UK Ultras 2012
If you read the news you'll no doubt be aware that sometime next year the western world is going to collapse and we'll all be living in caves and eating rats. While your pensions are being erroded and fuel prices are soaring why not save all that bother and money and do your ultra races in the UK this year?
I am really amazed by just how much stuff there is to do in the UK next year. There are about ten 100 mile races, some serious multi-day running and loads of great events all over the place. I just can't decide what to do. I'd like to thank all those who are involved in race organisation for giving me and others so much choice. It was quite hard putting this list together as there is so much stuff. I have no doubt missed a load of things so please let me know if I have missed anything or got anything wrong.
These are events that are confirmed. Look at the 2011 calendar for approximate timings of races that have yet to be confirmed.
The most comprehensive list of ultras in the UK (and the whole world) is on Ultramarathonrunning.com. The best way to find out first about new races is to follow ultramarathonrunning on Facebook and twitter. You may regret it though.....
January
14th the Country to Capital from Go Beyond takes in 20 odd miles of lovely trail then 20 odd miles of lovely canal. 45 miles from Wendover to Little Venice, usually helps to remind you all of how fat we got over Christmas. If you got REALLY fat over Christmas then you should also run a well rehearsed classic from the LDWA, the Winter Tanners on Sunday 15th. You can then increase the mileage the following weekend (21/22nd) 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 22nd also has the Gloucester 50k, flat and fast and with a top field.
Possibly one of the most insane things I have heard of organised in the UK is The Spine - a 268 mile non-stop race across the Pennine way. That path is hard enough to do in the summer in 7 days let alone in winter with little daylight and snow. Interesting to see if anyone finished that one. Exact dates TBC
Endurance Life have organised great coastal marathons and Ultras in the past and now are adding an Ultra option to all of their CTS series, the first this year being in Anglessey on the 21st. 33 miles and then you get to listen to ME talk at the event in the evening. Let's hope I don't get too lost on the route :)
Confirmed already for the 28th the Frostbite 50 came onto the scene last year and was fantastic. I ran it and it was really hard work. Part coastal trail and part moorland it was possibly the toughest 50 miler I have done. Great organisation and Whitby is home to the best fish and chips in the UK. Wilmot Wander in Derbyshire Sunday 30th.
February
4th Feb Go Beyond take to the river this time and run from Oxford to Henley along the Thames in the Thames Trot. Same weekend 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. It is quite hilly. Checkpoints are well stocked and there is an accomodation option too. Tough call as both are great events.
Sunday 12th the Devils Punchbowl 30, a fantastic LDWA event in Surrey.
Saturday the 18th more spectacular running from Endurance Life in South Devon with a 34 miler. As always with their events there is a marathon, half marathon and a 10k. Don't complain if they end up being a bit longer though. Sunday 19th it's the London Ultra from Rory, a 50k path along the Capital Ring from Streatham to Wembley. No complicated ballot to get in.
On Saturday 25th and all for £9 (with LDWA Membership) you can run the Winter Poppyline 51 miles in Norfolk.
March
A new event in the Centurion Running portfolio the Thames Path 100 from Richmond to Oxford. It stars near my house and its on my birthday, what's not to like? Great opportunity to try a "fast" 100 miles without having to run round a track. British record for a trail 100 miler is 12.43 (I forget the guys name). Try and beat that. On the same day in the Green Man Ultra from ultrarunning, 45 miles in some forests near Bristol and if you finish you can call yourself a "woodwose" which I believe is a mythical man or woman who haunts forests. I know some of them already. Also the same weekend the LDWA 40 mile Four Pits Walk.
10th and 11th there are the Grantham Canal ultras with Rory. 30 miles each way and impossible to get lost. March 10th Wye Valley ultra, 50 miles in wales from Might Contain Nuts.
The Exmoor Ultra from Adventure Hub is on the 17th. That part of the coast is raelly beautiful. But bloomin difficult.
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 23rd. If you'd prefer to do it all in one go, wait a few weeks. The Sevenoaks Circular 30 is quite easy to get to from London that weekend too.
On the 24th Endurance Life will have an Ultra in Sussex. Not sure how far it will be yet but I am sure it will hurt. Another Canal option (you can never have too many) is the Glasgow to Edinburgh Ultra on the 31st, 55 miles along a canal with a great view of the Falkirk Wheel.
