The Loop London Ultra Marathon

The Loop London 170 Mile Ultra Marathon

Forget the London Marathon. If you really want to see the capital, you need to run around it, all of it. The Loop London is a gargantuan 170 mile endurance test that traces the very edge of the capital.

Brought to you by Mark Cockbain, the man behind some of the UK’s most unforgiving races such as The Hill and The Tunnel, this is not a sightseeing tour. It is a gritty, self-supported circumnavigation of Greater London following the London Outer Orbital Path (The LOOP). It is essentially the M25 for runners, but with more stiles, more mud, and significantly more blisters.

Course

Over the 170 miles, the terrain is a chaotic mix. You will run through ancient woodlands, across muddy farmers' fields, along industrial canal towpaths, and through suburban housing estates. One moment you are in the rolling hills of the North Downs, the next you are navigating a pavement alongside a dual carriageway.

This constant transition between soft ground and unforgiving tarmac is what destroys legs. It is a route of jarring contrasts, highlighting the weird and wonderful boundary where the city meets the countryside.

The distance alone is formidable, but the real enemy here is the environment. The London Loop is waymarked, but signage is often missing, damaged, or hidden by overgrown hedges. Navigating obscure alleyways in Uxbridge or woodlands in Havering at 3:00 am, while sleep-deprived, is mentally exhausting.

In true Cockbain style, do not expect aid stations every few miles. You are expected to be largely self-sufficient.

This is an adventure that requires you to be a runner, a navigator, and a tactician. Completing the loop is a massive achievement, earning you membership into a very small club of runners who have conquered London’s outer limits on foot. For more details on how to enter the Cockbain Loop London Ultra Marathon, please visit the official race website.