Peddars Way Ultra Marathon

Peddars Way 50 Mile Ultramarathon

Start your ultra running season with a journey along an ancient Roman road. The Peddars Way Ultra is a fast, flat, and phenomenally popular 50 mile (closer to 48 mile) point-to-point ultra marathon through the heart of the Norfolk countryside.

Organised by the highly respected team at Challenge Running, this event is a staple of the British winter ultra calendar. Traditionally held in late January or early February, it offers runners the perfect opportunity to test their winter training on a highly runnable route that finishes right on the spectacular North Norfolk coast.

Course

The race follows the historic Peddars Way National Trail. Your journey begins at Knettishall Heath on the Norfolk/Suffolk border and heads relentlessly straight north, tracing the route originally built by the Romans to police the Iceni tribe.

The route is famously flat, making it an incredibly fast course for elite runners and a highly accessible entry-level ultra for beginners.

• The Terrain: You will run on a mix of hard-packed sandy trails, grassy tracks, woodland paths, and quiet country lanes.
• The Elements: While the elevation won't break you, the weather might. Taking place in the depths of winter, the Peddars Way can throw anything at you, from glorious, crisp winter sunshine to freezing rain, ice, and biting coastal headwinds.
• The Finish: The trail concludes dramatically at the beach in Holme-next-the-Sea, where the Roman road famously disappears into the sea.

Checkpoints and Support

Challenge Running events are renowned for their flawless logistics and friendly marshals.

• Self-Navigation: The route is self-navigated. Fortunately, the Peddars Way is one of the best-waymarked national trails in the UK (look for the acorn symbols), but carrying a downloaded GPX file and map is still mandatory.
• Aid Stations: You will be supported by a series of well-spaced indoor and outdoor checkpoints. Expect a warm welcome, hot drinks, and a fantastic array of ultra-running snacks to keep your engine fuelled in the cold.

The Peddars Way Ultra is the ultimate winter motivator. Having a 50 mile ultra in the diary forces you out of the door for those dark, cold December and January training runs. The flat, runnable nature of the course makes it a prime candidate for a massive personal best, while the exceptional organisation from Challenge Running guarantees a safe, supportive, and brilliant day out on the trails. Visit the official race website for full details and registration info.