Join the Ultra Challenge Series 2026 for Barnardo's
Whether you’re wanting to push yourself, get fitter, or share an unforgettable adventure with friends, an Ultra Challenge® is the perfect way for you to get involved! You don't have to be an athlete, just willing to get stuck in! Walk, jog, run, or mix it up - go at your own pace and enjoy the journey.
- Event date(s):
- 1 January to 31 December 2026
The UK’s no 1 series of treks and trail runs! Take on a challenge at your pace while fundraising for Barnardo’s!
Whether along a stunning coastline or on trails through magnificent countryside, you’ll get full support all the way - including plenty of food & drink, medics & massage, camaraderie, a medal & t-shirt, and an amazing sense of achievement. With 20 events to choose from, and distance options ranging from 10km up to the full100km, there’s an Ultra Challenge waiting for you in 2026.
What you'll get
- Sign up from £20.
- Inclusive & fun event with a great atmosphere and camaraderie.
- Choose your distance from 10km to 100km.
- Walk, jog, or run – it’s your challenge, your way!
- A fully signed route, with a team of ‘Trekmasters’ out on the trail with you.
- Regular covered rest stops, with free food & drink, massages, and medics.
- An epic finish line moment, with a glass of fizz, medal and t-shirt.
- Camping, transfer, and parking options to make getting there and away easy.
- Full fundraising support and a choice of fundraising options.
Why join #TeamBarnardos?
By joining #TeamBarnardos, you’ll be making an invaluable difference to the lives of the children, young people, and families we support.
Fundraising for Barnardo’s means we're able to help children and young people feel safer, happier, healthier, and more hopeful – and to have somewhere they feel they belong.
Sign up today and you’ll receive:
- Lots of inspiration and support from our dedicated team of fundraisers.
- Access to our free training guides.
- Your FREE Barnardo's branded technical top.
Together, help us bring love, care, and hope into children’s lives so every child can feel like they belong.
Windsor Easter 50 Ultra Challenge®
Head out on looped routes through the Great Park with fantastic views of the Castle, on to Runnymede, along the Thames Path, and takes in some wonderful surrounding countryside. You’ll get full support all the way, and a celebration finish back at basecamp.
📆 18 April
📍Windsor Racecourse Basecamp
🏃50 km, 25km, and 10km Loop
Isle of Wight Ultra Challenge®
Embark on a challenge along the Isle of Wight's breath taking coastal path. Push yourself as you take in the spectacular southern cliffs, pass the iconic Needles, and make your way to historic Cowes.
📆 2-3 May
📍Chale Basecamp
🏃106km, 50km, 25km, and 10 miles
London 2 Brighton Ultra Challenge®
Embark on the Capital to Coast route and put your strength and resilience to the test over the Bank Holiday weekend. Starting in Richmond-Upon-Thames, the journey takes you across the North Downs, passing through the picturesque landscapes of Surrey and Sussex before reaching the halfway mark at Turners Hill. The full 100km route heads over the South Downs before the welcome sight of the Brighton coastline comes into view.
📆 23-24 May
📍Richmond
🏃100km, 50km, and 25km
North Downs 50 Ultra Challenge®
Offering the best of the Surrey hills, the North Downs Way, and the surrounding countryside this trek does truly offer some wonderful scenery and fabulous views while being easily accessible from London and with different distance options available there is a North Down trek for everybody.
📆 1 August
📍 Guildford Basecamp, Surrey Hills
🏃50km loop, 25km, and 10km
London Summer Walk
Experience all England's capital city has to offer in a whole new light with this historic Thames gateway trek. You’ll have excellent transport connections, be able to take advantage of a BBQ, bar and music at the finish line and can take this on individually or as a team.
