First Timer’s Guide
To 100 Mile Run
Everything you need to know about the event!
First of all we would like to thank you for showing interest in our 100 Mile Run Cotswold Way Challenge. The
following document has been created to answer any questions you may have about our event. If you still have
questions after reading the guide then please call a member of our team on the number at the bottom of this
page.
If you don’t have time to read the entire document, then here’s a quick overview of what’s covered:
 Everything that’s included in your entry fee:
 Coach transfer from Central Bath to Chipping Campden on the morning of Day 1
 Luggage transfer each day of the event
 Well organised runners villages (campsites) each night with toilets, hot showers, ice baths, sports
massage, food, drink and entertainment
 Hot breakfast each morning and dinner each evening at runners village
 Option to pay a little extra for pre-erected tent with inflated air mattresses
 Daily route maps that point out our checkpoints, where free water and snacks will be provided
 100 Mile Run Cotswold Way T-shirt for each participant
 100 Mile Run Cotswold Way Medal for all finishers
 Stunning countryside to run through and an amazingly friendly atmosphere for the whole event.
 Important Information to note about the event and the Cotswold Way trail
 Our Cotswold Way Challenge is not a race.
 The Cotswold Way is well signposted, but it is up to you to navigate your own way along the route.
 There are very steep hills that you will be climbing up and down each day.
 The path is quite well maintained, but can get messy and muddy after rain
 You’ll want to pack your camera to capture the beauty of the gorgeous Cotswold Scenery.
 4 day itinerary
 Day 1: Chipping Campden – Hailes (17 miles)
 Day 2: Hailes – Cranham (29 miles)
 Day 3: Cranham – Wotten-Under-Edge (27 miles)
 Day 4: Wotten-Under-Edge – Bath (33 miles)
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About The event
We hosted our very first 100 Mile Run in 2013. The idea was to bring
together a group of likeminded people who wanted to challenge
themselves in a new way. Many of our runners had run impressive
amounts of half or full marathons before, but not many had taken part
in an event like ours.
100 Mile Run is not a race; we don’t time you and there are no prizes
for coming first. Running 100 Miles over four days is challenging enough
without adding competition to the mix. We simply want you to enjoy
your journey along the beautiful Cotswold Way, challenge yourself to
navigate your way and cover the distances each day, and make great
friends along the way.
We will set up Runner’s Villages so you have somewhere comfortable to rest at the end of each day.
This is where we will set up your pre-erected tent if you choose this option; if not, we will keep a
space for you to put up your own tent. Your luggage will be taken to the new Runner’s Village each
day, so there is no need to carry all that heavy stuff with you. The Runners Villages will be fully
equipped with toilets and hot showers, physios and ice baths, we’ll have medics on hand, and we’ll
serve you filling and nutritious breakfasts and dinners, and provide you with some light evening
entertainment.
Part of the challenge is for you to navigate your way along the trail. The
Cotswold way is one of the best sign posted trails in England, with
markers on most turns and corners. We will give you maps and tips at
the start of each day, but once you leave our Runner’s Village, it is up
to you to find your way.
No need to worry
about where you
will stay overnight,
and how to
transport your
luggage each day –
we do all of that for
you!
The Cotswold Way
The Cotswold Way is a stunning 102 Mile long National Trail running most of its way along the
Cotswold escarpment. The trail runs from the picture perfect village of Chipping Campden in the
north to the beautiful Georgian city of Bath in the South.
The Cotswold Way will pass through some of the famously beautiful
Cotswold Stone villages – Broadway, Stanway, Winchcombe, Cheltenham,
Cranham, Wotton-under-Edge, Chipping Sodbury to name but a few. The
Cotswold Way also passes several historic tourist sites such as Hailes
Abbey, Sudeley Castle, Broadway Tower, Belas Knapp, Tyndale Monument
and the site of the Battle of Lansdowne.
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Not only does the trail pass through history enriched, beautiful
Cotswold villages; it also sees stunning English countryside and
majestic Cotswold Hills. The views from the top of the
escarpments are truly spectacular - you’ll want to make sure you
pack your camera to capture the beautiful scenery.
As mentioned earlier, the Cotswold Way is very clearly marked through the
entire length – just keep a look out for the distinctive “acorn” on stiles,
gates, fences and signposts – and make sure you’re following the Cotswold
Way Public Footpath signs, not one of the Cotswold circular walks.
Itinerary
DAY ONE: CHIPPING CAMPDEN – HAILES
After either meeting at Bath and catching the shuttle to Chipping Campden, or meeting us directly at
Chipping Campden, we will sign you in, give you your running number and collect your luggage and
officially start the event.
