We’ve collated all of our most frequently asked questions (and brainstormed some more!) to bring you all you need to know about joining a challenge and preparing & planning for your challenge. We have a small team, and at busy times we are unable to answer all emails & calls we receive – so we ask you read through all of the below before making an enquiry!
Getting signed up to the challenge & what you can expect from us.
Changes, cancellations & deferrals if you've already signed up.
If you had signed up to a 2020 challenge that was cancelled - all you need to know.
If you are fundraising for charity - all the info you need to know.
Help you get ready with training, kit & fitness advice & training plans.
Still got a question? Ask our team nd we will get back to you.
You will receive a receipt via email, along with a Confirmation Email welcoming you onto the challenge detailing any next steps and timelines you need to be aware of, and letting you know where to find all the information you will need for your challenge. If you don’t receive this within 24 hours, please check your spam/junk mail folders.
Yes you must be 18 or over on the day of the challenge if taking on a Full Challenge, 16+ & accompanied by an adult if taking on a Half Challenge, 14+ & accompanied by an adult if taking on a Quarter Challenge.
Under 18s taking part cannot sign themselves up – they must be signed up by someone over 18.
No – however we have a great New Year deal on which will give you a great saving!
In the TEAM INFO section (towards the end of the registration questions), you will be asked if you would like to ‘Join a team’ or ‘Create a team’.
If selecting to create a team, you will be asked to create a Team Name and Password. Subsequent team members to register can then select to join a team, and will be asked to provide these details in order to join it.
We ensure that registered teams are assigned the same start wave (where distance/challenge option allows), and your team name will be printed onto your bib.
There are no restrictions on our regular Flexi-teams – you can be any mixture of charities / distances / funding types (i.e. Self Funding, Charity Sponsorship or Mixed Funding), and can have any number of members (even 1!).
‘Our Charity Team’ is special registration option and is restricted; if you sign up on this option your team must have at least 4 members, all fundraising same charity (and this must be one of our official Series ‘Partners’).
Yes – as long as you are fundraising for the same charity, you can create a team fundraising page on Just Giving (we recommend letting your charity know this is how you will be fundraising together). However, please be advised that the minimum fundraising targets remain per person (not per team), so you will need to reach the combined total fundraising amount on your page for your group.
If there is a charity you would like to fundraise for that does not appear on our list, we ask that you speak with your preferred Charity about what you would like to, and ask them to register with us via our short contact form which can be found on our website page www.ultrachallenge.com/the-charities/
Once they’ve registered with us, it will take about 5-7 working days to add them onto our registration forms, and you can then sign up to your chosen challenge in aid of them.
Alternatively you can raise for one of the 500+ charities we are currently already working with, or you can Self Fund your place and raise for them on the side with no commitment.
Please note: the above is relevant for Charity Sponsorship or Mixed Funding places only. If you are entering as a Self Funder you can fundraise for any charity of your choice (only if you want to) & we do not need to be informed
If you are entering on a Charity Sponsorship or Mixed Funding place then NO – you must select one prime charity for your fundraising. This is because your charity will be paying for a portion of your place on the event (out of the fundraising you generate). If you wish to also fundraise for another charity, you can do so on your own terms but only as long as you reach the minimum target your first/prime charity.
If you join as a Self Funder however, you have complete flexibility on who you fundraise for – with no targets or deadlines, and no cost to those charities.
If you have chosen to fundraise for a charity (from our list), we will pass your details over to them and you can expect to hear from them with a welcome pack within 14 days. If for some reason you do not hear from your charity after this time, please contact them directly.
By registering you will have created a MyEvents account with our registration provider Active Network, which you can log in to at any time (using the email and password you used to register). Here, you can view your registration and responses, create/join teams, and team captains can view team members.
Yes to do this we ask you to log the request and we will process it and confirm back to you if possible. To do so complete our short form below:
To do this we ask you to log the request and we will process it and confirm back to you if possible. To do so complete our short form below:
Yes to do this we ask you to log the request and we will process it and confirm back to you if possible. To do so please complete our registration changes form HERE>>>
Yes to do this we ask you to log the request and we will process it and confirm back to you if possible. To do so complete our short form here:
Yes to do this we ask you to log the request and we will process it and confirm back to you if possible. To do so complete our short form here:
To do this we ask you to log the request and we will process it and confirm back to you if possible. To do so complete our short form here:
1-2 weeks after submitting your choice you will receive an acknowledgement email from us to confirm that we have received your request. As we are currently working through transferring over everyone’s places, your original event may still show in your MyEvents log in for now – but don’t worry. Over the next couple of months, once your place has been officially transferred, you will receive the official Welcome Email for your new challenge. In the meantime, you can download the App, and you will still be wrapped up in the regular communications for your new challenge.
