Arc Of Attrition 50 Mile Ultramarathon

UTMB Arc of Attrition 50 Mile (82km) Ultra Marathon

Do not let the shorter distance fool you. The Arc of Attrition 50 miler is one of the most fearsome and physically demanding 50 mile ultramarathons in the UK. Serving as the sister race to the legendary 100 miler and acting as a prestigious UTMB World Series event, this is a spectacular winter battle against the Cornish coast.

Covering a phenomenal 82km stretch of the South West Coast Path, the Arc 50 miler packs an incredible amount of suffering and staggering beauty into a single day. Held in the depths of the British winter, runners face the notorious, jagged terrain of the Cornish cliffs alongside the very real threat of extreme Atlantic weather.

Course

The Arc 50 mile ultra features a breath taking point-to-point journey that showcases both the majesty and the hostility of the coastline.

• An Iconic Start: The race famously begins at the very tip of the country, the iconic Land's End. From the moment you cross the start line, you are thrown straight into rugged cliffs and remote headlands, journeying northwards along the Atlantic coast.
• The Finish Line: The route concludes at Perranporth Airfield, but getting there is no easy feat. You will pass through legendary, challenging sections including Cape Cornwall, the Dunes of Doom, and Godrevy Head.
• The Terrain: The South West Coast Path is entirely unforgiving. Over the 82km course, you will tackle a relentless 2,700+ metres of elevation gain. You will navigate thousands of irregular, thigh-burning stone steps, traverse narrow clifftop paths and battle through thick, energy-sapping coastal mud. There are virtually no flat sections.
• Winter Conditions: Running in January means you must be prepared for everything. While you might get lucky with crisp winter sunshine, it is highly likely you will be battling freezing temperatures, sea fret, and ferocious winds. The race will inevitably push into the dark, requiring intense focus under the beam of your headtorch.

UTMB World Series

As part of the UTMB World Series, the Arc 50 miler offers a world-class race experience, but it demands serious preparation.

• UTMB 100K Category: Finishing this brutal test earns you highly coveted UTMB Running Stones, which are vital if you want to enter the ballot for the UTMB Finals in Chamonix.
• No Support Crews Allowed: The Arc 100K enforces a strict no external assistance rule. You are not permitted a support crew anywhere on the course. You must rely entirely on your own race management and the official UTMB aid stations, which are spaced approximately 20 miles apart.
• Drop Bags: To help you manage the distance, you are permitted a 30 litre UTMB World Series drop bag, which will be transported to the Lelant aid station for you to access fresh gear and specific nutrition.

Are you ready to face the coast? Perfect your winter layering, prepare for the relentless steps, and get ready for an unforgettable expedition from Land's End. For the most up-to-date entry criteria, precise dates, and to register for the ballot, please visit the official Arc of Attrition UTMB website.