not Included
- Waterway keys which you will need if you want to access water points marked on the maps on the Canals (can be bought on Amazon/eBay)
- Waterproof copies of maps £10
- Hoodies £40
- T-shirts £12.50
- Neck tube £10
- Insurance in case of illness/injury (available on checkout)
Brilliant event - proper old skool version of a race. Great value and perfect beginning to end. Sara F
A fantastic four day running holiday. The experience of a lifetime. Great support from lovely people who were happy to wait on you hand and foot at each checkpoint, RD clear in what he wants but also supportive of even idiots like me, a gorgeous route, loads of friendly dogs to stroke. The one caveat is that it’s a very long way and is a hard run, but the medal makes it all worthwhile! Andrew G
Flawless organisation and fabulous volunteers. Keith B
Sustainability
- Optional t-shirt
- Age 18 & over
- Entries open
- Enter online
- Insurance available
Entry fees
Early bird entry fee
£325.00
Entry fee
£350.00