Global Challenge Events - Support Encephalitis International
Your support is needed now more than ever, and we so appreciate your help in raising funds for our vital work.
From all the Encephalitis International team – thank you for considering a global challenge event in support of encephalitis international. Good luck with whatever you choose for your fundraiser. Please keep in touch as we’d love to hear about your progress and support you in any way we can.
If you have any questions, please get in touch with our Fundraising Team.
Tough Mudder
Tough Mudder creates hardcore obstacle courses designed to test your all around strength, stamina, and mental grit. With the most innovative courses and millions of participants worldwide to date, it is the premier challenge series in the world. This isn’t just an event – It’s a calling. Do you have what it takes?
Date: Various
Location: Various, UK
The Great North Run
The AJ Bell Great North Run is the world’s biggest and best half marathon, with 60,000 runners taking on the 13.1 mile route from Newcastle to South Shields each year. It’s famous for its inclusive atmosphere, unbeatable on-route entertainment, and warm Geordie welcome.
Date: 7 September 2025
Location: Newcastle, UK
EMAIL US TO FIND OUT WHEN OUR 2025 CHARITY PLACES ARE AVAILABLE: fundraising@encephalitis.info
The Great South Run
The AJ Bell Great South Run is probably the world’s favourite 10 mile running event (plus there’s also a 5k option), with inspiring history, salty air and glorious sea views guaranteed. Portsmouth’s supporters will keep your spirits and motivation up the whole way round, with blaring music, cheers, high fives, fist bumps all part of the incredible AJ Bell Great South Run experience.
Date: October 2025
Location: Portsmouth, UK
EMAIL US TO FIND OUT WHEN OUR 2025 CHARITY PLACES ARE AVAILABLE: fundraising@encephalitis.info
The Great Scottish Run
With a city centre start and finish, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run is a celebration of everything that is great about Glasgow: inspiring urban architecture, green spaces, history, music, strength, spirit and, of course, great people, personality and humour. Thousands take part in the half marathon or 10k running event each year.
Date: 5 October 2025
Location: Glasgow, UK
EMAIL US TO FIND OUT WHEN OUR 2025 CHARITY PLACES ARE AVAILABLE: fundraising@encephalitis.info
The Great North Swim
Choose from six different open water swimming distances to suit all ages, abilities, and level of experience. Whether you’re looking to get fit, improve your time, soak up some nature or raise money for charity, you‘ll be part of an amazing collective experience - guaranteed. The UK’s biggest open water swimming event.
Date: 13-15 June 2025
Location: Windermere, UK
EMAIL US TO FIND OUT WHEN OUR 2025 CHARITY PLACES ARE AVAILABLE: fundraising@encephalitis.info
Cotswold Way Ultra Challenge - Run or Walk
Our Cirencester basecamp is the start of the 100km looped route through the heart of the Cotswolds, providing a stunning setting for 2,000 adventurers to test themselves.
75km, 50km and 25km options also available.
Date: 21-22 June 2025
Location: Cirencester, Gloucestershire, UK
Peak District Ultra Challenge - Run or Walk
Our base camp hub in idyllic Bakewell will welcome over 2,000 adventurers who will test themselves in the fabulous Peak District National Park. A full 100km Challenge which takes a tough & varied figure of 8 route through Derbyshire’s finest scenery.
75km, 50km, 25km and 10mile options also available.
Date: 28-29 June 2025
Location: Bakewell, Derbyshire, UK
North Downs 50 Ultra Challenge - Run or Walk
We’re back on the North Downs with a fabulous challenge setting out from our Guilford basecamp, and a looped 50km route that takes in some of the best of the Surrey hills, the North Downs Way.
25km and 10km options also available.
Date: 12 July 2025
Location: Guildford, Surrey, UK
South West Coast 50 Ultra Challenge - Run or Walk
A fantastic ‘South West’ summer challenge – taking in the first Minehead section of the famous 630 mile Coastal Path, and with an extensive ‘basecamp’ in the shadows of the impressive Dunster Castle. The 50km loop then heads over Exmoor with ups & downs with over 1600m of climb.
25km and 10km options also available.
Date: 2 August 2025
Location: Dunster, Somerset, UK
South Coast Ultra Challenge - Run or Walk
The South Downs National Park is a superb backdrop to take on a real challenge. An Eastbourne start, up Beachy Head, the magnificent Seven Sisters, and along the South Downs Way.
50km and 25km options also available.
Date: 6-7 September 2025
Location: Eastbourne, East Sussex, UK
Thames Path Ultra Challenge - Run or Walk
Over 3000 adventurers will join the Putney Bridge start, and the full 100km route heads upstream to Henley along the famous Towpath and through Richmond, Hampton Court, Runnymede and Windsor.
