Vodafone Epic Challenge Series - Race to the Tower

The Race to the Tower will take place on 5th-6th June 2021.

Start address: Bird in the Hand Farm, Main Road, Whiteshill, Stroud, GL6 6JR

Basecamp (midway point and Day 2 start): Colgate Farm, Ham Road, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham, GL54 4EZ

Finish address: Broadway Tower, Broadway, WR12 7LB

You can sign up via this link.

The Team Vodafone registration fee is £55.

The closing date for registrations is 23:59 on 31st May 2021, unless the event sells out beforehand.

Yes, we will operate a waiting list.

If the event sells out, please contact epicchallengeseries@thresholdsports.co.uk to request a place on the waiting list. You will be contacted if a place becomes available.

Weekender: The Weekender package covers 100km over the two days of the event. You will cover 50km on the Saturday, camp at the overnight basecamp in Acklington and set off again the following morning to do another 50km before finishing at Bamburgh Castle on Sunday. This package includes food throughout the weekend, accommodation and event support. This package is for both walkers and runners.

Non-stop: Participants on the non-stop package cover 100km in one go – all on the Saturday/early hours of Sunday. The Non-stop package includes a meal at the halfway Basecamp, full pitstop support throughout the night and hot food at the finish line. There is a time limit of 24 hours to complete the route, and it is open to both walkers and runners.

You will be travelling from Whiteshill, Stroud to Broadway Tower.

You can explore the route here.

Anyone can give their first Ultra a go with the right kind of training!

Please see these bespoke training plans which contain lots of tips and advice:

Non-Stop

• Non-Stop Running Training Plan
• Non-Stop Walking Training Plan

Weekender

• Weekender Running Training Plan
• Weekender Walking Training Plan

Coaches are being provided from Newbury and London Paddington to the start line on Saturday 5th June. If you are interested in booking onto a shuttle, please indicate so on your registration form when asked. Closer to the time you also will be sent further details including timings along with a survey to confirm your exact travel plans.

Vodafone employees may not book their travel to/from the Epic Challenges through CWT (Carlson Wagonlit Travel).

The following will be provided:

• Coach transport from London Paddington/Newbury to the start line on Saturday 5th June
• Accommodation on the Weekender package – please note, this will be camping in a 2-person tent, although tents will be assigned one per person*
• Transport to the event**
• Team Vodafone Kit: 1 x hoodie and 1 x technical t-shirt
• Food and drinks at pitstops, as well as a meal in the overnight basecamp and breakfast for the Weekender package on Sunday
• Sports nutrition
• Medical support throughout the event and in basecamps
• Access to halfway basecamp – bars, stretching area, concessions and acoustic music
• Premium completion medal

*Please note, camping mats, sleeping bags and pillows are not included

**Participants are responsible for their own return travel arrangements

Pit Stops

There are 4 pit stops throughout each 50km section of the route to give you a chance to refresh and refuel. Each pit stop will have a selection of snacks for all participants including a variety of sweet and savoury options, such as fruit, energy bars, crisps, sweets and more.

Basecamp

• Evening meals (all participants)

Food is available at the overnight basecamp for all participants. This includes non-stop participants, who are able to have a hot meal before carrying on to the finish line. Food provided may include but is not limited to: hot pasta, baked potatoes, sandwiches, salad, fruit and on the go snacks.

• Breakfast (weekender only)

Breakfast will be provided for Weekender participants on Sunday morning, which will consist of hot drinks, fresh fruit, toast, porridge and cooked breakfast i.e. bacon, eggs, beans.

 Dietary Requirements

There will be a variety of food at pit-stops and at basecamp that cater for everyone including gluten free, diary free, and meat-free and vegan options.

There will be a section on the registration form for you to provide dietary details, but if you have any specific requests and would like to talk about this specifically please get in touch on epicchallengeseries@thresholdsports.co.uk.

Sports Nutrition

All sports nutrition will be provided from HIGH5, Threshold Sports’ nutrition partner. We would recommend training with HIGH5 products so you are used to using them on the event.

Concession stalls

Concession stalls will be available at the start and finish line. These will be at your own cost so you will need to bring cash to buy the extra food.

There will be an unlimited supply of water whilst on the event.

What kit do I bring?

You will be provided with a detailed kit list around 6/8 weeks before the event. We do not recommend you bring any valuables (e.g. jewellery, gadgets etc.)

When will I receive my #TeamVodafone kit?

Your kit will be available for collection when you arrive at the event so you will have it to wear during your challenge.

Will my kit be transported for me?

 Yes, on the Weekender package your bag will be taken from the start to basecamp, and from the basecamp to the finish so you do not need to worry about transporting your kit.

For those on the Non-stop package your kit will be taken from the start directly to the finish.

Is there a baggage allowance?

There is a baggage limit of 10kg for the Weekender package, and 7kg for the Non-stop participants.

The route is fully supported from start to finish. There will be a dedicated crew looking after you at the basecamp and pit stops, as well as a team of medics.

There will be an event control team just on the other end of phone at all times if you have any problems.

Your fundraising target is £500.

• You need to have raised 50% by 25th May 2021
• You need to have full amount by 5th July 2021

Check out this updated downloadable fundraising pack. It tells you how to set up your fundraising page on JustGiving and is full of tips and ideas to help you reach your target!

Here we will publish a list of the comms we’ve previously sent out so you can recap at your leisure:

• • March
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July

Threshold Sports are paying close attention to the following areas to ensure the best chance of delivering a safe event in 2021, without losing any of the traditional Threshold Trail Series magic.

If you can no longer take part in the event, you must tell us as soon as possible by emailing epicchallengeseries@thresholdsports.co.uk.*

See below for the options available to you.

*Please note your entry fee is non-refundable

If you want to cancel your place, please contact Threshold Sports via epicchallengeseries@thresholdsports.co.uk.

Please note that if you cancel your place, your entry fee and any fundraising donations are non-refundable.

• Participant Transfers to another Epic Challenge Series Event is on condition of availability and at the discretion of Vodafone Foundation
• If transferring to a higher priced Epic Challenge Series Event, Participants are required to pay the increase in Entry Fee
• Additional purchases which are no longer relevant to the new Event will be handled in accordance with the Event Rules and Regulations
• The deadline for requesting a transfer to another Event is 23:59 on 20th June 2021

• Participant Transfers can only take place if the new Participant wishes to take the same Event Package
• Participants who transfer their Entry can be eligible for a full refund of all Entry Fees paid (minus the Booking Fee)
• The original Entry Fee is not refunded until the new Participant accepts and completes the transfer process
• Additional purchases will be handled in accordance with the Event Rules and Regulations
• The deadline for a Participant Transfer is 23:59 on 20th June 2021

If a participant needs to transfer Event due to Covid-19 related reasons, such as being subject to a local lockdown, international quarantine, a positive test or self-isolation requirement, the participant must notify Threshold Sports by emailing epicchallengeseries@thresholdsports.co.uk by the time that on-site registration commences on the live event and provide evidence of the situation.

Yes, you may change package from Double Marathon Non-stop to Weekender including camping or vice versa if notice is given to Threshold Sports via email to epicchallengeseries@thresholdsports.co.uk.

The deadline for a Package Change is 23:59 on 20th June 2021.

Vodafone employees sign up to Epic Challenges as private individuals supporting The Vodafone Foundation, not as Vodafone employees. You are therefore required to arrange your own insurance. Insurance is highly recommended. We advise taking out cover when your registration is confirmed. Please ensure you have the correct cover for this type of challenge.