Distances options on offer included 50km, 25km, and 10km, all with stunning views and iconic sections of the North Downs Way. All participants were able to tackle the route at their own pace, whether a walk, jog, or run, and push themselves further in a fully supported environment.

The Challenge delivered more than £150,000 in fundraising for over 75 different charities across the UK. The North Downs 50 will have made a real difference to so many lives, and we cannot thank our fundraisers enough.

Both male and female course records were smashed by Joseph Turner and Katherine Wood respectively. Joseph crossed the finish line in 3:24:21 – the quickest 50km on any Ultra Challenge event – with Katherine coming in at 4:06:17.

With eight more events still to come this season, there is plenty still in store for Ultra Challengers including the famed Thames Path weekend of events where more than 5,000 Challengers will join us for one of three separate Challenges.

Check out the remaining 2026 Ultra Challenges at www.ultrachallenge.com/the-events/

Don’t forget to purchase your event photographs from the North Downs 50 Ultra Challenge too. With print and digital options available, this is the perfect way to remember your Challenge and celebrate your achievement. Head to our gallery page to find your images.

Authors: Elysia Sanders & Nick Rewcastle

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The event’s basecamp next to Dunster Castle provided the perfect start and finish line for our Challengers, before sweeping sea views, rugged coastline, and rolling moorland kept our Challengers pushing themselves further on the course. Highlights included summiting Dunkery Beacon, the charming town of Porlock on route, and of course spectacular views along the South West Coast Path.

Ultra Challenge is truly there for every single participant, with finish times on the 50km ranging from 4 hours and 40 minutes, to upwards of 16 hours. However you choose to take on the Challenge, we will support you every step of the way around.

Special thank you to our fantastic fundraisers, collectively raising more than £200,000 for more than 100 charities across the UK and local region.

The South West Coast 50 Ultra Challenge is an incredible choice for a Challenge to push yourself further and take on testing climbs & technical descents, but with the most spectacular views the English coastline has to offer. This Challenge is an absolute must on any Challengers checklist.

Registrations for the 2027 South West Coast 50 Ultra Challenge are live! Head to the event page to sign up for 2027 and get ready to take on a Challenge to remember.

Event photographs are also live. Head to our photography page to find your photographs, and don’t forget to tag us when you share them on social media.

The post South West Coast 50 Ultra Challenge takes in the best of the Somerset Coastline appeared first on Ultra Challenge.

We are incredibly proud of our fundraisers, collectively raising more than £400,000 for charities across the UK. From the first wave at 7:00 on Saturday, through to the last Challenger at 22:30 on Sunday evening, Penrice Castle basecamp was full of energy and inspiration.

The route combined dramatic coastal scenery, sweeping beaches, and rugged inland trails. Standout views were found at Oxwich Bay, Worm’s Head and Rhossili, and on the Gower Way where you could see across the entire Peninsula.

We are always honoured to welcome a full range of Challengers, from experienced endurance walkers & runners to those experiencing their very first day on the trails. Teams, families, and fundraisers all came together for an incredible, supportive, and inclusive Challenge.

As with all Ultra Challenges, the Gower Peninsula Ultra Challenge was fully supported with rest stops, hot food, medical teams, and route marking. We are proud to work with countless local communities, landowners, and charities in the Gower to make this possible.

With the second successful edition completed, this Challenge has confirmed its status as a firm favourite in the calendar. Many claim the first 50km to be the most scenic we offer!

Sign ups for the 2027 Gower Peninsula Ultra Challenge are live! Head to the event page to sign up now.

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Held in the heart of the Peak District National Park, the Challenge welcomed walkers, joggers, and runners of all abilities onto distances from 100km to 10 mile. Challengers explored some of the region’s most iconic landscapes, including the Chatsworth House estate and the Monsal Trail. 

The Peak District Ultra Challenge is a fully supported experience from start to finish. With regular rest stops, hot food, welfare teams, and fully marked routes helping participants achieve their goals. Whether you’re completing a first-ever trail event or taking on an ultra, everyone is welcome.

Participant Stories

Experienced ultra runner Michael Young broke the 52km course record in a time of 4:10:05 – his third victory of the 2026 Ultra Challenge season. Fanny Thieffry was the women’s 52km winner in a time of 5:40:07. On the 100km Challenge, Andy Day was the fastest male in 10:22:26, and Nola Calladine finished in 12:40:08. 

Alongside the ultra running pros, many of those taking part this year were Challengers with powerful personal stories. Hugo and Anya Sousa, took part to raise awareness of Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) after their son Leo died on New Year’s Day 2024. Nathan Chilton, who has overcome significant health challenges after relearning how to walk, was also among those taking part. Meanwhile, Ellis and Charlotte Dawson took on the Challenge as part of their ongoing journey following Ellis’s life-saving transplant operation.

