The GB Ultra Race Season has ended following an excellent year of smashed records, close races and excellent sportsmanship all around. You may have run once this year or many events; however, each race carried an excitement and buzz only found at GB Ultra Events.
Here, we revisit some of the best moments from the race season, hopefully inspiring even more runners to take the step up to Ultras in 2024…
GB Ultras Statistics
Across all eight of the 50-mile events, 15,846m of ascent was climbed, which is 36 Empire State Buildings stacked on top of one another.
In the 100-mile events, 18,132m was ascended, approximately the same as climbing a ladder upwards and encountering the ozone layer (11 miles).
Across all the events, including the Race Across Scotland (7,218m), equates to 41,196m, or climbing Mt Everest 4.5 times.
In 2023, 76% of those who finished were Male (1,427), with the remaining female finishers accounting for 22% (414).
GB Ultras is dedicated to inspiring more women to take on their events. In line with She Races values, GB Ultras has women-centric ideals in mind, including toilet stops on route, menstrual products at checkpoints and female volunteers.
More than ever, women are being inspired to take on a new challenge and try an ultramarathon. GB Ultras also welcomed their first non-binary participant to the start line, proving that no matter who you are, GB Ultras is excited to help you reach your fitness and running goals.
Moving forward, GB Ultras will continue to create a welcoming, open and diverse experience across all their races for all participants.
Chester 50 and 100
The Chester Ultra® 50 mile ran at the first weekend of March, celebrating its 7th edition with an incredible race where athletes ruthlessly fought for first place in a tight competition.
With the most significant number of participants in the event, the Chester Ultra saw the driest conditions in March since its first year in 2017.
“Even if you include the July edition that we did after Covid, ask anyone who has previously done the Chester Ultra® 50 mile, and they’ll tell you it was the most perfect conditions you could have had for a race.” – Assistant Race Director Laura Yates on the Chester 50.
50 Mile Results
In the men’s race, Liam Mills led the race for ninety per cent of the route, but Matt Fields won with 6:46:39. Mills took second place in 6:50:23, with Michael Young taking third place with 6:57:18.
Over the finish line, Emily Mills won with 8:27:46. Second place went to Charlotte Meadow with 8:29:50, and Emily Newton, who had led most of the race, came in third with 8:34:08.
Chester Ultra 50 Race Report with Laura Yates
100 Mile Results
James Allen (18:24:03) and Cheryl Mort (23:41:07) were our winners of the Chester 100. In the men’s race, Sean Fenwick took second place in 20:29:24 and third place was awarded to Michael Vaughan in a close six minute succession (20:36:02).
Following Cheryl Mort was Sam Rosenberg in second place (25:04:46) and third place to Jayne Rudolph (25:59:22).
Manchester to Liverpool 50
Competitors set off at 6 a.m. from Media City, traversing a route that passes along the Trans-Pennine Trail, Bridgewater Canal and the River Mersey, with a small loop around Chorlton Water Park.
Checkpoint three is at Spike Island, the infamous spot where the Stone Roses played in 1990. Now a beautiful green park, Laura commented that this checkpoint is always great for spectators, and there is always a good vibe.
“There’s a lot of support, clapping, and cheering. It’s always a good one to drop by for spectators.”
Leo Loughran was first over the finish line in 5:53:19; “It was great to see him win because he has worked really hard.” Matt Fields took second place (5:57:25) Kyle Williams received third place with 6:32:37.
Kelsey Wibberly took first place in the women’s race at 7:04:23. “She took on the race last year and DNF’d, so she was back to prove a bit of a point with this one. She said her goal was to finish, so being the first female is amazing.”
Emily Newton, who also took a podium position at the Chester 50 mile, took second place in 7:24:55. Mel Sykes finished 3rd female in a terrific time of 7:32:58 after the later ‘disqualification’ of Joasia Zakrzewski from the race results.
