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Dixon Carphone Race to the Stones

14-Jul-2018 Lewknor, Watlington, Oxfordshire, UK (England)

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34 REVIEWS
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Trail Race Race Terrain
100KM / 62Miles
2 Days

Alternate Distances: 50KM/31M 50KM/31M

DIFFICULTY Race Difficulty Advanced  

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This is a 100km fully supported race along the oldest path in Britain, the Ridgeway. The start line is in Oxfordshire and the finish line is next to the Avebury Stone circle, a Neolithic monument 5000 years old.

It has two categories: non-stop and 1 or 2-day stages. The 100km non-stop has a cut-off time of 36 hours.

The route to the Avebury Stone circle, the largest Neolithic stone circle in Europe, crosses Lewknor, Goring and the North Wessex Downs. Along the way participants run past Bronze Age hill forts, Neolithic burial chambers and Roman river crossings.

The registration pack includes: race number, luggage label, wristband and timing chip. The route is mapped and signposted, and pit stops can be found approximately every 10km.

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Threshold Sports

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Beginner

Elevation: Very little change < 500 metres. Benign running terrain, not technical.

Suitable for: First ultra runners completing a marathon or doing regular long distance running in the last six months.

Intermediate

Elevation: Increase of up to 1000 metres

Suitable for: Runners who have completed at least one ultra distance race (or similar event) or are doing long distance running (>26 miles) regularly, with elevation shown.

Advanced

Elevation: Increase of up to 1500 metres

Suitable for: Runners who have completed several ultra distances or similar events, or are doing long distance running regularly, with elevation shown.

Expert

Elevation: Increase of up to 2000 metres with some challenging climatic conditions (e.g. ice, snow, humidity or heat) and or technical terrain

Suitable for: Experienced runners who have completed at least regular ultra distances in last 12 months, or are doing regular long distance running (>50 miles) with elevation and conditions shown (where possible). Admission to these races may be subject to evidence of recent qualifying race participation and recent medical examination certificate. Check with the race organiser regarding entry requirements.

Brutal

Elevation: Increase of up to 2000 metres with very challenging climatic conditions (e.g. ice, snow, humidity, heat or at high altitude) and or technical terrain.

Suitable for: Very experienced long distance ultra runners (min 3 years’ experience) or are doing regular long distance running (>50 miles) with elevation and conditions shown (where possible). Admission to these races is often subject to evidence of recent qualifying race participation and recent medical examination certificate. Purchase of specialist kit is often recommended for these races.

Review Dixon Carphone Race to the Stones

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run2be

12:21 02-10-17

This was my second year of Race to the Stones, so I pretty much knew what to expect. And I wasn't disappointed. It's an awesome run through some of the most bee-a-uu-tiful countryside that is the Ridgeway. Fields, forests, trails, towns, hill forts, chalk valleys. It all helps to ease the pain. Great organisation. Well stocked and friendly CPs. What is there not to love about this race?

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awv

10:44 10-08-17

A very well organised race with extremely easy registration, well-stocked aid stations (including portable toilets!) and amazing volunteers. I'd highly recommend this race for those looking for their first 100K race or those looking for a fast time.

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Julesb1

09:21 02-08-17

Excellent organisation by very capable and experienced organisers. This is an average toughness, but the fact it is 100km makes it just a little more challenging on the body. The pit stops and crew are fantastic. If you are to do any ultra in the uk then do this one. I will be back for more next time....

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Gjungfrauh

10:19 31-07-17

It was my first ultra so I wanted to focus on trying to do the distance and so wanted the event to be well organised and well sign posted. Signposting was the best of any event I've ever done - it must be almost impossible to get lost. Aid stations are well placed, well stocked and super friendly. The course is lovely - first half a harder than second half, which is more undulating. I wore cross over road/trail shoes and was lucky it didn't rain - I'll wear a more robust trail shoe next year. I'll also learn to pace it back A LOT more in the first half. Doh - rooky error. I'm still getting into ultras but I can't really see how I could have started with a better event. Agree with the huge thank you below to pit stop crews - all of them were excellent - well informed and clear without being officious (as they are at some events). Will definitely do again next year.

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Gjungfrauh

10:19 31-07-17

It was my first ultra so I wanted to focus on trying to do the distance and so wanted the event to be well organised and well sign posted. Signposting was the best of any event I've ever done - it must be almost impossible to get lost. Aid stations are well placed, well stocked and super friendly. The course is lovely - first half a harder than second half, which is more undulating. I wore cross over road/trail shoes and was lucky it didn't rain - I'll wear a more robust trail shoe next year. I'll also learn to pace it back A LOT more in the first half. Doh - rooky error. I'm still getting into ultras but I can't really see how I could have started with a better event. Agree with the huge thank you below to pit stop crews - all of them were excellent - well informed and clear without being officious (as they are at some events). Will definitely do again next year.

