Here we are back with the fifteenth edition of the Thames Path 100 - our 100 mile season opener and it kicks off at usual from the waterfront in Richmond Upon Thames, at 0900 on Saturday 2nd May. A sell out starting field of a little over 300 are expected on the flattest point to point 100 mile course, anywhere.
The race has traditionally seen a wide range of conditions but a dry spell leading into it will leave the ground hard packed and fast. We will see what things bring next week of course, if it does rain heavily, it is the final third of the race that becomes the muddiest and presents the greatest challenge to runners, especially those who went off quick!
Our mens and womens fields are full of past champions and podium finishers at our events and beyond. Let's have a look at the likely leading contenders for this outing.
There are additional awards presented at this one race. Our Ed Catmur Awards for fastest newcomers - first-time 100 mile finishers in both the mens and womens races. A past champion of this, his favourite race, Ed lost his life whilst out running in the North Pennines and the awards are named in his honour. Once again, Ed's parents Richard and Ginny Catmur will be at the event volunteering - and there at the finish to hand out these awards.
WOMEN
Karla Borland (ITRA 630): Fourth at the SDW100 last year in the most competitive field of all time at that event. That followed her win at the Hundred Hills 50km last March. The Northern Ireland international was third at the British 100km Champs in 2023. She opted not to start SDW50 to recover a niggle in time for this event.
Karla Borland
Veronika Gill (ITRA 623): Veronika had an amazing 2025 with improvements and consistency standing her out. Third at the NDW50, Second at the CW50 and then a win at the Wendover Woods 50 in November saw her finish the year with a bang. She dropped at 55km into the SDW50 last week to prevent a niggle from getting worse ahead of TP100, which runs past where she lives and has been her main focus year to date.
Veronika Gill
Zoe Smith (ITRA 598): Zoe finished second behind Veronika at last years Wendover Woods 50, having led for much of the first 50km in what was an incredible race. She also picked up the win at the North Chiltern 50km in October last year, and was fourth at the North Downs Way 50 in 2025.
Jana de Waal (ITRA 558): Jana was eighth at the SDW100 last year in 20:09. Earlier this year she was seventh at the Arc 50 by UTMB.
Camilla Mitchell (ITRA 553): In 2025, Camilla was second behind Zoe (above) at the North Chilterns 50km and fifth at Hundred Hills 50km with us. Previously a podium finisher at Race to the Stones in 2023.
Flic Archer (ITRA 547): Finished our 50 Mile Grand Slam last year in second place, capturing three top ten finishes along the way.
Laura Ricci (ITRA 546): US runner with a raft of top ten finishes across a range of distances in recent years. Stand out results include second at the No Business 100 mile, first at the Midstate Massive 100 and third at Hallucination 100, Woodstock Running Festival.
MEN
Peter Windross (ITRA 754): Pete has a total of 7 finishes here, winning the race back in 2018 in 15:49. He has 28 liftetime 100 mile finishes with us and has featured on the top step of the podium, podium and inside the top ten many many times. In 2025 he was little off the incredible pace he set in 2024 with a fourth here and then a 14:48 SDW100 for third that summer. So we will see if he is back to his best once again.
Pete Windross
Francesco Sgarlata (ITRA 735): Races predominantly in Italy achieving solid results in races with deep competition. 25th at Western States in 2025. He was third at the Big Rock Morenic 100 mile in Italy late last year.
Guido Pastore (ITRA 715): Racing mainly in Slovenia and Italy, with top 5 runs at Tuscany Crossing 50km and Ultra Trail Vivapa Valley 110km in Slovenia both recent highlights.
Matteo Moiana (ITRA 702): Fourth, one place behind Francesco at the Big Rock Morenic 100 last year. Again, places highly in deep Italian trail and ultra fields.
Matt Gallagher (ITRA 685): One of the most consistent TP100 runners we've seen. Last year he was fourth in 16:24. In 2023 he was fourth in 15:23. In 2021 he was seventh in 16:21. Along the way he has also picked up fourth and fifth at the NDW100 plus a sixth at the Autumn 100.
Matt Gallagher
Will Collie (ITRA 669): Won day one of the two day version of Race to the Stones last year which gave him the stand out ITRA score. Third at Ultra X Spring Trails 100km.
Andrew Churchull (ITRA 668): Ninth here last year in 17:21. Previous podium finisher at Winter Downs 200. In 2025 he also picked up top ten finishes at the NDW100 and Wendover Woods 50.
Oliver Delve (ITRA 642): Top 20 at the SDW100 last year in 17:32. 19:50 at the 2024 Autumn 100.
James Bennett (ITRA 624): One of the most prolific ultra runners in the UK. James is well over 100 x 100 milers into his career and whilst that does impact some of his times, he also produces some really solid results. Last October he was fifth at Autumn 100 in 16:58 and won the Leeds to Liverpool Canal Race last summer.
