Guide to Ultrarunning: Finding Your Format

Emily Cartigny

Newly minted ultra-runner Emily Cartigny takes us through the basics of Ultrarunning, starting with finding the right format for you. Is it a fast and furious, fully-marked 50k or a self-sufficient, multi-day epic?

Fuelled by the adrenaline, I bullied my way to the front. I practically sprinted off the start line

Finding your Ultra-Marathon Format

Have you signed up for an ultra-event, but you are now wondering what you’ve let yourself in for? Or have you been inspired to dip your toes into ultras, but you are not sure where to start? Either way, we’ve got you covered. This guide demystifies the ultra-distance formats so that you can choose the right event for you.

Since Ultra-marathons include any distance over 26.2 miles, events can range from 27 to 300 miles, or even longer. Let’s break it down:

Distance races:

These events have a set distance that you need to cover to complete the race. Common distances include 50K, 100K, 50 miles and 100 miles, but again can vary massively. The distance can be covered by completing laps of a course or, more commonly, by completing an A-to-B or single-loop route.

Examples of this format: The Lakeland 50 and Lakeland 100

With so many choices, picking the best format for you can feel overwhelming. For your first event, it’s important to consider what you want out of the experience.

Timed races:

For these events, rather than being limited by distance, you are tested on how far you can travel in a certain timeframe. Common timings include 6hr, 12hr, 24hr and 48hr. This format mostly uses a course for you to lap but could also be done as an A-to-B route.

Examples of this format: Snowdon24

Luckily for you, I’ve made all the mistakes you can think of so that you don’t have to.

Multi-day events:

If (or when) you are considering the longer distance or timed formats, you might find you are competing over more than one day. Usually, with these races, one day rolls straight into another with no stop of the clock. The challenge here often lies in sleep deprivation and fatigue management.

Examples of this format: The Spine

Since Ultra-marathons include any distance over 26.2 miles, events can range from 27 to 300 miles, or even longer.

Multi-stage events:

Unlike multi-day events, this format involves a set distance to cover in one day. The timer then stops, allows you to rest and then restarts at the next stage (usually the next day).

Examples of this format: Cape Wrath Ultra

While most of the above are completed as organized events...some ultra-challenges are completed in your own time.

Challenge events:

While most of the above are completed as organized events (which you enter and compete alongside your fellow runners), some ultra-challenges are completed in your own time. You set the date and time to make an attempt. GPS or witnesses are then used to prove you’ve completed the requirements of the challenge. This offers you advantages in picking good weather. They also offer a more intimate atmosphere to a bigger, organized event.

Examples of this format: The Bob Graham Round

Other team formats require team members to remain together at all times. Again this can offer a sense of safety and support for beginners.

Team Events:

Despite ultra-running mostly being an individual sport, some events offer a team option. There can be variety within this format itself. Some team setups use a relay system, where only one runner is out on the course at a time and the others are able to rest and recover. This format can be great for beginners who are unsure of taking on the entire distance on their own. A lapped course is often used for this.

Examples of this format: Hope Trial Ultra

Other team formats require team members (usually two) to remain together at all times. Again this can offer a sense of safety and support for beginners, but it can also be challenging to manage the strengths, weaknesses, and pace preferences of each runner.

Examples of this format: The Old County Tops Fell Race

The challenge is to realistically estimate your ability to cover the ground between points within the time frame or, if you’re like us, massively underestimate on day one.

Navigation events:

Last, but not least, are navigation events. Instead of a marked route for you to follow, you are given a set of landmarks, summits or features to make your way to. The route between these waypoints is your choice. This creates variation between the distances and elevations that competitors complete. In these events, the challenge is to realistically estimate your ability to cover the ground between points within the time frame (or, if you’re like us, massively underestimate on day one and then overcompensate and take on too much on day 2). It also requires a certain level of map-reading skills!

Examples of this format: our very own OMM and OMM lite events.

With so many choices, picking the best format for you can feel overwhelming. For your first event, it’s important to consider what you want out of the experience. Is it to say you’ve covered a certain distance? To see how far you can run in a certain time? Is it an opportunity to test out the navigation skills under pressure? Or is it the social aspect that you are looking for? By answering these questions, you should have a good indication of which format will work for you. Luckily, there are lots of events to try out to find your preferred style.

To find your next event, Ultra Runner Magazine has a handy calendar which you can filter by location and race format: https://www.ultrarunnermagazine.co.uk/race-calendar/

You can read Part 2 HERE

Newly minted ultra-runner Emily Cartigny takes us through the basics of Ultrarunning, starting with finding the right format for you. Is it a fast and furious, fully-marked 50k or a self-sufficient, multi-day epic?

