OUR SUPPORT

WE GET YOU TO THE FINISH LINE!

An Ultra Challenge® is about setting new goals, 'Pushing Yourself Further', and having an unforgettable experience. We lay on the best support & hospitality available on any UK endurance style events - and we're famous for it! This enables you to step up and confidently tackle an 'Ultra' distance, with the best chance of success - and to enjoy your challenge!

BEFORE...

Good preparation and planning are key to a successful Ultra Challenge®. From the moment you sign up you’ll have access to our online guides, videos, and a ‘Challenge App’. There’s optional training walks & runs, along with participant forums to share training ideas, encouragement, and advice. Join us, and you’ll join a large welcoming community.

We’ve a Challenge App to download, with all the info at your fingertips:

  • Latest news updates
  • Training guides
  • Kit & equipment lists
  • Route maps
  • Rest Stop details
  • Travel planning
  • Food menus
  • Merchandise shop

Our Facebook community has 9,000+ followers – and is a great place to meet fellow Challengers, join discussions on training, kit, fundraising, & meet-up training sessions. Our experienced Challengers are happy to answer any questions you might have.

Our training guides are developed by experienced walkers & runners,  covering – nutrition, hydration, and foot care, to the building up of distance & stamina for all experience levels – with tailored plans taking you to your 25km, 50km, or 100km challenge.

If you choose to fundraise for a charity of your choice, we’ll confirm that to them. They’ll provide you with a fundraising pack, and a point of contact on hand to answer any charity questions and to provide advice & support on how to reach your fundraising targets.

We have a series of Training Walks – led by our team – which are a great way to build your fitness, test your kit, make new friends – and ask any questions.  

We have a series of ‘Top Tips’ online videos – hosted by our expert panel. You’ll also be invited to join our Event Director for an online video briefing with a Q&A session before your challenge, and to find out the key final info before the big day.

Each Challenge has  ‘Bookable Extras’ to help make your travel planning easy:

  • Coach transfers
  • Shuttle buses
  • Camping packages
  • Car parking

during..

Walkers & joggers wear a small rucksack for essential items. For large bags we’ve optional ‘transfer’ services from the start to finish – or to half way & then the finish if you’re on a 100km challenge. Runners get a free ‘day bag’ transfer (max 10kg) 

At registration you collect a bib, timing chip, route map, & neck buff. Enjoy the atmosphere, have a hot drink, buy some merchandise, before a Zumba warm up & safety briefing, prior to setting off in waves of 250 – with runners off  first on to a clear course.

Your chip is  ‘scanned’ at the start, each rest stop, and the finish – and updates our ‘Timing & Tracking’ website, so friends & family can track your progress through rest stops. There’s also an option to hire a ‘Geo Tracker’ GPS device, enabling friends & family to track you  continuously in real time!

Rest Stops are every ~12.5km or so, with ‘major’ ones every ~25km. All have covered infrastructure, and:

  • Plenty of clean toilets
  • Seating & eating areas
  • Medical tents
  • Catering services
  • Changing rooms
  • Rest areas
  • Heating at night
  • Shuttle buses
  • Information points

Keeping well fed & hydrated is key. We pride ourselves on the quality & quantity of our catering, and whichever distance you are on – meals, snacks & drinks are included – so no need to carry much!

  • Snacks & drinks stops every 12.5km 
  • Snacks – from the healthy to treats
  • Main meals / hot food every 25km 
  • Hot & cold drinks at all stops
  • Energy drinks
  • All dietary requirements catered for
  • Lighter options for ‘runners’
  • Hot finishers meal

Keeping you safe, healthy, and on your feet is our priority, and we have an experienced Team providing full medical support.

  • First Aid tents at all stops
  • Self Help foot care stations
  • Expert Podiatrists at key rest stops
  • Doctors / Paramedics always on-hand
  • Massage at 50 km & 100 km
  • Roaming emergency Paramedics

For those on a Full 100km Daylight Challenge (over 2 days) there’s a ‘Half Way’ camp – book an all inclusive package or ‘pitch your own’. There’s showers & chill-out areas, and it’s a great way to recuperate over Saturday night, before taking on the 2nd half on Sunday – and also suits many ‘Half Challengers’. Some events have camping at the start – and the finish (if a looped or figure of 8 route).

during..

