Bowland 41 Mile Ultra Marathon

Bowland Ultra Marathon

Forget the crowds of the Lakes. The Forest of Bowland is one of the UK’s last true wildernesses, a vast expanse of peat moorland, gritstone fells, and deep valleys. In January, it becomes a beautiful, brutal playground for the hardy.

The Bowland Ultra (41 miles) is not your average ultra marathon Held in the depths of winter, this is an old-school test of endurance where the primary opponent isn't the clock, but the elements. If you enjoy "boggy slog-fests," technical singletrack, and the sort of solitude you can only find on a bleak northern fell, this is the race for you.

Let’s be clear: this is a Winter Ultra. Taking place in January, you should expect anything from crisp, frozen ground to deep snow, horizontal rain, or knee-deep mud.

The course is unmarked. While a GPX file is provided and highly recommended, you need to be comfortable moving through the hills self-sufficiently. This isn't a "follow the yellow ribbons" parade; it's an adventure. You will need to manage your own temperature, navigation, and morale as you traverse shooting tracks, ancient trods, and the inevitable peat hags.

Course

Starting and finishing at Slaidburn Village Hall, the gateway to the forest, the route inscribes a giant, rugged loop through the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

You’ll head out onto the historic Hornby Road and the remote Salter Fell, a Roman road that feels like it leads to the edge of the world. From there, the course takes you on a tour of the area's heavy hitters:

• The Fells: Expect to skirt the edges of Wards Stone and tackle the climbs around Fairsnape Fell.
• The Valleys: You’ll drop into the picturesque Bleasdale and the "Little Switzerland" of Chipping, offering a brief respite before the final push.
• The Sting: The return leg via Dunsop Bridge (the geographic centre of Great Britain) involves the climb over Dunsop Head, a final test of legs and lungs before the descent back to Slaidburn.

Despite the wild terrain, the support is legendary. The event utilises local village halls for its 4 checkpoints (Whittendale, Bleasdale, Chipping and Dunsop Bridge), meaning you get proper shelter and proper food. 

Ready to take on the Bowland Ultra? This race strips ultra running back to its essentials: moving efficiently through difficult terrain in difficult weather. There is no glitz, just a tough route, a warm community, and the satisfaction of knowing you’ve tackled the "Beast of Bowland" when most people are still hibernating.

Plus, the race supports the Morecambe Bay Foodbank, so your suffering is for a very good cause!

For full details, including registration info, please visit the official race website.