Chiltern 50

Challenge Options

Join us for the Chiltern 50 Challenge. Our route follows the Thames to Henley Bridge, then out into countryside on Shakespeare’s Way, Icknield Way, and Chiltern Way with rest stops enroute. The full 50 km route, with over 900 metres of climb, is a loop starting and finishing at our basecamp at Henley Showground – with a halfway at Lewknor. If 25 km is more your thing – you can do a loop from the basecamp.

The Henley basecamp has Friday & Saturday evening camping options (+ showers). We’ll have a celebration BBQ, bar & entertainment evening after the tough day out on the trails!

Full 50 km Challenge

Henley Loop

28 Sept 2024

Starting at our base camp in Henley (you can camp with us on Friday before the Challenge, and on Saturday afterwards) we set out Saturday morning for a continuous 50km challenge – finishing back in Henley. Youl’ll get full support all the way – and there are 3 rest stops en route.

50 km & 920 m

  • Start: Henley Showground
  • Start times: 7am for runners & 7am – 9am walkers & joggers
  • Finish: Henley Showground
  • Finish times: Runners 4 – 7 hrs, joggers 7 – 10 hrs, walkers 10 – 16 hrs

Every 10-15km under marquees with support – toilets, massage, changing rooms, medics, rest areas, hot drinks, water & snacks & much more. 

  • Snacks & drinks – every 10-15 km
  • 23 km – picnic lunch & fizzy drinks
  • 50 km – hot meal
  • Finish – glass of fizz, medal & t-shirt

There’s a full range of optional parking & pre or post Challenge shuttle bus transfer services, to make it easy to join & exit – and to provide flexible options for your planning. These include:

  • Parking at Henley (basecamp) & Lewknor
  • Shuttles from Henley station to the Start.

 

See ‘Bookable Extras’ page for full details.

2 available

Henley – Fri 22 & Sat 23 Sept

  • Camp overnight at our basecamp
  • Pitch only or inclusive package options
  • Hot showers, refreshments, rest areas & more
  • Friday evening meal & breakfasts
  • Visit ‘Bookable Extras’ for full details 

Walk, Hike, or Trek

THE CHILTERNS
50 km < 12 hours!

Up for a NEW Style of Ultra Challenge?

Many who run & jog can crack the 12 hr/50km target. However, an ‘Ultra March’ is about WALKING at a brisk & consistent pace with like minded challengers to achieve it – a bit like a march! – but taking in the great rest stops & services of the Chiltern 50 Ultra Challenge!

  • Participants opt in to the Ultra March category
  • Up to 300 will set off together as a big Ultra March group.
  • Single Start Time – 9.0am Saturday.
  • FREE Ultra March T shirt & headband picked up ‘on-the-day’.
  • Ultra March ‘Pacers’ set min. pace (with ‘sensible’ rest stop time).
  • Special Finishers Medal & Certificate .

 

THE RULES:

Over & above the general Ultra Challenge Rules – with an Ultra March it’s:

  • STRICTLY WALKING ONLY (no jogging / running)
  • Stage times will be ‘checked’ to ensure the above.
  • You must complete 50km is sub 12 hours to qualify for special medal & certificate.
  • If you are ‘outside’ of the 12 hr target – you still celebrate with a conventional ‘Ultra Challenge medal / certificate.

NOT YET SIGNED UP TO THIS ULTRA CHALLENGE?

  • You will be able to ‘opt’ into the Ultra March Category on the ’50km’ Registration / Sign Up Form. So follow the normal ‘Sign Up’ links.

 

ALREADY SIGNED UP TO THIS ULTRA CHALLENGE?

  • If you’ve already signed up for 50km as a walker – you can ‘switch’ into the ‘Ultra March’ category on this event at ZERO cost. Use the LINK BELOW to request this; select the Chiltern 50 – and we’ll get it processed.
ULTRA MARCH REQUEST >>

23 km & 400 m

  • Start: Henley Showground
  • Start times: 07:00 for runners, 07:00 – 09:00 for joggers & walkers
  • Finish: Lewknor (23 km)
  • Finish times: Runners 2 – 3 hrs, joggers 3 – 5 hrs, walkers 4 – 7 hrs

Every 10-15km under marquees with support – toilets, massage, changing rooms, medics, rest areas, hot drinks, water & snacks & much more. 

  • 12 km – snacks & drinks
  • 23 km – picnic lunch & fizzy drinks
  • Finish – glass of fizz, medal & t-shirt

There’s a full range of optional parking & pre or post Challenge shuttle bus transfer services, to make it easy to join & exit – and to provide flexible options for your planning. These include:

  • Parking at Henley (basecamp) & Lewknor
  • Shuttles from Henley station to the Start.
  • Bus transfer from Henley (basecamp) to the start (Lewknor) pre challenge.
  • Bus transfer from finish (Lewknor) back to Henley (basecamp)

 

See ‘Bookable Extras’ page for full details.

