UK ULTRAS 2011
OK, you might be thinking it's a bit early to start worrying about next year, but with races filling up so soon now and friends being really inconsiderate by getting married and so forth it's becoming more and more important to plan ahead. You think it's really far away and then all of a sudden Ultra off-season (others call this "Christmas Day") is over. Don't let it take you by suprise.
I've tried to list all the events I know about in the UK plus some others abroad. Dates get more vague as the year goes on but will try to update when I find out. Anything you find out or I have missed then please let me know.
All UK ultra's (and pretty much all the ones in the world) are listed here at Ultramarathonrunning.com. Check it out.
January
The left turn on the Country to Capital AND the GUCR. Don't miss it...It had to be done I suppose, an ultra on new years day. The only one I know of is the Hardmoors 30 in the Yorkshire Moors. Look out for lots of races up there this year. Or why not start the year with a well rehearsed classic from the LDWA, the Winter Tanners on Sunday 9th. Last time it was "officially" cancelled due to some fluffy white stuff but many hardy souls went and did it anyway. Beautiful scenery sunshine or snow. January tends to be a month of simple flat races to blow out the cobwebs and our canals and rivers are the hosts of such events. First up is the Country to Capital from Go Beyond on the 15th. 45 miles from Wendover to Little Venice. The first half is off road and you are sure to get lost a bit, the second half is along the Grand Union Canal and you'd do well to get lost here. Just make sure you turn left 13 miles from the end. You can then double the mileage the following weekend (22/23rd) by attempting Rory Coleman's ULTRArace90, first day 45 miles from Northampton to Tring, second day the reverse. If you only fancy half of it then don't panic, there is a special T-shirt for that. Sunday 23rd also has the Gloucester 50k, flat and fast and with a top field.
New event on the Yorkshire Moors is the great sounding Frostbite 50. "Likely to be snowy, uneven and with steep ascents". From a new company (to me anyway) called AdventureHub they are promising 6 ultras in the UK this year with details TBC. Wilmot Wander in Derbyshire Sunday 30th
Feburary
Feburary starts with a clash of 2 great events, something that ultra runners in the UK are having to deal with more and more, not that I am complaning, the choice nowadays is incredible. Go Beyond take to the river this time and run from Oxford to Henley along the Thames in the Thames Trot on the 5th. On the same weekend there is a great 2-day event which I did last year from XNRG along the North Downs. The Pilgrims Challenge is 33 miles each day along a beautiful course allowing many to train for the Marathon Des Sables in true British style, by wading around in the mud for hours. Checkpoints are well stocked and there is an accomodation option too. It's a tough call, I've heard only great things about the Thames Trot and I know the Pilgrims is a brilliant weekend.
Sunday 13th the Devils Punchbowl 30, a fantastic LDWA event in Surrey. Sunday 20th it's the London Ultra from Rory again, a 50k path along the Capital Ring from Streatham to Wembley. Endurance Life have added an Ultra category to their amazing coastal marathon series on the 19th they have one in South Devon. Perhaps you can get back from that in time to run during the night in the Moonlight Challenge, 32 miles of a 6 mile loop in Kent. On Saturday 26th and all for £9 (with LDWA Membership) you can run the Winter Poppyline 51 miles in Norfolk.
March 
Pilgrims Challenge - just like the MDS
5th and 6th March is the ULTRArace Grantham, 29 miles each day along the Grantham canal. March 12th Wye Valley ultra, 50 miles in wales from Might Contain Nuts. The Deeside Way Ultra 33 on the 19th is the first is the SUMS series. The Hardmoors 55 is also on the 19th, with the full 110 to be run in June. 20th you have the Wiggle Lightning 12hr run in the Malvern Hills somewhere. See how many 10k loopsyou can do in 12 hours or you can cheat and recruit other runners to help you.
Not strictly an ultra but hard enough to be mentioned is the Jurassic Coast Challenge, 3 marathons in 3 days along the beautiful (but brutal) Jurassic coast starting 25th. If you'd prefer to do it all in one go, wait a few weeks. There will be a large contigent of Brits heading off to France for the Eco-Trail de Paris on the 26th. A nice and hilly 80k of road jaunt from the outskirts of Paris to the Eiffel tower, but you don't stop there. The finish line is in the tower itself, 336 steps upwards. You'll be dragging yourself with your arms by the end.
