Cotswold Way

Challenge Options

22/23 June' 24 - Registration Open

From setting out from our Cirencester basecamp, it’s not long before the first of the hills, and with 2250 metres of climb, the Full 100 km is a real Challenge! The views out to the west over the Severn Estuary are spectacular, and if you want to make the most of them there’s a 100 km 2 Day ‘Daylight’ option – with camping at halfway. With a new 3/4 option, Half & Quarter Challenges, the new Cirencester 10km – and a basecamp being with plenty of parking & accommodation – there’s a great weekend in the Cotswolds to look forward to!

Full Continuous
100 km

Cirencester Loop

22 - 23June 2024

Join us for the a full-on 100 km Challenge – setting out from Cirencester on the Saturday morning heading north into the rolling green hills of the Cotswolds. There is 2,250 m of ascent – with undulating climbs, which whilst testing your legs will reward you with some breath-taking views. Our continuous challenge will see you stopping every ~12 – 13 km for stops & refreshments, with a main half way stop in Wotton, before heading back towards Cirencester.

100 km & 2250 metres

  • Start: Cirencester basecamp
  • Start times: 7am for runners, 7 – 9am for joggers & walkers
  • Finish: Cirencester basecamp
  • Finish times: Runners 9 – 16 hrs, joggers 16 – 20 hrs, walkers 20 – 36 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
  • 24 km – picnic lunch & fizzy drinks
  • 53 km – hot meal
  • 78 km – brunch/ lunch
  • 100 km – cooked breakfast/ hot meal
  • Finish – glass of fizz, medal & t-shirt

There’s a range of optional parking & pre or post Challenge shuttle bus transfer services, to make it easy to join & exit . These include:

  • Parking/drop off at Cirencester 
  • Shuttles from Kemble Station to Start (Fri pm & Sat am)
  • Bus transfers to starts in Cirencester, Painswick & Wotton pre-challenge.
  • Bus transfers from the finish in Cirencester to Kemble train station

 

See ‘Bookable Extras’ page for full details.

Cirencester – Fri 21 & Sat 22 June 2024

  • Stay at our ‘university hall’ accommodation 
  • Single & twin rooms available
  • Pre registration on Friday 
  • Saturday breakfast included
  • Baggage storage, hot showers & more

 

Visit ‘Bookable Extras’ for full details 

4 available

Walk, Hike, or Trek

COTSWOLD WAY

100 km < 24 hrs / 50 km <12 hrs

Up for a NEW Style of Ultra Challenge?

Many who run & jog can crack the 24 hr/100km or 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 Cotswold Way Ultra Challenge!

  • Participants opt in to ‘Ultra March’ category (100km or 1st Half 50km)
  • Up to 300 will set off together as a big Ultra March group.
  • Single Start Time – 10.00am 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 .
  • ‘Hall of Fame’ on the Ultra Challenge website (optional!).

 

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 100km is sub 24 hrs / 50km < 12 hrs to qualify for special medal & certificate.
  • If you are ‘outside’ of the 24 hr / 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 ‘100km Continuous’ or 1st Half ~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 100km (or 1st Half ~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 Cotswold Way – and we’ll get it processed.
ULTRA MARCH REQUEST >>

Day 1 – 53 km & ~1600 metres

Day 2 – 47 km & ~650 metres

Day 1 – Sat 22 June 2024

  • Start: Cirencester basecamp
  • Start times: 7am for runners, 7 – 9am for joggers & walkers
  • Finish: Wotton-under-Edge (53 km)
  • Finish times: Runners 4 – 8 hrs, joggers 7 – 10 hrs, walkers 10 – 16 hrs
  • Overnight: camp with us (see Bookable Extras)

 

Day 2 – Sun 23 June 2024

  • Start: Wotton-under-Edge
  • Start times: 6- 6.30am for all
  • Finish: Cirencester basecamp
  • Finish times: Runners 4 – 8 hrs, joggers 7 – 10 hrs, walkers 10 – 16 hrs

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

  • Snacks & drinks – every 10-15 km
  • 24 km – picnic lunch & fizzy drinks
  • 53 km – hot meal
  • 78 km – brunch/ lunch
  • 100 km – cooked breakfast/ hot meal
  • Finish – glass of fizz, medal & t-shirt

There’s a range of optional parking & pre or post Challenge shuttle bus transfer services, to make it easy to join & exit. These include:

  • Parking/drop off at Cirencester 
  • Shuttles from Kemble Station to Start (Fri pm & Sat am)
  • Bus transfers to starts in Cirencester, Painswick & Wotton pre challenge.
  • Bus transfers from the finish in Cirencester to Kemble train station

 

See ‘Bookable Extras’ page for full details.