As we are currently working through transferring over everyone’s places, your original event may still show in your MyEvents log in for now – but don’t worry. Over the next couple of months, once your place has been officially transferred, you will receive the official Welcome Email for your new challenge. In the meantime, you will receive confirmation that we have received your request to transfer, you can download the App, and you will still be wrapped up in the regular communications for your new challenge.
We are working to a fixed schedule of refunds based on the time of each event cancellation. In general, refunds will be processed 8 weeks after the event cancellation notice. If it has been longer than 8 weeks and you have not received your refund, please complete this short 2020 Queries Form to let us know and we will look into it and get back to you. Please bear in mind that, once processed, refunds can take 3-5 working days to show in your account – so if you have received a refund notification email from us then please wait for this timeframe before making contact.
Please note: those on Full Charity Sponsorship places will not receive a refund as their registration fee falls below our admin fee.
Refunds can be requested up until the date of the original event. To do so, simply resubmit the same event-specific Form for your original event (which can be found on the COVID-19 Updates page) with your new choice. If the refund window has passed, you are welcome to instead transfer your place again to a more suitable event this year (or to 2022).
First, check your junk/spam folders! If you still can’t find your email, then please head to the COVID-19 Updates page (or the App) where you will find all of the information about your cancelled challenge as well as the form for you to fill in to confirm your choice to us.
Transfers can be requested up until the 4 weeks after date of the original event. To do so, simply resubmit the same event-specific Form (which can be found on the COVID-19 Updates page) with your new choice of challenge. If the transfer deadline has passed for your challenge, then you will need to complete our 2021 Deferral Form and cover the £10 admin fee to change your challenge.
No – due to potential changes in the optional extras we put on year to year (and, we imagine, in everyone’s travel plans), we will instead be refunding all extras so that they can rebooked for your new challenge. These refunds will be processed on the specified timeline (8 weeks post event cancellation notice) back onto the original payment card. If this timeline has passed and you have not received a refund of your Optional Extras, please complete this short 2020 Queries Form to let us know and we will look into it and get back to you.
If you switched from a Challenge to its 2021 counterpart, there is nothing further that you need to do – as your Just Giving page should now show the new 2021 event date.
If you switched to a different event, it is suggested that you create a new page (see your Welcome Email for a direct link or head directly to Just Giving). You can then add your previous fundraising total as an ‘Offline Donation’ which will then be verified by your charity (see Just Giving FAQs).
Don’t worry if you’ve not yet confirmed to us which 2021 challenge you would like to do, you can still make your selection – full details can be found here >>
We will have shared with your Charity your contact details, and they will be in touch with you 7 – 14 days from the date you registered onto the challenge. If you haven’t heard from them outside of this – we recommend you contact them directly by visiting their website, and contacting their events team.
Speak to your charity directly – they will be able to offer you support and help to reach your fundraising target and remember only 50% of that target has to be reached 3 weeks before the challenge. Meaning you’ve time after the challenge to keep on fundraising.
We recommend you create a Just Giving page – and start your fundraising by sharing your page online with your friends & family. Follow the instructions you received from us when you signed up to the challenge, in your welcome email, to get started.
YES – a team can – as long as you’re all fundraising for the same charity – as you can create a team fundraising page on Just Giving – we also recommend that you let your charity know this is how you will be fundraising together.
You will still have to reach the combined total fundraising amount – as the target is per person, NOT per team.
NO – you must only select one prime charity for your fundraising – this is because your charity will pay for a portion of your place on the event (out of the fundraising generated by you). If you wish to also fundraise for another charity, you can do so on your own terms as long as you reach the minimum target for the first/ prime charity.
Equally – if you join as a SELF FUNDER – you have complete flexibility on who you fundraise for – and with no targets / deadlines / or any cost to those charities.
There’s no denying it – these 50km / 100km challenges are tough. It will be physically and emotionally demanding! You will have to combat fatigue and tiring limbs as you battle through the challenge!
You will need to prepare well – and should read the training advice. The more comfortable you are with walking long distances for sustained periods – the more comfortable you will be on the challenge itself.
You should also practice walking at night – at similar times to those projected on the schedule – to get your body used to the sensation of walking when it’s normally sleeping and recovering!
A training plan is in the Participant’s Area of the website – to assist in your preparation. We also organise regular training walks to get you fitness levels up, as well as to give you the experience which will really help you to complete the challenge!
To run 100km is more than a double marathon – and 50km is a ‘marathon plus’ distance – often across difficult and varied terrain. This is no road marathon – and the running category of the challenge is reserved for only those who are attempting the 100km challenge in under 16 hours – and the 50km in under 7 hours.
The full support we provide on our challenges for runners means that if you have previously run other marathons and now looking to step up your distance to something longer – this is the perfect event to support your challenge!
