TRAIL RUN THE RIDGEWAY
DATE: 21 - 23 MAY 2021
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EXPERIENCE OVERVIEW
Join us on a classic. This short trail running weekend takes you along the UK’s oldest trail. Not only are the views stunning, but you’ll be following in the footsteps of an ancient world. We’ll run past the legendary Avebury stone circle, giant white horses etched onto the hillside and iron age castles and burial chambers.
This fully-guided and fully-supported adventure takes in a distance of 68km which is split over three days. Running gorgeous trails we’ll cover an average distance of 14 miles per day, staying in sweet little hotels just off the trail which makes for a perfect base at the end of each day.
DATE: 21 - 23 May 2021
TRIP ADVENTURE GRADE: A2
DISTANCE: Approx. 20km per day
MAX. 12 RUNNERS
Would you like to talk to a Pure Trails team member to learn more about this trip?
ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE
For over 5,000 years the Ridgeway has been used by traders, drovers, merchants, and invaders to travel along the width of Southern England. Today, the route is crammed full of historical wonders, and traversing sections make this a highly inspirational route to run.
We kick start the journey at Avebury stone circle which is one of the finest stone circles in the world where we pick up a gorgeous trail which takes us to the top of the ridgeway and onwards to the bronze age wonders of Barbury Castle and ancient burial chambers.
Our route continues through pretty villages and towns, including Wantage which is the birthplace of King Alfred the Great - a king of the West Saxons.
We finish the trip in Goring, a beautiful town on the banks of the River Thames where we’ll toast the completion of our journey.
HIGHLIGHTS
Trail running the 64km of the Gorgeous Ridgeway over the course of 3-days
Experience a fully-supported trail adventure travelling only with light-packs
Run along Britain’s oldest Road, an ancient landscape full of trail adventure
OUR ROUTE
Approximate details
Total Distance: 64 Kilometres
Total Running Days: 3 Days
Lowest Elevation: 44m
Highest Elevation: 269m
Elevation Gain: + 570m
*The daily distances and itinerary may change according to local weather conditions and the groups condition.
INCLUDES
2 nights accommodation in 3* hotels along the way
Fully-supported trail running trip
Breakfast and picnic lunches throughout the trip
One qualified trail running guides throughout
Support vehicle throughout (Fully stocked)
3 Days of Trail Running on exceptional trails
Luggage transfer from point to point
Aid stations
12-week training plan
Running technique and advice from UK qualified coaches
Evening running lectures
EXCLUDES
Arrival / departure transportation
Evening meals
Beverages
Personal equipment
Personal bills
Additional excursions
Insurance (REQUIRED before the trips departure - for accidents, health and emergency evacuation, loss, theft or damage to baggage or personal effects)
Tips
Pre/Post Excursions
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1 - From the Stones to Foxhill
Distance: Approx. 17 Miles (27km)
Time: 3 -4 hours trail running
This morning we start our epic trail journey right by the world-renowned Avebury stone circle.
From here our trail picks up the Ridgeway, climbing gradually towards the Barbury Castle Iron Age fort. This section of the trail is gorgeous to run as we pass Bronze Age burial chambers, surrounded by fields and clumps of trees.
Needless to say the views in either direction are breath taking as we crest Smeathe’s Ridge on our way to the pretty village of Ogbourne St George.
We’ll meet our support vehicle here to top up on nutrition, snacks and to chill before we continue on.
There’s a fairly steep climb to tackle as we head out of the Og Valley as we run along a narrow, tree-lined track before reaching out base for the evening at Foxhill.
The evening is left for us to relax and toast our day over a few drinks in the bar.
Day 2 - Along the Ridgeway
Distance: Approx. 12 miles (19km)
Time: 2 - 3 hours trail running
We’ll pick up a real gem today as we run a remoter section of The Ridgeway which gives not only blistering views but also ancient curiosities for us to check out.
Early on the route undulates quite a bit and it’s a little tougher on the legs to begin, although the endless fields which change different colours with the seasons helps to distract the effort.
The route lives up to it’s name as this stretch has us following relatively narrow tracks, emerging in small villages before our day ends in the pretty market town of Wantage - the birthplace of Alfred the Great.
We have the evening to relax and prepare for our final day on the trail.
Day 3 - Final push to Goring
Distance: Approx. 14.5 miles (23km)
Time: 3 - 4 hours of trail running
Leaving Wantage behind with our final push to Goring we have another stunning day of trail running ahead of us.
The route opens up into a broad track beautifully which makes for lovely running in rolling countryside. The views span all the way to the Thames Valley and on a clear day you can see the Chiltern Hills.
We’ll pass the Baron Wantage monument and beyond Bury Down the route descends towards the historical riverside village of Goring, our finish for the trail weekend.
Arriving into Goring we’ll toast our finish our celebrate our journey, finishing up by about 14:00.
*Please note that the itinerary is subject to minor changes. We may run distances further or less depending on the general feeling of the group.
WHERE WE
STAY
Beautiful Small Pubs
Over the course of The Ridgeway we will be staying in a different accommodation for each night of the run. We’ll be staying in pretty little pubs (3 Star) which offer comfortable rooms and restaurants for us to relax after a hard day on the trail.
We select accommodation that is in close proximity to The Ridgeway to make it easier to access the trail heads.
FAQ
GROUP MANAGEMENT
Being a group of max. 8 runners with a mixture of ages and running abilities we may decide to split into flexible groups, all of which will be supported by our running guides who will travel with us on the trip.
By splitting the group will allow us all to move more fluidly, allowing all team members to run at their own comfortable pace, without feeling pressured.
TRAIL RUNNING
The terrain is undulating and includes some up hill sections which we walk, as well as some down hill sections at times.
We’ll be running through quaint villages, narrow chalk traacks, through fields and rolling hills. Underfoot conditions consist of hard-packed which make for very enjoyable running.
TEMPERATURES
We run the trails in early summer when the countryside is lush and green. We can expect daily temperatures to sit on average of 20 degrees C, however being Britain there is every chance of a hot spell (25 degrees C) or a colder spell (sub-18 degrees C).
You should also prepare for the chance of rain and wind, as well as bright sunshine.
Way Marking
The journey will be hosted by one-qualified running guide, although as the group is likely to spread out over short sections we will be making every effort to way-mark the route.
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