Autumn 100^®

Is this a different event to the Winter 100? What happened to the Winter 100? 

The race is identical to the Winter 100, with a simple name change. We felt it a more appropriate title for the race, when we relocated it in the fixture list from the last weekend of November, to the middle of October. It was known as the Winter 100 in 2012, 13 and 14, changing to the Autumn 100 in 2015. 

How tough is the course? 

The course is 100 miles in length and has only 3840 feet of gain. In terms of terrain, roughly 80% of the course is on trail and around 20% on the road. The trail varies between open grassland, woodland single/ double track, crushed gravel/ dirt road, farmers fields and paved roads. During dry periods the course is flat, fast and runnable. Both the Thames Path and Ridgeway trails can however become much more difficult to negotiate in the wet. If the temperatures are low but above freezing and the course receives a lot of rain, the ground underfoot will become muddy, waterlogged and slippery and potentially even flooded, icy or covered in snow, resulting in much slower conditions. It is possible that the temperatures may drop below freezing before or during the race and that snow may be a factor making it extremely tough going. You must prepare for conditions to be very difficult and very cold. The wind speeds on the Ridgeway section to Chain Hill and return can also be extremely high. 

What do I get for my entry fee? 

Principally you get a fully supported race weekend including:

16 fully stocked aid stations

Full Medical Support in the form of dedicated race ambulances and roving vehicles as well as static first aid teams

Live timings throughout race weekend for friends and family to follow you online

Finisher t-shirt

Finishers Buckle

Is there a limit to the number of entries into each distance/ Can I enter on race day?

The race will be limited to the first 300 entrants. There will be no entries on the day.

Is there a minimum qualification standard to achieve before I can enter?

You may enter the race without first having qualified. In order to start the event however, you must have completed a minimum of a 50 mile distance non-stop race since January 1st 2012 and before race date. As organisers, we reserve the right to refuse anybody entry into who does not meet the qualification standard. This is for runners own safety. This race has more of an element of self sufficiency to it because of the time of year so we advise all runners to get as much ultra race experience under their belt as possible before taking it on. 

Click here to read more about what counts as a qualifier. 

Will there be live updates during the race for friends and family to follow? 

There will be a live webcast during the event. Live times will be published as runners come through major aid stations. A link to the live site will appear on the homepage in the week leading up to the race. 

Are there any road crossings or gates/ stiles to negotiate? 

Yes. There are sections of the course where you will be running along single lane carriage ways or crossing busier B roads. The trail does appear at busy junctions, at some points abruptly and therefore you must be alert at all times. The busiest junctions will be signed. Runners pass along the course entirely at their own risk. Much of the course is on private land and as a result there are gates and stiles to negotiate. All gates must be closed properly after you make your way through.

How many aid stations are there?

A full aid station list is available here.

There will be 16 aid stations including the finish.

How do I get to the start/ finish?

The race start/ finish and HQ is at Goring Village Hall, High Street, Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, RG8 9AG. You can find details of how to get there and away as well as details on parking under the Travel and Accom tab.  

What facilities are there at the Start/ Finish? 

Toilets, Water, Indoor/ covered area, Pop-Up Centurion Running Store.
There are NO sleeping facilities at the start/ finish. 

What time does the race start?

You must register within the times listed on the Schedule page. Your race number will not be posted to you before race day, you must collect if from registration. Start times are also on the schedule page.

Are pacers allowed?

Runners are permitted pacers from mile 50 at Goring, but only one pacer can travel with a runner at any time. Handovers are permitted. Pacers must accompany runners ON FOOT only. Pacers may join runners only at designated crew meeting points beyond Goring mile 50, listed here.  

Are crews allowed?

Yes. If you want to have your crew, friends or family meet you you may have them do so but only at the points listed on the crew page here. 

Our race permits and the future of the race depend on our positive interaction with the environment and communities through which we run.  Any runner found to have crew violating this will be subject to the rule violation procedure. 

NOTE: Please also ask your supporters to meet you only at the designated crew locations. The reason for restricting access to certain points, is predominantly parking and noise limitations, hence supporting is as much of an issue in sensitive areas as crewing.

Where can I access my drop bags?

You can access drop bags each time you return to Goring at mile 25, 50, 75 and at the finish. 

Do I need to carry any mandatory equipment?

The majority of the course is on trail. Trail shoes are advised especially given the time of year. There are sections of trail which can become very muddy or flooded in wet conditions. 

There are many options regards kit for fulfilling these requirements and those of other events. We stock what we believe to be the best options at our online store available by clicking here under the Mandatory Gear Section. Please ask us if you have any questions.

