Join Metro.co.uk Lifeline and Medical Detection Dogs on this stunning marathon distance challenge along two of the UK's most spectacular National Trails, the Thames Footpath and The Ridgeway, and less than an hour from London.
1 days | UK | Tough
Are you an Individual, Corporate or Charity interested in having your own private group departure?
If yes, please email info@charitychallenge.com and one of our team will be in touch to help with your enquiry.
What to expect
What you will do
Ways to pay
All you need to know
This page provides you with a variety of information about the challenge that you might find useful.
Charity Challenge is one of the leading tour operators for challenge events in the UK and overseas.
Charity Challenge is one of the leading tour operators for challenge events in the UK and overseas.
The Thames Ridgeway Trail Challenge is graded as tough. This is the perfect challenge for participants who are of an adventurous spirit and an open mind and for those people who have taken part in other trekking challenges and now wish to test themselves in a slightly more extreme environment, then the full marathon distance is a great test of your endurance.
You can tell your supporters that on your Woof and Walk – Marathon Trek you will be:
The Thames Ridgeway Trail Challenge is graded as tough. This is the perfect challenge for participants who are of an adventurous spirit and an open mind and for those people who have taken part in other trekking challenges and now wish to test themselves in a slightly more extreme environment, then the full marathon distance is a great test of your endurance.
You can tell your supporters that on your Woof and Walk – Marathon Trek you will be:
Equipment of good quality and durability could make the difference between a fantastic challenge experience and an uncomfortable one. For this challenge, waterproof and well-worn in boots or trail shoes will be indispensable. The terrain is uneven and can be very rough, so it is vital that you use either boots or trail shoes with good grip. Sports trainers are not suitable.
A full kit list for this challenge can be found in your account area.
Once you book you will have access to kit discounts with our partners The Outdoor Shop, Outdoor Hire and Cotswold Outdoor.
Equipment of good quality and durability could make the difference between a fantastic challenge experience and an uncomfortable one. For this challenge, waterproof and well-worn in boots or trail shoes will be indispensable. The terrain is uneven and can be very rough, so it is vital that you use either boots or trail shoes with good grip. Sports trainers are not suitable.
A full kit list for this challenge can be found in your account area.
Once you book you will have access to kit discounts with our partners The Outdoor Shop, Outdoor Hire and Cotswold Outdoor.
The event will have between 60 and 120 participants, setting off in waves and with dedicated expedition leaders throughout.
The aim of this challenge is to work together with your leaders and fellow participants to help each. This is a great opportunity to meet other inspirational people like yourselves and to draw strength from each other.
The event will have between 60 and 120 participants, setting off in waves and with dedicated expedition leaders throughout.
The aim of this challenge is to work together with your leaders and fellow participants to help each. This is a great opportunity to meet other inspirational people like yourselves and to draw strength from each other.
We employ experienced and fully qualified walking leaders and event crew to support you. The event crew are first aid qualified and have extensive experience inworking on our challenges throughout Britain and overseas. They will be ultimately responsible for the running of the itinerary and the safety of your group. They will be carrying full safety equipment and first aid kits with them at all times.
We employ experienced and fully qualified walking leaders and event crew to support you. The event crew are first aid qualified and have extensive experience inworking on our challenges throughout Britain and overseas. They will be ultimately responsible for the running of the itinerary and the safety of your group. They will be carrying full safety equipment and first aid kits with them at all times.
Charity Challenge considers the safety of all of our participants and staff to be a top priority, and as such we have set up Challenge Safe, one of the most advanced and thorough safety management systems in the industry. Challenge Safe formalises our ethos when it comes to safety, and brings together the procedures and risk management strategies that we use to audit all aspects of our challenges, from vehicles to accommodation to the challenge activity itself. Your welfare is absolutely paramount!
Here are a couple of important points that you should be aware of:
Charity Challenge considers the safety of all of our participants and staff to be a top priority, and as such we have set up Challenge Safe, one of the most advanced and thorough safety management systems in the industry. Challenge Safe formalises our ethos when it comes to safety, and brings together the procedures and risk management strategies that we use to audit all aspects of our challenges, from vehicles to accommodation to the challenge activity itself. Your welfare is absolutely paramount!
Here are a couple of important points that you should be aware of:
As you know, the weather in the UK can be highly unpredictable and at times erratic, so being prepared is the key! We run UK challenges between April and October, and although the summer months should be, in general, warmer, sunnier and more stable in terms of the weather conditions, we all know that this isn’t always the case. Please check the weather forecasts up to ensure that you bring clothing suitable for all weathers, including warm and sunny temperatures as well as wind and sudden downpours.
As you know, the weather in the UK can be highly unpredictable and at times erratic, so being prepared is the key! We run UK challenges between April and October, and although the summer months should be, in general, warmer, sunnier and more stable in terms of the weather conditions, we all know that this isn’t always the case. Please check the weather forecasts up to ensure that you bring clothing suitable for all weathers, including warm and sunny temperatures as well as wind and sudden downpours.