We were also honoured to welcome a group of fundraisers supporting Blyth House Hospice, a local hospice to the region that has helped many of our Challengers in difficult times. Across all their fundraisers, more than £18,000 was raised – we are honoured to make such a real difference in local communities.

All the stories from our participants reflect the determination, resilience and spirit of the Ultra Challenge community. Whether it’s a personal story of perseverance, fundraising for an important cause, or simply getting outdoors into the UK’s countryside, huge congratulations to every single Challenger.

Interested In More?

To sign up for the 2027 Peak District Ultra Challenge head to www.ultrachallenge.com/peak-district-challenge/.

For those wanting a new adventure, our full 2027 Series is now live with 24 Challenges across the UK.

You can purchase your event photos from the Peak District Ultra Challenge here.

Written by Nick Rewcastle & Elysia Sanders

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Remove the Time Pressure After a Marathon

We can be quick to tie up our trainers again to head out for a PB, but chasing time goals can leave us burnt out and disappointed on a finish line – progress is not linear, and it shouldn’t be.

Stepping from a road marathon to a trail ultramarathon guarantees another fantastic finish line and removes time pressure. Even the fastest trail runners will walk up the hills whilst happily enjoying some jam sandwiches and flapjacks.

This is the perfect next step after completing a marathon – take it from me!

Dealing With the Distance

The 8km increase might seem daunting, but you don’t need to worry. In terms of mileage, your training will look incredibly similar to a marathon.

Key differences when training for a trail 50km are around time on feet, and elevation training if applicable. This makes the extra 8km just feel like a natural progression from the marathon.

• More ‘easy’ long runs, walks, and jogs rather than hitting pace targets.
• Deliberate switching between walking uphill and running or jogging downhills & flats.
• Some specific elevation work including hill reps or especially high elevation routes.
• Getting used to mixed terrain – trails all look different!

Learning to Fuel

Marathons undoubtedly demand you take on fuel during the distance, but a trail 50km is a different beast. You’ll need to ‘train your gut’, with most ultramarathoners opting for solid foods rather than gels. Expect to be packing sandwiches, flapjacks, and sweets as your fuel rather than gels.

At Ultra Challenge, we take this to the next level with rest stops packed with both sweet and savoury snacks and plenty of drink options.

An Ultra Achievement

Taking on an ultramarathon – whether you walk, jog, or run – is a phenomenal achievement which will stay with you forever. You might think it is impossible to top the finish line feeling of a marathon, but trust us, the Ultra Challenge finish line is something else.

Check out all the Ultra Challenges in 2026 here and get ready to set new goals

The post What To Do After a Marathon? appeared first on Ultra Challenge.

The fast and flat course took participants along the Thames Path, down the Long Walk right up to Windsor Castle, and through stunning countryside – ideal terrain for setting PBs and enjoying a day out in the sunshine.

Standout Stories

Every participant has an important reason for taking on an Ultra Challenge. Some highlights from the Windsor 50 include 50km runner Jonah, who finished in 6:08:30 just 11 months after two heart surgeries.

Chloe, fundraising for the Firefighters Charity, also completed 50km spectacularly dressed as a fire engine – we thought it was difficult enough in regular walking clothes!

Let us know why you’re taking on your Ultra Challenge on the day of your event – keep an eye out for the content team and we’ll be sure to feature you in our coverage.

Windsor 50 Ultra Challenge Stats

• 64,625 kilometres covered across the Windsor 50 Ultra Challenge – that’s 1.6 times the Earth’s circumference
• £325,000 fundraised for over 100+ charities, including a staggering £75,000 between Friday and Sunday
• The two fastest 50km times ever recorded on an Ultra Challenge event – Max Costley took first place male in a time of 3:33:26, just 34 seconds ahead of Bryan Wilkins in second. Katherine Wood smashed the women’s course record by almost 51 minutes, taking home the £500 prize with a time of 3:41:52.

Looking Ahead

With the Bath and Windsor Ultra Challenges complete, we are looking towards the start of our 100km Challenges. The Isle of Wight Ultra Challenge on 2-3 May is set to be a fantastic start.

If you loved your Challenge, it’s time to step up! Check out the rest of the 2026 season and find your perfect event. Consider a 50km with more elevation, getting back out there to set a PB, or even stepping up to the 75km and 100km Challenges. There are still 17 events all over the country to come – check them out here.

Sign up to your next Ultra Challenge and experience that finish line high all over again (… and again and again).

Event Photos

Don’t forget to purchase your event photos here. Huge thank you to My Sport Photos for taking such incredible images of our participants. The perfect way to remember the day!