April
Recently retired ultra running masochist Mark Cockbain debuts in race organisation with the Viking Way Ultra. 147 miles of minimal support with a 40 hour cut-off. The race is full and I don't expect too many people to finish this one.
One of my favourite marathons in the UK now has an ultra version. Exmoor from Endurance life is 34 miles of ball-aching climbing and spectacular downhills. The Compton Full Fat 40 is usually around Easter time so look out for that. 
The ONER - about 8 miles to go
Obviously on the 22nd 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 21st 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.
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 Groats to Lands End. Only 3 of the 12 starters got to the end in 2010, no one made it in 2011. 20th April - 5th May. Look out for the amazing Rainer Koch this year, winner of the Trans Europe, LANY, Trans Gaulle and Trans Germany races. How will he cope with running in Scotland?
Saturday 28th 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. Same day is the incredibly tough Fellsman. 60 miles, 11000ft climbing on rugged terrain in the Yorkshire Dales.
May
A new one last year and really really great weekend was the Pony Express two day Ultra from XNRG. 30 miles each day in the New Forest (it's actually pretty old). Perfect if you are new to that kind of thing, beautiful forests and not too many hills. All the great atmosphere you'd expect from an XNRG event.
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 from the 12th.
Great event to start off the month is the Malvern Hills Ultra (53 and 83). I did this last year and was really close to quitting but pulled through and loved it. Nice gentle 20 miles on the Severn river path and then the beautiful Malvern Hills, you go over the peaks in a big long line. hard but awesome. Might Contain Nuts now run a summer version of the Breacon Ultra 40 on the 12th. The popular and long running (51 years now) Ridgeway 40 is on the 12th too. Book early to avoid disappoinment.
Also you could see how far you can go in 24 hours in the Kent 24 hour challenge, starting Saturday 19th. The Cardiff Ultra 50 on the 20th attracted 150 last year and will probably get bigger this year. Not too much navigation on the Taff Trail and the race is "net" downhill. Should be easy then..
Not many 100k races in the UK for some reason but here is one from Adventure Hub. On Angelsey the Welsh Ultra is probably not a great one to go for a fast 100k time but no doubt will be an amazing race. Go Beyond put on their Shires and Spires 35 mile ultra in Northampton on the 27th too. 
Pony Express - Lovely
June
First up the best ultra in the UK (OK I might be a bit biased). The Grand Union Canal Run from Birmingham to London, 145 miles of canal loveliness. I will be there again running after a couple of years on the crewing side. It's full and becoming harder to get into but if you have any desire to do this race I recommend you come along and crew or help out. Starts Saturday 2nd June at 6am in Gas Street Birmingham. On the same weekend the ever more popular Hardmoors 110 looks quite a challenge too. Starts on Friday 1st.
Very very busy weekend this one including a new event. Promising to take experienced ultra-runners to their own personal levels of darkness the "7" runs 214 miles of the Severn Path in 5 days. You can do all 5 days or just some of the individual days. Looks like it will be a massive event. On the same weekend one of my favourite races the Dartmoor Discovery 32. I know it's "only" 32 miles but it is way harder than it sounds.
On Saturday 16th there is the second running of a 50 miler from Long Eaton running club through trails in the midlands. There is a relay on too if you don't fancy the whole distance or want to be joined by "normal" running friends :)
On Friday 22 the ULTRArace100 starts in Stratford and follows the roads of the Cotswolds. Challenge is to get it done in 24 hours.
Starting on the 23rd possibly the hardest 100 miler yet to be staged in the UK the Ultra-Trail de South West (UTSW) follows 100 miles of scenic but harsh coastal path in Cornwall. The elevation is 5466m, not as big as some but this involved constant up and down. Expect this to hurt. The Classic Quarter Ultra returns on the 23rd 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.
Another "Must Do" for all UK ultrarunners is the West Highland Way race on the 23rd. 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.
A week after that another 100 miler on the South Downs Way. Into it's third year now and now being organised by Centurion Running. Another great race for the this busy weekend is the Isle of Wight two day ultra from XNRG, possibly their toughest event covering 69 miles on the two days.
