ULTRA

22/07/2024

Issue 19 - Finite Loop

Emma Harrison takes on the Fisherfield Round in a day.

Among the Giants of the north-west lie arguably the best hills in Scotland. To reach any of the peaks in the area will reward you with some of the best views out there – stretches of coastline, the Isle of Skye and the outer Hebrides. Many people have heard of the North West Munros - Liatach, Beinn Alligan, An Teallach but how many have attempted the most remote hills in the area?

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19/07/2024

ULTRA GOES DIGITAL!

ULTRA are excited to announce that you can now buy a digital version of our magazine.

Starting with Issue 19, for only £5.99, you can read exactly the same content that you can in our printed magazine, in a beautifully designed digital format.

"The sustainable print editions of ULTRA will always be at the core of what we do, but we recognise the need for a digital edition too. Many of our customers have asked for it as a handy travel companion, and with an eye on ever-increasing transportation costs and carbon footprint, particularly for our international customers."

Buy here! https://bit.ly/3Y5yUwe

Proudly supported by INOV8

inov-8 All Terrain Running

17/07/2024

Issue 17 - Summit Up?

Ted Shroud is making it his mission to ensure opportunities to run ultras, and their associated benefits to mental health, are given to younger people.

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12/07/2024

Issue 19 - Barkley Investments

The incredible emotional rollercoaster that was Jasmin Paris' finish at the Barkley Marathons this year is continuing more than a week after the event. Jasmin took some time out to speak with Robin about the race, and how it all panned out.

Five years ago, Jasmin Paris made headlines after becoming the first woman to win The Spine Race, setting a new record while along the way expressing milk for her then 14-month-old baby. She has often broken down barriers, such as when scrapping to the last with Jim Mann for the overall win at Dragons Back Race in 2015; in 2016 setting an overall record for Ramsay's Round along with women's records for the Paddy Buckley Round and the Bob Graham Round; winning the Skyrunning Extreme Series that same year; and then The Spine success which catapulted her to fame. In 2023 she became only the second woman to attempt a fourth loop at the legendary Barkley Marathons, in Tennessee in the US. As veterans of Barkley say, the only way to recce that race is to enter and run it; so with four loops attempted last year this set her up well for her climactic finish this year.

Photo: David Miller

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10/07/2024

Capes of Wrath - Issue 18

The beautifully brutal Cape Wrath Ultra by Sarah Perry

Unless you've somehow reccied the whole Cape Wrath route before – which, given it is very long, inhospitable, and difficult to get to and from, is quite an unreasonable request - it;s hard to understand the nature of the trail.

The route is beyond beautiful: weaving through endless valleys, climbing over stunning mountain passes, with a sprinkle of bog-hopping, river-crossing and heather-bashing along the way. You won't find a book boasting family-friendly walks along the Cape Wrath Trail: it's wild,
rugged and remote. What a treat it was to wander along this region for hours each day for more than a week, exploring the beauty of the Highlands on foot.

Was I prepared for Cape Wrath? In a sense, yes. I'd scrutinised the kit list and quizzed my multi-day experienced friends for tips. I still had a knot of uncertainty in my stomach; this wasn't like anything else I had attempted before. I was apprehensive about my first multi-day event, but also about how my body would respond to asking it to run 20-40 miles every day for eight days.

Image: No Limits Photography

Read it in full in Issue 18: https://bit.ly/3EpMGg1

08/07/2024

Issue 19 - Halfway Point

"I've observed a lot of people over the years taking up ultrarunning as a midlife crisis thing. I thought it was cute. Look at these guys, they've bought the houses, had their kids, just about survived all that and now they want to go traipsing around in sh*tty fields for 17 hours at a time.

Now I am mid-life, statistically just half past the halfway point of my expected life, and I'm wondering whether I even have what it takes anymore."

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05/07/2024

What’s in your bag? - Issue 18

There’s a few bits of kit I’ve always been nerdy and a bit obsessive about, and rucksacks are one of them. My first competitive events were Mountain Marathons (the two-day navigation events done in pairs) in Ireland. As a hillwalker learning the ropes of this running stuff I looked on enviously at the fast lads with their light but perfect 32L KIMM sacks. 30 years later and the KIMM Sacks successor, the OMM Classic 32L remains my choice of backpack if a large volume of kit is needed - The Spine being the obvious candidate, with its huge mandatory list.

Image: Eoin Keith

Read it in full in Issue 18: https://www.ultra-magazine.com

01/07/2024

Issue 15 - Pole Stars.

Charlie Sproston talks us through running with poles.