75km, 50km and 25km options also available.
Date: 13-14 September 2025
Location: London, UK
Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge - Run or Walk
Spectacular World Heritage coastline. A start in Corfe Castle, the route heads down to Swanage, and along through Lulworth Cove, past Durdle Door, with ups & downs to Weymouth halfway. For full 100km challengers, it’s past Portland Bill, Chesil Beach, and on to West Bay.
75km, 50km, 25km and 10km options also available.
Date: 17-18 May 2025
Location: Wareham, Dorset, UK
Thames Bridge Trek
Setting out from Putney Bridge we head East towards the City, zig-zagging over 16 historic bridges – each with its own fascinating story – and a mid-point rest stop at The Oval Cricket Ground for some snacks & drinks.
Date: 13 September 2025
Location: London, UK
Isle of Wight Ultra Challenge - Run or Walk
Great challenges need great settings – and few are better than the Island’s stunning coastal path. It’s along the spectacular southern cliffs, past the iconic Needles, and up to historic Cowes at the halfway stop.
Date: 3-4 May 2025
Location: Chale, Isle of Wight, UK
Lake District Ultra Challenge - Run or Walk
Take on England’s finest countryside at your own pace. The Ultra Challenge basecamp is in Kendal, and then it’s a 100km anticlockwise loop taking in a couple of tough hills, the Garburn Pass, historic Ambleside and Lake Windermere.
50km, Marathon, 25km and 10km options also available.
Date: 7-8 June 2025
Location: Kendal, UK
London 2 Brighton Ultra Challenge - Run or Walk
Richmond-Upon-Thames is the start, and it’s over the North Downs with wonderful Surrey & Sussex countryside to half way at Turners Hill. The full 100 km route heads over the South Downs before the welcome sight of the Brighton coastline comes in to view.
75km, Half Marathon and 25km options also available.
Date: 24-25 May 2025
Location: London, UK
Chiltern 50 Ultra Challenge - Run or Walk
End of season 50km looped challenge in some of the Chilterns finest countryside, with historic trails, and fantastic views.
25km and 10km options also available.
Date: 27 September 2025
Location: Henley, Oxfordshire, UK
Big Sur International Marathon
The Big Sur International Marathon is a point-to-point course run on scenic CA Highway 1 from Big Sur to Carmel. Towering redwoods, crashing waves, coastal mountains and verdant pastures are featured on this bucket list course. The centrepiece of the course is the iconic Bixby Bridge where you’ll enjoy the unique site and sound of a tuxedo-wearing concert pianist playing a piano.
The Big Sur Marathon has a six hour time limit and with the compact field size of 4,500 runners places are in high demand – don’t miss out.
Date: 27 April 2025
Location : Big Sur, California, USA
SuperHalfs - Cardiff Half Marathon
Since it was founded in 2003, the Cardiff Half Marathon has established itself as one of the UK’s leading road races and one of the biggest events in Europe. Part of the coveted SuperHalfs Series, the iconic route takes in all of the city’s most famous landmarks including Cardiff Bay, the Civic Centre and Cardiff Castle.
Date: 6 October 2024
Location : Cardiff, UK
SuperHalfs - Valencia Half Marathon
Awarded the title of the best half marathon in Spain, by the Royal Spanish Athletics Federation, this city centre course winds its way through the beautiful streets of Valencia, as well as the Maritime Quarter. As well as being named the best, it’s also the country’s fastest half marathon. Part of the famous SuperHalfs Series.
Date: 27 October 2024
Location: Valencia, SPAIN
Athens Marathon 2024
History brought to life; the Athens Marathon is the original marathon finishing in the legendary stadium where the first Olympic games of the modern era took place in 1896. The route boasts such famous heritage sites as the Marathon Tomb and attracts runners from all over the world to be part of history. An unmissable experience.
Date: 10 November 2024
Location: Athens, GREECE
Valencia Marathon
Unleash your personal best at the Valencia Marathon Trinidad Alfonso — the world’s third fastest marathon! With an unbeatable circuit, optimal weather (12-17 degrees), and the breathtaking backdrop of the city of Arts and Sciences, this marathon is a standout event on the global stage. It also has one of the most stunning finish lines in the world.
