Ultra X was founded with the aim of making multi-day racing accessible to all. Whilst this includes removing barriers to participation and demonstrating that anyone is capable of running a multi-stage ultra marathon, the simplest way we can make these experiences more attainable is to make them more affordable.

We therefore pride ourselves in offering registration fees that are generally one third (or less) of the price of our competitors. We do everything we can to reduce this cost in order to extend the opportunity to more runners. That said, race entry is just one of the costs associated with taking part in these life changing events and we wanted to find out just how cheaply a 250 km 5-day multi-stage could be done. Chris, Ultra X Operations Manager, put it to the test.

Overview

First things first, it’s worth addressing the above figure: £1,850. Still sounds like a lot, right? However, it’s worth putting this into perspective. This cost covers everything required for what is effectively an all-inclusive 9 day holiday, including: flights, travel insurance, a week’s worth of accommodation and food, and running kit that will last well beyond this race… and that’s all before you factor in the epic running adventure that it’s all about.

What’s more, considering there are other multi-stage races out there of a very similar format that charge upwards of £4,000 for entry alone (AND they’ll make you carry your own food and supplies around), £1,850 all-in starts to sound like the bargain it really is.

Although ultra running can (if you let it) become a very expensive hobby, you don’t have to remortgage your home to take part in multi-stage events. By shopping around for the specialist equipment required and utilising the kit you already have as a runner, you can save a lot of unnecessary expense.

Note: the list below is not intended to be a replicable formula that can be copied to achieve the same cost. Some items were bought well in advance or during a sale, so the cost may no longer be the same. The below simply demonstrates that, with some forward planning and savvy purchasing, a multi-stage ultra marathon can be done for less than £1,850. Further, all of the items were purchased by me. None were provided as sponsorship or for advertisement purposes.

Race entry

Registration fee | Ultra X Jordan – £995.00

Red Bull described Ultra X Jordan as “probably the best value multi-day supported ultra you’ll find”, which says it all really. At £995, there are similar races which cost in excess of four times this amount. What’s more, the entry fee includes a lot: accommodation for the week, transfers to/from the desert, world class medical and expedition safety support, digital photographs (the worst add-on, let’s face it), a finishers medal, and more.

Further, if you enter as a team of 3 or more (no, you aren’t obliged to run together), the price is reduced to just £890. If there’s a better priced 5-day multi-stage ultra marathon out there, I don’t know about it.

Race admin

Flights | London (UK) to Amman (Jordan) – £305.18

Insurance | Dogtag – £155.00

While the risk of serious injury during multi-stage ultramarathons is very low, these are extreme endurance challenges and most organisers will require insurance. Requirements aside, insurance is a good idea to cover for race cancellations, loss of items, or injury during the build-up to the event.

Make sure you get a policy which covers ultra marathon trail running. Some of the companies we recommend include Dogtag, ITRA Insurance, and the British Mountaineering Council. If you’re a frequent face at these events (or plan on being one) it’s worth taking out an annual policy, as it will often cost only slightly more than single trip cover.

Pre/post-race accommodation | Amman Airport Hotel – £96.00

Nutrition and hydration

One of the biggest expenses of any holiday is keeping yourself fed and watered. Multi-stage ultra marathon adventure holidays are no different. Some self-supported races require competitors to carry all of their own food and equipment for the week, thereby encouraging participants to purchase expensive lightweight food substitutes (whilst also shaving inches off their toothbrushes) to save on weight.

However, Ultra X events are supported. We’ll transport your overnight bag between campsites each day, giving you more freedom in what food you choose to purchase. That said, weight restrictions do still apply (you can leave the camp bed at home), so dehydrated food is recommended.

Food | Summit to Eat – £130.55

The food you purchase is highly specific – both in taste and volume requirements. It’s also something you’ll want to test out before the race to make sure you can stomach it. Fortunately, some companies offer sample packets, which you can purchase at a fraction of the full price and test out. The price between brands also varies a lot, so there’s an opportunity to save some money here.