Cirencester – Friday 21 June

  • Stay at our ‘university hall’ accommodation 
  • Single & twin rooms available
  • Pre registration on Friday 
  • Saturday breakfast included
  • Baggage storage, hot showers & more

 

Visit ‘Bookable Extras’ for full details 

Wotton – Saturday 22 June

  • Camp overnight at our ‘Half Way’ basecamp in Wotton
  • Hot showers, refreshments, rest areas & more
  • Breakfast Sunday morning before setting off

 

Visit ‘Bookable Extras’ for full details 

4 available (2 for each day)

Full 2 Day Daylight
100 km

Cirencester Loop

22 & 23 June 2024

The 2 Day Full 100km Challenge breaks down the route into two halves of 53km on Day 1 starting & finishing at our basecamp in Cirencester, and then 47km on Day 2 – you will get to experience the route in daylight as well as the opportunity to get some rest and sleep overnight. Camp with us at our fully supported camp in Wotton-under-Edge on the Saturday night where we will have entertainment, hot food & more.

3/4 Challenge
76 km - New

Painswick to Cirencester

22 - 23 June 2024

A perfect choice if you’ve done a Half Challenge before – and want to ‘up’ the distance without committing to a ‘Full’ option. The route is 3/4 of the Full Challenge – so starts at Painswick, takes in the fantastic 2nd 1/4 Challenge route to Wotton, and then on through the Cotswolds to the finish line at Cirencester basecamp (the 2nd 1/2 of the Full Challenge) after a tough 76 km. Do it as a ‘Continuous’ challenge – OR rest overnight after the 1st 33 km & camp at our Wotton basecamp (or hotel/ B&B) – and do the remaining 47 km (2nd half) on Sunday morning.

76 km & ~1650 metres

  • Start: Painswick Rest Stop
  • Start times: 9.30am – we will start runners off first, followed by   walkers & joggers
  • Finish: Cirencester basecamp
  • Finish times: Runners 7 – 12 hrs, joggers 12 – 16 hrs, walkers 16 – 30 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
  • 29 km – Hot meal
  • 55 km – hot/cold food
  • Finish (76 km)- Breakfast / hot meal + glass of fizz, medal & t-shirt

There’s a range of optional parking & pre or post Challenge shuttle bus transfer services, to make it easy to join & exit. These include:

  • Parking/drop off at Cirencester 
  • Shuttles from Kemble Station to Cirencester basecamp (Fri pm & Sat am)
  • Bus transfers to start  Painswick pre challenge.
  • Bus transfers from the finish in Cirencester to Kemble train station

 

See ‘Bookable Extras’ page for full details.

 

Cirencester – Friday 21 June 

  • Stay at our ‘university hall’ accommodation 
  • Single & twin rooms available
  • Pre registration on Friday 
  • Friday dinner & Saturday breakfast included
  • Baggage storage, hot showers & more
  • Visit ‘Bookable Extras’ for full details 

 

Wotton – Saturday 22 June

  • Camp overnight at our  basecamp in Wotton after your first 34 km (if you want to do it over 2 days)
  • Hot showers, refreshments, rest areas & more
  • Breakfast Sunday morning before setting off

 

Visit ‘Bookable Extras’ for full details 

2 available

53 km & ~1600 metres

  • Start: Cirencester basecamp
  • Start times: 7am for runners, 7-9am for joggers & walkers
  • Finish: Wotton-under-Edge
  • Finish times: Runners 4 – 8 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
  • 24 km – picnic lunch & fizzy drinks
  • 53 km – hot meal
  • Finish – glass of fizz, medal & t-shirt

The below options can be booked via the ‘Bookable Extras’ page.

Before

  • Shuttle from Kemble train station to start (Fri pm & Sat am)
  • Shuttle from Wotton – to Cirencester (ie park at Wotton – transfer to your start before the challenge)
  • Weekend parking at Cirencester
  • Drop off parking at Cirencester

After

  • Shuttle to Stroud station
  • Pick up parking at Wotton
  • Shuttle back to Cirencester.

 

Visit ‘Bookable’ Extras for Details

Cirencester – Friday 21 June

  • Stay at our ‘university hall’ accommodation 
  • Single & twin rooms available
  • Pre registration on Friday 
  • Friday dinner & Saturday breakfast included
  • Baggage storage, hot showers & more
  • Visit ‘Bookable Extras’ for full details 

 

 

Wotton – Saturday 22 June

  • Camp overnight at our ‘Half Way’ basecamp in Wotton
  • Hot showers, refreshments, rest areas & more
  • Breakfast Sunday morning before setting off
  • OR transfer back to Cirencester basecamp and book the ‘university’ accommodation for Saturday

 

Visit ‘Bookable Extras’ for full details 

2 available

1st 1/2 CHALLENGE
53 KM

Cirencester to Wotton

Sat 22 June 2024

The 1st Half of the Challenge starts at our basecamp in Cirencester and finish in Wotton-under-Edge. The route is tough with 1600 metres of climb – and there’s with steep ascents and descents taking you into the heart of this beautiful landscape with magnificent views out to the West. 

