14 of the Best UK Trail Running Events
The Rye Ancient Trail
When: Sunday 8 September 2019
Where: Rye, East Sussex
What: 15K and 30K
Difficulty: Beginner / Intermediate
This race takes place in the medieval town of Rye. The route winds its way through ancient woods, farmland, footpaths and quiet country lanes. It is an undulating multi-terrain route, which includes a 1,500ft climb. With numerous gates and stiles to be negotiated, a challenge to say the least but the stunning scenery will keep you going to the finish.
https://www.nice-work.org.uk/races/Rye-Ancient-Trails
The Peak District Challenge
When: Friday 20 September 2019
Where: Hathersage, Hope Valley, Derbyshire, Peak District
What: 10K, 25K, 50K, 75K, 100K
Difficulty: Beginner - Advanced
The Peak district challenge offers four races - Back Before Dark (10km), Copper (25km), Bronze (50km), Silver (75km) or Gold Ultra (100km). Each race will test your endurance skills in the stunning Peak District National Park. You'll visit high points and viewpoints on your way, and there's various amounts of climbing involved. All routes are loops and start from Hathersage.
https://www.ultrachallenge.com/peak-district-challenge
The Dark Peaks 30 Ultra Trail
When: Saturday 12 October 2019
Where: Hope, Hope Valley, Derbyshire, Peak District
What: 30 Miles
Difficulty: Intermediate
The Dark Peaks Trail has been described by elite field runners as one of the most challenging 30 mile ultras they have ever raced.
Starting from the village of Hope, This Ultra will take you into the heart of the Peak District national park, where the total elevation will be well over 7,000 ft. You will soon be greeted with some brutal climbs, high ridge lines and fast technical descending, with the time of year and the nature of this course - this one will surely push you to your limits.
http://www.peakrunners.co.uk/dark-peaks-30-ultra-trail.html
Druid's Challenge Trail
When: Friday 8 November 2019
Where: Ivinghoe, Leighton Buzzard, Buckinghamshire
What: 84 Miles
Difficulty: Advanced
Druid's Challenge is a three-day, 84 mile, 135 Km, ultra marathon crossing the historic Ridgeway. The route takes in the oldest roadway in the UK. Starting in Buckinghamshire, competitors will make their way to Wiltshire over the course of three days, with two overnights in Watlington and Didcot. The Ridgeway path takes in stunning views of quintessential southern English countryside including Ivinghoe Beacon.
You'll be following in the footsteps of travellers, herdsmen and soldiers who have used the Ridgeway since prehistoric times. Be entranced by the ancient landscapes, hidden valleys, beautiful downland and woodland.
https://www.xnrg.co.uk/events/details/2019-the-druids-challenge.aspx
Hell of A Hill Marathon
When: Wednesday - Friday 13- 15th November 2019
Where: Heath Charnock, Chorley, Lancashire
What: 26.6 - 131 Miles
Difficulty: Intermediate - advanced
Hell of a Hill Marathon is arguably the toughest 26.2 miles in the UK, and the toughest 5 consecutive marathons in 5 days in the World - only the toughest dare to challenge the Hill for 5 consecutive days! The mighty Rivington Pike stands 1,191ft tall on the West Pennine Moors, and runners have to pass over the summit a massive 40 times to complete the challenge of a lifetime. A total of 30,000ft of elevation gain (Mount Everest!) and 131 miles of tough stone and mud trail running in the cold Winter months.
https://www.time2runevents.co.uk/info2.cfm?info_id=225243
Dorset Endurance Coastal Trail
When: Saturday 30 November 2019
Where: West Lulworth, Dorset, Purbeck District
What: 10k, Half Marathon, Marathon, Ultra
Difficulty: Beginner - advanced
A factor that this course does not lack is incline - this is a scenic, hilly trail located only a stone’s throw from Lulworth Cove and the Jurassic Coast. This is the only location on the planet where in a few short hours of trail running you will travel through a few million years of earth time - all with the ocean as a glorious backdrop. Oh yes, and those years are represented in hills... a tough trail runner's paradise.