• Fully Charged Mobile Phone including the numbers for the Race Medic and Race Director (on the number you have given at registration)
• Water Bottles/Bladder capable of carrying a minimum of 1 litre.
• Survival Blanket: 1.4m x 2m minimum
• Waterproof Jacket: Gore-tex or similar, minimum 10000mm+ & must have sealed seams. 
• Whistle
• Headtorch or Primary Light Source 
• Back Up Light source - Minimum 25 Lumens 
• Warm Hat - Beanie Hat or Buff (either are accepted)
• Gloves 
• Base layer or fleece top - This must be carried separately from the start and kept dry, for use only in an emergency. Starting in 2 layers is not a substitute.

Strongly recommended but not mandatory: 

• Route Map - Should be a hard copy that you are able to navigate from and not a map on your phone. We advise the Harveys Maps available here. You will require the Thames Path and Ridgeway Editions for this event.
• Compass - This should be a separate physical compass and not electronic/ on your phone. 

Will I need a map or compass?

Carrying a map is not mandatory but it is strongly recommended. We recommend the Harveys Maps which are concise, easy to read and waterproof. Ridgeway and Thames Path Required and available, discounted, here.

Will there be toilets at the start/ finish or on the race route? 

There will be toilets at the start, finish and every 25 miles on course. There are also toilets at Wallingford, Whitchurch, Reading and North Stoke aid stations. At certain points the route runs close to and even right past pubs or cafes where you may be able to use the facilities but that is not a guarantee. If you need to answer a call of nature whilst on the route you must make sure you are as far off of the marked trails as you can go. 

Are there any sleeping facilities at race HQ? 

The hall we use for HQ is small and constantly extremely busy with the coming and going of runners and volunteers. There are extremely limited sleeping facilities at the hall, we advise all runners to book accommodation in Goring or Streatley for the night before and after the race. Do not attempt to drive home directly from the finish without sleep. Driving when fatigued from a 100 mile run can lead to fatal accidents.

What are the prizes/ awards?

All finishers will receive a Centurion 100 mile finishers belt buckle. Finishers in under 24 hours will receive a special '100 miles - One Day' Buckle, finishers between 24 and 28 hours will receive '100 mile Finisher' buckles. Male and Female winners of each distance will also be awarded additional prizes. Those finishing the Grand Slam will be given special awards on completion of the race. 

What happens if I need to drop out?

If you have to drop please do so only at an aid station and preferably at Goring. Please inform the aid station captain on arrival that you intend to drop and whether you need assistance. If you drop at an aid station which is not Goring, the Aid Station Captains will inform you when it is possible to get transport back to the start point. It may be that you have to wait some considerable time so please be patient with the volunteers. 

What food and drink will there be on route?

All aid stations for all distances will have a full selection of the usual aid station fare and a whole lot more. At a minimum you will be able to pick up water, coke, chocolate, nuts, fruit, crisps, sandwiches, a limited number of gu energy gel packets and other sweet and savoury snacks. There will be hot food at Goring.

What level of medical support can I expect?

Medical support is of paramount importance to us as organisers. Throughout the event there will be at least one roving medical unit and a fixed medical team on hand at Goring. Individual first aiders/ medical volunteers will also be present at some aid stations. Contact numbers for the medical team will be available at registration. They will be contactable round the clock for the duration of the race. 

I need to withdraw, what is the refund/ transfer policy?

Withdrawals up to 4 weeks prior to race day are eligible for a 70% refund. Withdrawals after that time will not be refunded for any reason as all race day costs have been incurred by that stage and you will not be replaced. There are no deferals or transfers to alternative/ later events. You must acknowledge that you understand and agree to this policy during the registration process. 

If you do not agree with the refund policy please do not enter the event. 

What happens if the event is re-routed, cancelled or abandoned?

The organisers reserve the right to modify, at any time, the course or aid station locations listed on the course. 

In the case of severe/ extreme weather conditions including but not limited to flooding after the event start, the organisers reserve the right to abandon the event at any time.

No refunds will be offered in that situation. If the event cannot take place for reasons out of the control of the organisers including but not limited to flooding, severe weather or denial of access to the original course (foot and mouth outbreak for example), the organisers reserve the right to postpone the event to a later date and all entries will be carried forward to the new date. Refunds will not be offered under these circumstances. If the event is cancelled for reasons which require the event to be postponed indefinitely, the organisers reserve the right to retain all entry fees against costs incurred. 

Is the race an official qualifier for UTMB, Hardrock or Western States?

The Autumn 100 is an official qualifer for UTMB.

How do I get in touch on race day?

The race director and chief medic will be contactable at all times throughout race weekend on numbers given at registration and also on e mail at [email protected].

Is there any recommended reading?

The national trail guides are excellent and you can purchase them easily online. They contain maps of the entire route and accurate route descriptions if you would like or are able to recce the route prior to race day.