Today’s run is approximately 17 miles. You will run from the beautiful town of Chipping Campden
through agricultural land and open hills to Broadway Tower (2nd highest point along the trail) and
then Broadway Town. You will then run through the lovely villages of Stanton and Stanway en route
to Hailes and its’ wonderful church and the ruins of Hailes Abbey.
Tonight kick back and relax at our runner’s village, and watch the entertainment.
DAY TWO: HAILES – CRANHAM
Today’s run is approximately 29 miles. After breakfast you rejoin the trail and enjoy Cleeve Common
and Cleeve Hill. You will revel in amazing views over Cheltenham and its racecourse, from here the
trail skirts around the town up to Leckhampton Hill. After enjoying the views from the open paths
you will enter a woodland section, with occasional open hillsides such as Coopers Hill, the home of
the annual Gloucester Cheese Rolling event. You will soon find yourself at our runner’s village at
Cranham, where you can relax for the evening and once again enjoy the evening’s entertainment.
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DAY THREE: CRANHAM – WOOTTEN-UNDER-EDGE
Today’s run is approximately 27 miles. After leaving our runners village you will continue
southwards, passing through the towns of Painswick and Ebley and the halfway point of the trail.
You can enjoy the views of the River Severn estuary from Haresfield Beacon and Coaley Peak.
You’ll pass through Dursley town and past the Tynedale monument at North Nibley, built in honour
of William Tynedale, the first man to translate the New Testament into English, who was believed to
have been born in North Nibley. Then on towards Wotten-Under-Edge, where our campsite is
located for the evening.
DAY FOUR: WOTTEN-UNDER-EDGE – BATH
Today’s run is approximately 33 miles. After you leave the runners village just outside WottenUnder-Edge, you’ll head off through the town, and onwards towards your final destination of Bath.
You will pass through Alderley, lower Kilcott, Hawkesbury, Horton, Little Sodbury, Old Sodbury,
Tormarton all of which could grace any postcard.
The countryside is flat now, with open agricultural fields, as we start the long descent into Bath.
There is one final surprise as the route passes the location of the Battle of Lansdown in 1643. After
the long downhill stretch you will reach Bath, where the run will finish in front of the Abbey in the
centre of the city.
After you have collected your medal and picked up your luggage, you are free to leave and go home
to rest, or why not stay the night in Bath and enjoy our goodbye party in a local Bath pub!
Distances
The Cotswold Way National Trail is officially 102 miles – this is what is
written in all the guide books. But our calculations (including small detours
to and from runner’s villages) add up to about 107 miles.
Please note the distances we give daily are only a rough guide. We understand that 2 extra miles
after already running 27 is a long way, however people take shortcuts, or get lost which will add or
subtract extra miles. There are also parts of the trail where you can take a ‘long’ or ‘short’ option,
and depending on which you choose you may be in for more miles than you bargained for. We do
our very best to get the correct measurements between our runners villages and check points.
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Terrain & Condition of the Trail
As we mentioned earlier, the Cotswold Way is mostly
situated on the edge of the Cotswold escarpment,
which means you will need to prepare for its steep
climbs and sharp descents. The up side to climbing all
these hills is the fantastic views you see along the way.
The Cotswold Way itself is an excellent national trail, it is in good condition, however as with every
trail, if there is a prolonged period of wet weather the trail could get very slippery and muddy. Also,
you will be running the Cotswold way in June, so there will be sections of the path which have weeds
and stinging nettles overlapping the trail – so watch out for those bare legs!
Registration Day
MEETING AT CHIPPING CAMPDEN – The Cotswold Way Challenge begins in Chipping Campden, and
ends in Bath. Chipping Campden is a small town about 2 hours drive north of Bath. It is particularly
difficult to reach by public transport - the nearest train station is Moreton-in-Marsh, then you would
need a bus to take you the rest of the way. These buses are very infrequent, and they take about 45
minutes to reach Chipping Campden.
Registration takes place between 10am and midday on the first day of the challenge at Chipping
Campden. We will meet you to collect your paperwork, give you your running number and luggage
tags. There will be an area for you to change and get ready for your first day of running, and once
you’re ready we will load your luggage into a van. Don’t forget to pick up your maps for the first day!
At 12pm we will start the event from the market square in the centre of the town, and you set off on
your first leg of the journey.
MEETING AT BATH - To take the hassle out of finding your way to the start line, we’ve included a
free coach transfer from Bath to Chipping Campden in the price of the challenge. So if you would
rather meet us in Bath at 9am on the first day, we will take you to Chipping Campden for
registration. This means you can leave your car, or get a return ticket to Bath and not have to worry
about finding your own way to Chipping Campden.