All Charity Challenge events are led by fully qualified walking leaders and operated as a team challenge. We encourage all participants to work together to complete the challenge. We believe that your experience is always enhanced by taking time to talk to your fellow challenger’s and learn about their inspiring stories. Our challenges are not designed as a race, and the route will not be marked with arrows for you to follow.
All Charity Challenge events are led by fully qualified walking leaders and operated as a team challenge. We encourage all participants to work together to complete the challenge. We believe that your experience is always enhanced by taking time to talk to your fellow challenger’s and learn about their inspiring stories. Our challenges are not designed as a race, and the route will not be marked with arrows for you to follow.
You will be accompanied by our fully qualified challenge leaders at all times. These leaders will navigate the route so you can conserve all of your energy for completing the challenge.
You will be accompanied by our fully qualified challenge leaders at all times. These leaders will navigate the route so you can conserve all of your energy for completing the challenge.
The registration point for this challenge is near to the town of Goring-Streatley. Parking will be available at the start-finish point, or alternatively the town is located on the main train line from London.
We will send you precise instructions about how to get to the registration point, and the timings of the event, one month prior to the challenge.
Please note: Whilst we shall do all we can to stick to this finish time, please make sure you book flexible return tickets as delays can happen and we cannot guarantee a precise finishing time or be held responsible for any missed transport.
The registration point for this challenge is near to the town of Goring-Streatley. Parking will be available at the start-finish point, or alternatively the town is located on the main train line from London.
We will send you precise instructions about how to get to the registration point, and the timings of the event, one month prior to the challenge.
Please note: Whilst we shall do all we can to stick to this finish time, please make sure you book flexible return tickets as delays can happen and we cannot guarantee a precise finishing time or be held responsible for any missed transport.
This challenge takes place on a well maintained footpath. However, the path is rocky in places and can be slippery if wet.
This challenge takes place on a well maintained footpath. However, the path is rocky in places and can be slippery if wet.
Registration for this challenge will start from approximately 6.30am on the day of the challenge, with the trek starting at 7am.
We expect all participants to have completed the route by 7pm.
Precise timings and a meeting location will be sent in your Final Details document one month before the challenge.
Registration for this challenge will start from approximately 6.30am on the day of the challenge, with the trek starting at 7am.
We expect all participants to have completed the route by 7pm.
Precise timings and a meeting location will be sent in your Final Details document one month before the challenge.
A packed lunch will be available for you during the challenge along with water and snacks.
We would encourage you to bring some of your own snacks to ensure that you can keep your energy levels up throughout the trek.
The drinking of alcohol the night before the challenge is strongly discouraged for your own health and safety during this tough challenge.
A packed lunch will be available for you during the challenge along with water and snacks.
We would encourage you to bring some of your own snacks to ensure that you can keep your energy levels up throughout the trek.
The drinking of alcohol the night before the challenge is strongly discouraged for your own health and safety during this tough challenge.
The Thames Ridgeway Trail Challenge is a long, sustained event of up to 12 hours and covering uneven terrain with sections of ascents and descents. Therefore it requires a good level of fitness.
The ideal training for this challenge is, naturally, walking along similar terrain. However, if you do not have the luxury of living near the great outdoors, then the gym or running/walking in your local area are good places to start. Most training should be part of an ongoing lifestyle, but if this is not the case then you should begin training as far in advance prior to the challenge as possible and gradually build up. Remember to use the clothes, equipment and especially the shoes that you will be wearing on the challenge in order to get them worn in.
The more you exercise before the challenge, the more you will get out of it. Also see your Charity Challenge Fitness Training notes.
The Thames Ridgeway Trail Challenge is a long, sustained event of up to 12 hours and covering uneven terrain with sections of ascents and descents. Therefore it requires a good level of fitness.
The ideal training for this challenge is, naturally, walking along similar terrain. However, if you do not have the luxury of living near the great outdoors, then the gym or running/walking in your local area are good places to start. Most training should be part of an ongoing lifestyle, but if this is not the case then you should begin training as far in advance prior to the challenge as possible and gradually build up. Remember to use the clothes, equipment and especially the shoes that you will be wearing on the challenge in order to get them worn in.
The more you exercise before the challenge, the more you will get out of it. Also see your Charity Challenge Fitness Training notes.
During the trek there will be limited opportunities to purchase some extra snacks as we pass through villages (please do not rely on shops being open as it is not always possible to guarantee this). Therefore you may wish to take some money with you on the trek. We would advise you should need no more than £20.00, excluding your joining and returning home travel costs.
During the trek there will be limited opportunities to purchase some extra snacks as we pass through villages (please do not rely on shops being open as it is not always possible to guarantee this). Therefore you may wish to take some money with you on the trek. We would advise you should need no more than £20.00, excluding your joining and returning home travel costs.
We don’t offer insurance for our UK trips, as any medical emergencies would naturally be covered through the NHS. If you wish, you could look into your own policy that covers cancellation for travel within the UK.
