Whatever kind of ultra run you choose you’re going to be running further and dealing with hillier terrain than most runners are used to. As well as the risk of injury, ultras also demand your undivided focus for hours at a time, and that kind of focus can be exhausting. Studies suggest that in the two weeks following an ultra run, a significant percentage of participants will suffer from an upper respiratory tract infection - so a sore throat, runny nose, a cough, or a combination of all three. But just because feeling unwell after an ultra is common, it doesn’t have to be inevitable. Take a ..read more

Running is addictive. And once you’ve been bitten by the running bug, it can be really tempting to push yourself further or faster. But you might have a solid routine and a race or two under your belt and then start thinking: is this…it? If you’re starting to explore what could be next on the list, you might have come across the term ‘ultra running’. But what exactly IS ultra running? And what do you need to know if you’re considering making the leap from road running to ultras or trails? Read on to find out. So what IS an ultra run? Technically, an ultra run is anything longer than a ma ..read more

The North East of England is home to some of the most beautiful and challenging terrain in the UK, making it an ideal location for ultra runners to train. Northumberland National Park Northumberland National Park is a vast area of unspoiled wilderness that's perfect for ultra runners looking for a challenge. The park offers a variety of terrains, from rolling hills to steep mountains, and is home to several long-distance trails, including the Pennine Way and Hadrian's Wall Path. Kielder Water and Forest Park Kielder Water and Forest Park is the largest man-made forest in England, offering over ..read more

Prepare for your ultra event with one of these training plans, written by Paul Wilson, a UESCA ultrarunning coach and UKA Leader in running fitness. Paul has completed over fifty ultramarathons and running challenges, ranging from 5k Vertical Kilometre race, mountain races, 100mile track races, backyard ultras to the 268 mile Spine Race which he completed twice. He’s also a five-time Lakeland 100 finisher. He believes that ordinary people are capable of extraordinary feats, and that living an active lifestyle can transform your life. By following his training plan and making the most of the t ..read more

An ultra-marathon is a footrace longer than a marathon (26.2 miles or 42km). However ultra marathons can also be arranged over time (for example 24 hours or multi-day), as well as distance. For elite competition, the IAAF has races over 100km. Ultra-marathons have enjoyed significant growth over the past few years. In 2017 in the USA over 100,000 people completed an ultra-marathon and many events sell out as soon as they go on sale. Ultra-marathons are not just a recent phenomenon. The history of the sport can trace its way back to the original London to Brighton footrace in 1837. Two profess ..read more

City centre stretches, woodland trails, incredible views and historic landmarks. Here’s the lowdown on what to expect at Ultra North: the 25k/55k ultra running event on Newcastle’s doorstep. 1) A low key start. If you’ve entered Ultra North, it’s likely you’ve taken part in some races in the past - perhaps even huge events like the Great North Run or a big city marathon. And, if so, you’ll be familiar with the hype and energy that builds at the start line. But Ultra North is much more chilled and low key. Just make sure you get there in plenty of time with your water, map, fully charged GPS w ..read more

Ultra running sounds daunting, doesn’t it? It all seems a bit, well, intense. And it can be. But at Ultra North, our ambition is to be as inclusive as possible, and we’re here to tell you that it’s not as intimidating as it sounds. So if you’ve been wondering whether you could make it as an ultra runner, here’s our short answer: yes. Read on to find out why ultra running could be the next challenge to tick off your list. What if I’m not really a runner? This is one of the biggest misconceptions about ultra events - that you’re expected to run the whole thing! In reality, hardly any entrants r ..read more

Checkout our top 10 tips for preparing for your first ultra-marathon: 1. You're not alone Please don't worry. Everyone has a first ultra-marathon, even the pros. Entering and preparing for an ultra-marathon can seem to be a daunting prospect but you've made the best possible start, by reading our Top 10 Tips... hopefully these tips, learned from experience, will help you go from ultra-novice to ultra-marathoner. 2. Time on your feet The best preparation for an ultra-marathon is simply time on your feet. This does not have to be running. A long walk at the weekend, walking to work instead of t ..read more

The world of ultra-marathons can seem daunting and intimidating, especially to beginners and those contemplating taking their first steps over ultra long distances. So, here we challenge the common misconceptions about ultra-marathons with our myth-busting guide: Your have to run the entire distance: Walking is not only expected, it is encouraged. "Walk the hills and run the downs and flats" is a common mantra. Even the elites will walk, especially on steeper sections or when taking on fuel, it will also form part of their training. Many participants plan in sections of walking and in ultra e ..read more

Top Tips: 1. Eat the good stuff in training and refine your race day nutrition strategy 2. During the run, eat and drink every 20mins or so. Do this from the start! 3. When you finish, help the body to recovery with the best version of whatever you crave. If you have entered an ultra, then getting your food and drink intake right is as important as your training, but while training our legs and lungs seems obvious and simple, many runners fail to train their digestive system and mind for the job of taking on energy. Whatever the distance, here’s what you need to know about eating and drinking ..read more