Thames Path Challenge
Thames Path Challenge
Take on this challenge that follows England's greatest river.
Run, walk or jog 25km, 50km or 100km and join over 3,000 adventurers for an unforgettable challenge for children's mental health.
You will start at Putney Bridge and the full 100km route heads upstream all the way to Henley along the famous Thames Towpath.
Whether you take part as an individual or part of a team, you will be supported all the way and at the end be rewarded with an amazing sense of achievement.
Key information
- Date: 12 - 13 September 2026
- Location: London
- Distance: Various distances
There are different challenge you can choose between when signing up to do the Thames Path Challenge.
Full 100km continuous
The 100km continuous challenge takes place across the whole weekend, where you'll be walking from Putney to Henley.
Full 100km over two days
The 2-day 100km challenge breaks the route down into two days. You'll be completing 50km from Putney to Runnymede on day 1, and 50km from Runnymede to Henley on day 2. The whole route will be completed in the daylight and you'll have the opportunity to sleep overnight.
Three quarters challenge 72km
This challenge starts from Hampton Court Palace, through to Runnymede and on to Henley.
First half 50km
Starting in Fulham, London, this route follows the waterway to Hampton Court Palace and on to Runnymede where you'll finish!
Register with Ultra Challenge and secure your spot on Team Place2Be today! Your registration fee and fundraising pledge will vary depending on which challenge you choose.
- Registration fee: £30 - £199
- Fundraising pledge: £150 - £575
Day 1: Arrival and the ascent
- The route begins from Llanberis, a village at the foot of Mount Snowdon. You'll meet the rest of your group here in our hotel before setting off on the walk.
- The path you'll follow up the mountain is the Llanberis Path. This is the most gradual ascent up Snowdon, but it does start off a bit steeper.
- Continue walking past the Halfway House, through a railway bridge and you'll keep going until you reach the summit at 1,085m!
Day 2: The descent and departure
- After taking in the incredible views from the top, you'll leave the summit and re-trace your steps down back to Llanberis along the same path you climbed up.
- As you make your way down the mountain, the sun will start to rise and you'll be able to see just how high you climbed in the dark!
- Once you've reached the end of the path, you'll return to the hotel for celebratory breakfast, before you start your journey back home.
How we'll support you
When you join Team Place2Be, you'll get the superstar treatment!
Our fundraising pack full of top tips
A free Place2Be T-shirt to wear on your trek
Regular e-newsletters to keep you up to date and motivated in the lead up to the event
Support from our dedicated Events Team who will be on hand with training and fundraising advice
An invitation to a Place2Be school visit or webinar
Is the Thames Path Challenge signposted?
There are lots of coloured arrows and markers to show the route. There's also a mobile app with the route and live-tracking you can use that won't drain your phone battery.
Do I need to bring my own food and drink over the weekend?
Whichever distance you sign up to take on, you'll get the following included:
- regular snack stops every 12.5km
- a meal every 25km
- hot drinks, water and energy drinks at all stops
- hot food at the end of your challenge.
Is my travel to and from the Thames Path Challenge provided?
It depends which challenge you take on. Ultra Challenge have shuttle buses to and from the nearest train station for anyone needing to travel via train after the challenge. There's also big car parks at most of the finish lines.
Do I need to train before the Thames Path Challenge?
It's best to be as prepared as you can be before taking on the challenge! Once you sign up with Ultra Challenge, you'll have access to their app which is full of training guides, maps, information about the event itself, as well as online forums.
Get in touch
Have a question or would like more information? Get in touch with our team who will be happy to help!
- get in touch
- find more information about the Thames Path Challenge from Ultra Challenge.