Race Director Interview: Manchester to Liverpool
Pennine Barrier Ultra 50
A favourite amongst GB Ultra volunteers and athletes alike, the Pennine Barrier 50 Miler takes place in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales. This year saw beautiful weather, with some incredible racers taking to the hills and experiencing the beautiful British countryside.
This year’s edition, which has been running since 2017, saw 325 runners on the start line.
“I think everybody has their favourite kind of terrain that they’re more suited to. So, we do get a lot of repeat runners for Pennine Barrier. I think that is because, for a mountain route, it’s quite a good introduction to a mountain ultra because it is really well-waymarked. The paths are clear; there are few places to go wrong.”
Race Director Q+A: GB Ultras Pennine Barrier 50
Male Race
1st – Chris Collier – 8:36:06
2nd – Steven Jack – 8:50:00
3rd – Ben Shirley – 9:00:16
Female Race
1st – Millicent Sellers – 9:58:13
2nd – Ruth Luffrey – 10:27:23
3rd – Elizabeth Briggs – 10:34:13
“It’s definitely a tough race. I think it’s one of those because the Yorkshire Three Peaks is a well-known walking trail. Sometimes, it can be underestimated as part of a race, and they’re still tough climbs.”
Brecon Beacons 100km and 100
Assistant Race Director Laura Yates explains that this event is one of their most complex, other than the acclaimed Race Across Scotland. The Beacons 100 miles starts at the majestic ruins of Abergavenny Castle, passing ten checkpoints on route.
Despite being held in mid-July, this event is notorious for bad weather; however, Laura stated this year wasn’t as bad as last, and 180 racers started equally among the two races.
“It is definitely one of the tougher routes. The Brecon Beacons have their own weather system, we’ve discovered. And for the last two years, that weather system has just thrown everything at the runners.”
“The ladies’ course record was broken for the 100 miles event, so that was Lizzie Gatherer, and she’s just phenomenally determined throughout. She had a plan; she stuck to it and executed it really well.”
100km Results
- Clara Davies – 18:56:17
- Inga Kaleja – 19:40:37
- Nikki Werker (unofficial as over cut-off) – 20:34:37
- Simon Lewis – 13:43:50
- Anthony Halliwell – 14:11:50
- James Fulcher – 14:39:48
100 Mile Results
- Lizzie Gatherer – 30:34:30
- Hannah Large – 33:16:49
- Sophie Clark – 34:13:12
- Matt Tomlinson – 24:02:16
- Ed Gwynne-Harris – 25:16:40
- David Hanna – 26:18:57
“We had over 100 DNFs over the two events, We’d seen the forecast in the lead-up to the weekend, and we knew it was going to be bad, so we did add extra kits of waterproof trousers to the mandatory equipment, and we did sort of brief everyone at how wild the Brecon Beacons can be.”
Race Director Interview: Brecon Beacons Ultra
Going forward, GB Ultras has made this event by application only. Laura explained further: “We don’t want to discourage people from doing it. We want you to come and apply just so we can check that you’ve got sufficient experience in the mountains, know what to expect, and be prepared.
Ultra Wales 50
The fourth edition of Ultra Wales 50 was a complete success, with some excellent times reflecting the excitement that peppered the runners.
Racers battled 2898m of ascent through some of Wales’ most picturesque sites. The fog later on in the race may have hindered some of the views from the peaks, but that did not stop racers from smashing both the male and female records.
Warren Renkel claimed the new course record in an astonishing time of 10:20:42 followed by Charlie Steele just 40 minutes behind (10:58:15). Finishing the podium came Robbie Drummond less than an hour behind (11:08:41).
The ladies’ race saw Sanna Duthie claim first place in 11:04:24, smashing the female course record. Wigan Harriers athlete Kelly-Marie Staunton took second (12:01:40), and Emma Marks finalised the podium in 13:10:31.