July
Now I would never usually endorse doing a triathlon. However this one does look tempting. The X-Man is a point to point race on trail. Swimming in a lake then cycling the length of the South Downs way and then running a marathon on the Cleveland Way. Mountain biking rather than road. Imagine the confusing heart rate stats coming out of that one?
21st 40 miles of trails and nature reserves in the Clyde Stride.
The Lakeland 100 starts on Friday 27th 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. But if you want something short then go for the Round the Rock ultra on Jersey. 48 miles around the island, About 1000m of ascent and scenery looks amazing.
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 on the 28/29th too.
August
The Northumberland Ultra on the 4th from Adventure Hub, 100k with a bit of map reading. Or you could complete the 43 miles northern part of the West Highland Way in the Devil O The Highlands.
Saturday 13th the North Downs Way 100 (and 50) got fantastic reviews last year from everyone who ran. On the same weekend the Grimsthorpe Ultra from Fat-feet. Choice of 105, 70 or 40 miles around a 10 mile loop around Grimsthorpe Castle in Lincolnshire. There is also a half marathon if you like that sort of thing.
Brand new from VOTWO and following the hugely successful 3 marathons in 3 days format is the Anglesey Coastal Challenge on the 17th - 19th. 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 19th.
And then a week later a new event on the same island and also over three days is the Ring Of Fire Ultra, 131 miles in 3 days. That would be very hard. Take a look at the photos on the website, they look amazing. On the same weekend if you only want to run one race the UltraRace - Peaks in the peak district looks like 40 miles of fun.
25-26th 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.
Another one in the SUMS on the 27th Speyside Way Race, 35.5m.
September
It is the 20th anniversary of a legendary race across the "Dragon's Back" in Wales. a 200ish mile point to point over many mountains. The Dragon's Back race is being re-staged starting 3rd September. The race is full already but will be followed by many.
September seems to be stage race month, Go Beyond are now in the third year of their successful Trans Britain Ultra. 6 days and 156 miles of beautiful landscape (that will mean lots of hills). Starts on the 8th.
The second running of the Irish JOGLE equivalent, the M2M Ultra runs 346 miles in 11 days from 12th to the 23rd from Malin Head to Mizen Head.
180 miles along the river Thames in 4 days? About time someone organised a race across the whole of this great river. The Thames Challenge from Ultrarunning takes in these 180 miles from thursday 13th Sept. You can do each stage as a seperate race if you'd like too.
21-23rd Sept 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. A bit flatter than that XNRG bring us the Toad Challenge which involves running the 90 or so miles of the Thames Path from Oxford to Walton on Thames. I've heard great things about this one. Winning third prize in a beauty contest this weekend the Tooting Bec Track 24 hour race is on the 22/23rd. I am tempted one day to run around a track for 24 hours.
Back to triathlon (seriously I don't know what's wrong with me) there is an interesting looking race called The Brutal starting on the 22nd. It's a double "Iron" distance triathlon (I think I can say that without owing the Ironman brand a fee). I am really tempted by this, 4.8 miles in a cold lake, 224 miles of hilly road cycling and then a 52 mile run ending up at the top of Snowdon. I will need to learn how to swim though. 4.8 miles in 4 hours seems beyond me.
The Hardmoors 60 completes the 4 races in the Yorkshire Moors series on the 29th. 30th 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.
October
6th October there is the second running of the Round Rippon Ultra 35 from Go Beyond, Ideal for first timers. 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 7th. There's a double if ever I saw one :)
13th there is a flat 100k in Norfolk, for those inspired to qualify for the Spartathlon :) the Norfolk Ultra from Adventure Hub.
Right then, where do I start with this one?? The RELENTLESS is a 30 stage 1600 mile run through every county in the UK. Even Leicestershire. Each stage can be run seperately or you can sign up for a weeks worth of running. Looks awesome, looks insanely hard, 50 miles a day off-road. Could you all please start lobbying Gemma that this is a good idea :)
on the 21st/22nd the Caesars Camp series. 30/50 or 100 miles of getting mocked by Henk. same weekend 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.
November
The Pembrokeshire Coast hosts another really tought triple marathon challenge from VOTWO on the 2-4th. Earlier than usual. Already in the diary on the 9-11th 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.
Look out for the Hereward Ultra 38 miles on the last weekend of the month. There is a relay with lots of teams so you won't feel lonely though you may feel a bit slow :)
December