3-day
ultra-
adventure

Just wanted to say thank you to everyone who helped with this event yesterday. It was my first ultra and I absolutely loved it! The fantastic organisation meant all I had to do was concentrate on getting myself round the distance! The malt loaf and coke at the checkpoints were a much needed treat! Thanks again

Dear Neil, Many thanks to you and all your team for yesterday. It was a tough day, but made so much easier thanks to the warm and sincere support from all the marshalls. Thanks again.

Thank you for arranging the Druids. It was my first multi-dayer. Great weekend. Your slick organisation, flexibility and attentiveness made it. It was just the right size to make a great atmosphere and friendly. Also thank you for instigating the minutes silence on Sunday morning, very much appreciated.

Thanks again for organising a superb Druid Challenge this weekend. I reckon your races are the smoothest, best-organised events of any kind I’ve ever been on — and everybody is so pleasant, helpful and patient, even with the most ridiculous requests.

Many thanks for yet another great weekend, it was a beautiful and tough route, the support as always was fantastic. It was great seeing so many familiar faces and catching up with friends. Please pass on my gratitude to all the team, have a great Christmas and new year.
See you next year.

A friendly crowd, on the trail and at the checkpoints. Plenty of food and drink at the checkpoints, even for the back markers. Really good evening meals – essential for a multi-day event. And a new finish which cuts out a lot of the roadwork from previous years.

It’s all great but the one thing I’d call out is the checkpoints – friendly and comprehensive in the offering. I’ll be back in 2025. Having entered many Druid’s it struck me how many Prime Ministers we have gone through in ‘my time’ – fifth one now. This came to me whilst seeing something burning outside Chequers. I guess everyone finds things in the loft they don’t want from the last resident!

A fantastic event that was superbly organised. All the runners/walkers (of all abilities) and the staff/volunteers were very friendly and encouraging. Highly recommended.

Excellent really enjoyed the race

Absolutely loved this event, I felt supported and encouraged the whole way along. It was my first multi-day experience and I’ll definitely be back for more.

Absolutely fantastic event , the volunteers manning the checkpoints were wonderful. I appreciated someone pouring water in my water bladder at the checkpoints so all I had to do was screw it back up and get it back in my bag. The Ridgeway is a beautiful trail, and the XNRG team made sure extra markers were put out on key points where other trails crossed so you knew which path to take. As the sun set plenty of glow sticks had been put out on the course so you knew you were on the right path. The food and caffeine at the end was brilliant. The medics were lovely and the blister cover they put on didn’t fall off. I would definitely recommend this event and do it again.

My second time at the Druids event and an even better experience! From the moment we piled on the bus at Swindon to the moment we were dropped back off there, medals around our necks, filthy dirty, stiff as boards but all beaming with our achievement, Neil and team could not have done any more to ensure we were having the best time. For all the logistics, it went very smoothly. We ate well. The less than luxurious bathroom and sleeping arrangements are just part of the experience! I have met some awesome people and laughed so much I was in tears! Thank you XNRG. It was perfect.

Another fabulous xnrg event, all the staff, volunteers and competitors were so friendly and helpful a really enjoyable weekend, thank you so much to all involved 😊

Another brilliantly organised event from the XNRG team! The pre race briefings were helpful, the pick ups & transfers worked well! The route was beautiful, the autumnal colours were fabulous and the sense of accomplishment at covering the Ridgeway route was great! All of the XNRG peeps were super helpful, food was yummy and there was a constant supply of hot drinks/cake at the over night stops. Great bling and T-shirt too!

I ran/ walked the first two days of the Druids , I was nervous about getting lost and not finishing. The course was well marked and I only went wrong slightly on the first. The aid stations were well stocked and there was medical support to. I loved the friendly supportive atmosphere and hope to do another event.

Really friendly atmosphere – although being a walker among mainly runners I never felt out of place. No frills, but all the essentials were in place.

What a wonderful race experience on an ancient track! The race was really well organized with enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers. It can be raced, run, run/walked or walked. There is room for many levels of runners. After a stage race I was entered in was cancelled, I decided to come over from Canada and do the Druids, which I had heard of from podcasts. I was so happy I took on the Challenge. It was amazing! There is a high calibre of runners in it that are training for, or have done, all types of ultras-stage races, long distance runs, marathons and other XNRG races. As well as those amazing walkers! I would definitely come back, or do another of their races.

This was the second year in a row that I’ve run the Druid’s and it was just as good the second time around! It’s such a great event; really well organised, very friendly and brilliant support at the checkpoints. I’d recommend it to anyone. 🙂

Super friendly and well organised, and a terrific bunch of volunteers. Accommodation in the halls was all part of the experience, and sharing with like-minded people. Speakers on Saturday night were excellent and inspiring. Great to have a vegan option for meals, but they did lack a bit of protein and perhaps a bit more thought could go into this aspect. There were also several different puddings for non-vegans, but really only a fruit salad otherwise. But none of that detracts from the great time that we had :-), thank you.