https://www.endurancelife.com/dorset
Blade Runner Ultra Marathon
When: Saturday 4 January 2020
Where: Corn Du, Brecon Beacons
What: 50K
Difficulty: Intermediate
The Blake Runner Ultra Marathon is a 50km race like no other. See what SAS Selection really takes as you run, climb, slide and scramble your way around the inner most depth of the Brecon Beacon Mountains. The fully marked route is not for the faint hearted. But those who succeed will be rewarded with such prestige as they cross the finish line at the infamous old red phone box, the very place former SAS men have stood tall themselves.
http://thefandancerace.com/bladerunner-ultra-50km-ultra-marathon/
Lulworth Cove Trail Running Challenge
When: Saturday 21 March 2020
Where: West Lulworth, Dorset, Purbeck District
What: 10k, Half Marathon, Marathon, Ultra
Difficulty: Beginner - advanced
Lulworth Cove in Dorset is arguably one of the most beautiful and recognisable stretches of coastline in the country, situated right on the South West Coast Path. Participants will take on the stretch of coastline, almost all the way to Weymouth, on to Osminton Mills and up to Lulworth cove. This is a challenging yet stunning venue for a trail running challenge - so don't forget your camera.
https://trailevents.co/events/lulworth-cove/
2XU Jogle
When: Saturday 21 March 2020
Where: John O' Groats, Wick, Highland
What: Run 860mi
Difficulty: Extreme
An incredible challenge this trails is 860 miles long and will take place over 17 days. That's averaging 50 miles each day! The 2XU JOGLE follows a classic route, all on road. It's incredibly demanding and athletes will need all their fitness and resolve to complete it.
https://www.ultrarunningltd.co.uk/2xu-jogle.html
Exmoor Trail Running Challenge
When: Saturday 4 April 2020
Where: Allerford, Minehead, Exmoor
What: 10k, Half Marathon. Marathon, Ultra
Difficulty: Beginner - advanced
This run takes place through the heart of Exmoor National Park. The route takes you past stunning wood sections, open moorland and fantastic coastal paths - this is certainly a trail which is not short of stunning scenery. The courses encompass stiff climbs and long descents, open moorland, thickly wooded combes (valleys), historical ruins, dizzying cliffs, exquisitely beautiful rivers and a stretch of coastline that is unsurpassed.
https://www.endurancelife.com/exmoor
The South West Coast Path Challenge Trail
When: Saturday 4 April 2020
Where: East Soar Farm, Malborough, Devon,
What: 12K, Half Marathon, Marathon
Difficulty: Advanced
The South West Coast Path Challenge follows some of the most stunning coastal paths the country has to offer. The trail takes you out of East Soar and over the rolling fields towards Bolberry, with views as far as the eye you head up to Bolberry Down and follow the incredible coastal path back towards Bolt Head at Salcombe. After leaving the coast path you will head back to up East Soar Farm to finish, with views all around you as you make your way up the final hill. A wonderful trail run working with the National Trust South West.
https://trailevents.co/events/south-west-coast-path/
The Brecon Beacons Trail Challenge
When: Saturday 2 May 2020
Where: Gilestone Farm, Talybont-on-Usk, Brecon
What: 10K, half Marathon, Marathon, Ultra
Difficulty: Beginner - Advanced
The Brecon Beacons are located in South Wales offering some of the most stunning scenery in the country. The Ultra Marathon, Full Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K routes all take in the scenic trail runs of Brecon.
https://trailevents.co/events/brecon-beacons/
Beacons 100 Ultra
When: Saturday 11 July 2020
Where: Corn Du, Brecon Beacons
What: 100 Miles
Difficulty: Extreme
100 beautiful miles traversing the Brecon Beacons National Park. Starting from the heart of Abergavenny, amongst the majestic ruins of Abergavenny Castle, and following the Beacons Way National Trail with 10 Checkpoints along the way, the event has all the hallmarks of a classic, inspiring runners to take on this epic challenge. With 6,143m of ascent (20,100 ft) and over 100 miles and breathtaking views.
https://www.gbultras.com/beacons-way-ultra-100/
T184 Challenge
When: Friday 23 August 2020
Where: East Greenwich, London
What: Run 184mi
Difficulty: Advanced
A unique 184 mile challenge along the Thames Path starting from the Thames Barrier in London to the source of the Thames and the stone marker. Witness the sun rise and set twice along breathtaking views for a challenge of a lifetime.
https://tseriesracing.com/t184/