Henley – Fri 22 & Sat 23 Sept

  • Camp overnight at our basecamp
  • Pitch only or inclusive package options
  • Hot showers, refreshments, rest areas & more
  • Friday evening meal & breakfasts
  • Visit ‘Bookable Extras’ for full details 

1st Half Challenge 23 km

Henley to Lewknor

23 Sept 2023

Our 1st Half Challenge sets out from Henley early Saturday morning, along some of the most picturesque parts of the Chiltern Way to Lewknor. After a celebration & lunch you can catch the shuttle back to the start.

2nd Half Challenge 27 km

Lewknor - Henley

23 Sept 2023

You can take on the 2nd half of the Chiltern 50 Challenge on Saturday for a midday start – and then finish with the full distance challengers and join in with the evening celebrations.

27 km & 500 m

  • Start: Lewknor
  • Start times: 12:00 for all
  • Finish: Henley Showground
  • Finish times: Runners 2 – 3 hrs, joggers 3 – 5 hrs, walkers 4 – 7 hrs

Every 10-15km under marquees with support – toilets, massage, changing rooms, medics, rest areas, hot drinks, water & snacks & much more. 

  • 12 km – snacks & drinks
  • 27 km – hot meal
  • Finish – glass of fizz, medal & t-shirt

There’s a full range of optional parking & pre or post Challenge shuttle bus transfer services, to make it easy to join & exit – and to provide flexible options for your planning. These include:

  • Parking at Henley (basecamp) & Lewknor
  • Shuttles from Henley station to the Start.
  • Bus transfer from Henley (basecamp) to the start (Lewknor) pre challenge.
  • Bus transfer from finish (Lewknor) back to Henley (basecamp)

 

See ‘Bookable Extras’ page for full details.

Henley – Fri 22 & Sat 23 Sept

  • Camp overnight at our basecamp
  • Pitch only or inclusive package options
  • Hot showers, refreshments, rest areas & more
  • Friday evening meal & breakfasts
  • Visit ‘Bookable Extras’ for full details 

25 km & 500 m

  • Start: Henley Showground
  • Start times: 8:30am – 9:30am
  • Finish: Henley Showground
  • Finish times: Runners 2 – 3 hrs, joggers 3 – 5 hrs, walkers 4 – 7 hrs

Every 10-15km under marquees with support – toilets, massage, changing rooms, medics, rest areas, hot drinks, water & snacks & much more. 

  • 12 km – snacks & drinks
  • 25 km – hot meal
  • Finish – glass of fizz, medal & t-shirt

There’s a full range of optional parking & pre or post Challenge shuttle bus transfer services, to make it easy to join & exit – and to provide flexible options for your planning. These include:

  • Parking at Henley (basecamp) & Lewknor
  • Shuttles from Henley station to the Start.

 

See ‘Bookable Extras’ page for full details.

Henley – Fri 22 & Sat 23 Sept

  • Camp overnight at our basecamp
  • Pitch only or inclusive package options
  • Hot showers, refreshments, rest areas & more
  • Friday evening meal & breakfasts
  • Visit ‘Bookable Extras’ for full details 

Henley 25 km Loop

Henley to Henley

28 Sept 2024

Take on our 25km looped route starting & finishing at our Henley base camp taking in the best of the scenery, it’s easy to join & leave with free parking & overnight camping options.

The chiltern 10k

henley loop - 10 km

28 Sept 2024

A beautiful 10km looped route from the basecamp at Henley Showground.  The route explores public footpaths  & wonderful woodlands within the Culden Faw estate. You’ll be rewarded with a medal, glass of fizz & discounted hot meal to celebrate your achievements.

10 km & 235 meters

  • Start: Henley Showground
  • Start times: 10:00am  Runners will set off first, then joggers & walkers
  • Finish: Henley Showground (10 km)
  • Finish times: Runners 40 minutes – 1 hr, joggers 1 – 2 hrs, walkers 2 – 3 hrs

At your finish in Henley Showground – toilets, changing rooms, medics, rest areas, hot drinks, water & snacks & much more. 

  • Finish – discounted hot meal, glass of fizz, medal & t-shirt

There’s a full range of optional parking & pre or post Challenge shuttle bus transfer services, to make it easy to join & exit – and to provide flexible options for your planning. These include:

  • Parking at Henley (basecamp) & Lewknor
  • Shuttles from Henley station to the Start.

 

See ‘Bookable Extras’ page for full details.

Are you ready to sign up ?

Download Factsheet

All you need to know about the Challenge - a detailed overview of the options & how you can take it on. Print it off or send it to your friends!