"Running with poles is as it sounds, running with poles, using trail running poles to prepare yourself and support your frame throughout a run or a race in order to get a more efficient movement pattern over your given distance. However, when observing runners using poles, more often than not they are "trail sticks being carried, and not offering much assistance". The thing is, to get the best out of them, you need to think about three major things: forward propulsion, cadence, and fluidity of travel."

Find out more: https://bit.ly/ULTRA-maghome

29/06/2024

Everyone at ULTRA Magazine is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Joss Naylor.

This legend of fell running blazed the way on the UK's classic challenges and provided inspiration for so many. He is known for his humility and generosity to others, and he supported fell runners throughout his life to the very end.

Our thoughts are with Joss's family and friends.

28/06/2024

Issue 19 - The Five Fs

Consumers are bombarded with information with industry or brand bias and marketing claims. Right now, you might feel puzzled or even dismayed by the onerous list of layers that your next event rules demand.

What do you need to focus on is functionality, affordability and appropriateness. We suggest thinking of your next purchase as a 'layer' to enable you to think more clearly about what exactly you wish it to do for you and how it best combines with your existing garments. Any new combination should result in 1+1=3!

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26/06/2024

Issue 16 - Something Inside So Strong

Strength training is now considered essential for ultra runners. Coach Nick Hancock goes through the basics.

Find out more: https://bit.ly/ULTRA-maghome

24/06/2024

Issue 19 - Steeplechase

"Why are those eyes staring at me?" The branches move in the breeze, and array of eyes moving together in the twilight beforedawn. They say faeries like to play with foolish humans, and right now it feels like they're having a riot.

It started back in January; as usual my friend Steffen (Fluffy for short) was giving me the wind up about what "nice short race" I do next. Last year involved running up and down the same hill for 24 hours (during the start of a heat wave of course).

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Canary Trail Events

21/06/2024

Issue 17 - Bring Barkley to Berkeley

Translating the legendary Barkley Marathons into British English.

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19/06/2024

Issue 19 - Walking to Empower

The activities of the Pedestriennes in the 19th century are well known and the studies of researchers like Dahn Shaulis mean that era has been well documented. Likewise the modern period from the 1970s onwards as the women's distance races blossom once again.

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17/06/2024

The Sustainable Journey - Issue 18

Repairability, recyclability and the implications of the next generation of outdoor gear
and garment performance by Mike Parsons

Garments and textiles have been identified as the second dirtiest industry in the world! That includes garments of all types, not merely outdoor garments.

But how did the world of garments arrive in this unfortunate position? The drive for ‘sustainability’ within the industry is now driven not merely by conscience and
environmental concerns but also by the impending EU legislation requiring standards of repairability and recyclability of end-of-life garments and the collection of waste textiles.

The crunch factor: this means that everything we have used and trusted in our garment layers over the last many years will change within the next three years or so. What will also change is the marketing language used to explain these changes. The principles of how garments work will not change, however. What we, OutdoorGearCoach.co.uk, teach in terms of principles and the skills which we refer to as ‘Performance Layering’
will probably become even more important.

Read it in full in Issue 18: https://bit.ly/3EpMGg1

15/06/2024

Well done Jasmin Paris!!

Congratulations to our inspirational co-founder Jasmin Paris who has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours. 💚

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/midlothian-paris-mbe-outside-british-b2563020.html?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaaf-FeMn255hjVqraYWVhPFMRVdQyLoGPAvOvQGSJHpDGViXK4o97Zp_xU_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw

13/06/2024

Issue 19 - Editor's Intro

"Recently, I've been thinking a lot about the history of our sport of ultra-distance running; partly inspired by Davy Crockett's excellent Ultrarunning History podcast and partly by the musings of our lovely contributor Andy Milroy, who has written articles in the last few issues about the history of the sport. While the sport may be enjoying the benefits of increased participation over the last few years, and a record number of races staged in countries around the world, there is a long and rich archive of runners and ultra achievements from over the decades that needs to be preserved and nowhere moreso than in the United Kingdom."

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11/06/2024

Issue 19 - European Vacation

For a lot of people, holidays are generally about where is good to go for the kids, and if that encompasses some decent morning or evening running too then you're quids in. For others like me, booking a holiday might be specifically all about going running somewhere new for a change of scenery and a great excuse to get up some new ridges and experience great views and great food . Either way, running adventures can lead to epic experiences so be selective about where to go before you book.

