In the last few years, the world of ultra-running has exploded, and the sheer number of options for races can be overwhelming. Before you even start your training, it can feel like the real difficulty is finding the perfect race!
Choosing a good starting race is important, not only to ensure the terrain and elevation profile suits your preferences, but also because your first ultramarathon will likely be a memorable one. There are a few ultramarathons I’ve done that would have put me off the sport entirely, if they’d been my first! But equally plenty that I’d recommend to anyone.
Things to consider
You might sign up for your first ultramarathon because there is a particular race you have in mind, but in general, it is sensible to choose your first race based on a few factors.
- Terrain
Unless you are a seasoned trail runner looking to expand your repertoire, choosing a technical race for your first could be a mistake. Technical terrain requires specific training and leads to much slower times, so you may be on your feet for longer than expected. Speaking from experience (even as someone who loves a technical trail), running terrain that is too technical for your experience level can lead to a loss of confidence and frustration. It’s great to practise this sort of terrain in training, but doing a notoriously technical race as your first might lead to regrets (and sprained ankles).
Instead, choose races on well-marked walking/hiking routes, especially those in the UK’s numerous national parks. There’s no guarantee there won’t be a little bit of technical terrain, but you’re probably safe if members of the general population regularly hike the trail.
- Elevation profile
If you live in a very flat area, it can be tough to train for a hilly or mountainous race, unless you’re willing to travel far. The demands placed on the body by hills are significantly different to those of flatter trails and road running, and while it’s possible to mitigate some of this with specific strength training and sprints, it’s best to choose a trail race that you’ll be able to train specifically for.
That’s not to say that if you live in London you have to choose a race along the Thames (although that’s not a bad idea), but just consider the elevation profile when you sign up. 10 – 30 meters of ascent per kilometre (50-150ft/mile) is considered a hilly run, 30-50m/km is considered very hilly (150-250ft/mile). While it’s absolutely possible to train for a mountain race while living in the UK, adding extra mileage, strength training, technical terrain and extra hills into your training all at once is recipe for burnout or injuries.
- Aid stations/support
There is a whole spectrum of support levels when it comes to races in the ultramarathon world, from fully supported, friends and family allowed, minimal gear races, to ‘alone in the mountains carrying all your water and food for a week’ sorts of races. Needless to say, the former is recommended for your first ultramarathon.
‘Aid stations’ provide water top-ups and, if you choose the right race, endless food and drinks, helpers and more. These races aren’t necessarily more expensive, they’re just aimed at a wider range of participants than the more hardcore races. Look for races where aid stations are around 10km apart (which is fairly standard, but some races can leave you 20km+ without aid, which can be intimidating if you’ve not run that distance before).
- Location
Running the actual race is only one part of running an ultramarathon. For many, the selling point is that they are in remote and rugged areas, meaning that they are often very hard to get to. Some of the races I’ve done in the UK (specifically off the West coast of Scotland) have taken me as long to get to as it would take to get half way around the world.
While the travel is amazing, it can also be exhausting, which is not ideal right before a race. Also, the idea of not finishing a race after travelling for 12+ hours might be disappointing. Equally, if you have to drive yourself home after running your first 50 miler, consider how long you’re going to want to be in the driving seat. Long training runs will give you a good indication. Sometimes, choosing a run closer to home is a good idea, or making a holiday out of your trip and staying for several nights! This is usually what I do, but just be aware that you will not be able to/want to explore much the day afterwards.
- Cut-off times
Cut-off times are sometimes controversial, but realistically it is usually necessary to have a deadline for racers, in order to keep everyone safe. Some races have tight cut-offs, and others are much more lenient, allowing for a walking pace throughout. Races that look ‘beginner friendly’ are unlikely to have a tight cutoff, but double check to make sure you’re able to finish within the allotted time.
It can be hard to know how long you’ll take for a distance you’ve never done before, but some googling bigger races will give you an impression of their difficulty. YouTube often also features race videos (I’ve vlogged every one of my races), so you can see how difficult it looks. Once you’ve completed some longer training runs and races, you can try to extrapolate speed and distance, add some contingency and that’ll give you a very rough estimate of how long you should take on a similar longer race.
Great race organisers for your first ultramarathon (UK)
- Rat Race
Despite the name, Rat Race’s events are more like a party than a race. Participants can do as much or as little as they feel able, with multiple race organisers vehicles and aid stations along all routes, ready to save the day if you’re not feeling up to it. The food provided at aid stations is good (they even have their own bar range!) and the demographic of the races is usually at least 50% female, with a skew towards slightly older participants too. I’ve done two of their events now, and they were probably the least intimidating ‘races’ I’ve ever done! They host events worldwide with a range of sports and abilities catered for. The races aren’t cheap, but you get what you pay for.
You can get 15% off any Rat Race event using the code FLORA15.
Check them out here – https://www.ratrace.com/
- Maverick
Maverick host races of most distances throughout the year, all around England. I always recommend Maverick races to my followers, because they are well organised, well marked and there is a good chance there will be one near you at some point. Although there are plenty of fast runners at these races, as far as entry-level ultras go, they’re brilliant. Everyone is super friendly and the races always finish with a beer, so what’s not to love!
Check them out here – https://www.maverick-race.com
- Threshold Sports
Threshold Sports hosts the ‘Race to the…’ events. These events can be completed in one day (50km or 100km) or over the course of a weekend (50km a day). My longest single day event was Race to the Tower 85km (no longer a race they do) along the Cotswold Way and I loved it! These races have a party atmosphere, and the best aid stations. They’re also easy under foot, well marked (often with people cheering along the route), beautiful and super fun overall.
Check them out here – https://www.thresholdtrailseries.com
- Centurion
Centurion specialises in fully marked 50km, 50mi and 100mi races. Many of them are on the flatter side, and they even have a looped course, the Wendover Woods 50mi, offering 5 laps of a 10 mile woodland trail loop.
Check them out here – https://www.centurionrunning.com
- The Serpent Trail
The Serpent Trail has 50km and 100km options, taking in some beautiful trails in the South Downs Way. It has two start wave times to allow for a more generous cutoff for less confident runner.
Check them out here – https://www.serpenttrailrace.com
Whichever race you choose, make sure it’s one that gets you excited! Looking forward to a beautiful race is sometimes the only thing getting me through some of my training runs. And remember: you are capable of SO much more than you think. Don’t underestimate yourself. Do the work, trust the process, and you’ll smash it on the day. And most importantly: HAVE FUN!!