Ultra Scotland 50 and 100
The Ultra Scotland was anxiously awaited by racers who looked forward to tackling the intense course. The Ultra Scotland is a great stepping stone for those interested in the Race Across Scotland 215 but not yet ready.
50 Mile Results
- Sage Pearce-Higgins – 10:17:21
- Aaron Partridge – 10:40:04
- Gergely Bajzath – 11:53:12
- Annie Walters – 12:43:18
- Julia Trotter – 13:22:19
- Sarah Norman – 13:25:45
100 Mile Results
- Scott Brown – 24:22:56
- Jack Trevail – 26:49:59
- Cameron Pollock – 28:07:28
- Julie Bethune – 29:43:15
- Penny Gardiner – 30:41:29
- Claire Muirhead – 32:18:23
Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) 50 and 100
The Yr Wyddfa Ultra, by GB Ultras, covers a 50-mile and 100-mile loop through the national park, summiting Snowdon and many other tantalising peaks.
This year, we had some of the hottest conditions the race has ever witnessed, with athletes running through 28-degree heat. Assistant race director Laura Yates explained that the accessibility of the mountain can sometimes give it a relaxed reputation; however, the course shouldn’t be underestimated.
Laura stated she was on the top of Snowdon, watching the runners come through, and within just five minutes, the weather would change to cool and cloudy and back to scorching.
GB Ultras RD Interview: Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) Ultra
100 Mile Results
- Adam Jackson 25:26:25
- Kristofer Collier 27:44:20
- Karl Gilboy 34:22:46
- Jane Rudolph 40:53:29
- Dimi Booth 40:53:46
50 Mile Results
- Tim Gardner 10:56:02
- Euan Russell 11:59:20
- Ryan Waite 11:59:36
- Kelly-Marie Staunton 13:35:03
- Catherine Brien 14:33:36
- Mary Arnold 15:21:41
“It can be the most glorious day down at sea level, but it’s a very different story up on top of the mountains, and you can struggle with your navigation slightly, which is why you need to carry a map and compass throughout the event.”
Race Across Scotland 215
As the title race for the GB Ultras race season, the Race Across Scotland is a phenomenal footrace covering 215 miles across the Southern Upland Way. Taking in around 7,282m (23,891ft) of elevation, racers have to contend with the ever-changing weather, sleep deprivation, and mixed terrain to reach the end and grab their belt buckle.
Established in 1984, the Southern Uplands Way stretches from Port Patrick to Copath across south Scotland, taking, and was deemed one of the first cross-country paths in the UK at its inception.
“It is the GB Ultras title event of our race series; all other events build up to the Race across Scotland. It is quite an incredible race route. It traverses through many historic forests, rolling mountains and incredible scenery,” Race Director Wayne Drinkwater explained.
This year was the 7th edition of the race, with 120 participants gathering at the startline in unfavourable conditions. The terrain combines rolling mountains and forest paths, offering hardpacked trails and soft sections.
French athlete Martin Kao took first position in 60:35:00, followed by Polish athlete Pawel Cymbalista (62:22:46), with third place going to Adam Gray from Britain (63:33:26).
“It felt so great to finish. I still don’t realise what I did. It’s still quite unreal for me. Firstly, I was so grateful to my family, who helped me all along the way. I knew I could not have made it without them, so I immediately thanked them at the finish line. As you can the in the pictures, it was quite an emotional moment…” – Martin Kao on his win.
In the female race, Nikki Han, from Hong Kong, came first with 73:28:29, British athlete Carol Newman took second (79:13:20), and the podium was completed by Austrian athlete Patricia Sini (79:44:50).
Nikki Han: Race Across Scotland 215 Female Champion
The race boasted 20 nationalities at the startline, making up over 20% of participants. Taking part was one non-binary participant, 88 male and 32 female. However, Wayne has noticed things are changing, hoping to see a more even split between the genders.
