Thames Bridges Trek

Saturday 14 September 2024

Join Reliance Cyber and your colleagues on England’s greatest with 2500 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 with a mid-point rest stop at The Oval Cricket Ground for some snacks & drinks. 25 km later, it’s a party style finish line celebration & picnic in Southwark Park – beyond the final crossing – the majestic Tower Bridge.

The Ultra Challenge Experience

Endurance events for a wide range of fitness & ages. Choose your Challenge – do it at your pace, and there’re 14 events in the Series. Our support enables you to go further, whilst enjoying the great outdoors & camaraderie. There’re 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 & smart planning are key to successfully completing an Ultra Challenge. From the moment you sign up you’ll have access to our Challenge App, with training guides, optional training walks & runs, maps, on the day info, and online forums. We will also keep you updated with any news & challenge updates via notifications through the app and emails.

FREE Food & Drink

Keeping you well fed & hydrated is key to getting you across that finish line successfully & safely. Whichever distance you are signed up every meal and snack stop is included in your entry so you can expect:

Regular snack stops every 12.5 km
Meal/food every 25 km
Hot drinks, water & energy drinks at all stops
We cater for every dietary requirement
Finishers buffet style meal

Covered Rest Stops

We have Rest Stops every 12.5 km or so with ‘major’ ones at ~25/50/75/100 km. Our Rest Stops are like no others – along side a large medical area and catering services they are all covered infrastructure (to keep you out of the sun or rain!) – here there will be a place to sit down and put your feet up, use any of the facilities (toilets, medics, changing rooms, rest areas, baggage pick up). Manned by our team to help with any query or questions you have!

Fully Signed Route

The route will be fully signed – meaning that you won’t need to use a map! You’ll see hundreds of reflective PINK ARROWS to guide you and KM markers so you know how far you’ve gone (and have left to go!). You’ll also see hazard signs where you need to take extra care, and after dark the route will be re-signed with glowsticks & flashing lights. We also organise group departures led by our Trek Masters overnight so you don’t ever have to walk alone.

Medics, Podiatrists & Massage

Keeping you safe and healthy is our upmost priority – we have a vast experienced team of Doctors, Paramedics, First Aiders, Podiatrists and Masseuses available and on hand at every Rest Stop (as well as roaming the route). You will also have access to a ‘self help’ area at every stop with blister plasters, talcum powder & more should you just need tape yourself up!

Medal, T Shirt, Glass of Fizz

We don’t ever want you to forget that moment you reached your goal and crossed over the finish line – our Cheer Squad will ensure that you don’t! You will be given a medal, finisher’s t-shirt (tech tee new for 2021!), glass of fizz and a photo finish! Before being guided to a BBQ, drinks & a well earned sit down and rest.

Distance

25 km – flat route, as it follows the Thames!

Start & finish

Start location: Bishops Park, Fulham

Start times: 10:00 – 12:00

Finish location: Southwark Park, East/ Central London

Finish times: 4 – 7 hrs (any finishers coming in before on a jogging/ running time will be disqualified)

Food & rest stops

Our rest stops & finish line are fully supported with toilets, medics, event managers, crew & covered seating areas.

12.5 km (The Oval Cricket Ground) – pastries, fruit, snacks, & hot drinks
25 km – finishers buffet style meal

Getting there & away

There is no official parking at the start/ rest stop or finish
Public transport options in all areas are plentiful
Nearest Tube is for the start – Putney Bridge (District Line).
Nearest Tubes for finish – Bermondsey, Canada Water, Surrey Quays

Walking/ Trekking Only

Please note this challenge is a ‘walk/ trek / hike’ only – NO running / jogging allowed.

Your Challenge,
Your Way!

Whether you’re a walker and new to challenge events, a regular hiker, or someone who just wants a great day out in one of the world’s greatest cities – the 25 km Thames Bridges Trek is for you! Walk as an Individual or as a Team of friends, for a charity of your choice or just for you. The challenge is fun, safe, and rewarding – with full support all the way, enabling you to to really enjoy the best of London, its landmarks, and 16 historic bridges.

DETAILS OF THE BRIDGES WE CROSS

Putney Bridge

The current bridge was opened in 1886 replacing the 1729 timber bridge – it is 700 ft long and made of Cornish Granite and is just downstream from the start of the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race.

Fulham Railway

The District Line runs over this bridge. Opened in 1889 pedestrians can also cross here – and was designed by Brunel’s former assistant William Jacomb.

Wandsworth Bridge

Known as the least notable bridge in London and opened in 1940 the original blue paint colour was used in the Blitz as camouflage – and replaced the 1873 bridge.

Battersea Bridge

The old bridge (opened in 1771) was painted by Turner, Whistler and Cotman. This was demolished and replaced by the current bridge which is the narrowest road bridge in London.

Chelsea Bridge

Opened in 1937 and it is a self-anchored suspension bridge. During construction large quantities of early Roman and Celtic artefacts which has led historians to believe it to be Caesar’s crossing point.

Vauxhall Bridge

Opened in 1906 it is near a bridge-like structure found in the silt which is presumed to be from circa 55BC. It has been in many James bond movies as it’s next to MI6.

Lambeth Bridge

It was opened in 1932, The bridge’s paint scheme matches the House of Lords, which is at the southern end of the Palace of Westminster nearest the bridge.

Westminster Bridge

A favourite haunt of tourists the bridge is painted in the colours of the House of Commons. Opened in 1862 it replaced a bridge from the 1750s.

Golden Jubilee (Hungerford)

Opened in 2002 to commemorate 50 years of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign the builders had to be careful to avoid unexploded bombs and the Bakerloo line.

Waterloo Bridge

The current bridge was opened in 1945. It’s predecessor was dismantled and it’s stone sent around the world. It’s name comes from Wellington’s Victory over Napoleon in 1815.

Blackfriars Bridge

The present bridge was built in 1869 to coincide with the rebuilding of the embankment by Sir Joseph Bazalgette. If you look closely you can see the river Fleet emptying under the north end of the bridge.

Millennium Bridge

Opened for the millennium the bridge still retains the nickname ‘the wobbly bridge’ due to oscillations which have since been fixed.

London Bridge

The current box girder bridge opened in 1973 replaced a 19^th Century stone bridge which itself replaced the medieval bridge which the nursery song is based upon due to its rickety nature.

Tower Bridge

Built in 1886 as a solution to the demand for river crossings east of London bridge the innovative design is able to open for the tall ships which used to be unloaded in central London.

How to Join

JOIN THE RELIANCE CYBER TEAM USING THE LINK BELOW

Reliance Cyber will cover the cost of your entry fee, and you can get fundraising in support of The Fountain Centre.

join RELIANCE CYBER TEAM

Click below to register for free and join the team with your colleagues.

FUNDRAISING FOR THE FOUNTAIN CENTRE

Use the Justgiving page below to fundraise for The Fountain Centre.

EVENT WEBSITE

Visit the ULTRA CHALLENGE website. YOU MUST return to this page to sign up.

EVENT FACTSHEET

All you need to know about the Thames Bridges Trek.

PARTICIPANT AREA

Information & advice for ALL participants taking on the Challenge

16 Amazing Challenges

Over 200,000 adventurers have taken on an Ultra Challenge^® so far, and the 18 unique events make up the UK’s biggest & best series of treks & trail runs – which have also raised £55+ million for charities. Whichever challenge you choose, you’ll get full support all the way so you can set a new goal, enjoy the British countryside, and Push Yourself Further! Whoever you are – If you’re up for a challenge, it has to be an Ultra Challenge!

Thames Bridges Trek

Saturday 14 September 2024

The Ultra Challenge Experience