GB Ultras Training Recce Runs
All ‘participants’ are invited to join the GB Ultras team on training runs covering key sections of the GB Ultras events prior to race day. You can attend as many as you like, one day or both days of any given training weekend with the aim of learning the route and increasing confidence come Race day. You’ll also have the chance to meet other runners taking on the Race.
Training runs will have a small charge of £19.99 for 1 day or £34.99 for both days for attendance. (Please note 2025 recces will be £29.99 for 1 day or £49.99 for both days due to costs). Included is –
- Guided recce run
- Mandatory kit advice
- Exclusive facebook group for recce prep (where car sharing is needed)
- Limited edition buff
- Meet the team
- Gain trail experience and knowledge
No accommodation is included. Pace wise we’ll be going at a nice gentle pace ensuring all runners stay as a group with brief stops approximately every couple of miles. Generally our training runs have high attendance and for safety reasons we’ll be imposing a limit, so please book well in advance.
Please take into account weather conditions closer to the time. We recommend runners refer to the Mandatory kit section (please note this is the minimum kit but you should prepare to consider carrying more should there be a poor weather forecast pre-recce) and carry sufficient food/water for the duration of each of the runs. Low level routes may be actioned by the team should severe weather be forecast.
Ready to secure your place on a training run?
Head to the respective GB Ultras Training Run below where you’ll find further details and the sign up link
Ultra Scotland & Race Across Scotland – Section 1
Following one of Scotland’s great trails, the breathtaking Southern Upland Way. Unveiled in 1984 at Tibbie Shiels beside St Mary’s Loch, the route passes through the forests, valleys and over the mountains of southern Scotland. The route also shares tales of history gone by including the Killing Times.
Training runs 1 and 2 cover St Johns Town of Dalry to Beattock. Trails leading to The Striding Arches of Benbrake, Allan’s Cairn, the Poleskeoch Bothy, Sanquhar, Wanlockhead, Lowther Hill, Daer Reservoir and Beattock.
Section Covered & Distance
St Johns Town of Dalry to Sanquhar – 26 Miles
Starting point
8:00am St John’s Town of Dalry Town Hall, DG7 3SW.
Finish point
Sanquhar Town Hall, DG4 6DF. Car Sharing: Required.
Section Covered & Distance
Sanquhar to Beattock 26 Miles
Starting point
8:00am Sanquhar Town Hall, DG4 6DF.
Finish point
Beattock Village Hall, DG10 9QZ. Car Sharing: Required.
Beacons Way Ultra – Training Runs
A fantastic opportunity to check out the beautiful and challenging Bannau Brycheiniog. The route follows the official trail of the Brecon Beacons National Park, the Beacons Way. The recce starts near to Talybont and takes in the incredible Central Fans including Pen-y-Fan, the highest mountain in South Wales at 886m.
On Day 2, the recce takes in the extraordinary Carmarthen Fans. Please note, a low level route due to poor weather may be actioned on the recce.
Section covered & distance
Covering miles 6 – 26 of the Beacons Way Ultra 100km
Starting point
8:00am Talybont. Blaen y Glyn Uchaf car park, Talybont-on-Usk, CF48 2UT
Finish point
Penwyllt car park – South Wales Caving Club, A4067, Tase-Uchaf, SA9 1GQ. Car Sharing: Required.
Section covered & distance
Covering 20 miles of the Beacons Way 100 Ultra
Starting point
8:00am Penwyllt car park – South Wales Caving Club, A4067, Tase-Uchaf, SA9 1GQ.
Finish point
Mountain View car park, Mountain Road Car Park, A4069, Llangadog, SA19 9PA. Car Sharing: Required.
Pennine Barrier Ultra – Training Runs
Day 1 of the Pennine Barrier recce follows the Pennine Way from Malham and onwards up to the Limestone Pavement of Malham Cove before turning into the Watlowes Dry Valley and onwards to Malham Tarn, Fountains Fell and Pen-y-Ghent before turning back on ourselves back to Malham.
Day 2 is a circular run taking in the full Yorkshire 3 Peaks way-marked trail starting at Horton-in-Ribblesdale and linking Pen-y-Ghent (694m), Ribblehead Viaduct, Whernside (736m) and Ingleborough (723m) before finishing back at Horton-in-Ribblesdale to complete day 2 of the recce.