LEGENDS
Sitting in the legends corner for this race.
Jan Payne - Jan is attempting to become the first ever FV70 finisher of one of our 100 milers - this will be our 66th. She volunteered at the Wallingford check point in 2025 and has previously finished this race as an FV60.
Jan Payne
Jon Steele - the Founder and Race Director for the Hardmoors Series of events, some of the longest standing UK ultras and much loved by the community it is great to have Jon racing with us again.
As always, you can follow the race live via the website here from 0900 on Saturday 2nd May.
The fourteenth edition of our 50 mile season opener - the South Downs Way 50 - kicks off from Hill Barn Rec in Worthing this coming Saturday at 0830. The course joins the SDW100 route just 10km in and then mirrors that course including all of its check points, to finish on the track at Eastbourne Sports Park. A stunning route with rolling hills, ridgeline running and screaming fast descents. Ideal for first timers and seasoned pros alike and an event which for the last few years has enjoyed near perfect conditions. We hope for the same this time out!
This race attracts solid competition. Course records are held by Tom Evans (5:44) from back in 2018, and Julia Davis (6:54) from 2019. Nobody has gotten close since so it will be interesting to see if this year, either is threatened by the cast of characters below.
Follow the race live via the link here (will be active from mid-week prior to the race).
WOMENS RACE
Karla Borland (ITRA 630): Fourth at the SDW100 last year in the most competitive field of all time at that event. That followed her win at the Hundred Hills 50km last March. The Northern Ireland international was third at the British 100km Champs in 2023.
Karla Borland
Veronika Gill (ITRA 623): Veronika had an amazing 2025 with improvements and consistency standing her out. Third at the NDW50, Second at the CW50 and then a win at the Wendover Woods 50 in November saw her finish the year with a bang.
Veronika Gill
Sophie Seward (ITRA 575): Sophie won the Autumn 100 back in October of 2025 in a time of 18:25, an improvement of 5 hours and 9 positions on her 2024 result there. Also finished second at Peddars Way ultra last year.
Sophie Seward
Katie Brazier (ITRA 577): Winner of this years Country to Capital and St. Peters Way Ultra. In 2025 she won the Thames Trail 50 and Stour Valley Path 100km.
Fiona Slevin-Brown (ITRA 563): Our 2024 Chiltern Wonderland 50 champion, Fiona won the North Downs Ridge 50km and Butcombe Trail 50km in 2025 also - all as a FV55 category runner, amazing performances and even more so in light of that.
Claire Howard (ITRA 556): Lots of fantastic results spanning the period 2022 to now, many at the longer end of the spectrum. In 2025 she was second at GUCR. In 2024 she ran an 18:10 100 mile split at Crawley Track 24hr where she finished third. In 2023 she won Hardmoors 160. In 2022 she finished top ten at the SDW100 so is familiar with this course.
Laura Watts (ITRA 555): 2024 Winter Downs 100 Champion, she was fifth at this race last year before going onto yet another Badwater (Top Ten) finish. This will be her fifth outing at the SDW50.
Hayley Green (ITRA 530): Sixth at the Arc 50 in 2025.
Amelie Karlsson (ITRA - no rank): Winner of the 2024 Beachy Head marathon she has some fine ultra performances in her background too but seemingly none since 2021.
MENS RACE
David Green (ITRA 758): Ran a 14:15 for second at last years Autumn 100 behind only a new British 100 mile trail record for Hugh Tibbs. Fifth at the Arc 50 last year, Past winner of the Ridgeway 86 in one of the very few sub 13 hour times in history. Also scored big with an eleventh at Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB - Ultra-Trail des Païens 116K in 2024.
David Green
Matt Hammerton (ITRA 757): Second at this race last year in 6:22 behind only Mark Darbyshire. In 2024 he was fourth at the SDW100 in 15:05, one of the fastest ever times on that course. He also finished third at Wendover Woods 50, he had previously held the CR at the Night 50k over the same loop. A past top ten finisher at UTS 50km also.
Matt Hammerton
Paul Grieve (ITRA 730): Superb fifth place at the Hundred Hills 50km last month. Seventh at the SDW100 in 15:55 in 2024. In 2025 he won the Dartmoor Winter Traverse 50km, finished eighth at the Arc 50 and third at the Beacons Ultra 100.
Adrian Busolini (ITRA 701): Our 2023 Wendover Woods 100 champion, a year when he also took fifth at the SDW100. Form has been a little lower since but he did pick up a second at the SVP100km last year in a solid time.
Toby Meanwell (ITRA 686): Tenth here in 2023, he has had other solid results in races around the South Downs National Park area over the past 24 months too. Seems like a favourite hunting ground for him.
