Ultra Challenge Series 2023
Ultra-challenge
Ultra Challenge Series 2023
Walk, jog or run the best of Britain for CHSW in 2023!
It's time to make a difference in 2023. Could you walk the South West Coast path or trek between London or Brighton or even stomp across the Cotswolds?
There's an Ultra Challenge for everyone. From ultra-tough ‘continuous’ 100 km challenges, to 50 km Half & 25 km Quarter distance challenges, and also a few 10k taster events, and ‘Virtual Versions’ so family & friends can join in – there’s an Ultra Challenge® for everyone!
Click on the 'List of Ultra Challenges' tab for an overview of the Ultra Challenges taking place in 2023, but please visit the Ultra Challenge website for more in depth detail about these an other Uk and overseas challenges available.
Go to Ultra Challenges website
There are funded, mixed funding and self funding places available. More information on what these mean can be found on our 'How to fundraise' tab.
Already got your place?
If you have already signed up to one of these incredible Ultra Challenges, please let us know so we can send you your fundraising pack and CHSW vest in the post. We will also send you a CHSW medal after the event!
South West Coast 50 Challenge - 5 August 2023
Minehead Basecamp
50 km Loop & 25 km, & 10K
Camping Packages
Transfers
A new ‘South West’ challenge for 2023 – taking in the first Minehead section of the stunning & famous 630 mile Coastal Path, and with an extensive ‘basecamp’ in the shadows of the impressive Dunster Castle. Then the 50 km loop heads over Exmoor with ups & downs and some magnificent views with over 1600 metres of climb. You’ll get full support all the way to the finish, and with three 25 km options also, plus a family friendly 10K event – along with camping options & festival style hospitality at basecamp across the weekend – there’s a South West Coast Challenge for everyone!
London Summer Walk - 26 August 2023
25km loop route
1 Rest Stop
Finishers BBQ
Medal, Neck buff & Certificate
- Historic 25km Looped Route
- Woolwich Barracks Start / Finish
- Excellent transport connections
- BBQ and bar at finish
- As a Team or an Individual…
South Coast Challenge - 2 - 3 September 2023
The South Downs Way
100 km & 50 / 25 km Options
Camping Packages
Transfers
The South Downs National Park is a superb backdrop for 2000 adventurers to take on a real challenge. An Eastbourne start, up Beachy Head, the magnificent Seven Sisters, and along the South Downs Way, with stunning views over the sea, to a Brighton half-way. Devil’s Dyke, and a few ups & downs lie ahead before historic Arundel comes into view after an amazing 100 km journey. You’ll get full support & hospitality all the way – and with half & quarter distance options available – there’s a South Coast Challenge for everyone!
Thames Moonlight 10 Walk - 8 Sept 2023
Friday night fitness & fun
Do it under Moonlight…
Walk 10 km or 10 miles
As an Individual or a Team
Start & finish near The Oval.
Hot Food & after walk Bar!
The Moonlight 10 Walk kicks off the famous Thames Path Challenge weekend festival of riverside events! Take on either a spirited 10 km or an energetic 10 mile looped route through the heart of London as darkness falls and the Moon rises. Experience London in a different light, passing famous landmarks – including St Paul’s, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, the London Eye and more. A lively finish line awaits – with a glass of fizz & a special Moon medal – followed by some welcome hot food & drink.
Thames Bridges Trek - 9 September 2023
Putney Bridge - Tower Bridge
25 km & 16 Bridges
Join 2000 walkers and trek across the Capital taking in unrivalled views of the skyline, and historic landmarks. Setting out from the Putney Bridge start we head East towards the City, zig-zagging over 16 historic bridges – each with its own fascinating story – and a mid point rest stop near The Oval Cricket Ground for some snacks & drinks. 25km later, it’s a party style finish line celebration in Southwark Park past the final crossing – the majestic Tower Bridge.
Thames Path Challenge - 9 - 10 September 2023
Registration Open
Putney Bridge to Henley
100 km & 50 / 25 km, & Henley 10K
Camping Packages
Transfers
England’s greatest river provides a fantastic backdrop for an unforgettable challenge. Over 3000 adventurers will join the Putney Bridge start, and the full 100km route heads upstream to Henley along the famous Towpath. It’s through Richmond, Hampton Court, Runnymede, and Windsor, with some wonderful scenery to a riverside finish line. With 50km & 25km distance options also available – plus the separate 25km ‘Thames Bridges Trek’ & ‘The Moonlight 10 Walk’ through Central London as part of the weekend ‘festival’ – there’s a Thames Challenge for everyone!
The Henley 10k - 10 September 2023
You can Walk, Jog or Run
Looped route - starts by the River
Fully signed route with arrows
Join as team, family or individual
10am or 10:30am start
Rest Stop - FREE snacks & drinks
Free neck buff
Medal & glass of fizz at finish
BBQ meal after - pre-purchase
Kids 2K Walk (with goodie bag)
Post event Fun Day
The Henley 10k is alongside the Thames Path Challenge’s main finish venue. It’s a fabulous 10 km loop through Remenham countryside with a start / finish near Henley Bridge on Sunday morning. Take it on as a Walk, a Jog, or as a Run – and get your family and friends involved.
Our Henley riverside base camp is a great location for a ‘Mini Challenge’ and with an optional BBQ, a ‘Toddler 2K’ fun event – there is something for everyone down by the river!