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Gjungfrauh

10:19 31-07-17

It was my first ultra so I wanted to focus on trying to do the distance and so wanted the event to be well organised and well sign posted. Signposting was the best of any event I've ever done - it must be almost impossible to get lost. Aid stations are well placed, well stocked and super friendly. The course is lovely - first half a harder than second half, which is more undulating. I wore cross over road/trail shoes and was lucky it didn't rain - I'll wear a more robust trail shoe next year. I'll also learn to pace it back A LOT more in the first half. Doh - rooky error. I'm still getting into ultras but I can't really see how I could have started with a better event. Agree with the huge thank you below to pit stop crews - all of them were excellent - well informed and clear without being officious (as they are at some events). Will definitely do again next year.

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brendonpetsch

07:45 31-07-17

This was my first ultra (did the 100km non-stop run), so didn't really know what to expect. It was a pretty tough run with some serious hills but some amazing rewarding scenery too. The route is very well marked with the red arrows seldom out of your sight at any time.
The entire event is so well organised from the first time you sign up right through the whole day which ran like clock-work from start to finish. The pit-stops far exceeded my expectations with a massive selection of food and drinks available. The staff at the pit-stops for me are the real unsung heroes. They have a really long day (or two) working, yet do it with smiles on their faces and so much enthusiasm which is really motivating and makes a big difference, so a HUGE THANK YOU to all of you!
A word of warning to anyone doing it next year, the last 3km are a killer. You actually run past the gate going to the finish, so you can run around the stones and loop back on yourself, pure torture!!
Other than that, the day was faultless and thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend it to anyone. Sign me up for the next Threshold event!

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squidge2406

09:45 18-07-17

Its the day after, the day after, the day after my epic adventure at Race To The Stones and I'm still buzzing about it. Genuinely one of the greatest things I've done and in the next few paragraphs I'll try and tell you why.

I wanted my first 100km to be as 'easy to organise and safe' as possible and I picked RTTS after reading good reviews and hearing good things about the organisers. On both these points I was not let down. Logistically it was not to difficult to get there, although it did involve a 3:30am start to get the oxford tube out of London at 5:30 but a shuttle service then took you to the start line directly from where the bus gets in. I can't comment on the getting home part as I was fortunate to have a friend pick me up, but he had no trouble parking and meeting me.The registration process was easy, from the initial online part, to collecting my number on the day, no queuing and then plenty of space to get my kit together, I had so much time I even sneakily ducked into the wave before me. Facilities at the start were pretty basic but there were plenty of toilets, and taps to fill my water bottles and thats all I needed.

The race brief was pretty limited; follow the signs and don't let the rare breed sheep out of the field (when you finally get there) but to be honest once out on course it became apparent why limited info is required. The course was incredibly well marked with direction arrows every few hundred metres, and in places where you could potentially go wrong signs saying 'don't go this way', there was absolutely zero chance of getting lost, further when you got to the rare breed sheep field there was a sign saying 'close the gate' another massive tick in the easy and safe box.
As for the course itself, in the main it was stunning. There are a few small sections of road, and a small part running along the side of a dual carriageway but mostly it was rolling hills, woods and rivers. A couple of things to point out when I say rolling, I mean it, there is not a lot of flat but you get a walking break if nothing else. In parts the chalky, loose, paths could be quite slippery, however, other than kicking a few large stones into my own leg (oww) I never felt in serious trouble or that it was terrain I couldn't cope with. Equally important were the checkpoints which appeared every 10k, they were well stocked (fruit, sandwiches, sweets, crisps, gels), with friendly marshals, and medics at each one and really helped to break the race into manageable chunks. As well as marshall's at checkpoints they were also at key points on the course, particularly on the road sections.

As you can probably tell I loved RTTS. Yes it is pricey at £109 but I still think it was value for money for two reasons 1) I signed up a year in advance so had forgotten how much it cost when I started 2) How i felt when I finished, genuinely priceless. For the more accomplished Ultra runner, perhaps a greater challenge would be needed but if you are thinking of doing your first ultra marathon/100km event I really don't see how you could go wrong getting involved in RTTS

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Cranefly

04:26 28-07-16

First 100km ultra, drawn to it by positive experiences from other first-timers in previous years. Chuffed with a 13h 19m finish. Nearly everything written is true: well organised, friendly team, great atmos, clearly marked, plenty of pit stops. If it was to be totally perfect, a t-shirt would be nice... it's been said before I know.

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Lidegaard

11:13 26-07-16

It was my first 100km race and the longest I've ever done. Everything went smoothly: registration, bag transfer, well stocked stations, very easy navigation!! Loved it!! :-) A bit pricey though but pretty much everything was taken care of for you. :-)

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