April
Not many ultras are more than 50 years old, though lots of ultra runners are more than 50 years old. Perhaps the longest current ultra in the UK is the Four Inns Walk. Looks stunning and easy to see why it's been going on for so long, 44 miles along the moors in Derbyshire. Another Canal option (you can never have too many) is the Glasgow to Edinburgh Ultra on the 9th, one of this year's SUMS (Scottish Ultra Marathon Series, I think there would be one for Britain. BUMS?). 55 miles along a canal with a great view of the Falkirk Wheel. 
The Sun Sets at the start of the ONEROn the 10th in Ireland is the Connemarathon, celebrating it's 10th year. 39 miles of road and over 1000 people signed up already.
Obviously on the 17th you will probably be watching "The Marathon". But just in case you didn't get a place you can always put yourself up against one of the toughest UK events, the ONER. From the guys at VOTWO starting at 6pm on the 16th you will run the same course as the Jurassic Coast Challenge except that you won't stop. I did the last one and can confirm that it is both really enjoyable and also incredibly hard. Also very hard is Endurance Life's ultra race in Exmoor on the 16th. Also on the 16/17th is the Wellington Boot 100k from the LDWA whcih many use as training for the 100 miler in May and on the 17th the Coventry Way Challenge, 40 miles. The Compton Full Fat 40 is usually around Easter time so look out for that.
If you can get the time of work and if you just happen to be invincible you could have a crack at the JOGLEUltra from Rory. 15 days of double marathons across the 900 miles from John O Grats to Lands End. Only 3 of the 12 starters got to the end last time. 22nd April - 7th May.
Saturday 30th I have unfinished business in the Highland Fling. I DNF'ed this 53 miler along the West Highland Way from Millagavie (pronounced Mill-guy) to Tyndrum (pronounced Tin-Drum). Hilly, rocky and 300+ finishers last time, well worth doing. The Oxon 40 is a very popular event also on the Saturday. New from XNRG is the Pony Express Ultra, 60 miles in 2 days around the New Forest. 
Highland Fling in April
May
Now the calendar starts to get jammed. More daylight means more events and longer and harder too. 1st of May is probably the shortest "ultra" you could do, the Three Forts Marathon. Stunning 27 miles on the South Downs Way and as I recall great cake at the checkpoints. The first of the week long multi-day events in the UK is the Scottish Ultra on the Isle of Jura. I've only heard fantastic things about this one andalso that it is a real tough one, 140 miles over 5 days on mountain, beach, trail and forest on one of Scottlands most beautiful islands. Saturday 7th May there is the choice of the Malvern Hills Ultra 82 miles this year (cos the 52 last year was too easy) or the 50th running/walking of the Ridgeway 40 and the Keswick to Barrow walk (40 miles). You can obviously run the latter given that the course record is 3.59. Saturday 14th is the incredibly tough Fellsman. 60 miles, 11000ft climbing on rugged terrain in the Yorkshire Dales. There are not many 100k races in the UK, this distance is often seen as an ultra "standard" like 10k or a marathon. Here is a lovely one along the Anglesey coast from Adventure Hub again called the Welsh Ultra. Don't expect a PB in it though.Also you could see how far you can go in 24 hours in the Kent 24 hour challenge, starting Saturday. On Sunday 15th from those that brought you the Gloucester 50k there is now a 33 mile looped ultra in the Forest of Dean.
In Scotland and another race in the SUMS series is the Cateran Trail 55 on the 21st. Double up with the Cardiff Ultra 50 from Rory. Website says the route is "easy to follow" though UK ultra runners have a reputation for getting lost in phone boxes. We'll see.... Sometime in the middle of May there will be the Marlborough Downs Ultra, 33 miles in Wiltshire. 40 miles in the Brecons with Might Contain Nuts on the 21st.
Now then, The second bank holiday in May for me is always reserved for my favourite UK race, the Grand Union Canal Race. At 145 miles it is the longest non-stop race in the UK and I believe should be on every ultra-runners "to-do" list. On Saturday 28th you may be one of the lucky people to be lining up in Birmingham ready to take on the entire canal to London. I can't say enough great things about this race, go and see for yourself. On the same weekend the LDWA organise their 100 mile run/walk and this year it's in Shropshire and called The Houseman Hundred. Get in quick as it's getting more popular every year.
But if all that seems a bit long you could join loads of other Brits in the biggest Ultra in the world, Comrades in South Africa. 56 miles along road to contant crowd support. One day. 
After 140 miles the whole canal feels uphill.
