Listed below are a few races that we know about. You can find loads more via the links pages
Tried and Tested
Road
Two Oceans, South Africa Easter Saturday 56km (35 miles)
This very popular ultra is held on Easter Saturday, with the start and finish in Cape Town. Well organised, great support and good water stations. It has a couple of hills, one of them is very tough, but the view as you come over Chapmans Peak is absolutely stunning. A good event for a first ultra and a great holiday destination
This is the king of road ultras; over 10,000 runners take part and most finish. There is a 12 hour cut-off, if you do not cross the line before the twelve hour gun you are not allowed to cross it, even if you have made it into the stadium. Support is absolutely fantastic both from the knowledgeable crowd and from fellow runners. One year the route goes from Durban to Pietermaritzburg (the up run) the other it goes from Pietermaritzburg to Durban (the down run). Which ever way you run it is very hilly, strangely the up run is a little easier than the down. On the down run you quads take a pounding over the last 10 miles or so and the following morning most competitors walk like penguins. The route is entirely traffic free and there are water and feed stations every two kilometres
Winschoten, Netherlands early September 100km (62 miles)
This race in the north of the Netherlands is often used for the European and World 100km championships. The course is a ten lap circuit that is absolutely flat. Most of the town of Winschoten turn out to spectate and may set up tables and chairs in their gardens so that they can support all day in comfort. It is a bit of a journey to get there but the train system works well.
Tring2Town, England early February 40 miles (64km)
This well established event takes place along the GrandUnionCanal towpath between Tring and London, It now has two versions, on the Saturday you can run from Kew to Tring or on the Sunday you can run from Tring to Kew. Complete nutters can do both. The event is well organised, however, checkpoints are well spread out so you need to take some of your own supplies. Many people who do this event are in training for the Marathon des Sables. This is just one of the events organised by Ambition Events
Compton Downland 40, England March 40 miles (62km)
This event had been on hold but the organisers will be staging it in 2008. This is a great achievement for such a small club. The course is over the Berkshire countryside on footpaths and bridleways which can be very muddy in wet weather. Start and finish facilities are very good, changing rooms, showers, refreshments etc. There is the option mid-race to change to the 20 mile route. This is a very friendly, well organised race through some lovely countryside.
Marathon des Sables, Morocco late March/early April
For many this is the must do multi-day desert challenge. It has been going a long time and attracts over 600 competitors. It is tough and an adventure but achievable for many people. There is a long waiting list and it is a little expensive.
Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon, October South Africa
This is South Africas version of the Marathon des Sables, but a little tougher and friendlier because the field is smaller. It takes place in the Green Kalahari where you are likely to see giraffe, ostrich, springbok and zebra. No waiting list and cheaper than MdS. Flying to South Africa is not as bad as it seems, there is no jet lag and overnight flights mean there is no wasted time.
London to Brighton, England - early October - 56 miles (90km)
The London to Brighton Run is a 56 mile (90 kilometre) ultra running event from the River Thames at Greenwich on trails through the beautiful English countryside of the counties of Kent, Surrey and Sussex to the vibrant, cosmopolitan, coastal city of Brighton on the South Coast of England.
This new event takes place on the 9th & 10th of August 2008. There is a 100 mile route and a 50 mile event. The organisers, Epic Events say it will be "the most spectacular long distance trail race which has ever taken place within the UK." The route seems to take you over almost all of the Lake District so it should be very spectacular. As the route is along footpaths and bridleways you do not need to be a mountain goat or fell-runner to take part. You will, however, need some basic navigation skills, an endurance background and a GPS unit.
The time limit for the 100 mile event is 36 hours with cut-offs at 25,50 & 75 miles. The time limit for the 50 mile event is a more generous 24 hours so this event will be suitable for fit long-distance walkers as well as runners.
With camping available at the start and an entry fee of £75 (50 mile £60) this looks like a great value for money event.
A new event in the multi-day calendar. This is billed as the toughest multi-stage ultra in the UK. Having looked at the event details and the background of the joint event organisers I am sure it will be tough, as well as very scenic.
The Marathon of Ontario Summer Edition (MOOSE), Canada - August
This event will take place for the first time on the 16th August 2008. It is a 302 km stage race along the BruceTrail following the magnificent Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.
The trail varies from rocky, undulating, forest trails, to cliff side single track, to dirt covered roads.
The organisers claim that it is the longest six-day event in the world and have limited entries in the first year to 40 people.
The format, kit requirements and rules are similar to those for the Marathon des Sables and similar events. However, with an entry fee of about £800 it looks to be good value for money.
