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, 16, 17. 

How tough is the course? 

The course is 100 miles in length and has only 5000 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 375 entrants (including 2017 Volunteer Entries). There will be NO WAITING LIST for this event. 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 2015 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.

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. 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? 

Start: Toilets, Water, Indoor/ covered area, Pop-Up Centurion Running Store.
Finish: Toilets, Water, Indoor/ covered area, Hot Food and Drinks.
There are NO sleeping facilities at the start or 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?

Pacers are permitted from Mile 50. Pacers may join a runner only at Mile 50 or Mile 75 and must cover either 25 or 50 miles (Leg Three and/ or Leg Four) with their runner. Pacer handovers are not permitted anywhere other than HQ at Goring. 

Are crews allowed?

Crews are not permitted at this race due to the size of the aid station locations and pressure on the local community.

Where can I access my drop bag?

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 - Minimum 75 Lumens
• 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.
• The race is cupless which means you must bring a cup with you. Soft cups are available at the store here. 

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, North Stoke, Whitchurch and Reading 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? 

No. The hall we use for HQ is small and constantly extremely busy with the coming and going of runners and volunteers. 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 has led in the past, 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 will be awarded the Centurion Trophy as well as additional prizes. Those finishing the Grand Slam will be given special awards on completion of the race. 

Further Prizes will be awarded to 2nd and 3rd Placed Male and Female. Age Group Prizes will be awarded for 1st Male and Female Vet40, 50, 60 and 70. 

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, Tailwind and other sweet and savoury snacks. There will be hot drinks available at every aid station from Goring Mile 25, onwards.

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 (1000 GMT Saturday 28 days prior) are eligible for a 70% refund. Withdrawals after that time will not be refunded 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. Exception to this is ONLY ifor pregnancy and in which case you must notify us by email of your pregnancy no later than 4 weeks prior to race day to be eligible for a 100% refund. 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. 

To withdraw please simply email to request by clicking here. 

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. You must visit the UTMB website for full details of that event. 

The race is also a qualifier for Western States 100.

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 Trailblazer guides available here are excellent overall resources on the trail and include detailed maps of each section.