Three Shires Way Ultra & Marathon

Experience the beauty of rural England through two challenging yet rewarding races along the Three Shires Way. Set for June 19, 2027, runners will traverse the picturesque landscapes and ancient woodlands spanning Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, and Northamptonshire.
The event features a 50-mile ultra race starting at Hanslope Village Hall in Milton Keynes and concluding within Marlow Park near Grafham Water. The marathon route begins slightly later from Yelden Village Hall with its own scenic journey through the Three Shires Way before finishing alongside the ultra runners at Marlow Park. Both races are well-marked, making navigation straightforward for participants.
Registration opens early to ensure a smooth start: 07:00 AM for the 50-mile event and 9:30 AM for the marathon, with corresponding race starts at 8:00 AM and 10:45 AM. Coaches will transport runners from Marlow Park back to their respective starting points.
The course offers a mix of terrain, including bridleways that weave through tranquil countryside and around Grafham Water’s shoreline. Participants should come prepared with essential gear such as trail shoes, hydration systems capable of carrying at least one litre of water, full-charged mobile phones (including the numbers for Race Director and Medic), survival blankets, waterproof jackets, whistles, cups, long-sleeved base layers or fleeces for the ultra runners, and reflective tops/bands.
Professional first aid support will be available throughout the race route. Runners can expect hydration stations along both routes to help sustain them over these challenging distances. The event is licensed by the TRA under UKA rules with cut-off times of 14 hours for the 50-mile run and 8 hours for the marathon.
All finishers will receive a specially commissioned medal, while top male and female runners in each category will be awarded prizes. Free race photos are provided to all participants post-event via digital download on Race Harborough’s Facebook page.
Join us as we support local charities such as the Jubilee Foodbank in Market Harborough and the Weston Favell Centre Foodbank in Northampton, giving everyone an opportunity to make a difference by donating during registration or at the event.
For further updates and information about this race, follow Race Harborough on Facebook.