Wendover Woods Weekender^®

What date is the next event and when do registrations open? 

The inaugural Wendover Woods Weekender will take place on Friday 7th - Sunday 9th July 2023. Registrations will open on Saturday 29th October 2022 at 1000 for all of the individual races as well as the camping. 

Some events will be open for entries up until the end of June, some will have entries available on the day.

Entries for WW100 and WW50 are open up until 2359 on June 30th 2023. Entries for the WW Night 50km, WW10 and WW Kids Events will all be available up to and including on race day.

How tough is the course? 

Wendover Woods are situated on a steep hill which forms part of the Chiltern Way Ridge. Some sections of the route are composed of smooth wide forest trails with forgiving gradients making for very fast descents and steady runnable climbs. That is contrasted however by sections consisting of single track trail up and down very steep ascents and descents. Much of the course has prominent roots as a feature and there are some areas of small loose stone but these are less numerous than the sections of more groomed trail. A single loop totals 2000ft of climbing (200 feet per mile) and the same amount of descent which is not an insignificant total, especially if you do it 10 times! To put this in relation to other events, the WW50 has 4000ft more elevation than the South Downs Way 50 (115ft per mile).  

What do I get for my entry fee? 

Principally you get a fully supported race day experience including:

Fully stocked aid stations including the finish.

Live timings across race weekend for friends and family to track your progress.

Access to the Wendover Woods Weekender Village 

Full Medical Support in the form of dedicated race ambulances and roving vehicles as well as static first aid teams and medical volunteers at aid stations.

Finishers medal

Finishers t-shirt (WW50 only)

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

Yes entries are limited. You can see how full the event is on the entrant page. Entries are open up to four weeks prior to race day, or when the entry limit is reached. No entries will be accepted after that date and there will be no entries on the day. There will be no waiting list held for any of these races.

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

No - you may enter without having first qualified. However for the 50 mile and 100 mile distances, you do need to complete a qualifier prior to race day:

- In order to start the WW50 you must have completed a minimum of a marathon distance race within the cut off time of that event between 1st January 2019 and race day.

- For the WW100 you must have completed a minimum of a 50 mile distance race within 15hrs, between 1st January 2019 and race day. 

There are no formal qualification standards for the WW50km, WW10 or WW Kids races.

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

How do I update my qualifying information

Once registered, you may update your qualification information by heading back through the link provided in the email you receive upon entering the event. You may also email us by clicking here with details.

Is there mandatory gear to carry on race day?

Runners must carry the following mandatory equipment at all times for the WW100, WW50 and WW50km:

There will be kit checks prior, during and after the race. Runners must carry the following mandatory equipment at all times. A time penalty of one hour will be imposed for any item found to be missing at any point on course. Please refer to this page for explanations on the inclusion of the below items. 

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)
• Survival Blanket: 1.4m x 2m minimum
• Whistle
• Waterproof Jacket: Gore-tex or similar, minimum 10000mm+ & must have sealed seams.
• Warm Hat - Beanie Hat or Buff (either are accepted)
• Gloves 
• Long sleeved 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. 
• Any runner starting any loop after 1800 must take a primary light source/ head lamp out with them on the course - Minimum 75 Lumens
• Any runner starting any loop after 1800 must take a Back Up Light source out with them on the course - Minimum 25 Lumens

The mandatory kit for the WW10 is;

• Fully Charged Mobile Phone including the numbers for the Race Medic and Race Director (on the number you have given at registration)
• Survival Blanket: 1.4m x 2m minimum
• The race is cupless which means you must bring a cup with you. Soft cups are available at the store here.

There is no mandatory kit for the WW Kids event

Is there a way for friends and family to follow online? 

A Live leaderboard will be available for every runner throughout the race. 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. Whilst the event is predominantly trail, some small sections are along road within the woods to connect trails and there are two road crossings also within the woods which will both be marshalled at key times during the weekend. There are 4 stiles on each loop.

How many aid stations are there?

This depends on the event you are doing. For the WW100 there will be 19 aid stations, WW50 9 aid stations, WW50km 5 aid stations and the WW10 will have 1 aid station. 

Where is the start/ finish?

Race HQ/ Registration/ The Start & finish Check Point are all at 'Trig Point Field', Aston Hill, Halton, Aylesbury, HP22 5NQ.  The actual race start itself will be on the trail immediately inside the woods after passing out of the field through the metal gate. This is a wide vehicle track with plenty of space to accommodate the starting field. Runners will be walked to that location 15 minutes before the race start for the race briefing.

What facilities are there at the Start/ Finish? 

Start/ Finish: Free On Site Parking, Toilets, Water, Pop-Up Centurion Running Store, Free Hot Food and Drinks (Runners only and includes vegetarian and vegan options). 

