Click bait title with a couple of random ultra marathons listed that might gain some money from affiliated marketing links? Not at all, we’ve used our database of races to breakdown the 13 ultra marathons that have the highest vertical gain per 10 miles. If we’ve missed one that should be in this list then please let us know so we can add it to this article and our race search database.
A few points to cover before we start, the descriptions and highlights are in most cases taken from the event organisers page, if we have insights from our OSU Community we’ll add them (got some? send it over and we’ll make you famous). Ultimately this article is stat driven and to draw the unsuspecting runner to our website that has about as much content as your bowels after that pre-race portaloo visit.
That being said we’ve got to start somewhere and we’re working hard in the background to build up the content, community and social media stuff. Please leave some comments below or on our social media pages as it will help us decide what to include in future. Maybe you’d like to share some insights from these races yourself, which we could update and include amongst this article. Many thanks the OSU Team.
13. TEC Brecon Beacons Ultra
The Brecon Beacons Trail Running Challenge is now entering its 10th year in Talyboont-on Usk and is A popular event on the trail running calendar in Wales. Previous years’ route changes where they managed to add some more elevation and take you off the Taff Trail into the woods and joining the Cambrian Way. This Welsh 32 miler, totalling 7,989ft of ascent is a short and sharp starter to our list and totally achievable if you can get some vert into those legs before hand.
Highlights:
- Cambrian Way
- Free Professional Race Photos
- Fully Signed Course
12. Lakes in a Day
Totalling 50 miles and 13,123ft of ascent this is one of our longer races within this list. A journey on foot from the very top of the Lake District at Caldbeck to the very bottom at Cartmel. The stunning route along the Helvellyn Ridge and the western shoreline of Lake Windermere might not be the easiest traverse but it will be spectacular!. It’s worth taking the time to study the cut-off’s throughout this race to ensure success!
Highlights:
- Helvellyn Ridge
- Lake Windermere
- Potentially a full day of running in the Lakes
11. Maverick Exmoor Goat Ultra
Exmoor National Park in the South-West of England is known for its dramatic coastline and moorland and you can be sure that Maverick’s Exmoor Goat Ultra will take in the very best that the area has to offer. The Exmoor Goat Ultra is not for the faint-hearted with 9,600ft of ascent over the full 36 miles and with 10 hours to get it done makes for a challenging day in the South West.
Highlights:
- Towering Cliffs
- Valley of Rocks
- Caffyns Farm facilities
10. Maverick Lakes Osprey Ultra
Another “short” and sharp Ultra with this one staged in the Lake District. Maverick describe this ultra as a trail running adventure in the stunning Lake District. With its rugged fells, stunning glacial ribbon lakes, market towns and historic literary associations, the Lake District is one of the most iconic locations in the UK. The route starts in Grasmere passing Easdale Tarn, Stickle Tarn while passing through the Langdale valley and on to the Cumbria Way heading to the finish, but wait there’s a sting in the tail having to summit Rydal Head and the Fairfield Horseshoe.
Highlights:
- Hard Climbs
- Technical Descents
- Epic Views
9. TEC Eryri The Crossing
This is the first ultra in our list that is above 3,000ft per 10 miles, with a total of 11355ft of ascent over the 35 mile course it’s making my quads wince typing this. A chance to summit Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) if you haven’t already, only thing is you’ll have to traverse 30 miles and 11,000ft of ascent before savouring the view before the quads take another beating on the way down.
What TEC says: “our stunning location on the shores of Llyn Cwellyn nr Rhyd Ddu in the heart of Snowdonia (Eryri). Set at Bron Fedw Uchaf farm on the quieter side of the mountain ranges our new route, will give you a chance to explore the open mountains around Snowdon, before summiting Snowdon on your last climb before the decent to the finish.”