📆 22 August
📍Woolwich Barracks
🏃Marathon, 25km, and 10km
South Coast Ultra Challenge®
The South Downs National Park is a superb backdrop for a real challenge, and the South Coast Ultra is no exception. You’ll start in Eastbourne, trek up Beachy Head, the magnificent Seven Sisters, and along the South Downs Way, with stunning views over the sea to a Brighton half-way. Devil’s Dyke, and a few ups and downs lie ahead before Arundel comes into view after an amazing 100km journey
📆 5-6 September
📍 South Downs Way
🏃100km, 50km, and 25km
Thames Path Ultra Challenge®
England’s most iconic river sets the stage for this unforgettable challenge. You and many others will set off from Putney Bridge, following the full 100km route upstream to Henley along the renowned Towpath. The journey passes through Richmond, Hampton Court, Runnymede, and Windsor, offering stunning riverside scenery all the way to the finish line. For those looking for a shorter challenge, three-quarter, half, and quarter-distance options are also available.
📆 12-13 September
📍 Putney Bridge
🏃100km, 50km, 25km, and 10km
Thames Moonlight 10 Walk
The Moonlight 10 Walk kicks off the Thames Path Challenge weekend with a spectacular night-time adventure! Choose between a 10km or a 10-mile looped walk through the heart of London as the city lights up under the rising moon. Pass iconic landmarks like St Paul’s, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, the London Eye, and more, experiencing London in a whole new light. A lively finish line awaits, complete with a glass of fizz, a special Moon medal, and some well-earned hot food and drinks.
📆 11 September
📍The Oval Cricket Ground
🏃10km and 10 miles
Thames Bridges Trek
This unforgettable 25km trek across the capital allows you to take in stunning skyline views and iconic landmarks. Setting off from Putney Bridge, you’ll head east towards the city, crossing 16 historic bridges, each with its own unique story. Enjoy a well-earned rest stop at the Oval Cricket Ground for refreshments before continuing towards the finish. After 25km, celebrate in style with a party-style finish and afternoon picnic in Southwark Park, just beyond the majestic Tower Bridge.
📆 12 September
📍 Putney Bridge
🏃 25km
Chiltern 50 Ultra Challenge®
Through some of the Chilterns' most stunning countryside, the 50 km looped challenge features historic trails, rolling hills, nature reserves, and breathtaking views. Starting from our Henley basecamp, the route offers real variety, stunning scenery, and is easily accessible from London. With full support & hospitality, plus 25 km and 10 km loop options.
📆 26 September
📍 Henley Basecamp
🏃 50km, 25km, and 10km
Kent Downs 50 Ultra Challenge®
The Kent Downs Ultra Challenge starts from our basecamp near Maidstone, with parking and weekend camping options, the 50 km looped route winds through the Kent Downs. Follow the North Downs Way to Blue Bell Hill, pass through picturesque Aylesford, and trek alongside the River Medway to Mote Park, where a mid-route picnic awaits. Continue along the Len Valley Walk to the majestic Leeds Castle, before rejoining the North Downs Way for a triumphant showground finish and celebration. With full support and 25 km & 10 km options available.
📆 10 October
📍 Maidstone Basecamp
🏃 50km, 25km, and 10km
London Halloween Walk
Dare to take on a spooky hike through the City’s most haunted streets? Choose your distance, gather your bravest friends or go it alone—if you dare! Along the way, meet fellow chilling challengers as you navigate ghostly looped routes, complete with zombie rest stops. Prepare for a shocking welcome from our creepy dungeon keepers at The Oval start & finish. If you make it back in one piece, you’ll be rewarded with a macabre medal, a glass of the Devil’s fizz, and some horrific hot food & drink! 👻🎃☠️
📆 24 October
📍 The Oval Cricket Ground
🏃 25km, and 10km
South West England
The Bath 50 Ultra Challenge®
Take on this scenic challenge through the countryside around historic Bath. Enjoy fantastic panoramic views, past the famous Royal Crescent, and taking in many of the city’s sights and sounds and the surrounding countryside.
📆 28 March
📍Bath Racecourse Basecamp
🏃50 km, 25km, and 10km Loop
Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge®
Walk, jog or run along the spectacular Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site. Start in Corfe Castle, then head down to Swanage, along through Lulworth Cove, past Durdle Door, with ups and downs to Weymouth half way.