We don’t offer insurance for our UK trips, as any medical emergencies would naturally be covered through the NHS. If you wish, you could look into your own policy that covers cancellation for travel within the UK.
There will be bathroom facilities at the start and finish of the challenge; however during the challenge such opportunities will be limited to the great outdoors!
There will be bathroom facilities at the start and finish of the challenge; however during the challenge such opportunities will be limited to the great outdoors!
Charity Challenge believes that all of its challenges, whether in the UK or overseas, should have a positive impact on the communities we visit.
In the UK we would encourage all participants to consider booking an additional night’s accommodation in the area they are visiting so that they can fully enjoy their challenge experience. Many of our challenges are set in beautiful areas of the UK so why not turn your challenge into a weekend away and go out for a celebration meal in a local pub or restaurant.
For more details about our responsible tourism policy then please click here.
Charity Challenge believes that all of its challenges, whether in the UK or overseas, should have a positive impact on the communities we visit.
In the UK we would encourage all participants to consider booking an additional night’s accommodation in the area they are visiting so that they can fully enjoy their challenge experience. Many of our challenges are set in beautiful areas of the UK so why not turn your challenge into a weekend away and go out for a celebration meal in a local pub or restaurant.
For more details about our responsible tourism policy then please click here.
No accommodation is provided on this challenge.
The local area has a variety of accommodation options available should you require.
No accommodation is provided on this challenge.
The local area has a variety of accommodation options available should you require.
Your leading team are trained to deal with emergency situations in remote areas and will be carrying a mobile phone and radios in case the emergency services need to be contacted. The event is not run as a race and you will never be encouraged to walk at a pace ‘beyond your ability’. There will always be a wide variety in people’s walking abilities which will be carefully managed by the leader team. This team will always keep the group together for maximum safety and set a sensible pace for all to achieve this challenge within 10-12hrs. If we find that you are unable to trek at all, then we will arrange for you to be collected and taken back to the start point.
Your leading team are trained to deal with emergency situations in remote areas and will be carrying a mobile phone and radios in case the emergency services need to be contacted. The event is not run as a race and you will never be encouraged to walk at a pace ‘beyond your ability’. There will always be a wide variety in people’s walking abilities which will be carefully managed by the leader team. This team will always keep the group together for maximum safety and set a sensible pace for all to achieve this challenge within 10-12hrs. If we find that you are unable to trek at all, then we will arrange for you to be collected and taken back to the start point.
This challenge is planned to start running when we hope that we will live in a ‘post-Covid’ world. Please rest assured that Charity Challenge will continue to monitor all of the latest advice from both the government and local authorities and will ensure that all of our safety systems are up to date. Our safety advice for our UK challenge’s running in the autumn of 2020 can be viewed here. This document will be amended as and when the advice changes
Booking with confidence
We understand that there may be a little uncertainty around booking in the current climate, so we have created a 'Booking With Confidence' policy to help you book your next Charity Challenge with absolute confidence.
Book with the knowledge that:
We will offer you a number of options if we cannot operate your challenge due to Covid-19:
This challenge is planned to start running when we hope that we will live in a ‘post-Covid’ world. Please rest assured that Charity Challenge will continue to monitor all of the latest advice from both the government and local authorities and will ensure that all of our safety systems are up to date. Our safety advice for our UK challenge’s running in the autumn of 2020 can be viewed here. This document will be amended as and when the advice changes
Booking with confidence
We understand that there may be a little uncertainty around booking in the current climate, so we have created a 'Booking With Confidence' policy to help you book your next Charity Challenge with absolute confidence.
Book with the knowledge that:
We will offer you a number of options if we cannot operate your challenge due to Covid-19:
Due to the extremely challenging nature of the route, and the length of the challenge, it is not suitable for dogs to take part in this challenge.
Due to the extremely challenging nature of the route, and the length of the challenge, it is not suitable for dogs to take part in this challenge.
Please note that Charity Challenge will share your name, email and contact number with Metro.co.uk and Medical Detection Dogs in order that they can share details of the challenge fundraising pages, and challenge Facebook group with you.
Please note that Charity Challenge will share your name, email and contact number with Metro.co.uk and Medical Detection Dogs in order that they can share details of the challenge fundraising pages, and challenge Facebook group with you.
BELIEVE >> ACHIEVE >> INSPIRE
Challenges
Charities
Contact
We hold an Air Travel Organiser's Licence granted by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 6546. Many of the flight-inclusive challenges on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. But ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday and travel services listed on this website. This ATOL protection only covers challenges that include flights booked by Charity Challenge and that originate in the UK. Please ask us to confirm what protection may apply to your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL Certificate then the booking will not be ATOL protected. If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but all the parts of your trip are not listed on it, those parts will not be ATOL protected. Please see our booking conditions for information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLcertificate
Your session has timed out after 30 minutes of inactivity.
Please click OK to continue.
Link to share:
https://www.charitychallenge.com/expedition/info/3439/Woof-and-Walk-for-MDD-Marathon-Distance
Share link via: