- Sat 25 Oct 2025
08:15
Age 18 & over
£70
- 47 miles trail running + 913 ft ascent
Event overview
Previously known as the Thames Trot, the event takes in 47-miles from Iffley in Oxfordshire to Henley-on-Thames.
Runners will enjoy the company of England’s largest river as it makes its way past ever-changing scenery, beautiful houses and traditional rowing clubs. Expect everything from tarmac paths to muddy trails on this interesting and challenging course.
The run follows both the Thames Path and Ridgeway National Trails, so entrants should be careful not to forget the words ‘National Trail’ rather than simply reading Thames Path.
Starting around three miles south of Oxford, the race heads from Hawkwell House Hotel down to Iffley Lock and across the river. It then follows the towpath through the picturesque towns and villages of the region to Henley-on-Thames.
There will be a new race finish at the YMCA Y Centre, in Lawson Road, Henley-on-Thames. This will mean runners will be able to access showers, hot food and drinks, and changing facilities at the end of the race.
This race is an Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc index race.
Event photos
Event community
Michael J.
Sam J.
- Average fitness
- Event village
- Newcomers
Timetable
Shoe type
Trail shoes mainly then change to road shoes later on 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
Abington Lock, Shillingford, Goring, Pangbourne, Tilehurst (The Roebuck), Reading (Caversham Bridge).
- Bag transfer
- Paid parking
- Rural
- Toilets
Event HQ
Mercure Oxford Hawkwell House Hotel
Church Way
Oxford
Oxfordshire
OX4 4DZ
UK
Race HQ
The race HQ is situated in the comfortable surroundings of the Hawkwell House Hotel.
Parking
There is limited parking in Iffley, if you are driving to the start you will be directed to street parking areas in the vicinity.
By train
For anyone travelling by train there is a courtesy shuttle bus from Oxford train station which is usually very popular, please let us know your rail travel arrangements to help us plan. Runners can park in the station car park provided they buy the return train ticket from the ticket office on the morning of the race.
- Check points
- Cut off time
- Food stations
- Point to point
- Toilets
- Water stations
- Way markers
- GPX available
GPX route
The route is displayed on the map above.
Overview
Thames Trail is a 47-mile point to point Ultra Marathon starting at the Hawkwell House Hotel in Iffley and finishing at the Y Centre, Lawson Road in Henley-on-Thames. The route is a mix of country trails, riverside paths and roads predominantly following the Thames Path and the Ridgeway National Trails.
Map
Terrain
The route is 40.4 miles of cross-country trails and riverside paths (86%) and 6.6 miles of roads (14%). Elevation is +947 ft (+289m) and -1053 ft (-321m).
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 180, 170 and 171.
Checkpoints
There are 5 checkpoints. Each will have water, a selection of supplementary snacks and of course the famous fruit cake.
Cut off
11.5 hours.
There are progressive cut off times from checkpoint 3 onwards. Details will be provided.
- Drinks
- Event app
- GPS tracking
- Medal
Included
- Medal
- Merchandise
- Tracker
Optional extra
- Race day prints
Prizes
Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Male and Female Competitors.
- Age 18 & over
- Entries open
- Enter online
- Event merch available
Entry fees
Entry fee
£70.00
This was my first ultramarathon which I was ultimately quite nervous. Simon the race director was extremely helpful with any questions and the staff throughout the course were amazing. The course itself was stunning, although quite muddy it’s a race I’ll hopefully be running again. The only issue I would have is perhaps having a couple of portaloos on sections of the course where there are no public toilets. I’m not sure logistically how difficult this would be however. Anyway a massive thanks again to Simon and the rest of the crew who couldn’t have been more helpful and supportive! Brian D
I hugely enjoyed my second run of this race - challenging conditions underfoot for the first 2 hours gave way to a sunny & warm afternoon, with the checkpoints arriving pleasingly quickly throughout. Helpers were fantastic, especially later on as I became less able to articulate what I wanted! Was great to be able to use hotel toilets before the start, so many thanks to the Hawkwell House for that. The navigation app worked well for the cheeky diversion on the last stretch. David A
One of the best races I’ve ever done. Incredible energy and great support! James R
The course is lovely and scenic, which for me takes your mind away from the distance. The check points are well stocked and extremely well supported, with many of the volunteers helping out year after year. And as for the event organisers, the passion and enthusiasm they have for the support of every runner, is second to none. Showing the same encouragement to every single finisher, whether that be the first or the last. I would highly recommend. Marc S
Loved the event. Was my second ultra, the previous one being a mere 49km, so a big step up. The ability to sit down and chat pre-race was great for calming the nerves. Was prepared for the mud thankfully, coping well in the first 2 hours, although the stretch between Reading and Shiplake was starting to get hard as the legs tired. All volunteers and organisers were very helpful and encouraging, as were the other participants. Overall, loved it, and might even do it again next year! David A
This is an absolutely superb event, well organised and plenty of information given as well as an RD who will answer all your oppre event email questions! Very importantly I felt very safe both with the organision and on the course. As a solo female runner potentially running in the dark this is very important to me. The marshall were fantastic, the aid stations had a great mix of drinks and sweet and savoury options and the encouragement first rate. The logistics were fairly straightforward for a point to point race. The course is beautiful, the views kept my mind off the pain of running! Ruth H
An excellent event - very well organised. Great atmosphere. Challenging course in wet conditions but always a pleasure running on the Thames path. Peter S
A really enjoyable event, for my first trail ultra I felt very supported all the way. Everyone was very friendly amd spirits were high- in spite of the mud! Thank you to Simon and the team. Rosie R
Reviews thanks to RaceCheck