Tim Landy (ITRA 665): Tim was eighth here back in 2023. Since then amongst other things he has taken a top ten at the SDW100. Last year he made it deep into a second loop at Barkley and then took home a 17th at Tot Dret in September - much hillier races than here but he has retained his running speed alongside.
James Hatton (ITRA 664): Our follow cam man at the SDW100, the Precision Fuel and Hydration Staffer has made big strides recently in ultra land and most recently took third place at the North Downs Ridge 50km back in February.
Our 2026 racing season begins on Saturday 14th March at 0900, with the return of the Hundred Hills 50km - now in its fourth year.
You can follow the race live via the tracker here.
Set in the heart of the Chilterns and starting and finishing at Stonor Park, with 500 runners and some truly elite level competition, Hundred Hills has quickly established itself as the spring curtain-raiser to the wider UK season. The format is simple but testing: two distinct 25km loops, approximately 4000ft / 1200m of climbing, five well-stocked aid stations and a 9-hour cut off.
The terrain is classic Chilterns — rolling, never flat for long, predominantly trail with short road links — and the race rewards restraint early and strength late. The first loop can feel controlled and runnable. The second loop often sees the race fragment on the big climb out of Stonor but racing at the front has increasingly been extremely close and exciting.
Stay tuned to our instagram channel too for live udpates and in race content.
The women’s field at Hundred Hills 50km 2026 brings depth, experience and proven ultra strength across 50km to 100 miles. As ever on this course, restraint across the first loop is critical — the second 25km is where the race typically unfolds.
Below are the leading contenders, ordered by current ITRA ranking (highest first).
ITRA: 767
A superstar on the international scene, Fi recently signed for the Adidas team. Most recently with us she ran a course record at the 2025 North Downs Way 50, but her international results put her amongst the best in the world at the moment, with incredible versatility and range in her arsenal.
Recent results:
Western States 100 (2025) - 5th. 17:21.
UTMB CCC (2025) – 15th. 13:01.
North Downs Way 50 (2025) - 1st. 7:07 - Course Record.
Chianti Ultra Trail by UTMB (2025) - 1st. 12:34.
2024 Results: Wins at Mozart 100 by UTMB and Wildstrubel by UTMB.
2022 Wendover Woods 50 champion and existing course record holder.
Fi Pascall
ITRA: 688
One of our Centurion Coaches, Julia is truly a superstar on both road and trail, having represented Team GB over the 100km and Trail formats in recent years. Carrying a small niggle she may yet decide to hold off until later this year to start her season.
Past results:
South Downs Way 100 (2025) – 16:43:08, 2nd
Mallorca by UTMB 102km (2025) – 12:23:58, 3rd
Chiltern Wonderland 50 (2025) – 7:13:19, 1st and Course Record
2024 Results: Team GB 100km for the World Champs. Plus a PB of 7:25 at the ACP.
Arc of Attrition 50 (2023) – 8:32:42, 2nd
World Champs GB Trail Team (2023)
Julia Davis
ITRA: 617
Sophie has an excellent recent record over 50km and beyond, with a second place at this race amongst recent results. Past champion at CW50.
Recent results:
Five Trails Ultra 50km (2025) – 4:54:01, 1st.
Serpent Trail 75km (2025) – 6:58:35, 1st.
South Downs Way 50km (2025) – 4:34:31, 5th.
Hundred Hills 50km (2024) – 4:56:52, 2nd.
Arc of Attrition 50 (2025) – 10:50:13, 5th.
Chiltern Wonderland 50 (2022) - 7:55, 1st.
ITRA: 609
Sohie was previously second at our Wendover Woods 50 all the way back in 2016. More recently she has raced well at the Threshold Events Series:
Key results:
Race to the Stones 100km (20245) – 10:59:57, 5th
Race to the King 100km (2025) – 12:01:32, 2nd
Race to the King 100km (2024) – 10:31:19, 1st
Race to the Stones 100km (2024) – 9:25:06 1st
Wendover Woods 50 (2016) - 2nd.
New to our events but has had some excellent results including at races in the same area as Hundred Hills.
ITRA: 594
Recent results:
Chester 50 (2025) - 7:47, 2nd.
RunThrough Trails Avoriaz 50km (2025) - 6:53, 2nd.
Chiltern Ridge Winter 50km (2024) - 4:27, 1st.
A true stalwart of our community, a regular volunteer and with a history of amazing results at our events.
ITRA: 575
Recent results:
Winter Downs 100 (2025) – 20:52, 4th.
Wendover Woods 50 (2024) – 9:57, 4th.
North Downs Way 100 (2024) – 22:26, 3rd.
South Downs Way 50 (2024) – 8:03, 3rd.
