NOTE! This site uses cookies and similar technologies. If you continue without changing your settings, we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies from this website.
Running a marathon is hard, lets not pretend otherwise, but to really test your mettle in the world of running these days, the only way to go is ultra. An ultra distance race is anything over a standard marathon in length and they usually start at 50km.
If you’re thinking about improving your bragging status in the office here’s a list of some of the toughest trail races in the UK. By the way, all of the following give you qualifying points for the daddy of trail races; The Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc.
SDW 100
Centurion Running South Downs Way 100
Photo: Centurionrunning.com
Cycling across the 100 miles of bridleway on the South Downs way is a fair challenge in itself. How’s about running it in one hit?
centurionrunning.com
Hardmoors 110
Hardmoors 110 Ultra
Photo: hardmoors.org.uk
This 110 mile race circles the North Yorkshire Moors following the Cleveland Way trail and must be completed in 36 hours.
hardmoors110.org.uk
Thames Gateway 100
Thames Gateway 100
The closest route to London still provides some surprisingly challenging terrain taking in parts of the Kent Downs as well as the simple matter of 100 miles of running through fields and towns to the South of London.
Www.ultra-trails.com
Ring O Fire
Ring O Fire
The 2012 had some celebrity starters
A 135 mile monster of a race that circumnavigates the island of Anglesey off the coast of North Wales. Don’t worry though, it’s split into three stages meaning a trifling average of 45 miles of running each day.
www.ringofire.co.uk
West Highland Way Race
West Highland Way Race
The West Highland Way Route into Glen Coe. Photo: jkynaston on Flickr
The classic walking path, just a little bit quicker. Entrants have to tackle the 95 mile course and nearly 15,000 feet of ascent in 35 hours or less.
westhighlandwayrace.org
The Fellsman
The Fellsman
Wet feet and a 60 mile run... Photo: Tim Burton Photography / The North Face
61 miles of North Yorkshire Dales and 11,000 feet of ascent mark this one out. As does the stunning group atmosphere from competitors- some are simply there to hike the route.
Find out what it's like to race the Fellsman herewww.fellsman.org.uk
Lakeland 100
Lakeland 100
One of the biggest names in UK ultra running. The route takes in a classic course weaving through the stunning Lake District.
here's a video of what to expect.
www.lakeland100.com
The Spine Race
The Spine Race
The Spine Race- Not easy. Photo: thespinerace.com
An absolute monster of a race that takes on the Pennine Way in mid-winter. The 268 mile race takes place over 7 days no matter what the weather- think snow drifts, icy northern winds and running in the dark.
thespinerace.com
The Dragons Back
The Dragons Back
This legendary race has only been held twice (once in 1992, and again in 2012) but is now set to be a regular biannual fixture on the British ultra running scene. Runners cross the mountainous 300km length of Wales from Snowdonia down to the Brecon Beacons in five days.
www.dragonsbackrace.com
Bob Graham Round
Bob Graham Round
The route of the fearsome Lakeland running challenge.
The grand daddy of them all and the quintessential challenge for British mountain runners. This is less of a race, more of a self-supported, timed expedition for mountain runners. The route is only 66 miles but ticks off 27,000 feet of ascent over some of the toughest peaks in the Lake District.
www.bobgrahamclub.org.uk
The closest route to London still provides some surprisingly challenging terrain taking in parts of the Kent Downs as well as the simple matter of 100 miles of running through fields and towns to the South of London.
Www.ultra-trails.com
One of the biggest names in UK ultra running. The route takes in a classic course weaving through the stunning Lake District.
here's a video of what to expect.
www.lakeland100.com
