UTMB Arc of Attrition 100 Miles - Race Report
The Arc of Attrition 100 Miler 2026: Battling Storm Ingrid
This year’s (2026) Arc of Attrition 100 miler lived up to its name in the most brutal fashion possible. As we stood on the start line, Storm Ingrid slammed into Cornwall, bringing torrential rain and winds reaching 50mph.
The conditions decimated the field and the stats speak for themselves
Arc of Attrition 100 Mile Ultramarathon
Distance: 100 miles
Elevation gain: 5,300M
Cut-off : 36 Hours
Starters: 630
DNFs: 370
Finishers: 260
Only around 40% of us crossed that finish line, making this, without doubt, the hardest race I’ve ever taken on. Technical trails, unforgiving ground conditions, fierce winds, and hour after hour of darkness turned the 100 mile ultra into a real battle of attrition.
Racing the Cut-Offs
I went into the race with a clear strategy and I pushed hard through the first 50 miles. My goal was to build a buffer and stay ahead of the cut-offs, knowing full well that the second half of the course could be a battle and I was right, because the second half was a full on war.
Pendeen to Lelant (Miles 65-80)
This section broke me more than anything else. The route here was wild, rugged and relentlessly steep. The combination of mud, rocks and slick ground made every single step a gamble.
Fatigue hit hard, and the conditions were so treacherous that I hit the ground more than once. Soon, everything hurt. My toes were smashed from the relentless descents, with the pain becoming almost unbearable. I saw a brilliant medic at Lelant who did what she could to patch me up, but the damage was done. I just had to keep moving.
The Arc of Attrition Mile 90
By mile 90, darkness had fallen for the second night. As the temperature dropped, my body began to rebel. My chest tightened, and breathing became a struggle as I found myself wheezing and coughing in the cold air.
I pulled my buff over my mouth took short, warm breaths just to keep moving.
Eventually, I stopped resisting the pain and accepted it. The challenge became simple: cope, keep going, and keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Why We Run
With any time aspirations long gone, reaching the finish line became the new goal, and I’m incredibly proud I made it to the end against such unforgiving conditions. But the real reward wasn’t the buckle, it was what I learned out there.
Solving problems on the move, dragging myself out of mental dark places when my body begged me to quit... those moments changed me. That struggle is the reason many of us sign up for these events. They make us stronger.
I couldn’t have done it without my mum and dad, the best support crew I could ask for! A huge thanks to my brother Ash for his company on all of the training runs and for being a great sounding board as I prepared as best I could. And huge thanks to the organisers, volunteers, and everyone cheering along the course.
I also have to mention the setup. In such brutal conditions, the aid stations were absolute lifelines. They were well stocked with plenty of food and hydration, and the volunteers were so supportive, they simply couldn’t do enough for you. The chilli at Lelant was delicious and much needed!
Critically, the course was incredibly well marked. As challenging as the terrain and weather were, the clear markings meant navigation was one less thing to worry about, significantly reducing the risk of getting lost in the dark.
Congratulations to everyone who took this on, regardless of the result. If you want a serious challenge with some stunning scenery along the way, I’d recommend it!
UTMB Arc of Attrition 100 Miler - 2026 Results
Men:
- Hugh Tibbs (19:10:09) 🥇
- Simon Withers (19:14:44) 🥈
- Samuel Skinner (20:14:33) 🥉
Women:
- Anne-Sofie Pollestad (22:28:24) 🥇
- Charlotte Fisher (23:49:08) 🥈
- Hannah Rickman (24:47:38) 🥉
Meet Phil
Phil's an ultra runner from England's east coast who's spent the past few years tackling everything from 50k, 50 mile and 100k races to full-on 100 milers. After recently finishing the UTMB Arc of Attrition, he's now training for the huge 215 mile Race Across Scotland.