Highlights:
- Summit Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)
- Fully Signed Course
- Free Professional Race Photos
8. Ultra-Trail Snowdonia (Eryri) – UTS100M
UTS 100M represents the ultimate grand-tour of the mountains of Snowdonia National Park, taking in the most notable peaks and trails of the area in the north. Totalling 31,167ft elevation gain, on predominantly technical mountain trails. This makes UTS100M one of, if not the toughest Ultra-Trail® events in the world. UTS isn’t just challenging for the sake of it though: exploring Eryri / Snowdonia’s most scenic valleys, rugged peaks and epic landscapes, UTMB’s race route is truly the most beautiful in the UK!
Highlights:
- Grand-Tour of Snowdonia
- Toughest 100 mile event in UK?
- 4 Running Stones
7. Ultra-Trail Snowdonia (Eryri) – UTS50K
UTS 50K acts as the perfect stepping stone into Alpine-scale mountain ultrarunning, taking in several technical mountain trails around the Snowdon massif. Totalling 10,827ft elevation gain over the 34 mile course, on predominantly technical mountain trails. This makes for a tough day in the hills, but with 14 hours to get it done those Running Stones are almost in your grasp. UTS50K isn’t just challenging for the sake of it though: exploring some of Eryri / Snowdonia’s most scenic valleys, rugged peaks and epic landscapes, this UTMB race route is up there with some of the most beautiful in the UK!
Highlights:
- Perfect Stepping Stone to the UTS50M & UTS100M
- Fantastic Route to wet your appetite in Snowdonia
- 2 Running Stones
6. Yr Wyddfa 24 (Snowdon)
Yr Wyddfa, or Snowdon in English, is the highest mountain in Eryri (Snowdonia), and also the whole of England and Wales. It peaks at an impressive 1,085 m (3,560 feet). Starting and finishing at the foot of this iconic mountain, you will be challenged as an individual, or part of a team, to ascend and descend Snowdon as many times as possible in 24 hours.
Being Indexed by U… (They Who Must Not Be Named), this is also a great qualifying or preparation race for They Who Must Not Be Named Mont Blanc. The individual challenges mean that there is a 50k, 100k and 100m mile They Who M… ahh stuff it UTMB indexed challenge. Categories for solo runners, pair relay and team (up to 5) relay. Pair and team entries receive one timing chip, meaning only one person will be running at one time.
Highlights:
- Summit Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) lots of times!!
- Picnics between hikes encouraged
- Train spotters allowed
5. TEC Lake District Ultra
A stunning run around the famous and beautiful Lake District. Based at Grange in Borrowdale, TEC will send you around some of the famous Lake District landmarks. Starting off on the south banks of Derwent Water, you’ll head over the Derwent Fells towards the Honister Pass. From here you’ll head up to Hay Stacks and along the Black Sail Pass and down to Wasdale Head. This is where you start thinking about heading over Scafell Pike, the highest peak in England.
Once you come off Scafell Pike by Tongue Head, you join the Cumbria Way, which winds it’s way back to the finish line. This will be a tough day out in the Mountains covering 39 miles and a total of 12,749ft of ascent, but with 14.5 hours to do it you might just find some time to enjoy the views.
Highlights:
- Black Sail Pass
- Views of Wasdale Head
- Scafell Pike
4. Ultra-Trail Snowdonia (Eryri) – UTS100K
Starting on Saturday morning, UTS 100K covers the highlights of the mountainous areas of northern Eryri/Snowdonia, taking in countless stunning trails, technical ridges and epic views over its 64 miles. Totalling 20,997ft elevation gain, on predominantly technical mountain trails. With a 32 hour cut-off this makes UTS100K span over 2 days and i’m sure they’ll be a few trail side naps along the way. UTS isn’t just challenging for the sake of it though: exploring Eryri / Snowdonia’s most scenic valleys, rugged peaks and epic landscapes, this UTMB race route almost gives you the full tour of this beautiful area, that is reserved for the UTS100M.
Highlights:
- There’s only the UTS100M to do now…
- Toe dipper into 24hr+ Racing
- 3 Running Stones
3. Rab Helvellyn Sky Ultra
If you’re looking for a serious challenge, then this is it. Inspired by the great ultra distance Sky Races of Europe the Helvellyn Sky Ultra™ is one of the most technically demanding marked races in the Lake District with wonderful terrain demanding that the competitors have superb mountain skills.
