Country to Capital ultra
Premier single day Ultra eventCOUNTRY TO CAPITAL ULTRA
43 mile race that attracts a truly global field
16th Anniversary Event
WHEN
Saturday 6th January 2024 Registration from 7am Start 08:45PRICE
£73 (includes a tracker) Book online hererun for a CHARITY
Visit our Charity PageGENERAL ENQUIRIES
For information about charity places or general enquiries please contact us. Contact usCOURSE description
Country to Capital is a 43 mile point to point Ultra Marathon starting at the Shoulder of Mutton Pub, Pound Street in Wendover and finishing at the Waterside Cafe in the Little Venice Canal basin close to London’s Paddington station. The route is a mix of country trails and canal towpath.
UTMB index race
The event is a registered UTMB index race (part of the new UTMB Index system) in the 50K distance category.
terrain mixThe route is 11.0 miles of cross country trails (26%); 11.8 miles of roads and paths (28%); and 20 miles of canal tow path (46%) . Elevation is +1375 ft (419m) and -1720 ft (-524m)
course marking
The course follows a waymarked route but requires some navigation. We provide a map book and various resources to keep you on track. The course is covered by OS Maps 181, 172 and 173. This year you will have a tracker as standard for the first time!
CHECKPOINTS AND AID STATIONS
There are 5 check points, each will have water, and a selection of supplementary snacks,. A drink will be available for all athletes at the finish. Details of the locations can be found here.
You will receive a warm welcome at the Bridge House Pub across the road from the finish for a well earned pint even if you are muddy!
AWARDS
Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Male and Female Competitors. All finishers will receive a medal and some Go Beyond merchandise.registration and start timeRegistration is open from 7am where you will collect your race number tracker, and map book. You will need to confirm your mobile phone number and be subjected to random kit checks. The race will start at 8.45am
AGE LIMIT
Due to the strenuous physical demands of running 43 miles in one day Country to Capital is restricted to competitors over 18 years of age only.
BAGGAGE TRANSFER
We will transfer a single competitor bag to the finish, so you have warm, dry clothes waiting for you . Your bag should be no larger than a UK airport carry-on bag size (56 x 45 x 25 cm).
TRANSPORT AND ACCOMMODATION
For anyone wanting to stay overnight in Wendover either before or after the event there is Airbnb or the Red Lion Hotel .
Arrival by car – If you are planning to return to your car by train, parking is available in the station car park which is recommended. There is a public car park on the High Street (HP22 6DX) or surrounding on-street parking. There is no parking in the pub car park. Please allow adequate time to park and register.
Arrival by train – we are affected by the National Rail Strike so are providing a replacement bus service from Marylebone Station at 6:30am on race day at a cost of £13 per person. Please email admin@gobeyondchallenge.co.uk if you require a seat on the bus. We suggest if you need to get back to the start that you park your car in London as we understand the tube network is operating as normal then get the bus to the start. When you finish your car will be only a short journey away
TRACKER
The Geo Tracks GPS Tracker is lightweight and easily fits in a small pocket in your rucksack. Your family and friends can track your progress in real-time and you can use the Geo Tracks app combined with the tracker as an accurate tool for navigation during the event. The Event can be followed using the web link or via the app which can be purchased prior to the event for Apple or for Android. When opening the web link please click on start times and this will display a list of bib numbers (they are sorted alphabetically by surname). The GPS Tracking units upload your position every 10 seconds to the live view tracking map and are accurate to 5 metres. Batteries last for 70 hours . Don’t forget to drop it off at the finish! To find out more please visit the Geo Tracks website.
COURSE RECORDS
The male course record was set in 2019 with the amendment of the course – Luke Delderfield- 04:56:35 and the female record in 2020 Carla Molinaro 05:32:33.CUT OFFThe cutoff time for the race is 11 hours. We have progressive cut off times from Checkpoint 3 onwards, details can be found on the Checkpoint information sheet.
KIT
Trail shoes are advised, if you have support or are happy to carry them then road shoes are ideal to have with you for the final section on the canal tow path. There are sections of trail which can become very muddy in wet conditions. It is essential to carry the items below. There will be random kit checks prior to the race . Runners must carry the following mandatory equipment at all times.
- Fully Charged Mobile Phone including the numbers for the Race Director and Assistant Race Director (shown on your map book given at registration)
- Map Book (provided)
- Water Bottles/Bladder capable of carrying a minimum of 1 litre.
- Survival Blanket: 1.4m x 2m minimum
- Waterproof Jacket
- Whistle
- Headtorch or Body Torch
- Spare batteries
- Hat and Gloves
- Long sleeved base layer or fleece top
TRAINING
Need help with your training why not try the Runna App (link on the side bar)- email for your discount code
When you have finished why not recycle your old trainers –
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START
The Shoulder of Mutton Pub,20 Pound Street, Wendover HP22 6EJ
FINISH
Waterside Cafe, W2 6NE
2024
Coming Next Year
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2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
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2011
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2009
Is the course marked? No, but there are lots of footpath signs and we provide a map and lots of help to keep you on track. This year will be the first tracked and interactive race thanks to our partners Geotracks
What’s the course like? The first half of the race is cross country and a mixture of paths, trails and roads. It’s muddy in places and a few hills to deal with. The second half is on well prepared canal tow paths.
Is there a mandatory kit list? Yes, please see the race information tab.
How many checkpoints are there? There are 5 checkpoints with water and snacks.
Do you cater for Vegans at checkpoints? Yes we try to provide vegan snacks where possible – non vegans don’t know the difference!
Are the road crossings marshalled? No, you will need to cross a number of roads with care during the event.
Where can I park? There is no parking available at the pub car park, but there is a public car park within 5 minutes walking distance from the start in Wendover, or alternatively you can park at the train station, if you are returning via the train.
How do I get back to the start at the end of the race? The race finishes a short walk from Paddington Station so you have easy access to the tube and mainline railway stations.
Can I have support during the race? Yes you can have your own crew – the golden rule is only do what would be possible for everyone else to do if they had a crew! Please make sure that your supporters do not get in the way of the race and other competitors.
Where can people spectate? Once restrictions are lifted and spectators are permitted – Chesham, Chorleywood, Horn Hill (Dumb Bell Pub) and Denham Country Park are good lcoations
Do you have a bag transfer facility? Yes we will transfer one bag per competitor no larger than a UK airport carry-on bag size 56 x 45 x 25 cm to the finish line. There are no bag drops at checkpoints.
What happens if I get injured or want to drop out? Please contact the Race Director or Assistant Race Director on the phone numbers shown on the front of your map book and make your way to the next checkpoint if possible or confirm your location. We will send the sweeper bus to collect you and transport you to the finish to collect your bag if you have one. If you make your own arrangements please ensure that you let us know other wise we will waste time and energy trying to locate you.
What if I forget to return my tracker at the end of the race/if I drop out? You will be required to return the tracker via recorded delivery, at your own cost. Any non returns will be charged at cost (which will be very expensive!)
I am injured and can’t take part can I defer the day before the race? No we require a minimum of 14 days notice before race day to process a deferral.
What if I have a question not covered above? Please email us admin@gobeyondchallenge.co.uk
2022 Vlog
2021 Event Video
2021 VLOG
2020 Event Video
2019 Video by Thomas Sauka
The Route Through Chesham
The Route Through Denham
HS2 Diversion 2021
Country to Capital Paddington Arm to the Finish (you really can’t go wrong!