Make sure to tag us in your social media posts and use #ultrachallenge #windsor50 so we can see how you got on.

See you again soon Challengers!

The post The Windsor 50 Ultra Challenge® appeared first on Ultra Challenge.

At Ultra Challenge, we’ve supported 250,000 Challengers across distances ranging from 10km all the way up to 100km, so we know what works.

Tapering and Time off Your Feet

Tapering, the process of deliberately reducing mileage and intensity before your event, is key for arriving fresh – but it is not just about your training. Make sure to take time off your feet generally, enjoying more hours on the sofa and in bed.

Remember this even if you’ve travelled for your marathon. It is tempting to rack up 10,000+ steps exploring a new place but try to take different transport options where possible.

The few training runs or walks that you complete during the week before your challenge may feel sluggish – don’t panic, this is totally normal. Your body is taking time it needs to recuperate before the big day, and adrenaline will cover up any of this when you cross the start line.

We promise you don’t need to head out the door for another session.

Nutrition and Hydration

Nutrition and hydration fit nicely together on our list of marathon tips, but treat them with equal importance. Just because you should be moving less before your marathon, doesn’t mean you need any less food or water.

Fuel consistently throughout the week and look to considerably increase carbohydrate intake in the 2-3 days before (also known as ‘carb loading’).

Carb loading ensures your muscles are full of glycogen, ready to be as active as possible whilst you run, jog, or walk your marathon.

Maintain a regular eating pattern with typical food earlier in the week, and follow these simple tips to boost your energy levels on the day:

• Increase carbohydrate food sources such as pasta, rice, bread, potatoes, oats, and cereals.
• Increase proportion of carbohydrates in your diet, not just eating more – lower protein, fat, and fibre sources in the 2-3 days before.
• Include regular carb heavy snacks alongside meals, like crumpets and breadsticks, to make digestion easier.
• Always have a drink of water alongside your meals.

You can’t fix hydration in a day, so keep a water bottle on you throughout the week. Drink before you get thirsty rather than playing catch up. Again, it is not about panic drinking water heavily just the day before, as this will flush out essential electrolytes.

The day before the marathon, or certainly the morning of, feel free to include electrolytes in your hydration plan. For a homemade alternative, mix a small amount salt, maple syrup, and lime juice together – it’s not to everyone’s taste though!

Sleep During the Week, Not the Night Before

Nobody sleeps well the night before a big challenge, so don’t put pressure on yourself. Instead make sure you are as well rested as possible in the week preceding.

One of our personal recommendations is to avoid wearing fitness tracking devices overnight, like smart watches or heart rate monitors, in the lead up to your marathon. At this stage, all that will cause is unwanted and unnecessary stress. Trust you’ve put in the work!

Preparation and Checklists

Event day admin inevitably comes alongside a big walking or running challenge. Use this checklist below to make sure you’re ready for the big day and avoid last minute stress:

• Check all your clothes and kit – use a kit list if you’ve been one (ours is in the Ultra Challenge App).
• Transport to and from the course, booking shuttles if needed.
• Food and drink to bring on the course.
• Downloading relevant tracking apps.
• Communicating all of the above with family and friends supporting you.

At Ultra Challenge we use our Challenge App to keep everybody informed. All codes to access your event specific app can be found in our Participant Area web page which can be found here.

Good Luck!

We hope you make the most of our marathon tips. All that remains to be said to anyone taking on a marathon, or any long-distance Challenge coming up, is good luck!

We can’t wait to welcome everybody to our Windsor 50 Ultra Challenge on April 18^th. We still have plenty of fantastic events to enter in 2026, with distance options from 10km up to 100km.

Check out our series of Trail Marathons, or step up your distance to one of our 50km Challenges.

The post The Perfect Marathon Week: Dos and Don’ts appeared first on Ultra Challenge.

The Ultra Trailblazerz Time Goals stood at sub-6 hours for Male Challengers and sub-6.5 hours for Female Challengers on the Bath 50. These times were testing but achievable based on the terrain, elevation, and difficulty. We were incredibly happy to see many Challengers make it over the line before the Time Goal.

Both our Course Records were left in the dust by Isabelle Talbot-Price and Declan O’Callaghan. Isabelle ran 4:20:30, beating the previous record by 45 minutes, and Declan ran more than a 26-minute record completing the course in 4:00:48. Incredibly impressive results, worthy of the £500 Record Breaker Prize.

On-Course Support

On the course, we had specific Ultra Trailblazerz Rest Stops closer to the racing line than our usual offering. We also added running support content into our app to help our runners. All our usual support was also on offer to fuel up more substantially when desired.

