Ridgeway Challenge 86 Miles, the R86

Overall Rating

4.8/ 5

47 reviews
Would you recommend it to others? Yes
How did you rate the scenery? 5/5
How did you rate the atmosphere? 5/5
How did you rate the organisation? 5/5
Do you think this was friendly to beginners? Yes

Gemma Woolrych

Great race on a great route.

I wanted to try something longer than a 100k but shorter than 100m, and there are not many races at this intermediate distance. Also it is challenging enough (some hills) without being as hard as some events in the Lakes etc, and the navigation is fairly straightforward - so a good test if you just want to see if you can handle the distance without too many extra difficulties! I definitely learned a lot from this event and though I was slower than I had hoped, was really pleased to finish as I really had to did deep at times. The cut off times mean that this event is accessible to a wide range of runners and walkers, it is well organised and the frequent checkpoints were really helpful in keeping me going, particularly through the night where the volunteers were great at sorting out what you needed with the minimum of fuss. It's a route full of historical interest too, though I will have to return at a later date for a more leisurely exploration!

Reviewed using Eventrac, Sep 2022
Kim Reed

Great event , exceptional organisation

Reviewed using Eventrac, Aug 2022
Fiona Pratt

Great event well organised

A good value well organised event, stunning scenery but very hilly and tough underfoot. Fantastic support from Marshall’s, crew and other runners, definitely recommended but don’t underestimate how tough it is.

Reviewed using Eventrac, Aug 2022
Maxine Sinda Napal

Come for the race, stay for the banter!

What an adventure this race is, with a super friendly RD, a terrific bunch of volunteers who do this so they GET this, great camaraderie amongst competitors, and a general atmosphere most races could do so much better at delivering. It's brutal and beautiful and you really must do this race! Not suitable for inexperienced ultrarunners but ever so friendly for those runners working to bridge the distance between 100k and 100 miles. There's a reason there are so many repeat competitors. Didn't finish first try but I'll certainly keep coming back even after I do!

Reviewed using Eventrac, Oct 2021
Richard Mayneord

Fantastic race. Excellently organised and

Reviewed using Eventrac, Sep 2021
Eamon Byrne

Challenging course, superbly organised with incredibly supportive volunteers including the behind the scenes team who track the runners.

Reviewed using Eventrac, Sep 2021
Nicola Burston

Hard on mind and body, but made up for by friendly checkpoints, great organisation, stunning scenery and downhill finish!

Great event, generous cut off times for the 10am starters.
Definitely not easy, the hills are quad breakers downhill and equally steep uphill, the trails on the second half destroy your feet with sharp flint surfaces, but..... still a winner of an event with amazing checkpoints, genuinely friendly and caring volunteers in all the roles and a good variety of food at the checkpoints.
One of the best events out there

Reviewed using Eventrac, Sep 2021
Ashley Hogg

Great organisation and vibe

Very well organised, great communications from race director, checkpoints very well run and friendly.

Reviewed using Eventrac, Sep 2021
Tom Saunders

A proper challenge through day and night.

Amazing aid stations and superbly organised. Definitely recommend it.

Reviewed using Eventrac, Sep 2021
Gavin Rennie

Well organised, friendly but tough event with great scenery.

Reviewed using Eventrac, Sep 2021
Andrew Disley

Great event. Support at check points superb. Great value for money compared with similar events. Generous cut-offs appreciated.

Reviewed using Eventrac, Sep 2021
Anonymous

Amazing race

This was the second time I’ve done this race and I’ve loved it each time. The organisation and volunteers are second to none. The Ridgeway is a stunning place to run and the course is well marked with the national trail sign posts. I’ll surely be back again.

Reviewed using Eventrac, Aug 2021
James Binks

I have done the race 8 times and it has allways been first class. Also Tim Mitchell has made some significant improvements in recent years.

Unfortunately due to very bad timing for completing my house sale and moving to a new place I was unable to take part in this year race. However I love the event and will be back for sure in future years.

Reviewed using Eventrac, Aug 2021
Tim Ingham

Very friendly

Great food great checkpoint staff amazing race director

Reviewed using Eventrac, Aug 2021
Jason Campbell

A tough, but thoroughly enjoyable ultra....that needs to be on everyone's bucket list

A superbly organised event that is hard to better value-for-money wise. All of the marshals, volunteers, competitors were friendly and cannot do enough for you. Will definitely do this event again.

Reviewed using Eventrac, Aug 2021
Shaolin Loke

Absolutely fantastic event

Great event, good value, unfussy. Suited to those with some trail distance experience.

Reviewed using Eventrac, Aug 2021
Ben Marriott

Great ultra in a low key way (that's a good thing!)

Really well organised and all the volunteers and staff were great. Very scenic (night excepted) and runnable. My only criticism is the signposting on the Ridgeway itself - without a GPX on my watch it would have been very difficult as the signposting isn't always that clear.

Reviewed using Eventrac, Aug 2021
Justin Montague

From top to bottom - start to finish - sweat to sleep - my favorite UK race

Mr 'Tim' Ridgeway and his extraordinary team make racing and running feel like you are being supported by your family. Such an intimate, personal feel on a trail that has everything. Thank-you for all you do

Reviewed using Eventrac, Aug 2021
Jason Burns

A tough run but well worth the effort

Excellent crews and scenery all the way. I'm definitely doing it again next year!

Reviewed using Eventrac, Aug 2021
Chris Nicholls

Epic

Reviewed using Eventrac, Aug 2021