Expected October 2027
Distance
Start Time
Cutoff
Terrain
Ghost Train is a lap-based event on the riverside towpath beside the River Thames at Walton-on-Thames. Runners pick a distance from 5k through to a seven-hour timed ultra and complete as many or as few laps of the flat 5.3km out-and-back course as they wish, with no need to commit in advance. The ground underfoot is off-road towpath with no elevation gain or loss, and the course returns to the race hub every lap. A one-hour start window from 08:30 means no waiting around, an epic aid station sits at the hub, and everyone who completes at least one lap earns a bespoke finisher's medal.
Riverside route along the River Thames towpath
Flat and fast course with no elevation gain or loss
Lap-based format with flexible distances from 5k to a 7-hour timed ultra
Bespoke finisher's medal for every finisher
Start and finish beside The Weir Pub, an easy spot for spectators
Start / Finish
The small field just before The Weir Pub on Waterside Drive, or on the patio of The Weir Pub depending on the weather. Look for the Phoenix Running marquee
Same location as the start, beside The Weir Pub on Waterside Drive, Walton-on-Thames. The lap course returns to the hub each time
Terrain
Route
Getting There
Race Day
What you get
Finisher certificate
Chip timing
Flexible 'rock up and run' start times within a one-hour start window
Chip timing with online live results
Results e-mailed to participants and uploaded to the website the same day
Digital finisher's certificate available on the Phoenix World site
Athlete profile available on the Phoenix World site
Digital BIBS
Phoenix World
On the day
Food vendors
Before you enter
Other questions
No. The beauty of this format is that you do not need to decide in advance. Simply come and run a lap and see how you feel, then keep going if it feels right. You can complete as many or as few laps of the 5.3km course as you like within the seven-hour limit.
It is an off-road trail along the riverside towpath of the River Thames, following a 5.3km (3.28 mile) out-and-back lap. The course is completely flat, with no elevation gain or loss, making it a fast route.
The event starts in the small field just before The Weir Pub on Waterside Drive, or on the patio of The Weir Pub depending on the weather. Just look for the Phoenix Running marquee, you cannot miss it.
Spectators are more than welcome. The Weir Pub is located right next to the start and finish line, so it offers an extremely convenient cheering-on point. The pub serves cold drinks, hot drinks and food from 11:00, and there is also a cafe at the nearby Xcel Leisure Centre.
The Weir Pub, which sits right beside the start and finish, offers hotel rooms for those wishing to stay over. It is worth booking early as it always sells out.
Entry fee
Registration isn't open yet. We'll show pricing when the organiser confirms.Walton-on-Thames, United Kingdom
Expected October 2027
Provisional date, around Oct 9More races like this one
Not open yet
