Country to Capital Ultra Marathon

Country to Capital 43 Mile Ultra 

For many UK ultra runners, the season doesn't really start until the Country to Capital. This 43 mile ultra marathon, held in the cold, crisp air of January, is the traditional curtain-raiser for the year, and it’s a race of two completely different halves.

If you’re looking for an event that feels like a proper journey, this is it. It’s a point-to-point adventure that does exactly what it says on the tin, it takes you from the rolling countryside of Buckinghamshire to the very heart of London.

Course

The race kicks off from the Shoulder of Mutton pub in Wendover. The first section, the "Country" part, is classic winter trail running. For roughly 23 miles, you'll be navigating through the beautiful (and often muddy) Chilterns. Expect a mix of cross-country trails, footpaths, woodland tracks, and quiet country lanes. This bit is lumpy, scenic, and will definitely require your trail shoes.

Then, everything changes. Just after checkpoint 3 at Denham, you'll join the Grand Union Canal towpath. This is the "Capital" section, and it's your home for the next 20 miles. The terrain flattens out completely, and the challenge switches from navigating hills to finding a relentless, solid rhythm. It's flat, fast, and a real mental test. Many savvy runners have a friend meet them with a pair of road shoes for this final, hard-packed stretch.

The finish line is a real highlight. You'll run along the canal right into the surprisingly tranquil basin of Little Venice, a stone's throw from Paddington Station. Popping up from the towpath into the centre of London is a brilliant feeling.

The event is famously well-organised. As a point-to-point, your bag is transported from the start to the finish at The Stowe Centre, where you’ll find showers, toilets, and a warm place to recover.

This is a self-navigated race, but you are given fantastic tools to keep you on track, including a GPS tracker (so friends and family can dot-watch) and a voice navigation app. The route also follows waymarked trails.

There are five checkpoints along the way, roughly every 7-8 miles, which are well-stocked with the usual ultra-snacks and the legendary Go Beyond fruit cake to keep you fuelled.

For full race details, including registration, please visit the official race website.