Date : 1 December 2024
Location : Valencia, SPAIN
Honolulu Marathon
With a large part of the course following the magnificent Pacific coastline and no time limit on the race, Honolulu Marathon has mass popularity with runners of all abilities. Honolulu runners will end their marathon in Kapiolani Park near the volcanic crater, Diamond Head, with an unforgettable award ceremony, and nearly 50,000 spectators in attendance. Expect fireworks, celebratory vibes and pure Aloha Spirit.
Date : 8 December 2024
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
SuperHalfs - 2024 Event Series 2024
The world-renowned SuperHalfs Half Marathon Series sees runners take on six spectacular, destination half marathons for the chance to get their hands on the coveted SuperHalfs medal and enter the SuperHalfs Hall of Fame. The epic events in the Series take place in Berlin, Cardiff, Copenhagen, Lisbon, Prague and Valencia.
The new SuperCharity Voucher means you can run the entire series for the causes that need it most – all you have to do is commit to raise the series fundraising target and pay a fully refundable holding deposit to secure your entries!
Date: Various
Location: Various
Miami Marathon
This famous US course takes runners on a breathtaking journey, weaving through palm-lined avenues, alongside shimmering turquoise waters, and past iconic landmarks like the magnificent Port of Miami. With entertainment throughout, the Life Time Miami Marathon is not just a race, but an immersive experience. It’s also a Boston Marathon qualifier event.
Date: 2 February 2025
Location : Miami, USA
SuperHalfs - Lisbon Half Marathon
Portugal’s biggest running event and part of the SuperHalfs Series, 27,000 runners flock to Portugal’s capital every year for the EDP Lisbon Half Marathon and Vodafone 10k. Having taken place for over thirty years, the course follows the shores of the River Tagus. A particularly famous part of the course traverses the iconic bridge (Ponte 25 de Abril) giving you spectacular and unbeatable views of Lisbon.
Date: 9 March 2025
Location: Lisbon, PORTUGAL
SuperHalfs - Prague Half Marathon
Part of the SuperHalfs series, the Prague Half Marathon is an unforgettable race due to its stunning scenery including Prague Castle, the National Theatre, Vyšehrad Castle and the Rudolfinum Concert Hall, but also because of its inclusivity. The event’s motto is ‘ALL RUNNERS ARE BEAUTIFUL’ and that is reflected in the varied field of runners who take part every year.
Date: 5 April 2025
Location : Prague, CZECH REPUBLIC
SuperHalfs - Berlin Half Marathon
One of the world’s most iconic and beloved half marathons, the GENERALI BERLIN HALF MARATHON takes place at the beginning of April each year. Part of the SuperHalfs Half Marathon Series, the race takes runners through the German capital with a flat course offering great opportunities for PBs, ideal for beginners and elite runners alike. This one is always a sell-out, get your charity place now. Don’t miss this exhilarating city half.
Date: 6 April 2025
Location: Berlin, GERMANY
Wizz Air Milano Marathon
The Wizz Air Milano Marathon - the fastest marathon in Italy - is the perfect setting for a personal best or just an amazing route for those looking to run through extraordinary architecture! This flat, city centre course starts and finishes in the beautiful setting of Piazza del Duomo with more than 20 cheering points to keep you motivated throughout. Expect a state-of-the-art running festival and a course-wide party atmosphere as the city takes to the streets to cheer on more than 10,000 runners.
Date: 6 April 2025
Location: Milan, ITALY
Schneider Electric Marathon De Paris
The Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris offers a unique opportunity to traverse this iconic French city and experience the breath-taking architecture across 7 districts and more than 40 attractions. Now one of the biggest marathons in the world, tens of thousands of runners take on this epic course including landmark sights like the Champs Elysées, the Bois de Vincennes, Notre Dame and the Arc de Triomphe. Run for charity through the French capital's most famous avenues and plazas at the Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris. A destination marathon not to be missed.
Date: 13 April 2025
Location : Paris, FRANCE
SuperHalfs - Copenhagen Half Marathon
Established in 2015 and part of the coveted SuperHalfs Series, Copenhagen Half Marathon has quickly become one of Europe’s must-run races. Known as a world record course, it can be enjoyed by runners of all levels with its flat, wide and traffic-free course, traversing famous sights such as The Parliament Christiansborg and The Black Diamant.
Date: 15th September 2024
Location: Copenhagen, DENMARK
Irish Life Dublin Marathon
With its iconic route past Dublin’s most famous landmarks, a relatively flat course and optimum running temperatures, the Irish Life Dublin Marathon is unmissable. Known as the Friendly Marathon, it’s an unbeatable atmosphere with over 20,000 runners taking to the course and thousands of spectators to cheer you on.
Date: 27 October 2024
Location: Dublin, IRELAND
SOLD OUT - Check back for 2025 information