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Guide to the 2021 Isle of Wight Challenge for walkers, joggers and runners seeking the ul timate adventure around the stunning Island coastline.
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The Isle of Wight Challenge is an amazing, two day walking, jogging or running adventure set in fantastic scenery, with white cliffs, sandy beaches, stunning views and a testing coastal path. Join fellow adventurers between 1-2 May 2021 for an amazing challenge.Now a classic in the Ultra Series calendar - with white cliffs, sandy beaches, stunning views and an undulating coastal path to test you.
Whether you're a keen walker taking on your first endurance event, or even a seasoned marathon runner looking to step up the distance, you'll get the best support & hospitality through day & night all the way to the finish line where a well earnt celebration awaits!
The Full Challenge starts at Chale, in the south, and at 106km and over 2,100 metres climb - makes it a tough one! The 2 Day Full Challenge Option enables rest at Half-Way in Cowes, with the whole route in daylight.
The 1st Quarter Challenge follows the path along the south of the Island to the iconic Needles, and ideal for novice challengers. If you push on for the 1st Half - it's an Ultra Marathon distance - all the way to historic Cowes. Alternatively you can take part in the 2nd Half Challenge (Cowes to Chale) and NEW to 2021 the 3rd Quater Challenge (Cowes to Culver Down) or 4th Quarter Challenge (Culver Down to Chale).
With some training, determination, and our support - anyone can take on the Isle of Wight. Push yourself further in 2021 - and take on a real challenge:
- Full Challenge - Chale to Chale (106km)
- Full Challenge over 2 days - Chale to Northwood- Chale (106km)
- First Half Challenge - Chale to Northwood (52km)
- Second Half Challenge - Cowes to Chale (54km)
- First Quarter Challenge - Chale to The Needles (25km)
- Third Quater Challenge - Cowes to Culver Down (29km)
- 4th Quater Challenge - Culver Down to Chale (25km)
- Camping Options available
- Rest Stops
Find out more here
All challenges include...
- Rest stops every 10-15km
- Marquee cover & rest area
- Challenge App
- Finish times & Certificate
- Medics & First Aid
- Hot food, snacks & drinks
- Chip timing & tracking
- Full route signage & maps
- Emergency support
- Sports massage
- Medal, finisher T-shirt & fizz!
- Free shuttles from the finish
Great challenges need great settings, and there’s none better than this stunning coastal path. Over 2,000 adventurers take on the Island in May - most walking but many jogging or running - past the famous Needles and up to Cowes at half way, then around clockwise back to our base camp in Chale after a spectacular 106km journey with full support and hospitality.
Whichever distance you choose to take on the scenery and landscape of the Isle of Wight will amaze you. The full 106km route puts this challenge as the longest in the series, and with over ~1960m of climb, it’s a real tough challenge on the legs. The 2 Day option allows you to rest Half-Way on the North of the Island; so you can experience the whole route in daylight - or take it all on as a continuous challenge.
The 1st Quarter route follows the coastal path along the south of the Island all the way to the iconic Needles and makes for an ideal 1st-time Challenge. If you push on for the 1st Half - it’s an Ultra Marathon distance - all the way to Northwood.
Travelling to the Chale Base Camp in easy via Southampton.
What's more, we have some great ferry offers below for Isle of Wight Challenge participants.
By car - catch the hourly vehicle ferry to East Cowes and then head south on the A3021 before joining the A3054 to Newport. From there, follow the A3020 to Niton Rd in Rookley. Continue on Niton Rd to Godshill and then Appleford Rd and B3399 to Chale. The journey will take about 30 minutes. There is weekend car parking available in Chale (£5).
On foot - catch the Red Jet to West Cowes from Terminal 2 in Southampton. On arrival in West Cowes, Action Challenge shuttle buses will pick you up if arriving on Friday evening or Saturday morning.
Alternatively, Southern Vectis operate frequent buses from West Cowes to Newport (service 1) and from the bus station in Newport you should catch service 6 to Chale. Taxis are also available outside the East & West Cowes terminals. For car hire, we recommend Enterprise - they will pick you-up from either terminal if you tell them your arrival time.