Multi bottlenecks on route slowing people down especially just after the start. Aid stations had run out of electrolyte tablets and gels. All drinks at aid stations were sat out in the sun and were hot. Not enough shaded areas or chairs for participants to shelter from the sun at aid stations, there were about 20 chairs under a small gazebo during a heatwave with temperatures hitting 34 Celsius. Sandwiches had run out at aid stations. At pitstop 58km staff were too busy watching the England game and completely ignored runners and didn’t check if we were okay. At 72KM pit stop there was only a few chairs and they had run out of foil blankets leaving participants shivering in the cold. Pre event I didn’t get any emails regarding wave starting times, emailed a week before for information and didn’t get any response. Had to ask a fellow participant on instagram for a link to get starting wave time.

I am writing this review in the hope someone will read it and get back to me. I emailed over a week ago and haven't had a reply. I am trying to arrange logistics of getting to the start and am coming across so many unknowns. The information isn't in the race guide. I need someone to contact me but there's no phone number. A really worrying start.

Just the best. Our first ever ultra experience, we did the 100km over two days and it was one of our favourite weekends ever. Perfectly organised, the aid stations are 20/10, base camp was such a vibe, just everything from start to finish. Staff were incredible and so happy to help. I’ve wanted to do this race for years and was a bit dubious incase it didn’t live up to expectations - it absolutely exceeded them. If you’re on the fence just go for it. Thank you for the best experience ever Race To The Stones!

The volunteers stood out for me, encouraging throughout and helped when needed. Especially it being the hottest day of the year. They did a great job. My only criticism was the start, as I took part on the Sunday there wasn’t a mass start as I arrived at 6am. This maybe because of the changes to the start due to the heat. But I would have loved to have stood at the start with hundreds of people and got that pre race excitement. I started alone, but did eventually catch up with other runners and had a good experience. Absolutely loved the race and surprised myself by coming in the Top 10 overall. I’ve now signed up to take part in the 100km, and can’t wait.

My third RTTS, proved to be hugely challenging, primarily due to the excessive heat on Saturday, which consequently saw many drop-outs. I understand, that of those who planned to complete the 100km in one go, more actually dropped out after 50km, than continued onwards. Well done to those who therefore managed it. Bravo! I asked myself at the time, would I have continued forward had I chosen to run-through? I remember clearly answering; Yes, but only if a humongous amount of financial incentive had been attached, in which case, probably not... My own personal reflections for 2025, is probably best described as thus; Saturday, I did not sing. At all! On the Sunday, I did not stop singing. It may be easier to simply do a good/not so good break-down of my weekend in Oxfordshire. In which case... Good. Staff, including volunteers - Organisation - Communication - Race Briefing - Shuttle Bus - cleanliness and number of toilets - fab showers - water stations - signage - entertainment at Basecamp - overall atmosphere - quality of the medal and the sheer beauty of the route itself. Not so good. Whilst I am not a vegetarian, I found the food at Basecamp acceptable Saturday night (the meatless lasagne was actually quite nice). However, the brekkie offered on Sunday morning was very poor indeed. Both of my boiled eggs were partly rotten, and there was little else barring a white roll (no brown rolls available that I could see), and marmalade/jam, to replenish and support me for the next 50km. Even the orange juice tasted second rate. I was not a happy bunny leaving the tent. Bacon, fried eggs and sausages were prehaps too much to ask but, it could have been better than was offered. 1 star only. Speaking of food, whilst the pitstops were always welcoming, and staffed by genuinely lovely people, the fayre offered to participants was limited. The oranges/melons/crisps were all appreciated, but any sandwiches were largely egg based with little else to appeal to this particular palate. There was also a lack of ice, which would have made a huge difference. I was really looking forward to a couple of pints of lager on Saturday night, as last year, there was no alcohol available due to poor organisation and fulfilment. However, the attendant supplier this year actually ran out of lager. How is that even possible given what they must have known about numbers and likely temperatures? Unbelievable! Truly a basic error in planned logistics. Finally, having been charged well in excess of £200.00 for a weekend in a small, empty tent, with additional add-on's for the shuttle/Race photo's/parking, I have to conclude RTTS 2025, represents poor overall value for money. I have stayed in a hotel room in the very heart of Tokyo for considerably less, and that really is saying something. I am especially galled about no commemorative shirt being included at the very end along with the medal (another £35.00 including P&P), this is just mean, in my view... I will be in attendance in 2026, also enjoying a weekender but really folk's, whilst the overall experience is certainly one to be recommended, as indeed I often do, it needs tweaking. If I were to offer the odd suggestion, then prehaps the addition of a main sponsor/radio/TV coverage/linkage to cause/event ect might help. The people I met, both staff and participants, are just lovely, so I told them so, regularly. Whether the staff/photographers appreciated my hopefully melodic vocals on the Sunday, is best left for them to answer. You have a great event here, I just feel it could be even better, and as I inform all those happy to listen in my daily life; Progress above perfection! Thank you to all those who made it special, see you next year. Phil

This was my first ultra distance and it was off of the back of London Marathon training. What a beautiful course. The course support crew and staff were outstanding, brimming with warmth and encouragement. I attended this event solo and never once felt alone or unfamiliar. I am very excited for the 100km all the way at through for next year! The aid stations were incredible. The food options, lay out and moral boost from staff was beyond what I could have expected. My only negatives are minor with the finish. 1. Once through the finish line I felt lost and unsure of where I was supposed to be going. 2. There was very minimal seating (any available was taken up by supporters) and other than a barn there was no shade, which after 7 hours in the blistering sun all I wanted was some shade. 3. I had a two hour wait for the first shuttle back to base camp which was frustrating when all I wanted to do was get back to my car and head home. With no signal it made for a long wait.