📆 16-17 May
📍Corfe Castle - Bridport
🏃100km, 75km, 50km, 25km, and 10km
Cotswold Way Ultra Challenge®
Rolling hills, villages, the Cotswold Way, footpaths and trails, with some fabulous views along the way. The base-camp in Cirencester is the hub for a full challenge looped route through the heart of the Cotswolds, which provides a stunning setting to test yourself.
📆 13-14 June
📍Cirencester Basecamp
🏃100km, 75km, 50km, and 25km
South West Coast 50 Ultra Challenge®
Join this fantastic summer challenge, take in the infamous Coastal Path, and an incredible basecamp in the shadows of the impressive Dunster Castle. You’ll get full support all the way, and with weekend camping packages and festival style hospitality available at basecamp this really is the trek of the summer!
📆 25 July
📍Dunster Castle Basecamp
🏃50km loop, 25km, and 10km
Midlands, North West, and Wales
Lake District Ultra Challenge®
Explore England’s most breath taking countryside at your own pace. Your journey starts at the Challenge Base Camp in Kendal, tackling a few difficult hills before reaching the halfway point near Lake Windermere. Along the way, you'll navigate through forests and nature reserves, all while enjoying stunning scenery.
📆 6-7 June
📍Kendal Basecamp
🏃100km, 50km, and 25km
North Yorks Ultra Challenge
A stunning coastal & moorland challenge, where the route heads around the town and then north on the Cleveland Way, with a stunning coastline up through Robin Hood Bay and onwards to Whitby, and a welcome halfway 50km stop. For full 100km challengers, it’s along the Esk Valley before heading south into classic moorland scenery, and back to Scarborough basecamp
📆 20-21 June
📍Scarborough Basecamp
🏃100km, 50km, 25km, and 10 miles
Peak District Ultra Challenge®
Test yourself in the fabulous Peak District National Park where there’s a full range of camping options, car parking, and extensive hospitality & welfare services across the weekend for this trek. Experience Derbyshire’s finest scenery and get support all the way, whichever distance you choose– there’s a Peak District Ultra Challenge for everyone!
📆 4-5 July
📍 Bakewell Basecamp
🏃100km, 50km, 25km, and 10 miles
Gower Peninsula Ultra Challenge®
Experience the Gower Peninsula, famous for its golden beaches, limestone cliffs, wild moors, ridges and woodlands. This unique trek’s basecamp is in the grounds of the historic Penrice Castle, with a bar and entertainment as well as weekend camping options and 100km and marathon challenge options available.
📆 18-19 July
📍 Penrice Castle Basecamp
🏃100km, 50km, 25km, and 10km
Fundraising options
Want to make a real difference for children this year? Sign up today to take on an epic challenge for Team Barnardo’s and help us change childhoods and change lives!
Once you choose your event and distance, you will have three options to choose from.
- Full sponsorship: Pay a small registration fee and fundraise to a minimum target, with at least 50% due three weeks prior to the event. We'll pay for your challenge place. For example, for a 100km event you'll pay a £50 registration fee and need to raise £575.
- Mixed funding: Pay half the event place and fundraise with a lower target. You'll need to pass us 50% of your fundraising target three weeks before the event. We'll cover the balance of your place cost. For example, for a 100km event you'll pay a £110 registration fee and need to raise £330.
- Own place fundraising: Pay the full cost of your event place and fundraise whatever you can for your charity. There are no targets or deadlines and we won't be charged for your event place. For example, for 100km you'll pay a £199 fee and raise what you can for us.
Registration fees and fundraising amounts depend on the event distance you choose. You'll find full details on your chosen event's webpage. Whatever you pick, you'll get our full support!
So, what are you waiting for? Change childhoods with your challenge this year.
Get in touch
If you have any questions about the event or fundraising requirements, please email our fundraising team, who'd love to help you.
Fancy a different challenge?
If you want to run, ride, trek or challenge yourself while raising money for children and young people, we've got the event for you.
Meet Jason
Jason, a teacher and adoptive dad, talks about his experience of training for the 2024 London Marathon and explains why he decided to fundraise for us.
Other ways to get involved
When you change a childhood, you change a life. Here's some other ways you can help children and young people across the UK safer, happier, healthier and more hopeful.