The 50km Weekend: Two races, one iconic trail
While the 100km may be the headline challenge at Race to the Stones, the 50km races have developed a reputation of their own, attracting strong runners looking to race hard, chase podiums and test themselves on one of the UK’s most iconic routes.
Across two days of racing, the Thames Valley 50k and Ridgeline 50k offer two very different challenges on the Ridgeway. Both are fast and both bring together talented fields looking to lay down the gauntlet on this runnable trail.
The Thames Valley 50km takes place on Saturday, following the first half of the 100km route. Starting shortly after the 100km field, runners will head along the Ridgeway before finishing at Basecamp in Lattin Down.
The Ridgeline 50km follows on Sunday, taking on the second half of the route from Basecamp through to the iconic Avebury Stone Circle finish, where the 100km runners will also complete their journey.
With competitive fields across both races, expect close battles, strong performances and plenty of names to watch as runners chase their place on the podium.
Thames Valley 50km (Day 1) — Men
William Collie — UTMB Index 771
The highest UTMB Index across either 50km field, and for good reason.
Will Collie won this exact race last year in 3:49, the result that anchors his ranking. Earlier this year, he led the Thames Path 100 for long periods before injury forced him out.
He’s back, healthy, and after suffering in the heat late on last time out, he’ll be targeting a strong performance if conditions are kinder this year.
Ryoki Arimoto — UTMB Index 675
A strong and consistent performer on this course.
Seventh here in the 100km last year in 10:05, second in the 50km Day 2 race in 2024, plus a 16th-place finish at the Thames Path 100, Ryoki has quietly built a strong record at Threshold events.
Experience on this route could count for plenty.
50km Day 1 — Women
Jennie Dunkley — UTMB Index 578
Jennie Dunkley won the Thames Path 100 last year and is treating this race as the perfect warm-up for a 100-mile race later on the same course.
By her own admission, it hasn’t been the smoothest year, with a stretch of disappointing results following some time off, but she has been open about working with a new coach and rebuilding her training.
Her Thames Path victory, achieved in front of her children, remains the benchmark she draws on when things get tough.
Birte Hayes — UTMB Index 569
Birte Hayes had a transformational Marathon des Sables earlier this year, and after a run of long distance adventures, this race is about rebuilding raw speed before her first 100 miler later in the year.
Local to the course and living in Henley, she has said this is the first time she’s approaching an ultra with the intention of racing rather than simply surviving.
A genuinely exciting athlete to watch if she executes the race she’s planning.
Ridgeline 50km (Day 2) — Men
Alex Sawbridge — UTMB Index 660
Part of the Threshold team, Alex is our Partnerships Director and will be behind the camera on Saturday bringing some of the race coverage to you at home.
On Sunday, though, he’ll be switching from work mode to race mode as he toes the line for the Ridgeline 50km.
Alex has raced the 100km here before, finishing sixth in 2023, and has shown strong form across the distances with a 6:53 fourth-place finish at the South Downs Way 50, sixth at the South Downs Way 100, 11th at the Thames Path 100 last year and most recently completing the Arc of Attrition 100 in January.
The latter was more of an exercise in storm survival than anything else, so he says.
He’s rebuilding after a hard winter of 100-mile training and says a smart, controlled race is the priority, although we all know he’s stubborn and competitive so we’ll believe that when we see it.
Nader Murad — UTMB Index 516
Relatively new to the sport, Nader Murad only started running around three years ago and is heading into just his third-ever ultra.
His most recent highlight was a top-150 finish at the Manchester to Liverpool 50 miler in April, a strong sign that he is moving in the right direction.
50km Day 2 — Women
Molly Penford — UTMB Index 547
Molly Penford is relatively fresh to ultrarunning, having been pulled increasingly towards the discipline after a background in road marathons.
Her half marathon PB of 1:27 at the Robin Hood Half remains one of her proudest results. Race to the Stones is part of a bigger picture as she builds towards an eventual 100-miler, and although the focus is on enjoying the experience, she could be one to surprise.
Helen Jones — UTMB Index 488
Helen Jones finished 24th in last year’s Thames Valley 50km (Day 1), and back in 2021 put in a strong 100km performance, finishing just outside the top 30.
A steady and experienced presence in the Day 2 field.
However you’re spending Race to the Stones, out on the Ridgeway yourself or tracking from the side lines, keep an eye out for these names.
Good luck to everyone toeing the line.