Martin Kao: Winner of the Race Across Scotland 215
Glasgow to Edinburgh Ultra
As the final race of the GB Ultras Glasgow to Edinburgh season, the Glasgow to Edinburgh (G2E) solidified its spot as one of the wettest races of the year. Nevertheless, 361 runners raced up in the icy torrential rain one cold October morning to traverse 56 miles between two of Scotland’s most iconic cities.
The rain was constant this year, with pictures only showing a fraction of the ongoing dampness the racers endured. Leading up to the race, organisers became aware the event would be wet, but no one truly believed it would be as soggy as it was.
“It was a bit of a surprise, in that we knew the day before, whereas most of the time, the forecast is quite accurate, sort of four or five days out. So yeah, it was wet, very wet. We were lucky that it was dry until about 06:00 p.m. on Friday. So we got to set everything up in the dry for the start line.”
Of the 361 racers that started that day, only 22% were female, a percentage that Laura hopes continues to rise in the 2024 season. While more female runners continue to take up ultrarunning, GB Ultras still advocates for women to join and show that women are far more capable than we believe ourselves to be.
Jarlath McKenna of Tyne Bridge Harriers set a new course record in an astonishing time of 6:49:12. Second male David Shaw came in at 7:09:01, with Steve Daye finishing the male podium in 7:11:58.
In the female race, Emily Mills, no stranger to the GB Ultras events, came first place in 8:27:21, also beating the Couse Record for a female athlete. Jo Newens of Road Runners Club took second (8:45:01), with Emma Coffey finishing the female podium with 9:04:09.
Scott Cunningham MBE Finishes the Glasgow to Edinburgh Ultra for Guide Dogs UK
Grand Slams and Special Mentions
Dennis Yarwood and Denise Zachariasz have completed every Manchester to Liverpool Ultra edition since its inauguration seven years ago. Dennis Yarwood also raced on his 57th Birthday this year.
Scott Cunningham MBE completed the Glasgow to Edinburgh Ultra, becoming the first blind person to complete the event. His guide, David Mooney, assisted him and raised money for Guide Dogs UK.
“I was just absolutely, very proud. It was very emotional, it really was, because for those reasons, I kept on thinking back to that day, 30 years ago, when I had lost my sight, and I was at rock bottom.
“Then, 50 weeks ago, I was in a recovery unit after getting four stents inserted, and I didn’t know what my future was. To be able to feel so strong, fit and healthy and finish that race having that iconic Union flag that we, Jim, had brought down to London to finish the marathon. Yeah, you couldn’t put any words to that feeling.” – Scott Cunningham MBE on finishing the G2E
The GB Ultras Grand Slam is completed by those who successfully complete 5 of the eight 50-mile ultras, with the 100-mile awarded to those who complete the four 100-mile events throughout the year.
Those who complete it receive a giant medal upon completion, an excellent addition to the shelf and another reason to keep coming back.
100 Mile Grand Slam
- Jayne Rudolph
- Mark Hemsley
Some would think that Jayne had a natural affinity for ultramarathons; however, Jayne thinks her incredible determination is a large factor in her success: “I can just keep I have this thing, no matter what life throws at me. I keep going and going and going until I get what I want. Everything I aim for, I get there in the end, and I don’t give up. I think that’s what I’ve got: a lot of determination and grit no matter what. Even if I feel a lot of pain.”
50 Mile Grand Slam
- Tatjana Rowlands
- Paul Fagan
- Carl Jones
- Andrew Holloway
- Ady Gray
- Joe Lee
- Norbert Kozak
- Gaz Roberts
- Richard Share
- Michael White
- Sarah Bullock
- Andy Kitts
- Leo Loughran
- Steven Williams
- Neil Shearer
What’s Next?
Not included in this article are the incredible participants of the Hope Festival, which ran earlier this year. The Liverbird Double Marathon Runs on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
Many spaces for the 2024 season races are now closed. However, you can find more information for the 2024 season on their website.