BEGINNER FRIENDLYULTRAS
#1 Race to the King
The scenic route goes along Monarch’s Way, through the South Downs National Park and past Arundel Castle, with 50K and 100K options. It is well organised, with plenty of support and the looped course makes it a good one for novices.
15 June, Sussex, thresholdtrailseries.com/ events/race-to-the-king
#2 Love Trails Festival Why not combine your first ultra with an amazing weekend away full of music, inspirational talks and wellness workshops? This year’s festival will include two ultras for the first time of 52K and 77K. The runs are timed but are non-competitive so everyone can join in at their own pace. 11-14 July, South Wales, lovetrailsfestival.co.uk
#3 Race to the Stones Take on the UK’s oldest trail, covering 50K or 100K, to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Avebury Stone Circle in Wiltshire. The route is a mix of woodland, riverside paths and ridge trails without the need for technical skill, and lots of support and aid stations along the way. 13-14 July, Oxfordshire and Wiltshire, thresholdtrailseries.com/ events/race-to-the-stones/
#4 ENDURE24
At these events, you have 24 hours to run as many 8K trail laps as you can. You can run solo, as a pair, or form a relay team of up to 12 people.
All abilities are welcome. Reading (8th-9th June) and Leeds (29th -30th June), endure24.co.uk
#5 Backyard Ultras Participants run on the same 6K (4 mile) loop which they must complete in an hour. The laps are then repeated hourly until there is only one competitor left. Four miles in an hour is approx 15-minute mile (9.19 per k pace). It is all about how long you can keep going, and you can call it a day whenever you like. Various locations around the world throughout the year, backyardultra.com