Looking for an ultra that goes above and beyond what you thought the UK could offer? Do you love to run ultra distances through simply breath-taking scenery, over beautiful, technical mountain trails? Are you looking for an event that is truly Alpine-scale in nature? You’ve come to the right place… UTS is the UK’s answer to other big mountain European ultras!
Each distance features 3,100/6,600/10,200m+ elevation gain respectively, on predominantly technical mountain trails. This makes UTS one of, if not THE toughest Ultra-Trail events in the world. UTS isn’t just challenging for the sake of it though. With routes that explore Snowdonia’s most scenic valleys, rugged peaks and epic landscapes, these race routes are truly the most beautiful in the UK!
As the UK’s only UTMB World Series event, finishing UTS offers the Running Stones needed to gain entry to the 2023 UTMB Mont-Blanc events (OCC/CCC/UTMB lottery). Learn more about the UTMB World Series HERE, or watch/listen to our recent interview with UTS Race Director Mike HERE.
While training for UTMB in 2015, Mike wondered why there was not a similarly mountainous ultra in the UK… So, in late 2017, after finishing 8th at CCC, he launched UTS: an instant success in its inaugural 50/100-mile iteration. Now in its fifth year, don’t miss your opportunity to be a part of this unique, spectacular and truly EPIC trail running event! Read on to learn more about each of the three races on offer…
UTS 165 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.
Boasting a staggering 10,200m+ over its technical and unrelenting 165kms, only the most committed mountain ultrarunner need apply. With 4 UTMB Running Stones on offer = 4 entries to the 2023 UTMB Mont-Blanc lottery, the suffering will be worth it to those strong enough to finish! Learn more about this spectacular route on the event website HERE.
UTS 100 comprises the highlights of the mountainous areas of northern Snowdonia. With technical trails and epic views in abundance, it really is the pinnacle of Ultra-Trail® race routes in the UK!
If you’ve done a 50-miler already, this race is your ideal first foray into the 100km distance, and an ideal stepping stone up to the 165. Be under no illusion though: with a whopping 6,600m+ elevation gain along its technical mountain trails, and an average finishing time of just under 25hrs last year, this is certainly not a race to be underestimated.
With 3 Running Stones on offer to all finishers, grab 3 entries to the 2023 UTMB Mont-Blanc lottery with a finish too. If you make it back in daylight, you’ll be doing well! Learn more about this fearsome route on the event website HERE.
Even though we only hosted it for the first-time last year, it’s no surprise that there are now less than 60 entries left for this year’s UTS 50! This route covers mostly easier trails, exploring some quieter hidden gems of Snowdonia National Park over its 50kms & 3,100m+. For some, a great introduction to serious mountain ultra-trail running; for others, a great training race for longer endeavours.
With 2 Running Stones on offer to all finishers, a civil 09:00 start and a generous 14-hour limit, enjoy a splendid day out in beautiful scenery and be back in time for last orders! Learn more about this fearsome route on the event website HERE.
Entries to this year’s event close at midnight on Tuesday 21st June, but with UTS 50 on track to fill up well ahead of then, if you’re thinking of entering this race: don’t delay!
More info & entry: www.ultratrailsnowdonia.com