Once you’ve calculated your calorie requirements, use a wholesaler (such as Base Camp Food) to compare brands – not just on pricing but also on calorie content. I went with Summit to Eat not just because they’re one of the cheapest but also because they offer the highest calorie-to-weight ratio, meaning you’re getting more food for your money. Check out our review of vegan freeze-dried food options as an example of what’s out there (the brands reviewed also offer non-vegan options).

Hydration and snacks | High5 – £25.00

Whether you’re racing in the desert or the rainforest. drinking just water won’t cut it. You will need to take on electrolytes and possibly get some extra energy boosts from gels and snacks. Once again though, this doesn’t necessarily mean purchasing top-of-the-range energy bars. Make sure you test them on your stomach (whilst running – sipping gels on the sofa doesn’t count), but don’t spend extra money on an area where it’s not needed.

I went with High5 for both my electrolyte and caffeine gel requirements as they’re generally a cheaper option. By bulk buying during a sale, I managed to get all my electrolyte and energy boosters for £25 (and my calorie requirements were generally on the higher side). If you’re feeling extra thrifty, you can even make your own flapjacks/power bars at home.

Kit and equipment

Aside from food, kit is the next most personal purchase. Depending on your experience, it’s likely you will have many of the items below. However, for the purposes of this article, let’s pretend you’re a runner but a first-time ultra runner. If you’ve never ran an ultra before, these items are the minimum you will need.

The message here is, once again: don’t be a sucker for advertising. If you’re on a budget, you don’t need the most expensive kit out there. Further, whilst there are certainly additional hyper-technical items that may make the experience more comfortable (coming soon: t-shirts that wick away sweat and filter it into drinking water, and socks that actually pop blisters as they form), they are far from necessary.

Hydration pack | Salomon ADV Skin 12 Set – £60.00

Gaiters | Raidlight Desert – £31.50

Headtorch | Ledlenser NEO4 – £24.95

Hat | Raidlight Sahara Cap – £20.70

Sunglasses | Siroko KS3 London – £20.00

Jacket | Gelert Stormlite 5000 – £16.99

Buff | Ultra X Multi-Functional Headwear – £4.99

Kit you already have | Tops, Shorts, Socks, Shoes – £0.00 (additional cost)

The astute reader may have noticed there are basic items required for running that aren’t listed above: t-shirt, shorts, shoes, and the like. As stated before, although there are clothing items tailored to each running environment out there, they don’t have to be bought. The moisture wicking t-shirt you wear on your weekend long run will do fine (though you may need some nipple tape for the long shifts), as are your shorts, socks, and undershorts (if you’re that kind of runner).

One item that you might consider buying new is a pair of running shoes. Technology has come a long way and there are now even shoes that will apparently do 4% of the running for you. However, for multi-stage ultras, comfort is without doubt your biggest consideration.

Whether you need a new pair or not will depend somewhat on how knackered your current pair are and somewhat on the terrain of your race. Although Ultra X Jordan takes place in the desert, much of the terrain is hard-packed sand and the soles of your shoes are less important than the gaiters above them (both road and trail shoes will suffice). I decided not to purchase a new pair and they survived the week and many more miles after. It is worth bearing in mind that your feet will probably swell when ultra running, so if you are treating yourself to some new tyres for the big dance, then buying a half or full size bigger than you’re used to is advised.

Conclusion

So, what’s the damage? The total cost of the above is £1,849.86. (You may also require other sundry items such as vaseline and sun cream but these haven’t been included due to their low cost).

This number may still sound like a big whack and it is – as a lump sum. But remember, with Ultra X you only need to pay a £300 deposit upon registering. The remaining balance is due two months before the race, so you can pay in instalments. Test your kit gradually and you can further spread out the cost. The life-changing experience of a multi-stage ultra does not have to break the bank.

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