Join the Ultra Trailblazerz

It is FREE to swap from a Runner to a Trailblazerz. Sign up to Ultra Trailblazerz today and you could be in with a chance of winning prizes, as well as benefitting from unique support on course.

Ultra Trailblazerz is available on 100km and 50km Challenge Options (only first half 50km on 100km Events).

There has never been a better time to get active on the trails and walk, jog, or run towards your goals. Sign up today and push yourself further in 2026.

The post Ultra Trailblazerz Launches at the Bath 50 Ultra Challenge® appeared first on Ultra Challenge.

Across the 50km, 29km, and 10km distances, participants smashed personal goals and pushed themselves further. It was inspiring to watch everyone coming over the finish line after a long day out.

One standout moment came from a group of over 20 friends taking on the 10km and 29km Challenges. They were raising awareness for Early Onset Parkinson’s Disease, in honour of their friend Sally following her diagnosis. We also saw a runner completing her first 10km, families taking on the Challenge together, and our first ever wave of Ultra Trailblazerz.

Quick fire stats from the Bath 50 Ultra Challenge:

• 66,557 kilometres covered across the Bath 50 Ultra Challenge
• More than 1.2 million meters of elevation covered between all our participants (that’s roughly 136 times the height of Everest!)
• £250,000 fundraised for 100+ charities – we are so proud of all our fundraisers and the fantastic causes they support
• Two Course Records smashed by our First Place Male and Female Ultra Trailblazerz

Everyone at Ultra Challenge wishes all Bath 50 Challengers a huge congratulations – you should be very proud of your achievements.

If you’re feeling the post-Challenge blues, wondering what is next, you’re not alone. Now is the perfect time to set a new goal and experience that finish line feeling all over again – trust us, you never get used to it. Sign up to your next Ultra Challenge today.

With 18 fantastic events still left this season, there’s plenty to aim for. We’ll be back in the South West next for our Cotswold Way Ultra Challenge in June – time to get training!

Event Photographs

There’s still plenty of time to purchase your event photographs. Photos are an amazing way to remember your day and share your experience with friends. Make sure to tag us @ultrachallenges and use #ultrachallenge #bath50 when posting on social media. Click on the image below to visit our gallery.

The post The Bath 50 Ultra Challenge® appeared first on Ultra Challenge.

As part of our ‘Your Challenge, Your Story’ campaign, we’ve been asking participants what the most difficult part of an Ultra Challenge® is. The moment that almost stopped them from reaching their goals. The toughest barrier on route to the finish line.

The overwhelming answer was a surprising one: signing up.

To frequent walkers, joggers, and runners this answer is hidden in plain sight, much like the most difficult part of training is getting out the door. We often worry about the Challenge day, our longest training session, or the state our feet will be in after 50km, but all the excitement and determination that builds around an Ultra Challenge® gets us through. Simply committing to such a significant goal is the hardest part.

So how do you get over that obstacle of committing to a goal and signing up to push yourself further? Below are some approaches that suit different personality types – take your pick.

1. Visualise Your Goal

Imagine yourself crossing the finish line of your chosen Ultra Challenge®. Imagine the feeling of complete accomplishment and pride, admittedly mixed in with some emotional tiredness, surrounded by a Cheer Squad celebrating your Ultra Challenge®.

Think about the person you will be after months of dedicated training, exceeding your expectations of what you thought you were capable of. If in need of an extra prompt, look at the first week of an example training plan and imagine your training slotting into your life. Just the first week though – looking too far ahead can be daunting, and your abilities will improve rapidly.

Picturing this goal and the incredibly positive emotions around it might just be motivation enough to sign up.

2. Normalise the Challenge with your Friends and Family

Telling somebody that you are taking on an Ultra Challenge® can help normalise the idea not just to family and friends, but to yourself. Talking about it, and getting surprised reactions out the way, can take the doubt out of signing up. You might even find that mentioning an endurance event prompts your loved ones to pester you to sign up!

This is especially helpful if you are fundraising. It will encourage others to be invested in your cause and makes publicising your donations page easier. Friends and family are your biggest cheerleaders during training and Challenge day, and it is good to have them on side early.

Talking will only take you so far though! Remember to sign up at that golden moment where excitement is high and others are expecting you to. Leave it too long, the moment will pass and with it your chance to reach new goals.

3. Just Do It

For some, no amount of visualisation, preparation, or chatting around the subject will ease you into signing up. Just ‘rip the band-aid off’ and sign up to that event you have your eye on. That commitment pushes you into taking the actions needed to complete an Ultra Challenge®.

There has never been a better time for this approach as our New Year Deal allows you to sign up from just £10, with buy now, pay later options and discounts on charity fundraising. Take that step, sign up now, and the rest will follow.

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