Chiltern 50 Challenge - 23 September 2023
Henley Basecamp
50 km Loop & 25 km & 10K
Camping Packages
Transfers
End of season 50 km looped route in some of the Chilterns finest countryside, with historic trails, rolling hills, nature reserves, and fantastic views. At our basecamp in Henley, there’s a Saturday night celebration BBQ, bar & entertainment, with extensive on-site camping & parking options. A route with real variety and some wonderful scenery – and easily accessible from London. You’ll get full support & hospitality, and with a 23 or 27 km option 25km loop and a 10K also available, there’s a Chiltern Challenge for everyone!
Saharan Ultra Challenge - 11 - 16 October 2023
6 day adevnture - UK to UK
2 Marathons, a 50k Ultra
Walk, jog, or run
Full support
Optional extensions
Push yourself further – take on The Saharan Challenge! It’s 2 marathon distances over 2 days, with a 50km Ultra option on day 2 if you’re up for it! A fantastic route through the Draa Valley down to sun baked dunes on the desert edge, with rugged mountain scenery, and a Bedouin style basecamp. This 6 day trip has it all – a tough challenge, stunning scenery, luxury camping, camaraderie, full support, and 2 nights in magical Marrakech either side of the challenge. An unforgettable Moroccan adventure – and some welcome autumn sunshine!
Halloween Walk - 28 October 2023
Launching soon!
Why not treat yourself to a hair-raising hike around some of the City’s scary streets and historic haunts? Choose your distance, gather your bravest guys & ghouls to make up a team – or go it alone if you dare and meet up with other chilling challengers. Dress to distress, and our creepy dungeon keepers at The Oval start & finish will meet, greet & shock. Once you escape there’s ghostly looped routes, with zombie rest stops, and if you manage to get back in one piece there’s a macabre medal, a glass of the Devil’s fizz, some horrific hot food & drink – and a souvenir bobble hat to ward off the spirits as you head off.
We're here to help
If you would like to find out more about this event just click the ask a question button to send us an email or give us a call and we'll be happy to help!
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There are different ways you can take part in one of the Ultra challenge series
If you would like to join an Ultra Challenge and support CHSW– we have three options available, depending on how much you plan to fundraise and how you sign up.
Option 1
Full sponsorship
Pay a low registration fee and do lots of fundraising for your CHSW. The charity covers your event place cost. There will be a minimum sponsorship target to reach dependant on the cost of your trip in order to take part in the event. This needs to be received by CHSW 8 weeks before the event.
Option 2
Mixed funding
You pay half the event place cost, and CHSW pays the other half, meaning you have a lower fundraising target.
There will be a minimum sponsorship target to reach dependant on the cost of your trip in order to take part in the event. This needs to be received by CHSW 8 weeks before the event.
Option 3
Self funding
You pay the full event place cost and fundraise with NO targets or cost for your charity.
Fundraising tools
Set up your online fundraising page
Save yourself the hassle of collecting your sponsorship money. It's quick, easy, secure and the donations will come straight to us.
We're here to help
If you would like to find out more about this event just click the ask a question button to send us an email or give us a call and we'll be happy to help!
The Ultra Challenge experience
Endurance events for a wide range of fitness and ages. Choose your Challenge – do it at your pace, and there’re 18 events in the series. Support from our fundraising team and from Ultra Challenges enables you to go further, whilst enjoying the great outdoors & camaraderie. There are marquee rest stops, lots of food & drink, medical & massage teams, with a fully signed route 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 real challenges!
Before your challenge
Good preparation and smart planning are key and from the moment you sign up you’ll have access to the Ultra Challenge App – with training guides, optional training walks, maps, online forums, and the latest news and updates.
Covered rest stops
Rest stops every ~12.5 km with ‘major’ ones every ~25 km, and are much more than the shaky gazebo with water that you see on some events. We’ve marquee cover, large medical and welfare tents, catering services, seating areas for recovery, changing rooms, and a friendly welcome!
Signed route and tracking
There are pink arrows to guide you, distance markers, glow-sticks at night, hazard signs, and a route map in the App. Ultra Challenge's ‘Trek Masters’ organise group departures at night so nobody has to walk solo. The chip timing system enables the Control Room, and your friends / family, to track your progress through the rest Sstops.
Free food and drink
Keeping you well fed and hydrated is key. Ultra Challenges pride themselves on the quantity and quality of their catering, and whichever distance you are on – meals, snacks and drinks are included – so no need to carry much!
• Snacks and drink stops every 12.5 km
• Snacks – from the healthy to treats
• Main meals / hot food every 25 km
• Energy drinks
• All dietary requirements catered for
• Lighter options for runners
• BBQ finishers meal
Medics, podiatrists and massage
Ultra Challenges have experienced doctors, paramedics, first aiders, podiatrists, and massage teams at rest stops. There are ‘Self help’ areas with blister plasters, talc, Vaseline, and tape if you want to patch your own feet. Their mobile emergency medical teams are only a phone call away, via our 24 hour Control Room
Medal, t-shirt and glass of fizz
We don’t want you to forget that finish-line moment – Ultra Challenge's Cheer Squad will ensure you won’t! You’ll get a medal, finisher’s T-shirt, and a glass of fizz, before heading to a BBQ and a well earned rest. Download your official Challenge certificate when you’re ready.
Shuttle buses and transfers
There are shuttles to local train stations for onward travel, and most finish lines have parking so supporters can meet you. There are bus transfers to / back to key venues (e.g the start) – and check out the bookable extras for details of all transport options.