“The Helvellyn Sky Ultra for me is one of the classic original Lake District Mountain Ultras. It’s tough, technical and a great day out. The highlight of the race is getting to run along the iconic edges of Helvellyn!” – Howard Dracup, 2018
With 35 miles of Lake District paths, trails and rock and 12,139ft of ascent, the route will test your endurance level to the limit. But stamina alone won’t get you to the finish line! You’ll need a good head for heights and nerves of steel if you’re going to traverse five of the most amazing ridge lines in the Lake District! Lower Man to Helvellyn, the awesome Swirral and Striding Edges, Cofa Pike and ascent from Haweswater to High Street.
Highlights:
- Striding Edge
- Swirral Edge
- Helvellyn Ridge
2. Seven Sisters Skyline
Excel Sports’ Seven Sisters Skyline events has become Ireland’s premier mountain running event. It is also Ireland’s largest with its 500 participants. The event is run on a world class route which featured in the World Mountain Running World Cup in 2022. The Seven Sisters Skyline is part of the Skyrunning UK & Ireland Series and an associate partner of the World Mountain Running Association.
So this is 2nd to last on our list but this between the two are very different in format, this race has some serious vert per 10 miles coming in at 3,840ft per 10 mile. The course is some 34 miles with a total of 13,123ft of ascent, with 13 hours to complete it seems fair (if you’ve got the legs for it).
Highlights:
- It’s in Ireland
- Derryveagh Mountains
- Seven Sisters
1. Tenacious Challenge
Back for its fifth year! Take on the Table Mountain in the Black Mountains of Wales. The 10 hour 4-mile strenuous and technical loop race is a test of endurance and determination. This is only for the brave! Last year we saw some truly remarkable performances – let’s see if anyone can beat last years record of 9 loops! This event is open to teams of 4, pairs and solo entrants.
Starting at the base of the Mountain, a harsh and brutal climb up to the first leg of the Table. Skirting the perimeter, you will collect a wrist band before facing the steep south face who will be smiling down at you. The outstanding views stretching as far as Pen Y Fan will make the climb worthwhile. Continuing your fight traversing some technical paths, your aim is the summit of Pen Cerrig-calch at a height of 701m before claiming victory and collecting your second wrist band.
Full of light relief you will then have the chance to pick up some speed and marvel at the very fast but tricky descent back past the Table Mountain and back to base where you will hand in your bands and then decide whether to head straight back out or to rest and enjoy some light relief and refreshments. Our team of physios will be on hand for any aching muscles that may need some attention before taking on the next challenging and testing loop.
A strict 10 hour cut off will be in place- any participant that does not reach base before the final horn will not have that loop recorded, this only adds to the challenge to ensure you are fast enough to beat that horn! Come along and Conquer the Mountain.
Highlights:
- Table Mountain
- Outstanding Views
- Pen Cerrig-calch
Conclusion: We’ve all now got a few more races on our bucket list we didn’t have before, bad jokes aside these races have some serious vertical gain and anyone who has attempted, finished or going to attempt in future has the OSU Team’s Kudos. We encourage you to comment below, comment on our social media and follow if you want to help grow our community. Follow links below straight to the race organisers page (less the affiliate link).
Links to Race Websites below:
- 13. TEC Brecon Beacons
- 12. Lakes in a Day
- 11. Maverick Exmoor Goat Ultra
- 10. Maverick Lakes Osprey Ultra
- 9. TEC Eryri The Crossing
- 8. Ultra-Trail Snowdonia (Eryri) – UTS100M
- 7. Ultra-Trail Snowdonia (Eryri) – UTS50K
- 6. Yr Wyddfa 24 (Snowdon)
- 5. TEC Lake District
- 4. Ultra-Trail Snowdonia (Eryri) – UTS100K
- 3. Rab Helvellyn Sky Ultra
- 2. Seven Sisters Skyline
- 1. Tenacious Challenge
Author: OneStopUltra
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