The Marlow Donkey
Info: Entries for this event open on Monday 1st June 2026 at 09:00.
| LDWA Member | £15.00 | |
| Non Member | £20.00 |
Event rules and conditions of entry:
Please ensure that you have read these which are available on the Marlow Donkey Information Page on the Thames Valley LDWA website, prior to entering the event. Assistance dogs only with insurance. Entrants under 18 must have written consent from an adult and be accompanied by them.
Routes:
The aim is to complete, on foot, a route option of circa. 25, 40 or 50km (50km to celebrate the groups 50th anniversary) within maximum time periods of 8 hours (25km) or 11 hours (longer routes). All to finish by 7pm. There will be another new route this year through the Chilterns, with a figure of eight centred on the pretty village of Hambleden and the long route extending to Bix.
Thames Valley will provide drinks and snacks at the start, at the outward checkpoints, though minimal at Bix (CP3), and a simple meal (daal curry) at the finish. The food provided cannot be guaranteed free from contamination with allergens. This is not because of carelessness on the organiser’s part but because of the practicality of taking over a kitchen within a short time scale.
Timed e-certificates will be available after the event via SI Entries and there will be a free badge.
Start From:
Start and finish is at Liston Hall (Marlow Community Association), Marlow, Bucks GR SU850867. What3words : backyards.madder.scope
Start Time:
There is a mass start for walkers (only) on the 50km route at 08:00 . Others may start anytime between 08:15 and 09:30. Runners should be mindful of checkpoint opening times (CP1 at 9 miles opens at 9.40am) and start at an appropriate time to their expected pace
Finish Time:
All entrants to finish by 19:00 pm; CP1 and a later route split will have cut off times included in the route description if later than this, you will be diverted onto a shorter route.
Entry Fee:
LDWA Members (entry from 1 June), all routes - £15.00.
Non LDWA Members (entry from 1 Sept) , all routes - £20.00.
No entries on the day, no refunds
Entry Limit
150, normally reached in early Sept after opening to non-members on Sept 1st. No postal or entries on the day. Waiting list will be in operation once full.
Transport:
Car parking for entrants is available nearby in the town’s car parks. One of these, in Liston Rd, is opposite the hall (and Lidl). There is another 100m away at Dean St. Both currently (as at Dec 2025) charge £1.20 per day on Sunday.
We encourage travel by train or bus (other than for 31mile walkers). Buses from Wycombe or Reading). Marlow Train Station is about 10 mins walk. Please check train times. At the time of writing the first train arrives at 08:50: if this is delayed or for the Reading bus we will make allowance for you. The walk DOES NOT start at the Marlow Donkey pub next to the station.
Equipment:
It is required that each entrant carry a minimum of the following equipment:
- A personal drinking container (at least 1 litre recommended, more if weather is expected to be hot)
- Plastic mug for drinks at checkpoints (none will be provided)
- Food and drink for up to 9ml sections between checkpoints
- Paper copy of the Route Description
- Mobile Phone, preferably with spare battery pack
- Whistle
- Basic First Aid kit including blister plasters
- Suitable footwear in good condition
- Waterproofs,
- Compass (Magnetic, GPS or Smartphone, providing fully charged batteries)
- Map(s) as specified below:
OS Landranger 175 (Reading and Windsor) 1:50,000
OR OS Explorer 171 (Chiltern Hills West) 1:25,000 and Explorer 172 (Chiltern Hills East) 1:25,000
OR Computer-generated versions of these maps printed in colour at a scale of not less than 1:50,000 which must be within a waterproof covering and at least two kilometres either side of the route
OR Map(s) in electronic format (GPS) with an adequate power supply.
In addition your clothing, both worn and carried, should be suitable taking into account the prevailing weather conditions and the forecast for the day.
View the Event Disclaimer / Terms and Conditions.
View the Event Cancellation / Refund Policy.
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