June
Earlier than usual the Hardmoors 110 mile ultra is now on 3rd-5th. Now allowing unsupported runners who know what they are doing. On the 4th The Dartmoor Discovery is the last of the UK's "Classic" ultras after London to Brighton and the Two Bridges ceased. 32 miles of rolling roads. Don't bee fooled into thinking that this one is just "a bit harder" than a marathon. It isn't, believe me your calves will know about this afterwards. Go Beyond put on their Shires and Spires 35 mile ultra in Northampton on the 5th too
IN Ireland on the 11th an ultra option is added to the Moune Way Marathon though not sure how far it is. Fancy 100 laps with triathletes? If you are still reading then Enduroman who organise the Deca-Ironman and Arch to Arc events are putting on a 100 mile ultra on the 12th. Sometime that weekend the Long Eaton Running Club are celebrating their 25th anniversary with a 50 mile ultra around Derby.
Another "Must Do" for all UK ultrarunners is the West Highland Way race on the 18th. 95 miles and 4500m of elevation. This is held in very high regard by all those who have done it and is considered one of the hardest in Britain. Also on the 18th is the LDWA's Three Rings of Shap, 100k.
Another busy weekend, On Friday 24 the ULTRArace100 starts in Stratford and follows the roads of the Cotswolds. Challenge is to get it done in 24 hours. Saturday and Sunday you can run the 70 miles Around the Island (of Wight) with XNRG who put on a brilliant event, this is probably their hardest. Alternatively there is the Pathfinder Ultra, 46 miles. If that was not enough for 1 weekend then how about a race longer than these 3 combined? The Thames Ring takes in 250 miles of canal and river path, is only run every 2 years. You have 100 hours to complete and without any support bar the checkpoints every marathon.
The Classic Quarter Ultra returns on the 25th too, 44 miles of really brutal coastline from Lizard Point to Lands End. The 20 mile cut of is a massive 6 hours, you know you are in for a tough time. If you want to see how fast you can nail a flat road 50k then the Boddington 50k would be perfect. Expect some competition though. Also 3 days from the 24thr the South Down Way Challenge, taking in all 103 miles of the South Downs Way is a beautiful and challenging event from VOTWO.
On the 25th I would advise staying up and keeping an eye on the race to become the British No 1 ultra-runner (unless you were lucky enough to get into the Western States 100 yourself). Nick Clark, Jex Bragg and Ian Sharman will be taking on the other in the worlds most prestigious 100 miler in California USA. Expect them all to appear in the top 10, exactly where and in what order should be interesting to watch.
July
For some reason there seems to be a lack of activity here in July. I guess the prospect of running in 30 degrees is unbearable for some Brits. On the 2nd you can run the 33 miles and 4000ft of climb of the Osmotherley Pheonix ultra or the Exmoor Ultra, 40 miles along the South West coastal path with Adventure Hub. Loops of 7 miles off road. Otherwise head up to the Lake District and try to be the first to complete the 10 peaks challenge, last year 52 started and on one finished.
One minute you are running one of his races, the next you are posing starkers in his charity calendar. The Enigma Ultra 30 in Bletchley is a very ncie relaxig jaunt around a lake. On the 9th there is the spectacular South Downs Way Ultra, 103 miles along the spectacular national trail.
SUMS again and 40 miles of trails and nature reserves in the Clyde Stride on the 16th. On Sunday the 17th the organisers of one of my favourite marathons offers a 50k. The Fairlands Valley Ultra will run alongside the marathon and some shorter runs. Don't be put off by it's proximity to Stevenage, it is a lovely run with a BBQ at the end. Same weekend there is also the much loved Kent 50 mile challenge.
DAVOS
The Jack and Jill Downland Ultra in East Sussex is on the 24th. One assumes that you go up a hill in this 30 miler. Set to become perhaps the biggest ultra in the UK, the Lakeland 100 starts on Friday 29th at 6, you have until noon on Sunday to complete. Modelling itself on the UTMB the "Ultra Tour of the Lake District (UTLD)" swells in numbers every year and can lay a claim to being the toughest race here, 6300m of ascent is not far off it's Alpine equvalent. If you can't wait to get to the Alps you can join an every increasing British contingent who head to Davos and compete in it's multitude of races, from K78 to 0.5k.
Mainly aimed at teams but if you have no friends (likely if you are in to this kind of thing) you can try the 24 hour Thunder Run.
August
Here is a new one. 6th August the Round the Rock circles 48 miles of the channel island of Jersey. Or on the same day you could complete the 43 miles northern part of the West Highland Way in the Devil O The Highlands. Another one in the SUMS later in the month the Speyside Way Race, 35.5m.
On the 12th at Grimsthorpe Castles (Lincolnshire) is the 70 mile or 105 mile Grimsthorpe Ultra from Fat Feet.