100,000 adventurers of all ages & experience have taken on an Ultra Challenge® – and the support we lay on provides all you’ll need to succeed. From marquee rest stops stocked with free food & drink, expert medical & massage teams, lots of clean toilets, experienced Trek masters out along the route to help you, to a noisy Cheer Squad welcome at your finish line – it’s details that add up to make the difference on an Ultra Challenge®.

HELPING YOU PLAN YOUR CHALLENGE

BOOKABLE EXTRAS

Each Ultra Challenge® has optional 'Bookable Extras' to make the planning of how to join, leave, and take on your challenge easy. Parking at key venues, shuttle bus transfer services, and camping packages - all need booking in advance, with 'Baggage Transfer' options available on-the-day. Click below for more info.

HIRE A 'GEO TRACKER'

Family & friends can follow you every step of the way!

If you’d like family & friends to track your real time progress on your Ultra Challenge, then why not book a new Geo Tracker!  Pick it up at the start of the event – share the map with them – and then they’ll be able to see exactly where you are – day & night !

stepping across the start line!

ALONG THE ROUTE

You won’t get lost, as we believe we have the best route marking set up in the business, and also have experienced teams out & about supporting you when you need it most. Our ‘Trek Masters’ organise group departures from rest stops, so nobody has to walk alone at night, and our Emergency Response Teams are only a phone call away if you need them.

You’ll see pink arrows, flags, and ribbon to guide you – and distance markers. There are hazard signs where extra care is needed (e.g. road crossing / river banks) – and at night time glow-sticks to guide you.

The Challenge App houses a Google Route Map to follow on the day (with rest stops marked). We’ll post the route GPX files for other mapping devices, and there’s a PDF map if you don’t want to use your mobile phone.

We deploy teams of Mountain Leaders at critical points, where extra support or advice might be welcomed. This could be a busy road crossing, passing through a gully, or maybe traversing a slippery section.

Alongside static teams at Rest Stops, we have ‘mobile medics’ in 4×4 vehicles – ready & waiting for a call. We also have ‘pick up’ vehicles for those who don’t need medical help, but perhaps have had enough! You won’t get abandoned on an Ultra Challenge!

Our Trek Masters are experienced Challengers who now give their time to helping others. Trek Masters set out from the Half Way as night time draws in, with individuals & small groups joining them to form a larger group, so nobody needs to be alone.

A 24 hr Control Room acts as our Challenge ‘eyes & ears’, ensuring all is on track, and that each participant is checking into Rest Stops as expected. They’re also at the end of the phone for anyone who needs assistance.

NIGHT TIME STAGES...

AFTER...

We don’t want you to forget the moment you cross your finish line – our Cheer Squad will ensure you don’t, and your supporters are welcome to join the celebration. You’ll get a medal, a finisher’s t-shirt, a glass of fizz, and a photo finish! 

Finish times are important for many – just as finishing is equally important for others! Your time will be posted on our Timing & Tracking Website so your supporters know you’ve made it, and you can download an official certificate to frame & hang on your wall!

We operate shuttles to the nearest train station, and most of our finish lines have ample parking for supporters. There’s also optional ‘transfers’ to other locations (eg back to the start) – check each event for full details.

You may well be hungry after your strenuous endeavours! There’s a BBQ finishers meal (full breakfast for early birds), and your friends & family can also book tickets to join you.  

Checking in with our medics & podiatrists is a good idea if you have any concerns – or if you need any advice on how to look after those aches, pains, blisters & feet! There will be a massage tent – and if you have time – make the most of this free service.

We’ve heard many times at the finish line – ‘never again’! But over 50% of every event is made up of Challengers taking on their 2nd, 3rd or even their 10th Ultra  Challenge! They’re quite addictive apparently – and we’ll give you a special deal to encourage you.

AFTER...

Finish line memories last a long time. Our Cheer Squad welcomes you in, place a well earned medal around your neck, with a celebration glass of fizz. Head to the hot food stall, check in for massage, and then relax. Reflect on your achievement, and once the aches have eased and the feet recovered, planning the next challenge may soon start, as your boundaries and goals have been re-defined!

that finish line feeling!

Our Delivery Partners

We work with an experienced network of partners to be able to bring the Ultra Challenge Series to life. With their expertise and commitment we are able to deliver our events to the highest standards of safety and hospitality.

Are you ready to sign up ?

Download BROCHURE

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