Ultra Running, Ultramarathon & Ultra Trail Running

If you typed the above phrases in any search engine then you will get similar answers. "they are races above 26.2" but what is an ultra marathon really?

Wikipedia has an interesting definition but over the last 3 to 4 years we have seen a huge change in the races both in the UK and abroad.

You have the main showcase races likes of Lakeland 50/100, UTMB, Western States, Marathon des Sables to name but a few but what about the lessor know races and the FKT's in the UK that are actually ultra distance?

In the UK we have our own version now of the Barkley Marathon called the Dead Sheep.

We also have races like the 268 Mile Montane Spine Race which is a winter ultra, or more like an arctic expedition due to 2018 conditions.

 

But if its not the brutal Dead Sheep or the arctic adventure then you have Lakeland 50 / 100 which is in the Lake District and is normally sunny.

or one of the Hardmoors in the North York Moors and in range of our shop. 30, 55, 60, 110, 160 or 200 miles for the ultramarathon series or you can do 10k,Half or Marathon in the 26.2 Trail Series.

 The list of races in the UK really can go on and on just like the races :)

You also have multi day events in the UK similar to the Marathon des Sables except you dont have to starve for a week, carry your full weeks clothing and re mortgage your house to enter. The Dragons Back Race set in Wales and the Cape Wrath Ultra set in the Highlands of Scotland.

Finally we have the Rounds,

Bob Graham Round

Paddy Buckley Round

Ramsay Round

which are the popular ones (there is lots more). These are like long Fell Races which all have to be completed within 24 hours.