Ultra X 125 England

Ultra X 125 England is our first UK race, set in the beautiful and challenging Peak District National Park. This two day event has 4,349m of elevation and follows the familiar Ultra X 125 format, being 125km over two stages. There is also the opportunity for runners to take on the “Sunday only” 50km (Ultra X 50 England) as a single-stage race – a more accessible option for first-time ultra runners.

However, do not make the mistake of underestimating this course. While the Peak District would not be described as mountainous, there is a lot elevation due to the constantly rolling terrain. The course takes runners through some of the most challenging parts of the Dark Peak area of the Peak District National Park and some of the well-known beauty spots, like the spa towns of Castleton, and famous peaks, such as Kinder Scout.

Pilgrim Challenge – XNRG

Like many races, XNRG have had to adapt to the ongoing Covid-19 situation in order to hold the Pilgrim Challenge in 2021. However, they are persevering to ensure the twelth edition can go ahead.

Set-up in part to offer training races for the growing contingent of MDS participants from the UK, XNRG offer a series of no-fuss, multi-stage trail races. The team take care of accommodation, food, and all the little bits so that contestants can focus on the running.

Many competitors come back to race the following year due to the unique community feel of the race and you can expect the 2021 edition to be no different. A great option for a first multi-stage event.

North Downs Way 100 – Centurion Running

There are many Centurion Running events to choose from, but the North Downs Way 100 was the original and perhaps the best. The route takes you from Farnham in Surrey all the way down to Ashford in Kent. This non-stop 100 miler has plenty of aid stations along the way, meaning that, whilst you can bring along a crew, you definitely do not need one.

Race Director James Elson started the Centurion Running series in 2011, having realised there were not enough ultra marathon races for the number of runners in the area, and looking to bring some of the aspects from the more established US trail running scene across the pond. The race attracts top runners with Mark Darbyshire holding the men’s record in an impressive 15:18:41 and Debbie Martin-Consani holding the women’s record in a speedy 18:34:54. Overall, NDW100 is a hugely popular race that will sell out in minutes, definitely a must-do experience for every UK based ultra runner.

Endure24

Many events now claim to be the “Glastonbury for Runners” but Endure24 was definitely the first to do so and probably the best. As the name suggests, Endure24 is a 24 hour solo or team relay race run over a looped 5 mile trail over private country estates, now with a south and a north version.

All kinds of runners take on this race, with no pressure to run any further than you want. There will be those who run 100 miles, and those who run 5. Solo runners can join the elite Endure24 100 Mile Club by completing 20 laps within the 24 hour time limit. While for those doing it for a fun day out, there is a huge community feel with group yoga and all the beer in the world to tempt you away from the course at base camp.

It’s undoubtedly a good first step for many a budding runner looking to take on their first ultra. One to put in the diary.

Grand Union Canal Race

The Grand Union Canal Race is one of the UK’s original ultras. The race takes you 233km down the Grand Union Canal towpath, from the heart of Birmingham to Little Venice in central London. This makes the race an easy to navigate and flat route.

Certainly not the most beautiful race in the UK but the GUCR deserves a mention having become an institution of British ultra running where participants can expect a bit of “old school”.

For such a long race, its £60 entry fee (which equals a mere 26p per km) makes it without doubt one of the best value-for-money ultra marathons out there. Just make sure you complete the course in under the 45 hour cut-off time.

Self-Transcendence 24 Hour Track Race

Popularly known as Tooting 24 and first held in 2000, the Self-Transcendence 24 Hour Track Race attracts around 40 people each year. This race is not known for its beautiful scenery, you will not be running through one of Britain’s many areas of outstanding natural beauty but around a 400m running track in south London. This is not the reason we like it so much though.

The race was started by followers of the late Indian spiritual teacher Sri Chinmoy, who believed that running was integral to a spiritual life. This is a personal one, a battle against your self instead of others.

How far will you go? You have 24 hours to find out.

Special Mention: Bob Graham, Paddy Buckley, and Charlie Ramsey Rounds

British ultra running is perhaps most famed internationally not for its races, but for its “Big Rounds” – the Bob Graham, the Paddy Buckley, and the Charlie Ramsay.

These are grand, circular tours of the Lake District, Snowdonia, and Lochaber, respectively, where those brave enough will attempt to “tag” all of the peaks as fast as possible. Each of the three rounds is presented as a 24 hour challenge, or a week-long backpacking circuit, with none for the faint-hearted.

The Bob Graham is the best known — a 42 peak loop starting and finishing in Keswick — and gained widespread attention in 2018 when world famous ultra runner Killian Jornet broke a 25 year old record to complete the challenge in a mind boggling 12 hours 52 minutes! Despite the rise in popularity of the challenges, we can’t see this one being broken for a very, very long time.