If however you would like to run and jog (and perhaps walk too!) some of the challenge then you enter into the challenge as a walker and attempt the challenge in that category.
Ultra Challenges are tough events and training is essential for everyone. Preparation is key and will aid your enjoyment of the challenge whilst ensuring that your body is up to the rigors of the event.
It is very important for all competitors to train properly and build up endurance and resilience thresholds, alongside your base fitness. This will enable you to cope with the distance and provide you with the ability to recover between stages during the challenge.
You will have access to an event specific training guide to aid with your training and preparation, it can be found in the Participant’s Area.
Yes, if the event of your choice has run before – You can view results HERE >> https://livetrail.net/
Step 1: Click “Europe”
Step 2: You can find the event in the list with the years available under the title.
Step 3: Click the relevant year
We’ve a full kit list on the challenge app, we recommend you download the app for your challenge so you can access all the guides.
The kit lists we’ve provided are spilt up by ‘walkers’ & ‘runners’ and are only a guideline for what to bring and wear, your own experience training and weather on the day will play an important factor into what you will require.
There will be a baggage transfer service (at an extra charge) from the start to the finish line for a single piece of baggage not exceeding 75l/20kg – this is bookable on event day. Those taking on 100km can also get their baggage taken to halfway, use any items they need (eg a change of, or extra clothes) , and then onto the finish. Participants who retire from the challenge will be responsible for claiming their baggage at the finish line.
Registered Runners will have an extra baggage service – where you will be able to access your bags at the half-way mid point on the challenge should you not wish to run with your bags. Half & Quarter Challenge runners will also have a baggage service for free to take a small rucksack (no larger than a 30L backpack / 10KG absolute max) to their finish line.
Once you’ve signed up to your chosen Challenge, we advise you join our Facebook group ‘The Ultra Challenge Club’ where you can meet & interact with fellow challengers. It’s a great way to ask relevant questions, and learn from the experience of others.
NO – we do not allow dogs to take part in the challenge as we cannot cater for them along the route, and the rest stops can be very busy, and not all Challengers will be comfortable with them in close proximity. We do however think dogs make for great training companions!
If you unfortunately have to drop out of your challenge, you will need to do so at the nearest check-point if possible, where you will need to alert the event staff, who will ‘log’ you out of the event.
From the half way stage onward there will be support vehicles, and shuttle services to the nearest train stations for you to safely and easily return home.
If for whatever reason you don’t complete the distance you had sign up to – don’t worry we will celebrate your achievement and give you a medal for the distance you managed anyway!
This very much depends on how you are taking on the challenge (walk / run) – what you are used to – and what the weather / ground conditions are like. For runners – we simply recommend the shoes you usually train and run in.
Walkers – should wear the shoes or boots you have been training in – so your feet are as comfortable as possible. Some choose to wear sturdy trainers or trail shoes – whilst other opt for ankle height walking boots to give maximum support to ankles and feet. It is a personal preference – and we recommend that you experiment on training walks to ensure on the day – you’ll be as comfortable as possible. Feet often tend to swell up a bit with endurance length distances – so bear that in mind – and if the ground is wet and muddy – so will your feet be unless your footware is waterproof!
Dry socks are critical to avoid blisters – so bring spare pairs – change often.
You can always have a second pair of shoes to change into (if taking on 100km) – by utilising the optional bagage transfer service – to the ~50km half way and then on to the 100km finish.
Light open sandals / flip flops are a good idea for post challenge – to let your feet recover!
Route maps are available online before the event – marked with rest-stops, hazards & distances.
The route will also be clearly and fully signed with pink directional arrows and the night time stages will be supplemented with reflective tape and glow sticks – meaning you should never have to worry about finding your way and you can just concentrate on the Challenge!
The routes are fully signed – and during the night stages we use reflective tape and glow sticks so you will always be able to see the marked route. It is also compulsory that all challengers wear ahead-torch during the night sections, and a reflective item to wear.
The night stages will also be heavily supported by our team of TREKMASTERS (experienced walkers) – so there’s no need to be on the course by yourself – and we actively encourage groups to join and walk together during the night stages. We will also be tracking every walker at each check point with electronic tagging timing system.
It will be compulsory for you to carry a charged mobile phone and we will have an emergency contact number and contact procedure in the unlikely event you do get lost. Our control room will be on standby throughout the event to help anyone in need.
Join our Newsletter list & keep up-to-date with our latest news & special offers. Your details will only be used by the Ultra Challenge event organiser.
Thank you for your enquiry which is now being reviewed by a member of our Ultra Challenge Team, and they’ll get back to you as soon as they are able to.
The FAQ’s page on the Ultra Challenge website covers many of the details relating to the events, and if you have not seen it yet please do check it out, as quick answers to many enquiries are often available there.
Thank You,
The Ultra Challenge Team