Winter Downs 200 (2023) – 71:07, 3rd.
Autumn 100 (2022) - 18:27, 2nd.
ITRA: 568
Annaka has recorded a strong of solid finishes across rolling UK trail ultras in recent seasons, including at our South Downs Way 50.
Recent results:
South Downs Way 50 Mile (2025) – 8:40:52, 4th
5 Valleys Ultra 55km (2024) – 7:33:02, 4th
Serpent Trail 50km (2024) – 4:53:57, 7th
Serpent Trail 50km (2023) – 4:32:40, 5th
The men’s field this year is deep. It blends proven 100-mile strength, recent 50km speed, and runners who already know what it takes to race well here.
Below is a look at the leading contenders, ordered by current ITRA ranking.
ITRA: 866
Previous winner here in 2024, Mark has established himself as one of our best ever British ultra runners. His 2025 season was exceptional: victory at South Downs Way 50 (6:15) followed by a commanding win and a course record at South Downs Way 100 (13:42:54). He also had a good year on the international stage with a strong 13th at Transgrancanaria 126km (15:27:14) and a top-10 finish at Lake Biwa 100 (29:51:37). He remains the course record holder at all of the classic UK 100 milers. Arc of Attrition, Lakeland 100, UTS, South Downs Way 100 and North Downs Way 100.
Mark Darbyshire at the 2025 SDW100 (being paced by Dan Weller)
ITRA: 772
Ry has raced many times with us in the past but this is his first run out here. One of our Centurion Coaches, he was Course Record holder of the NDW50 for a number of years, and won our ingagural Winter Downs 200. He is a seasoned ultra runner now with over 15 years of experience. Stand out results come both from the UK and international scenes.
Second at Lakeland 100 last year (20:05:31), 8th at Lavaredo 80km in 2024, Winner of Lakes in a Day and a 13:24 Track 100 mile at our event to boot.
ITRA: 767
Dan won the inaugural edition of this event in 2023, in poor conditions in a time of 4:05. He has quietly built one of the most consistent ultra résumés in the UK over the past two seasons. In 2025 he finished 2nd at Wendover Woods 50 (7:41:01) and 3rd at Lakeland 50 (8:05:34), alongside a strong 7th at Arc 50 (8:13:52).
He has also demonstrated speed over the 50km distance, winning Race to the Stones Day One 50km (3:44:47), also good over longer tougher terrain with victory at the Winter Spine Challenger South in 24:48:21 back in 2024.
ITRA: 754
Ran an incredible race for second at last years' North Downs Way 50 (6:24:28), going under the existing course record and only missing out to Hugh Tibbs. He was also third at Winter Downs 100 (17:50:54), alongside a second at Chiltern Wonderland 50 (6:56:54) both in 2024.
ITRA: 751
Kallum already knows how to run fast at Hundred Hills, finishing second here in 2024 and 2025 with a best of 3:48:06. He opened 2025 with a win at Country to Capital (4:45:17) and demonstrated his range with victory at Thames Path 100 (15:12:55). His last run out with us was a DNF at Autumn due to a nasty ankle injury. It is great to have him back here again.
ITRA: 736
Alistairs 2024 Centurion Grand Slam 50 mile record which included three wins is still the stuff of legend.
Last year he struggled stepping up to the longer distnaces but still recorded fourth at the North Downs Way 100 (17:43:30) and a strong performance at South Downs Way 100 finishing in 16:58:31.
He also has course familiarity, finishing 3rd at this race back in 2024 (4:10:17).
ITRA: 700
Winner of Dartmoor Winter Traverse 50km (4:21:00), 8th at Arc 50 (8:26:56) and 3rd at Beacons Way Ultra 100 (22:26:55).
ITRA: 699
Third at Winter Downs 200 in 2024 (2d 04:30:52). Third at Dales Traverse 55km (5:30:58). Eighth at Arc of Attrition 100 Mile (22:33:42) in 2023 and second at Wendover Woods 50 (8:20:04) in 2022.
ITRA: 676
Past champion at Chiltern Wonderland 50 (7:00:32). Paul has so many finishes at our races it's impossible to know where to start! Including but not limited to Top Tens at all of our 50 mile races, plus a best in the 100 milers of second at NDW100.
ITRA: 645
Damo has represented Team GB at the IAU 24 Hour World Championships and has recorded multiple big performances in 24-hour racing, alongside podium finishes in major timed events.
On trail, he was 2nd at Keswick Mountain Festival 50K (5:15:52) in 2024.
ITRA: 646
Elsworthy continues to build momentum over longer distances. He recently finished 10th at Arc 100 (23:09:37) and has recorded strong performances at Lakeland 100 (23:46:31) and UTS 100km (18:21:07), alongside victory at the Cotswold Way Century (19:55:00).
