Chiltern Wonderland 50 2024 Race Preview

2024 marks the ninth edition of the Chiltern Wonderland 50. Our third 50 miler of the year and the third in the Grand Slam, the race holds a special place in the hearts of many who are so fond of the route which takes runners out from Goring on Thames, through picturesque villages, remote valleys and an amazing and diverse range of trails. 

This years' race starts at 0830 on 21st September and as always you can follow the race every step of the way which will be available from just prior to race day via our live tracking here. 

Read on for a quick preview of the likely leading contenders in both the womens and mens events.

WOMEN

Michelle Attridge: Michelle is our 2024 50 mile Grand Slam leader having won the South Downs Way 50 back in April and followed that up with a second at the North Downs Way 50 in May. She’s raced several times internationally in between times and done well in all.

Michelle Attridge

Ally Whitlock: Currently second behind Michelle in the Grand Slam table with a third and a fourth so far this year. She also finished third at the NDW100 last month. Previously she’s finished many of our races in the top ten and on the podium in more recent years including the Autumn 100, Winter Downs 200 and Wendover Woods 100.

Jennifer Wood: Second at our South Downs Way 50 in 2023 in a blazing 7:29. Has previously run 129km+ over 12 hours which puts her firmly in the top ten British female performers in that category.

Jennifer Wood

Gemma Game: Finished third at this years MdS and that was her third podium there over the years. Previous winner, podium and top ten finisher at a raft of races both in the U.K. and abroad including most prominently Tenerife Blue Trail and Transgrancanaria Advanced. 

Laura McGill: Finished second here last year and third in 2021. Finished fourth at the Autumn 100 in 2023 also. 

Helen Moss: Helen finished second at the South Downs Way 50 this year under 8 hours but dropped a little further back in the Grand Slam standings with an 11th at the NDW50 in May. Previous winner of the Chiltern Challenge with XNRG and the Downslink Ultra. 

Sharon Walker: Sharon was third at the Thames Path 100 last year in 19:11. Previous podium finisher at Race to the King and Race to the Tower. She finished seventh at the North Downs Way 50 this year. 

MEN

Alastair Courtney: Alastair is having quite the year with us. Third at the Hundred Hills 50km in a super competitive field, he went on to win the South Downs Way 50 in 6:27 and took second at the North Downs Way 50 in 6:38. He leads the men’s Grand Slam 50 mile table. 

Alastair Courtney

Ben Hall: Ben was third at this years North Downs Way 40 just behind Alistair. He’s previously finished top ten at the SDW50 and won the Pilgrim Challenge. 

David I’Anson: Winner of the Druids Challenge and the Oner. He went top ten at the South Downs Way 100 in 17:01 in 2019 and finished in the top ten at the UTS100km in 2021. 

Paul Fernandez: Multiple time winner of the Ridgeway Challenge with a best over the 86 mile course of 13:39. Fourth at the North Downs Way 100 in 2020. More recently a winner of the Beast of the Beacons 40 mile race and past winner of the South Wales 50 and Brecon to Cardiff ultra.

Thomas Wright: Fourth at the Wendover Woods 50 in 2022.

Once again you can follow the race every step of the way which will be available from just prior to race day via our live tracking here. Thank you in advance to our wonderful team of volunteers