Scale mountains, discover historic trails and battle the elements in a race against yourself to discover just what you are capable of. This list has been curated to push you beyond your limits with your running and introduce you to some of the UK\u2019s best running challenges.<\/p>\n
1. The Wainwrights, the Lake District<\/strong><\/h2>\n ![\""Scafell\"]( "\\"\"Scafell\\"")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Scafell Corridor Route (Credit: Dave McFarlane)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\nA breathtakingly brutal challenge set in the Lake District National Park, the goal is to \u2018bag\u2019 as many of the Wainwright peaks as possible in one fell swoop, excuse the pun\u2026 The rules follow that runners must start and finish at Keswick, taking any route they wish across the peaks, all but one of which sit at over 1,000ft including big, friendly giants like Scafell Pike and Helvellyn.<\/p>\n
Typically, this feat traverses a distance of over 500km with most adventurers taking on choice sections. Originally grouped together as such in Alfred Wainwright\u2019s meticulously illustrated books on the Lakeland Fells, the challenge is inspired by the area\u2019s natural beauty, which is now known as a fell-running mecca.<\/p>\n
The last couple of years have proved groundbreaking. In 2019, Windermere\u2019s Paul Tierney broke the men\u2019s record by finishing in six days and six hours, while last year saw Ambleside\u2019s Sabrina Verjee become the first woman to run all 214 Wainwrights in one go.<\/p>\n - Best waterproof socks for running and cycling\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- Best running belts for carrying the essentials\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- Winter run training shoes: 7 of the best reviewed\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- Best running tights: 4 of the best\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>
<\/p><\/div> <\/section>
2. The Welsh 3000ers, Wales<\/strong><\/h2>\n ![\""Running\"]( "\\"\"running-challenge-welsh-3000-\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Welsh 3000ers (Credit: Mike Alexander)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\nThis ultra-running challenge sees you scale all 15 mountains in Wales that sit over 3,000ft within 24hrs. The terrain will keep you on your toes with bogs, rocks and steep climbs including the scraggy Pen yr Olwen and relentless Elidir Fawr.<\/p>\n
Though under 40km, the main challenge is navigation in unpredictable conditions. Many decide to start with the sun by a bivvy sleep atop Snowdon, finishing at the summit of Foel Fras. thewelsh3000s.co.uk<\/p>\n
3. South West Coastal Path, England<\/strong><\/h2>\n ![\""Jurassicman\"]( "\\"\"Jurassicman2013-hires_32\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Jurassicman along the South West Coast Path (Credit: Brutal Events)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\nThe South West Coastal Path passes through countless nature reserves and areas of outstanding natural beauty including the iconic Jurassic Coast. The vast 1,014km stretch of rugged coastline commences in Minehead in Somerset and finishes at Poole Harbour, meandering through Cornwall, Devon and Dorset.<\/p>\n
Only have a couple weeks to spare? Don\u2019t worry \u2013 the entire path was ran by Damian Hall in an astonishing 10 days and 15hrs in 2016. southwest coastpath.org.uk<\/p>\n - How much running should you do?<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- How does using a running power meter improve your run?\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- How to start training for canicross<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- How can I increase my run mileage safely<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>
<\/p><\/div> <\/section>
4. Ramsay Round, Glen Nevis, Scotland<\/strong><\/h2>\n ![\""run\"]( "\\"\"run\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\nOne of the infamous \u2018big three\u2019 ultra-running round challenges in the UK, the Ramsay Round involves circuiting all of the Scottish Lochaber mountains of the Glen Nevis range within 24hrs, including the mighty Ben Nevis.<\/p>\n
First attempted by Charlie Ramsay in 1978, this round includes a total of 23 Munros, which are mountains over 3,000ft, across a distance of approximately 90km.<\/p>\n
5. The Taff Trail, Wales<\/strong><\/h2>\n ![\""Pontsarn,\"]( "\\"\"Aerial\\"")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Pontsarn, South Wales \/ Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\nThis trail covers 88km of stunning welsh countryside from Cardiff Bay to Brecon following the winding river Taff.<\/p>\n
Runners will encounter the Glamorganshire canal path, follow an abandoned branch of the Taff Vale Railway and wind along countless quiet forest roads on National Cycle Route 8.<\/p>\n
6. The Montane Spine Race, England<\/strong><\/h2>\n ![\""Montane\"]( "\\"\"Montane-Spine-Combined-Races-jimmy-hyland\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div> Credit: Jimmy Hyland<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\nThis is an absolute classic of a running challenge. The long-running event has a number of variations offering different distances or conditions, but the headline option is the full Spine Race. There\u2019s an option to do it in summer or winter, the latter being the original Montane Spine Race.<\/p>\n
Both full-distance options demand a spectacular feat of endurance, with competitors tackling all 268 miles of the Pennine Way non-stop and self-supported, though there are safety teams and pit stops along the way.<\/p>\n
