Three Shires Way 50 Mile Ultramarathon

Three Shires Way 50 Mile Ultra Marathon

Organised by Race Harborough, the Three Shires Way 50 Mile Ultramarathon takes runners on a scenic journey through the quiet rural landscapes and ancient woodlands of Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire.

Licensed by the Trail Running Association (TRA) and held under UK Athletics rules, this event provides a highly accessible, fully supported 50 mile challenge. Whether you are stepping up to the 50 mile distance for the first time or you are a seasoned endurance athlete looking for a highly runnable route, the Three Shires Way delivers a fantastic day out in the English countryside.

Course

The course is cleverly designed to hit exactly 50 miles by combining established rural walking paths with some specific event additions.

• The Path: The race begins by linking with the Swan’s Way before joining the primary Three Shires Way. Runners will traverse the borders of Bucks, Beds and Northants, passing right through the historic Threeshire Wood.
• The Additions: To ensure the route reaches the magic 50 mile mark, the organisers have added a starting section at Hanslope Village Hall. After navigating the countryside, the race concludes with a flat, scenic 12.4 mile loop around the perimeter of Grafham Water.
• Navigation: Because the Three Shires Way is an established bridleway, the route is generally very well way-marked and straightforward to follow. The Race Harborough team also provides supplementary event signage on any sections that might require a little extra navigational help.

Event Support and Tracking

Running a 50 mile ultra marathon requires reliable logistics, and Race Harborough ensures participants are closely monitored and well-fuelled from start to finish.

• Live Tracking: Every runner is provided with a GPS tracker from Open Tracking at registration (which the team will securely tape to a strap on your hydration vest). This allows event control to monitor your safety and lets your friends and family "dot-watch" your progress online throughout the day.
• Checkpoints: The route is supported by several aid stations manned by dedicated volunteers. These checkpoints provide vital hydration and ultra-running nutrition to keep you moving forward.

Why Run the Three Shires Way Ultra?

If you are looking for a reliable, highly runnable 50 mile ultramarathon that avoids extreme mountain elevation, this is an excellent choice. The bridleway terrain is relatively forgiving, making it a perfect gateway event for runners attempting their first 50 miler, while still offering a solid endurance test for veterans. The combination of ancient woodlands, historic county boundaries and the beautiful concluding loop around Grafham Water ensures the scenery remains engaging right up to the finish line. For full race details and registration info, please visit the official race website.