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How do I get to Bath?
BY TRAIN - Bath Spa train station is located in the centre of Bath, close to all
major shops, attractions, accommodation and our meeting spot. There are
regular trains to and from London Paddington (90 minutes), Bristol (15 minutes)
and Cardiff (65 minutes). For cheaper fares, it’s best to book your ticket in
advance on the National Rail website.
The later you
book your train
ticket, the
higher the price.
Book in advance
to get a bargain!
BY BUS - Bath Spa Bus Station is also located in the centre of Bath, close to the train
station and all major shops and attractions. National Express coaches leave from here
and will take you to most major cities and airports around the UK.
BY CAR - Bath is well connected with the motorway system, being right by the M4 and
M5 motorways; however parking in Central Bath can be difficult and can also be very
expensive. There are several long stay car parks for you to choose from, and three
Park & Ride Car Parks. Please follow the links above for prices and more information
on parking in Bath.
Don’t ignore
Megabus, they
offer
numerous
services to
Bath
Park & Ride
will be your
most
convenient
parking option
Once you have found your way to Bath, please make your way to our central meeting
place (which will be confirmed with you closer to the date) and you can catch our free coach to the
start line at Chipping Campden.
What about my luggage?
Please have a think about what you need to bring along with you. You are
allowed to bring 1 large bag which we will transport for you between the
runner’s villages. This bag must contain everything: including spare shoes,
sleeping bag and pillow. We cannot transport random items to transport, for
example if you give us a large bag and a pillow, we will not accept the pillow.
You can imagine with between 50 - 100 runners, it would be difficult to keep
track of who owns which unpacked pillows! So to ensure all your gear gets delivered safely to the
next runner’s village, please make sure everything fits inside your bag!
If you have booked the ‘bring your own tent’ option, then you don’t need to pack your tent inside
your luggage. We will make an exception for this and transport tents separately, however each
morning when you pack down your tent, all poles, pegs etc must be fully packed inside the tent bag
and the bag zipped up.
Please note: while we take great care getting your luggage between runner’s villages each day, we
will not be responsible for any of your luggage which is damaged in transport. Please leave your
valuable laptops and jewellery at home!
You will also need to bring a small back pack or day pack with you to carry the items you will need
out on the trail.
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What do I need to pack?
We will send a detailed list of what to pack closer to the day, but please be warned there is a list of
mandatory items that you must carry with you at all times whilst out on the trail. Please see below:
MANDATORY KIT
-
-
-
-
Everybody must have a small day pack to carry out on the trail: whether it’s a ruck sack, or
bumbag style, we don’t mind, whatever feels most comfortable for you, as long as it includes
the following items...
Fully charge mobile phone with event organisers & medical contact numbers (these will be
provided to you at registration, day one). Your mobile phone MUST be switched on at all
times when you’re on the trail. Not only is it for you to call us if there’s an emergency, we
need to be able to call you, so keep it switched on!
Money! You will be passing numerous shops and pubs along the way, and you will need to
purchase your own lunch, so please make sure you have money on you at all times.
You should carry some form of identification on you at all times.
Maps, compass, GPS. Navigation is your responsibility so please ensure you have maps. (we
will provide a map each day, but please read section on navigation below)
Water. Runners may not leave a checkpoint carrying less than 1000mL (this may be
increased is the forecast is hot and dry). You should also bring a Hydration Bladder and/or
water bottle. We will have water for you to fill up at check points and water stops.
Spare food. Runners must carry minimum of 250 calories of nutrition at all times.
Full windproof / showerproof body cover must be carried irrespective of weather forecast.
Whistle to attract attention in an emergency
If the weather forecast is very poor, we may also ask you to bring a survival bag or blanket.
Dependent upon the weather, you should also carry headgear (sun, wind and rain),
sunscreen and sunglasses
Please carry a small supply of any medication you may need
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Route Maps
As previously mentioned, it is up to you to navigate your way along
the Cotswold Way. Each morning we will provide you with a map of
that day’s run to point out to you where our checkpoints and
runner’s villages are located. But it is necessary that you bring your
own maps, guidebooks or GPS for more detailed directions along
the Cotswold Way.
The National Trail Website has a great tool to download the GPX
for the route of the Cotswold Way on to your Sat nav device. Click
here for the link to download. (The link is at the very bottom of the
page)
If using a GPS is not your thing, then we also strongly
recommend you buy a copy of the Trailblazer –
Cotswold Way 2nd edition – this is a small book that will
fit easily into your day pack and contains all the maps
you need & extra information about the towns and
villages you will pass.