Section covered & distance
Covering the 1st and last sections of the Pennine Barrier 50 Mile route. Malham to Pen-y-Ghent out and back, last section via Janet’s Foss waterfall – 25 Miles
Starting point
8:00am – The Buck Inn, Cove Road, Malham, BD23 4DA
Finish point
The Buck Inn, Cove Road, Malham, BD23 4DA
Covering the Yorkshire 3 Peaks of Pen-Y-Ghent, Whernside & Ingleborough – 24 Miles
Starting point
8:00am Horton-in-Ribblesdale Yorkshire Dales Car Park, BD24 0HF
Finish point
Horton-in-Ribblesdale Yorkshire Dales Car Park, BD24 0HF
Ultra Scotland & Race Across Scotland – Section 2
Section 2 of the Ultra Scotland and Race Across Scotland Training Run’s (3 and 3) cover from Beattock to Galashiels along Scotland’s Great Trail, the Southern Upland Way.
The GB Ultras team follow the Southern Upland Way to Gateshead Rig, Craigmichen Scar, Over Phawhope Bothy, St Mary’s Loch, Traquair, Minch Moor, Three Brethren and onwards to Galashiels.
Section Covered & Distance
Beattock to St Mary’s Loch (TBC)
Starting point
8:00am Beattock Village Hall, DG10 9QZ.
Finish point
TBC – St Mary’s Loch, The Glen Cafe, St Mary’s Loch, TD7 5LH. Car Sharing: Required.
Section Covered & Distance
Traquair to Galashiels 20 Miles
Starting point
8:00am Traquair Village Hall, 1 The Field, Traquair, Innerleithen, EH44 6PJ.
Finish point
Langlee Community Centre, Marigold Drive, Galashiels, TD1 2LP. Car Sharing: Required.
Ultra Trail Wales – Training Runs
Ultra Wales explores some of the finest scenery in Southern Snowdonia.
Day 1 takes in the beauty of Cadair Idris and Penygader (893m) ascending via the Minffordd Path before heading to the world renowned Barmouth estuary.
Day 2 leaves Barmouth and heads to the sting in the tail of the race, Rhinog Fach, before finishing at Coed-y-Brenin Visitor Centre.
Section covered & distance
Starting from Dol Idris car park (Checkpoint 2) and taking runners to Cadair Idris and then onwards to Barmouth (Checkpoint 4) covering 15 miles of the route.
Starting point
8:00am – Dol Idris Car Park/Minffordd Car Park, Minffordd Path, Llanfihangel-y-Pennant, LL36 9AJ
Finish point
Dragon Threatre, Jubilee Road, Barmouth, Gwynedd, LL42 1LR
Car sharing
Please opt into the WhatsApp messenger group to secure arrangements.
Section covered & distance
Covering 20 miles from Barmouth to Coed-y-Brenin, the Finish Venue for the Race.
Starting point
8:00am – Dragon Threatre, Jubilee Road, Barmouth, Gwynedd, LL42 1LR
Finish point
Coed-y-Brenin Forest Park, Dolgefeiliau, Ganllwyd, Dolgellau, LL40 2HZ.
Car sharing
Please opt into the WhatsApp messenger group to secure arrangements.
Yr Wyddfa Ultra – Training Runs
Day 1 of the Yr Wyddfa Ultra recce takes in Tryfan’s incredible Heather Terrace before joining the miners track which leads down to Pen-y-Pass and we’ll then join the pyg track ascending the highest mountain in Wales at 1085m Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), and then descend via the miners track.
Day 2 runners follow the route back up the Glyderau taking in Glyder Fach (994m), Glyder Fawr (1001m) and then descending via Twll Du (Devil’s Kitchen) to Cwm Idwal. We’ll then follow the Snowdonia Slate Trail to Capel Curig and detour to take in Llyn Crafnant and Llyn Geirionydd!
Please note low level routes may be actioned should poor weather be forecast.
Section Covered
Tryfan’s Heather Terrace and joining the trails to Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) Summit and down to CP2/3 – 14 Miles
Starting point
8:00am Outside of Gwern Gof Uchaf (Parking available on the large lay-by outside of the campsite), Capel Curig, LL24 0EU.