By Emma Harrison

Buy now! https://www.ultra-magazine.com

10/06/2024

Trowb-ridge Racer - Issue 18

A hundred years ago, back in 1923, Frances Hayward undertook a 54-mile journey on foot on the dusty road between Pietermaritzburg and Durban. At the time this was unheard of in
South Africa. Ultrarunning historian Andy Milroy investigates why and how this happened, and more about this remarkable young woman.

Morris Alexander's book The Comrades Marathon Story states of Miss Frances Hayward: 'She turned out at the start clad in a business-like green gymnasium costume… Miss
Hayward had applied to run as an official competitor, but her application was refused'.

Why did Frances choose to run the Comrades? There were periods in the twenties and thirties of the 20th century when women’s distance walking became very popular. In 1927 a
column entitled Gossip from London, published in an Australian newspaper, described a rural walk where the writer “met party after party of women of all ages and all degrees tramping with rucksacks and sticks,” with “thick stockings and sensible boots.”

Image: Andrew Kessler

Read it in full in Issue 18: https://bit.ly/3EpMGg1

08/06/2024

We're at SDW100 - come and say hello! Andy is around all weekend and would love to chat all things ULTRA with you.

07/06/2024

Gift Certificates!

Don't know what to buy for that runner in your life? Why not gift them a subscription to ULTRA Magazine. You can select "this is a gift" at checkout and we'll take care of everything else! It's the perfect gift for runners who already have too many shoes!

Buy here: https://bit.ly/446JAeT

05/06/2024

Issue 19 - Walking to empower

Ultrarunning historian Andy Milroy looks at the female distance walkers of the early 20th century.

https://bit.ly/3Kmbdrp

03/06/2024

Issue 15 - No Happy Ending

Vassos Alexander tries not to sulk while on a forced absence from ultrarunning.

"This isn't one of those inspiring tales of triumph over adversity. Although it was meant to be.

When I signed up to contribute an article to Ultra that's exactly what I planned. A tale of triumph - my triumph obvs - over adversity. With the adversity coming in triplicate: the pandemic, the complete disappearance of my ultrarunning mojo, and the hardest hundred miler in the UK."

Find out more: https://bit.ly/ULTRA-maghome

31/05/2024

Issue 19 - 24 Hour Party People

Welcome to the weird and wonderful world of the 24hr World Championships.

https://bit.ly/3Kmbdrp

29/05/2024

HALL OF FAME

The UK Ultrarunning Hall of Fame has been established by ULTRA magazine to recognise the incredible people we have enjoyed following and supporting in UK ultrarunning, athletes at the highest level of performance and those who have dedicated the time and effort required to maintain and grow the sport.

First up: Cavin Woodward

"When Andy Milroy once asked Don Ritchie why he ran 6:10:20 for the 100km, his laconic reply was “Cavin Woodward was chasing me.”

Find out more: https://bit.ly/3VkYN8n

27/05/2024

Dolomite Sprint

Fast-packing in the Italian Mountains

"“If you’re near a thunderstorm and you feel tingling, or your hair standing on end, it could mean you’re about to be struck by lightning,” said Chris, taking a sip of his beer.

Outside, the evening sky was filled with a flash of blinding white. The brilliance lit up the rocky outline of the Cinque Torri, five limestone towers standing at 2300m, opposite the Scioattoli mountain hut where we sat. The sky returned to purple-black and rain lashed the panes as a deafening clap of thunder reverberated through the valley.

“I read it on the web,” he continued. “In open ground you should crouch on your feet, heels touching, head between your knees and try make yourself the smallest target in the area.”

“So, those trekking poles sticking out of my pack wouldn't help!” I laughed, sipping my wine.""

https://bit.ly/4a8ksFZ

24/05/2024

Issue 16 - Know your Limits

All the way around the Peak District? "Yes please," says Catharine Crossley "and I'll take an FKT too."

Find out more: https://bit.ly/ULTRA-maghome

22/05/2024

Issue 19 is at the printers!!!!

We are very excited to bring you Issue 19 and our wonderful subscribers should start to see it arriving on their doorsteps from this weekend onwards.

This colourful cover was taken by the lovely Geoff Lowe at the 24hr Champs and shows Camille Herron, Noora Honkala and Miho Nakata in a rare single frame 🙌

If you would like to add Issue 19 to your collection and you are not yet a subscriber, you can buy and subscribe here: https://bit.ly/446JAeT

20/05/2024

Issue 14 - The Secret Ultrarunner

Failure to Fail. What distinguishes the challenge of ultrarunning from, say, marathon road-running or a long day out walking in the hills is not simply the greater distance of the time spent on the move, but that the course is generally so much more challenging that there is a much greater possibility that participants will not finish the race at all.

Find out more: https://bit.ly/ULTRA-maghome