47 km & ~650 metres

  • Start: Wotton-under-Edge
  • Start times: Saturday 22 June 10am walkers/11am runners or if just join a full challenger when they are ready, OR 6am – 7am rolling start on Sunday 23 June
  • Finish: Cirencester basecamp
  • Finish times: Runners 4 – 8 hrs, joggers 7 – 10 hrs, walkers 10 – 15 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
  • 25 km – picnic lunch / hot food & fizzy drinks
  • 47 km – hot meal
  • Finish – glass of fizz, medal & t-shirt

The below options can be booked via the ‘Bookable Extras’ page.

Before

  • Park at Cirencester (finish) & shuttle to Wotton (start)
  • Drop off parking at Wotton (start)

After

  • Shuttle to Kemble train station
  • Pick up parking at Cirencester

If starting on Saturday – you can book the University style accommodation for Friday evening at Cirencester – and transfer to your Wotton start (and you can book that for Saturday evening also).

If Starting Sunday – book the camping option for Saturday night at Wootton (the start). 

2 available

2nd 1/2 CHALLENGE
47 KM

Wotton to Cirencester

22/23 June 2024

A great option if you want to join someone on the Full Challenge on Saturday evening to finish with them, or set off with most others on Saturday morning or early Sunday morning on your own fantastic challenge on the Sunday. A start at Wotton – and then some fantastic Cotswold scenery on the way back to the very welcome finish line and celebration back at Cirencester basecamp.

1st 1/4 CHALLENGE
23 KM

Cirencester to Painswick

SAT 22 June 2024

The 1st Quarter of the Cotswold Way Challenge will start from our basecamp in Cirencester – the route is a tough section with steep ascents and descents taking you into the heart of this beautiful landscape. 

23 km & ~600 metres

  • Start: Cirencester basecamp
  • Start times: 9 – 10am
  • Finish: Painswick
  • 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. 

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

The below options can be booked via the ‘Bookable Extras’ page.

Before

  • Shuttle from Kemble train station to start (Fri pm & Sat am)
  • Weekend parking at Cirencester
  • Drop off parking at Cirencester

After

  • Shuttle to Stroud station
  • Pick up parking at Painswick

After

  • Shuttle back to Cirencester start via Stroud train station
  • Pick up parking at Kendal

University style rooms available to book on the Friday (before your challenge) – and on Saturday (after your challenge).

30 km & 1000 m

  • Start: Painswick
  • Start times: 09:30 – 10:00
  • Finish: Wotton-under-Edge
  • Finish times: Runners 2 – 3 hrs, joggers 4 – 6 hrs, walkers 5 – 8 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
  • 30 km – hot meal 
  • Finish – glass of fizz, medal & t-shirt

The below options can be booked via the ‘Bookable Extras’ page.

Before

  • Park at Wotton (finish) & shuttle to Painswick (start)
  • Drop off parking at Painswick (start)

After

  • Shuttle to Stroud train station
  • Pick up parking at Wotton

University style rooms available to book on the Friday (before your challenge) – then transfer to your start in Painswick. And on Saturday (after your challenge – with a transfer back to Cirencester from the Wotton finish) OR – camp at Wotton on Saturday (packages available)

2nd 1/4 CHALLENGE
30 KM

Painswick to Wotton

SAT 22 June 2024

Arguably the most scenic stretch of the whole Cotswold Way route – and one of our toughest ‘quarters’. Starting at Painswick, you will head towards up to Coaley Peak with it’s breath taking views of the Severne Valley, before heading onwards to Wotton-Under-Edge for a celebration & hot meal.

Criencester 10 km

Cirencester Loop

SAT 22 June 2024

A looped 10 km route from our main Cirencester basecamp – taking in the wonderful surrounding countryside. Families are welcome. Walk – jog – or run it.

10 km & ~200 m

  • Start: Cirencester
  • Start times: 3pm
  • Finish: Cirencester

Snacks and drinks at the start.

Optional ‘discounted’ finishers meal once you finish your challenge. 

The below options can be booked via the ‘Bookable Extras’ page.

Before

  • Weekend parking at Cirencester
  • Drop off parking at Cirencester

Are you ready to sign up ?

Download Factsheet

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