Fuelled by the adrenaline, I bullied my way to the front. I practically sprinted off the start line

Finding your Ultra-Marathon Format

Have you signed up for an ultra-event, but you are now wondering what you’ve let yourself in for? Or have you been inspired to dip your toes into ultras, but you are not sure where to start? Either way, we’ve got you covered. This guide demystifies the ultra-distance formats so that you can choose the right event for you.

Since Ultra-marathons include any distance over 26.2 miles, events can range from 27 to 300 miles, or even longer. Let’s break it down:

Distance races:

These events have a set distance that you need to cover to complete the race. Common distances include 50K, 100K, 50 miles and 100 miles, but again can vary massively. The distance can be covered by completing laps of a course or, more commonly, by completing an A-to-B or single-loop route.

Examples of this format: The Lakeland 50 and Lakeland 100

With so many choices, picking the best format for you can feel overwhelming. For your first event, it’s important to consider what you want out of the experience.

Timed races:

For these events, rather than being limited by distance, you are tested on how far you can travel in a certain timeframe. Common timings include 6hr, 12hr, 24hr and 48hr. This format mostly uses a course for you to lap but could also be done as an A-to-B route.

Examples of this format: Snowdon24

Luckily for you, I’ve made all the mistakes you can think of so that you don’t have to.

Multi-day events:

If (or when) you are considering the longer distance or timed formats, you might find you are competing over more than one day. Usually, with these races, one day rolls straight into another with no stop of the clock. The challenge here often lies in sleep deprivation and fatigue management.

Examples of this format: The Spine

Since Ultra-marathons include any distance over 26.2 miles, events can range from 27 to 300 miles, or even longer.

Multi-stage events:

Unlike multi-day events, this format involves a set distance to cover in one day. The timer then stops, allows you to rest and then restarts at the next stage (usually the next day).

Examples of this format: Cape Wrath Ultra

While most of the above are completed as organized events...some ultra-challenges are completed in your own time.

Challenge events:

While most of the above are completed as organized events (which you enter and compete alongside your fellow runners), some ultra-challenges are completed in your own time. You set the date and time to make an attempt. GPS or witnesses are then used to prove you’ve completed the requirements of the challenge. This offers you advantages in picking good weather. They also offer a more intimate atmosphere to a bigger, organized event.

Examples of this format: The Bob Graham Round

Other team formats require team members to remain together at all times. Again this can offer a sense of safety and support for beginners.

Team Events:

Despite ultra-running mostly being an individual sport, some events offer a team option. There can be variety within this format itself. Some team setups use a relay system, where only one runner is out on the course at a time and the others are able to rest and recover. This format can be great for beginners who are unsure of taking on the entire distance on their own. A lapped course is often used for this.

Examples of this format: Hope Trial Ultra

Other team formats require team members (usually two) to remain together at all times. Again this can offer a sense of safety and support for beginners, but it can also be challenging to manage the strengths, weaknesses, and pace preferences of each runner.

Examples of this format: The Old County Tops Fell Race

The challenge is to realistically estimate your ability to cover the ground between points within the time frame or, if you’re like us, massively underestimate on day one.

Navigation events:

Last, but not least, are navigation events. Instead of a marked route for you to follow, you are given a set of landmarks, summits or features to make your way to. The route between these waypoints is your choice. This creates variation between the distances and elevations that competitors complete. In these events, the challenge is to realistically estimate your ability to cover the ground between points within the time frame (or, if you’re like us, massively underestimate on day one and then overcompensate and take on too much on day 2). It also requires a certain level of map-reading skills!

Examples of this format: our very own OMM and OMM lite events.

With so many choices, picking the best format for you can feel overwhelming. For your first event, it’s important to consider what you want out of the experience. Is it to say you’ve covered a certain distance? To see how far you can run in a certain time? Is it an opportunity to test out the navigation skills under pressure? Or is it the social aspect that you are looking for? By answering these questions, you should have a good indication of which format will work for you. Luckily, there are lots of events to try out to find your preferred style.

To find your next event, Ultra Runner Magazine has a handy calendar which you can filter by location and race format: https://www.ultrarunnermagazine.co.uk/race-calendar/

You can read Part 2 HERE

Emily is a freelance writer on a mission to unlock the outdoors for underrepresented groups. She’s particularly passionate about sharing female stories of adventure and the outdoors. When it comes to running her strengths are enthusiasm and pure stubbornness rather than talent. You'll usually find her getting lost in the Lake District or on her local fell, Farleton Knott.

Emily is a freelance writer on a mission to unlock the outdoors for underrepresented groups. She’s particularly passionate about sharing female stories of adventure and the outdoors. When it comes to running her strengths are enthusiasm and pure stubbornness rather than talent. You'll usually find her getting lost in the Lake District or on her local fell, Farleton Knott.

If you have a story to tell, whether it’s from the OMM, another race or challenge or just how you use our kit, get in touch! Just pop an email to james@team-ark.com and who knows, you might just earn yourself some free kit!