Finish point
Checkpoint at Llyn Pen-y-Gwryd Car Park (Pay and Display – coins needed), nr to Pen Y Gwryd Hotel, LL55 4NT. Car Sharing: Required.
Section Covered
Covering miles 23 – 46 miles of the route including the Glyder Fawr, Glyder Fach, Devils Kitchen, and then joining the Snowdonia Slate Trail to Crimpiau, Llyn Crafnant & Llyn Geirionydd before finishing at Betws-y-Coed.
Starting point
8:00am Llyn Pen-y-Gwryd Car Park, nr to Pen Y Gwryd Hotel, LL55 4NT.
Finish point
Betws-y-Coed – Car Sharing: Required.
Glasgow to Edinburgh Ultra – Training Runs
Day 1 starts at the Riverside Museum in Glasgow to follows the River Kelvin, Sustrans Route 754, before reaching the Forth and Clyde Canal and Maryhill Locks. From here the team will follow the canal to the Falkirk Wheel, where we then switch canals to the Union Canal and head to our finish for the day Falkirk High Train Station.
Day 2 starts at Falkirk High Train Station and follows the Union Canal onwards to Edinburgh before leaving the canal for the Water of Leith which will then lead to Saughton Sports Complex Athletics track in Edinburgh.
26 Miles
Starting point
Riverside Museum, 100 Pointhouse Rd, Glasgow G3 8RS
Finish point
Falkirk High Train Station car park, High Station Rd, Falkirk, FK1 5QX.
31 Miles
Starting point
Falkirk High Train Station car park, High Station Rd, Falkirk, FK1 5QX.
Finish point
Saughton Sports Complex, Stevenson Dr, Edinburgh EH11 3BQ. Car Sharing Required.
Chester Ultra – Training Runs
2025 Chester Ultra training run sections to be confirmed.
Chester Ultra has a fantastic mix of trailrunning, with the race initially joining canal towpath before heading through the ancient woodland of Delamere Forest and the natural beautiful landscape of the Sandstone Trail to Frodsham and Helsby Hill.
Section covered & distance
Starting point
TBC – Waverton (Checkpoint 3 on the 50 mile) and taking runners to Frodsham (Checkpoint 6) covering 21 miles of the route.
TBC – Start Time: 08:00 – Start/meeting point: Waverton Village Hall (Common Lane, Waverton, CH3 7QT)
Finish point
TBC – Costa Coffee (14 Church St, Frodsham WA6 6QL)
Car sharing
Arrangements to position cars at the start and end points of the training runs on each day will be made in the lead up to the training date.
Section covered & distance
TBC – Covering 16 miles from Frodsham to Ellesmere Port Sports Village, the Finish Venue for the Race.
Starting point
TBC – 8:00am Costa Coffee 14 Church St, Frodsham WA6 6QL
Finish point
TBC – Ellesmere Port Sport Village (Stanney Lane, Ellesmere Port, CH65 9LB)
Car sharing
Arrangements to position cars at the start and end points of the training runs on each day will be made in the lead up to the training date.
Manchester to Liverpool Ultra – Training Runs
M2L Ultra is an incredibly popular race and its great to have the chance to check out the route in person with the GB Ultras team pre-race.
Day 1 M2L training run starts at Media City and heads past Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United FC, before linking onto the Bridgewater Canal and the Trans-Pennine Trail initially to Chorlton Water Park and then heading west to Dunham Massey, Lymm and Latchford Locks.
Day 2 M2L training starts at Latchford Locks and follows the Trans-Pennine Trail to Spike Island, Pickerings Pasture, Hale and onwards to our finish near Aintree.
Section covered & distance
Covering the first 23 miles of the M2LUltra 50 Route
Starting point
Start Time: 08:00 – Piazza, Media City, Salford Quays, M50 2EQ.
Finish point
Latchford Locks, Warrington, WA4 2XX. Car Sharing: Required or drop off/pick up.
Section covered & distance
Miles 23 – 50 of the M2LUltra 50 Route
Starting point
08:00 – Latchford Locks, WA4 2XX
Finish point
North End Sports & Social Club, Melling Rd, L9 0LQ – Car Sharing: Required