Along the Cotswold Way
Every day, we will set up 3 or 4 Check Points along the Cotswold
Way. This is so we know you are still happy and well, and so you
know you are still going the right direction! We will have water,
snacks and a trained medic at each Check Point for you to top
up supplies, or seek advice if you have any pains or injuries. Feel
free to stop and have a rest, a chat or a snack with our crew at
these check points.
In between check points we will also have water points, which will simply be a 100 Mile Run crew
member with a supply of water to top up your bottles & hydration packs.
You will pass through many picturesque towns and villages along the way, so make sure you have
some money with you to buy yourself some lunch or snacks. We do not provide you with lunch
during the challenge, so it’s a good excuse for you to stop and enjoy a meal at these great traditional
English pubs! You are also welcome to stop and sample the local ales in the pubs along the Cotswold
Way, but as there are over 60 pubs in the area, you might want to keep to half pints!
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What’s the accommodation like?
During the Cotswold Way Challenge you will be
staying at our Runners Villages. These are
temporary campsites which we set up each day
equipped with toilets, hot showers, ice baths,
sports massage, food, drink and entertainment.
We only provide you with accommodation on
days 1, 2 & 3 of the Cotswold Way Challenge. Your
accommodation before the event and on the final
night in Bath are not included.
We offer three different camping options for you during our Cotswold Way Challenge:
Option One – Bring your own tent and put it up yourself
If you are happy to bring your own tent and put it up yourself, then take it down yourself, that’s fine.
Your camping fees are included in your entry fee and your tent will be transported between runner’s
villages for you. All you need to do is drop off your packed tent each morning at the luggage point
and it will be ready for you to collect that night at the next campsite. Air mattresses and bedding is
not included in this option, so you will need to pack your own.
Option Two – Book a pre-pitched tent with air mattresses
If you would prefer someone else set up the tent, then this option is for
you! Book a pre-pitched tent, which includes air mattress for up to two
people, and a team of professionals will do all the hard work for you. You
will still need to bring your own sleeping bag and pillow as only the tent
and air mattress is provided. When you arrive at our runner’s village, just
look for the pre-erected tent area and look for the tent which has your
race number. It’s that simple!
Option Three – Book a “Glamping” VIP Tent with everything
If you’re not a camper, then this could be the option for you. We will set up a 4
metre bell tent fully kitted out with a large single air mattress, fitted sheets,
pillows, duvet, blankets, rug and electric light. This is definitely the luxury you
deserve having completed so many miles each day! Also, the centre pole in
the tent is extremely useful for heaving yourself up every morning!!
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Medics
There will be a team of fully trained medics on hand at all times. They will be at each check point and
finish line every day. We will also give you their contact number on Day One so you can contact
them in an emergency. Please note: if you come across a serious medical emergency, your first call
should be 999 to get emergency services en route. Your second call should then be to our medical
team.
Physios
Our qualified physios will be at our runner’s villages each day to give
you and your fellow runners’ sports massages, helpful advice and to
also oversee the ice baths. During peak times our physios can be
swamped with aches and pains that need tending to, so we ask you
to please be patient while our Physios work on your running
companions, your turn isn’t too far away!
Hug Bus
If you become injured, too tired or unwell and cannot finish a day’s running then you will have
access to our hug bus (because those who use it need a hug!) All of our checkpoints along the route
will be next to a road and you will be transferred to that night’s runner’s village where you can rest
up ready to carry on the next day.
What meals are included?
Included in the price of the entry fee are the breakfasts and dinners which will be spent at our
runner’s villages.
Breakfast will be served between 7am and 8.30am on days 2, 3 & 4.
Dinner will be served between 6pm and 7.30pm on days 1,2 & 3.
We will remind you of these times each day at the Runner’s Village, but if you
miss these meal times, no other food will be provided – so make sure you don’t
miss out!
Don’t forget to
pack some
snacks for
those evening
cravings!
We will send you a copy of the menu closer to the date, but in previous years a typical
dinner could consist of pastas, salads & hot fudge cake. And breakfasts include toast with spreads,
porridge, fruit, and yogurts. This is only a rough example, if you have specific dietary requirements,
please let a member of our team know when making your booking.
Remember: lunch is not included on any day of the event. You will be passing through villages with
small supermarkets, cafes and pubs. It us up to you to provide your own lunch each day.
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Do we all start at the same time?
We understand that you all want to go at your own pace – some people choosing to walk most of
the way, while others will run & jog most of the way, which is why we offer some flexibility with your
starting times each day.