The men\u2019s course record is 77:34:52 and is held by Eoin Keith (IRL), while the current women\u2019s record is 80:28:35 and is held by Anna Troup (GBR). Think you can beat them? Find out more here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\nKey fell-running gear<\/strong><\/h2>\nRunning backpack<\/strong><\/h3>\n- <\/li>\n<\/ul>
![\""Scafell\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/34\/2021\/10\/Scafell-Corridor-Route-193-e7818a2.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"Scafell\\"")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>A breathtakingly brutal challenge set in the Lake District National Park, the goal is to \u2018bag\u2019 as many of the Wainwright peaks as possible in one fell swoop, excuse the pun\u2026 The rules follow that runners must start and finish at Keswick, taking any route they wish across the peaks, all but one of which sit at over 1,000ft including big, friendly giants like Scafell Pike and Helvellyn.<\/p>\n
Typically, this feat traverses a distance of over 500km with most adventurers taking on choice sections. Originally grouped together as such in Alfred Wainwright\u2019s meticulously illustrated books on the Lakeland Fells, the challenge is inspired by the area\u2019s natural beauty, which is now known as a fell-running mecca.<\/p>\n
The last couple of years have proved groundbreaking. In 2019, Windermere\u2019s Paul Tierney broke the men\u2019s record by finishing in six days and six hours, while last year saw Ambleside\u2019s Sabrina Verjee become the first woman to run all 214 Wainwrights in one go.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section> This ultra-running challenge sees you scale all 15 mountains in Wales that sit over 3,000ft within 24hrs. The terrain will keep you on your toes with bogs, rocks and steep climbs including the scraggy Pen yr Olwen and relentless Elidir Fawr.<\/p>\n Though under 40km, the main challenge is navigation in unpredictable conditions. Many decide to start with the sun by a bivvy sleep atop Snowdon, finishing at the summit of Foel Fras. thewelsh3000s.co.uk<\/p>\n The South West Coastal Path passes through countless nature reserves and areas of outstanding natural beauty including the iconic Jurassic Coast. The vast 1,014km stretch of rugged coastline commences in Minehead in Somerset and finishes at Poole Harbour, meandering through Cornwall, Devon and Dorset.<\/p>\n Only have a couple weeks to spare? Don\u2019t worry \u2013 the entire path was ran by Damian Hall in an astonishing 10 days and 15hrs in 2016. southwest coastpath.org.uk<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section> One of the infamous \u2018big three\u2019 ultra-running round challenges in the UK, the Ramsay Round involves circuiting all of the Scottish Lochaber mountains of the Glen Nevis range within 24hrs, including the mighty Ben Nevis.<\/p>\n First attempted by Charlie Ramsay in 1978, this round includes a total of 23 Munros, which are mountains over 3,000ft, across a distance of approximately 90km.<\/p>\n This trail covers 88km of stunning welsh countryside from Cardiff Bay to Brecon following the winding river Taff.<\/p>\n Runners will encounter the Glamorganshire canal path, follow an abandoned branch of the Taff Vale Railway and wind along countless quiet forest roads on National Cycle Route 8.<\/p>\n This is an absolute classic of a running challenge. The long-running event has a number of variations offering different distances or conditions, but the headline option is the full Spine Race. There\u2019s an option to do it in summer or winter, the latter being the original Montane Spine Race.<\/p>\n Both full-distance options demand a spectacular feat of endurance, with competitors tackling all 268 miles of the Pennine Way non-stop and self-supported, though there are safety teams and pit stops along the way.<\/p>\n The men\u2019s course record is 77:34:52 and is held by Eoin Keith (IRL), while the current women\u2019s record is 80:28:35 and is held by Anna Troup (GBR). Think you can beat them? Find out more here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n2. The Welsh 3000ers, Wales<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\""Running\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/34\/2021\/10\/running-challenge-welsh-3000--2c9ad83.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"running-challenge-welsh-3000-\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>3. South West Coastal Path, England<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\""Jurassicman\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/34\/2021\/10\/Jurassicman2013-hires_32-ecaf972.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"Jurassicman2013-hires_32\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>4. Ramsay Round, Glen Nevis, Scotland<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\""run\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/34\/2021\/10\/run-adventure-4fe9650.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"run\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>5. The Taff Trail, Wales<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\""Pontsarn,\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/34\/2021\/10\/GettyImages_1275839508-90f4d5b.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"Aerial\\"")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>6. The Montane Spine Race, England<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\""Montane\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/34\/2021\/10\/Montane-Spine-Combined-Races-jimmy-hyland-46c2458.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"Montane-Spine-Combined-Races-jimmy-hyland\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Key fell-running gear<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Running backpack<\/strong><\/h3>\n