New on the calendar is a series of races on the North Downs Way on the 13th. A choice of 100/50/26.2 miles along a stunning and very challenging section of one of our great national trails. Elevations of 12000ft/6000ft/2500ft this promises to be a great first event from Centurion Running and hopefully there will be more to come. Same weekend is the Salisbury 54321 that now includes a 50k. Very nice and not too challenging course but watch out as they tend to run out of arrows near the end.
And now for something completely different. There is to be an "Ultrafest" on aug 15th-22nd. The Lingfield Park Ultrafest really is a feast of ultrarunning, with a 6 day race, a 48 hours, 24 hour and a 100 mile walking race. And a marathon on each of the 6 days if you are looking to clock them up as fast as you can. THIS HAS BEEN CANCELLED
Ever crossed the Humber Bridge? (snigger). Well if you fancy doing that and seeing how many times you can in 12 hour then you need to enter Hell on the Humber starting 7pm on the 20th. Rory has a new event Ultrarace peaks - 40 miles of trail of the peak district and then right into the middle of Derby. You will certainly feel overdressed running through there.
The end of August there is bound to be a huge British contingent heading over to the Alps to run (but mostly walk and stagger) the Ultra Tour Du Mont Blanc (UTMB). Every year dozens of Brits head out to Chamonix to dress up like Frenchmen and scale the beautiful mountains in tights. On the same weekend is the Ridgeway 85 miler. The Ridgeway path is one of the oldest trails in the UK and was one of the many things the Romans did for us. On a good day it's beautiful and the hills (though not quite Alpine) can be very challenging. If you want an "easier" version of this then wait till November when you can run it in 3 days.
On the 27th the Northumberland Ultra takes in lots of moorland and hills of the Pennine Way.
September
2nd-4th September XNRG bring us the Toad Challenge which involves running the 90 or so miles of the Thames Path from Oxford to Walton on Thames. 50 mile Dingle Ultra in Ireland is the same weekend. The middle of September you'll get the chance to get horrificly lost trying to get to get from London to Brighton in a trail run - 56 miles. More canal action usually at the end of the month, from Stratford to Bourneville is the JW Ultra, 30 miles. Rumour of a double this time? 24 hours of Scotish trail head for the Glenmore 24 hour race on the 3rd.
Rory is putting on an Irish JOGLE equivalent, the M2M Ultra runs 346 miles in 11 days from 13th to the 24th from Malin Head to Mizen Head. While you are out there see if you can claim back some of that £7bn we just lent them.
The month will end with I hope the biggest ever UK assault on the Spartathlon. This race now fills up long before the deadline so get your qualifying race and entry forms done early. There were quite a few British women out there last year (including the winner and 3rd place) and it would be great to see them there again as well as some of the men who might give the leaders of this race something to worry about. You know who you are..
Atlantic Coast ChallengeThe Hardmoors 60 completes the 4 races in the Yorkshire Moors series on the 24th Sept. Usually at the end of September/early October VOTWO give us the Atlantic Coastal Challenge, 3 marathons in 3 days, similar to the Jurassic Coastal Challenge (though much less hilly but much rockier). Finishes in Land's End and a hot Cornish Pasty.
October
1st October there is the second running of the Round Rippon Ultra 35 from Go Beyond, Ideal for first timers. On the same day in Northern Ireland the Causeway Coast Ultra. Also early october look out for the Caesars Camp series. 30/50 or 100 miles of getting mocked by Henk. Many men do ultras as an excuse to wear tights, well you can have two reasons to do so by following the footsteps of Robin Hood in the Nottingham Ultra 50k on the 9th.
Another 100k around the Norfolk Coast with Adventure Hub on the 8th. Winning second prize in a beauty contest the Tooting Bec Track 24 hour race is usually held at the end of October.
Mid October will (probably) be the Round Rotherham 50. This used to be in December in the wettest/darkest most horrible day of the year but a mass bailout by some London softies forced them to move it practically into summer. MOVE IT BACK. Late october look out for Black Mountains 30 from Might Contain Nuts.
November
The Marriots Way Ultra 36 miles starts November. Already in the diary on the 11-13th the Druids Challenge from XNRG takes the Ridgeways 85 miles in 3 days. Like all XNRG events it is really well run and low cost, look out for the weather though. The Pembrokeshire Coast hosts another really tought triple marathon challenge from VOTWO on the 18th-20th. On the 19thyou could alternatively do a 40 miler on the Breacon Beacons from Might Contain Nuts. Beautiful but unforgiving landscape.
An LDWA favourite at the end of November is the Gatliff 50k. Mud and rain guaranteed and if you look closely you can see 27 Londoners all bailing out into a taxi half way.
December