Camping is not allowed in the car park. You can find more details regarding the camping provision here.

The Weekender Village will have a plethora of food trucks, our favourite brands and a space for talks and guided runs. As we confirm details we'll be updating everyone via social media and this site.

Can I camp overnight in the field before or after the event? 

Only if you purchase a camping ticket (can be purchased with your booking or once you have entered if pitches are still available).

The exception to this are entrants to the 100 mile distance who have camping included in their ticket price due to the length of the event and the requirement to rest before travelling home.

What will be in the Weekender Village?

We'll be announcing details over the coming weeks and months via social media. However, you can expect a variety of food trucks, demo kit and retail outlets from our favourite brands, talks from the best and brightest in the ultra running world and activities you'll want to take part in. To be clear, this is not Glastonbury. However, we are hoping to bring together the best of the Centurion community and have a place for friends and family to enjoy the race weekend with you.

I don't want to run any of the events, can I just purchase a Camping & Event Village Access Ticket instead?

Yes. Tickets are available by clicking the link for Camping or Campervan plus access to the Weekender Village. These tickets cost £25 + £5 per extra person over 12. 

What time does the race start?

The numerous race times can be found here. Your race number will not be posted to you before race day, you will be able collect it from registration. 

Are pacers allowed?

Pacers are not permitted anywhere on the course.

Are crews allowed?

Crews are not permitted anywhere on the course.

Where can supporters go?

Supporters are welcome anywhere out on course, with the exception of Hale Lane Aid Station. Please note, nothing must be handed to or received from runners out on course or at Trig Point Field, that is deemed as crewing. 

Can I leave a bag at the start/ finish to re-supply from each lap? 

Yes, please deposit these at registration labelled with your name and race bib number. Drop bags must NOT exceed 45cm x 25cm x 25cm in size ie. the size of a large shoe box.

Will I need a map?

No. The markings will be thorough and continuously managed by our team.

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

There will be toilets at Race HQ, the start and finish but NOT at the Hale Lane Check Point. There are also toilets adjacent to the cafe at mile 1 of each loop.

What are the prizes/ awards?

All finishers will receive a medal or can opt out in favour of Trees not Tees. WW50 runners receive a finishers tee but again can opt out to plant a tree instead.

The male and female overall winners of each event will each take home the Centurion Trophy.

Further Prizes will be awarded to 2nd and 3rd Placed Male and Female. Age Group Prizes will be awarded for first male and female Vet40, 50, 60 and 70 (and hopefully 80!).

What happens if I need to drop out during the race?

If you have to drop please do so only at an aid station and preferably at Race HQ. Please inform the aid station captain on arrival that you intend to drop and whether you need assistance. If you need to drop out away from an aid station for medical reasons you must phone the race director immediately on the number provided at check in. If you drop at the Hale Lane Aid Station we will arrange for you to be transported back to HQ but you may have to wait so please be patient with the volunteers. 

What food and drink will there be on route?

All aid stations 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, Tailwind, Gu Energy Gels, Fruit, Chocolate, Crisps, Nuts, Sandwiches/ Wraps and other sweet and savoury snacks. Hot drinks will be available throughout the ultra distance events. There will be hot food and drink available at the finish line for all runners.

What level of medical support can I expect?

Medical support is of paramount importance to us as organisers. Throughout the event there will be two static medical teams, one at each aid station, and a roving team out on course. 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 (0001 GMT Saturday 28 days prior to the WWW) 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.

To withdraw please find your entry here and click the Cancel button. Your card will automatically be refunded the 70% fee up to 4 weeks before race day. After this time, you can still cancel your entry, but without any refund.

There are no deferrals or transfers to alternative/ later events. Exception to this is ONLY for 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.

What happens if the event is cancelled or abandoned?

Race management reserve the right to modify, at any time, the course or aid station locations listed. 

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

No refunds will be offered in that situation but a suitable alternative will always be sought. If the event cannot take place for reasons out of the control of race management including but not limited to flooding, severe weather or denial of access to the original course (foot and mouth outbreak for example), race management reserve the right to postpone the event to a later date and all entries will be carried forward to the new date. Refunds may not be offered under these circumstances. Event cancellation due to reasons such as Coronavirus or other such pandemic, public health, local authority travel and movement restrictions and bans of any kind etc. are beyond our control and no refund will be given in such circumstances. If the event is cancelled for reasons which require the event to be postponed indefinitely, race management reserve the right to retain all entry fees against costs incurred.  

Is the race a qualifier for UTMB, Western States, Spartathlon or Hardrock?

Yes. The 50km, 50 mile and 100 mile races are eligible for UTMB Index.

How do I get in touch?

Please email us at [email protected] for any questions at all.