We all want to go far in life – and some of us want to run far, too.
Thankfully, for runners who really want to cover some ground, we have ultramarathons, which encompass all footraces that are longer than the traditional marathon distance of 26.2 miles (or 42.2km). Held on various surfaces – often the trails – and in copious formats across the world, ultramarathons can be the jewel in the crown on the running CVs of amateurs and elites alike – and a demanding but rewarding test of mental and physical resilience. And, believe it or not, they can be a lot of fun as well.
You may have heard of legendary events like the Comrades Marathon in South Africa – the largest and oldest ultramarathon in the world – the lap-per-hour backyard ultras, or the mighty Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, a 106-mile voyage around the Alps spanning three countries and an elevation of around 10,000m. But if you’d rather stay closer to home, you’ll be pleased to know that there are plenty of ultramarathons in the UK to give you memories and kudos to last a lifetime.
If completing an ultramarathon is on your radar, check out our list below of some of the best ones in the UK to enter this year.
Best UK ultramarathons
Endurancelife Northumberland
Where? Bamburgh, Northumberland
When? 24 February 2024
While Endurancelife’s events tend to lean towards the tougher and more technical end of the trail race spectrum, this 36-mile ultramarathon in the northeast of England features just one significant incline along a route that passes through one of the country’s lesser-known – but no less spectacular – Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The coastal course is furnished with wild beaches, dunes and lighthouses, with historic Bamburgh Castle being the most famous sight along the way. Your main adversary, particularly considering the late February date, will be the temperamental seaside weather, so a sturdy waterproof running jacket could be your best friend here.
South Downs Way 50
Where? Worthing, West Sussex
When? 13 April 2024
A 50-mile race with a sizeable 1,750m of ascent on mostly chalky, muddy and rocky ground, this is one of the more difficult ultramarathons on our list. That aside, the South Downs Way offers glorious footpaths and stunning views across photogenic countryside and the English Channel, which is enough to keep any runner motivated to go the full distance. You’ll be well supported by six aid stations and will finish your trail-heavy adventure with a lovely, smooth lap of the running track in Eastbourne.
Highland Fling
Where? Milngavie, East Dunbartonshire
When? 27 April 2024
Runners from across the world flock to this iconic ultramarathon, with many having completed the demanding but rewarding 53-mile route more times that many of us have completed our local parkrun. Spurred on by enthusiastic locals at the start line, runners go on to enjoy a technical and lumpy (we’re talking 2,300m of ascent) course that follows the beautiful West Highland Way from Milngavie to Tyndrum. The organisers run the event on a non-profit and volunteer basis, making it a wonderfully wholesome ultramarathon to add to your list.
The Fox
Where? Godalming, Surrey
When? 25 May 2024
It’s not every day that you circumnavigate the entire town of Guildford – but on 25 May, that could be your day. A circular 62km ultramarathon that takes in some of the finest rural trails and views the Surrey Hills AONB has to offer, The Fox takes runners on an epic voyage that starts and finishes in Godalming. While there’s 750m of climbing to content with along the way, you’ll benefit from excellent organisation, a clearly marked route, well-stocked aid stations, enthusiastic and supportive volunteers and an all-important party atmosphere at the finish line.
Mourne Way Ultra
Where? Rostrevor, County Down
When? 1 June 2024
This memorable 84km ultramarathon skirts around the outer edges of the Mourne Mountains – the highest mountain range in Northern Ireland – and both the spectacular scenery and 2,300m of climbing are sure to leave you speechless. The historic region, clad with dramatic cliffs, crags, forests and lakes, has even been caught on camera on many occasions (having featured in Game of Thrones, to name one example), so you’ll be pleasantly distracted all the way to the finish line. And if you’re set with a comfy pair of trail shoes, the Mourne Way Ultra won’t be where you mourn a lost toenail, either.
The Serpent Trail 100K
Where? Petworth, West Sussex
When? 6 July 2024
Stop the press: the organisers state that ‘this 100K could be fast’. So, if you’re an ultramarathoner looking to get the job done (relatively) quickly, The Serpent Trail could be for you. All the bigger climbs are done and dusted in the first half of the race – alongside some long downhill sections – with the final 30km taking you along flatter ground on reasonably kind paths. Named after its winding route and the fact that the route crosses the habitat of various snake species, The Serpent Trail also encompasses a 50K and shorter 20K and 10K events, attracting trail runners of every ilk.
Race to the Stones
Where? Lewknor, Oxfordshire
When? 13-14 July 2024
A 100K event, Race to the Stones might sound like quite an ordeal – but fear not. This friendly, ever-popular race gives you the option to spread the distance over two days, with camping in between, or to run just one of the 50K legs. The first leg – which takes you along wooded trails from Lewknor to Wantage – is the slightly hiller of the two, with the second leg then whisking you on to the ancient finish line at Avebury stone circle, a UNESCO world heritage site and the largest stone circle in Europe. Crucially, the campsite boasts hot showers, hot food and a bar – which are known to be the three most valuable commodities to ultrarunners around the world.
Ultra X 110 Wales
Where? Fairbourne, Gwynedd
When? 27-28 July 2024
Held over two days, this stunning 110km trail ultramarathon scales some of the highest peaks in the southern part of Snowdonia National Park in Wales. If you’d prefer to experience the spectacular landscape with a bit less running, you can do the 50K race on the Sunday instead, making it an ideal step up from a trail marathon. Or, if one event doesn’t quite cut it, why not aim for maximum kudos and take on the Great British Slam? All you need to do is enter, and successfully complete, all three GB Ultra X events (in Wales, Scotland and England) within the calendar year. Simple, right?
Suffolk Coastal Path 50K
Where? Lowestoft, Suffolk
When? 14 September 2024
With this event, the organisers have pulled off a balancing act that we previously thought impossible – they’ve created an ultramarathon that is both scenic and flat. The Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB is the backdrop for this race, which promises abundant flora and fauna, luscious sea views, quintessential villages and muddy paths for good measure. Considered fast and approachable with no entry requirements, this race is ideal for runners taking on an ultramarathon for the first time, or for those transitioning from the road to the trails.
7 Valleys Ultra
Where? Ambleside, Cumbria
When? 27-29 September 2024
A 109km endeavour around the dramatic waters, mountains and fells of the Lake District – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – this event is best suited to adventurous, all-weather trail runners who have at least dabbled in the world of ultramarathons before. There are as many aid stations as there are valleys (seven, to be clear), which will help to keep you motivated as you orienteer your way across the romantically rugged terrain between Waterside and Keswick. But, if 109km is not enough, you could go for the 13 Valleys Ultra, which will see you traverse just over 182km of this part of Cumbria.
Thames Trail Ultra
Where? Iffley, Oxfordshire
When? 19 October 2024
The Thames is not just a sludge-coloured expanse that snakes its way through central London – and here’s the perfect event to prove it. Formerly known as the Thames Trot Ultra, this ultramarathon is a 47-mile point to point that follows the more bucolic part of the Thames between Oxford and Henley-on-Thames. For the most part, the course also slopes gently downhill, meaning gravity is ever so slightly on your side. The only difficulties may be the mud and the 11-hour cut-off, which doesn’t allow too much time for dawdling.
Dava Way 50K
Where? Grantown-on-Spey, Moray
When? 9 November 2024
Start high, end low – not the most uplifting of mottos, unless you’re talking about the elevation of an ultramarathon. Steeped with views of some of Scotland’s finest natural landscapes, this race passes through the foothills of the Cairngorms National Park and follows the old Highland Railway line all the way down to near sea level in Forres. To offer some respite from all the downhill running, there are a couple of climbs along the way, too.