It was such an awesome weekend… everyone was very supportive and friendly. The event team work so hard to ensure a smooth run event that is relaxed and great fun and as comfortable as a 3 day trail run can be. Certainly one to add to your calendar

An absolutely fabulous event. So well organised during the actual event and the pick ups/drop offs to train stations/alternative accommodation etc. Food is amazing, evening guest speakers engaging. Everybody is just so nice and try their best with any requests. They really go the extra mile to make it special.

Had the best time over 3 challenging days. Neil and his team are all – every one of them – amazing Cannot wait to do it all again in 2024 Karen

Brilliant event. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to complete the course but the crew were AMAZING and made me feel so welcome. Best event I have ever attended.

Incredible support staff throughout the weekend.

Wowza, what an outstanding weekend. First ever XNRG event, so had no idea what to expect. Definitely the friendliest, most all-embracing endurance event I’ve done by a country mile. Organisation and support crew and food and aid stations all superb. And the competitors? Well I had such a laugh, and made so many new friends, which says it all. Btw, the Ridgeway is beautiful, especially in Autumn. Who’d have known?

This a was my 9th Druids Challenge and probably the muddiest yet! The event never disappoints and the XNRG organisation and atmosphere is second to none. I’ll be back again next year fro number 10!

A superb well organised event. The crew looked after all our needs. The scenic courses, checkpoints, overnight facilities and catering could not be faulted.

My second event with the team this year and I’m already looking forward to the next one. Everyone is really supportive and the atmosphere is inclusive, being new to this sport it could feel daunting but the team make you feel at ease, they just want you to enjoy to weekend and that is clear from the initial communications through to when you’re met at the finish line. The food was excellent and especially as specific dietary requirements are catered for at all stages, meals and check points. Fantastic event, highly recommend it to runners of all abilities and experience. It was also nice to have the talks on the Saturday evening. Thank you again for a great weekend!

Completed numerous events with XNRG and can’t stop. Fantastic people can’t fault any of the event. Definitely recommend to anyone wanting a challenging weekend.

Just returned from the most excellent Druids challenge. XNRG are one of my favourite event organisers. The most dedicated and amazing team, nothing is too much bother. Beautiful routes, well stocked checkpoints and showers at the finish. What more could you ask for?

Great event. Very inclusive for different speeds. Pick up / drop off at railway station very good. Always friendly and welcoming. Good check points with very helpful staff. Very good value for what you get. A large range of paces with staggered starts. If you are thinking about giving a multiday a go give it a go – you are very unlikely to regret your decision! One final thing despite being on the ‘Ridgeway’ it is not’ridgy’ anywhere so never any drops or anything like that – makes for a more social atmosphere as you can often be two abreast if you fancy some random chats! DB

Thank you to all the XNRG team for organising another awesome Druids weekend. The lovely family atmosphere and helpful volunteers ensures the runners can concentrate on running. Everything is provided, great checkpoints, tasty breakfasts, and wonderful filling evening meals. The run along the Ridgeway is spectacular with just the right amount of challenge, followed each day with warm showers and safe warm overnight accommodation. I can wholeheartedly recommend this event and am looking forward to next year.

Xnrg are superb at what they do. Family run and great atmosphere / comradery. Fantastic event the Druids as are all if their events. A few of the reasons some of us keep coming back year after year.

This is far and away my favourite trail event and I do all or part of it every year! Neil, Anna and the team make you feel like a part from the family, right from the briefing through to the final finish picking up a medal. Their attention to detail and experience means that you get all the important bits you need (like well stocked aid stations with real food not just protein bars!!), a gorgeous well marked route with plenty of challenge, and a great atmosphere in the overnight stay. The overnights are all indoors so there’s no worry about exposure but you still get the experience of camping. It’s excellent value for the event, especially when you compare it to other events on the same route. And although it’s definitely a test, I would say it’s great for ultra beginners – each day is only a little more than a marathon. Great practice for bigger multidayers like MdS. Every time I go there I’m taken care of from the minute I get there to the minute I leave. As long as Druids is running I’ll be running it!

Fantastic event! Beautiful route, great atmosphere, and very well organised. A massive thanks to the XNRG team and all of the other runners 🙂

First multi-day event, participating as a lone female. Brilliant weekend, friendly and supportive staff, and a real camaraderie between runners (from all abilities). No feel of elitism, and everyone was made to feel equal. Separate female toilets/changing rooms/showers each night and felt very safe throughout. Check point crews were brilliant: consistent, supportive and encouraging. Really would recommend XNRG in a heartbeat – made for a great experience