If you intend on walking the Cotswold Way, then you can take advantage of the earlier start time of
8.15 on mornings 2, 3 and 4 to get a head start, but this is strictly for walkers only, runners cannot
leave the campsite until the official start of 8.45 every morning, as we must have the 1st checkpoint
(approximately 6-8 miles away) fully operational by the time you arrive at it.
On Day One the event starts at 12pm in Chipping Campden, and on days 2, 3 & 4, the run starts at
8.45am each morning.
Please note: all runners must be at the next runner’s village by 6pm at the very latest. If you are
slipping behind and it’s clear that you won’t make the 6pm deadline, we may encourage you to jump
in the hug bus and drive you to the next checkpoint where you can continue running from there.
What do we do in the evenings?
Each night at the Runner’s Villages we will have some light entertainment for you to enjoy and relax
after a long day of running. Every year the entertainment slightly varies, in the past we’ve had acts
such as: musicians, juggling street performers, motivational speakers and quiz nights.
If you still have energy after enjoying our entertainment, our runner’s villages are all only short
walks away from great local pubs!
Do I have to be fit?
We would recommend you to be as fit as possible to be able complete the 100 Mile Run Cotswold
Way Challenge in 4 days. It is technically possible to walk the whole trail in daylight hours over 4
days, but we would recommend you jog at least 13-15 miles a day. This means you would spend half
your day running and half your day walking and enjoying the sights and countryside.
To complete the challenge, you also need to be prepared mentally – 100 miles is a long way!
Teamed with the fact that you’ll be climbing some very steep hills only to go back down them on the
other side! It is a rewarding achievement when our runners to step over that finish line in Bath, but
it takes a lot of mental strength to get them there!
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What kind of training should I be doing?
Running 100 miles over 4 days back to back requires different training than for normal marathons or
half marathons, so you will need to prepare for this. Check out the training plan on our website.
We recommend you start training as early as possible, especially if you have never participated in a
running event before. As your fitness levels improve and you become more confident, you should
practice running in different conditions: rain / sun, morning / afternoon, road running / trail running.
We also suggest you test out your back pack, and what you will put inside it – testing both comfort
and weight. It’s also a good idea to ‘wear in’ your trainers before running 100 Miles in them, and also
test which clothing is comfortable and most appropriate for you to wear during the event.
What happens at the finish line?
The official end of the Cotswold Way is by the front
entrance to Bath Abbey (the equivalent to a cathedral in
the centre of the city), so that is where our team will be
waiting on Day 4 with our 100 Mile Run finish line of
banners and flags. We will have a photographer on the
finish line, along with a crew member who will present you
with your well deserved medal and Cotswold Way
‘finished’ t-shirt.
If you have family and friends who are meeting you in Bath, this is the place for them to wait and
cheer you home!
After you have had a chance to catch your breath and get that victory photo on the finish line, our
crew will direct you up to the Bath YMCA which is only a 5 minute walk from the finish line. We will
have a private room where you can pick your luggage up from, and for a small fee, the YMCA Gym
will let you use their showers to freshen up and change your clothes.
The 100 Mile Run Team will be staying in the YMCA on the last evening for the last night party. If you
would also like to stay at the YMCA that night, please contact the YMCA directly at
www.bathymca.co.uk.
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Know someone who wants to volunteer?
We are always looking for volunteers to help us at 100 Mile Run. Each year we have 6 – 8 places
available if people want to volunteer to help us with the event.
Volunteers will be expected to help man water stations and checkpoints along the trail. This could
involve sitting for up to 6 hours a day in various locations along the route handing out water to
runners. To say thanks for helping us out, we will offer you free transport from Bath to Chipping
Campden on Day 1, free breakfast and dinner, and free camping accommodation with air mattress
each evening.
If your friend or relative is running in the event, this is a great way to support them. However, you
must realise you are there to support all the runners, not just the ones you know. Once your friend
or relative has passed through a checkpoint, you must wait for all the other runners to pass through
as well.
This can be hard work (especially in bad weather) but you will also have fun, meet amazing people,
see the Cotswolds and play your part in helping runners get to the finish line.
If you would like to volunteer, or have any questions, please email [email protected]
So that’s it! This is a challenge unlike anything you have done before and is an amazing and unique
experience. As well as the tough physical and mental challenge it gives you a chance to see some
amazing scenery, meet new friends and be part of a great team. As a runner myself, I know
sometimes it can be lonely out on the track, but as well as a great achievement you will meet some
inspiring people, and be part of an incredible experience.
If you have any questions, or if you would like to book your place in our next event, you can call our
office on 01666 504 601; email [email protected]; or visit our website www.100milerun.com.
Thanks again for expressing your interest, and we look forward to seeing you at the Start Line!
The Team at 100 Mile Run
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