Westcountry Ultra - The Big 10!!
Not quite sure how it happened but in 2026 the Westcountry Ultra turns 10!! This has been an incredible event over the years with so many runners having experiences that they will never forget. It's a fair way off yet but being that it's comprised of two 50 milers and a 100 miler it requires a bit more of a commitment than our shorter races. With this in mind entries will open a bit early this time - the buttons just below will take you to the pages that give you the info for this year's races, which will tell you all the practical/logistical stuff you need to know. We want this to be a glorious celebration of ten editions of this special race and obviously we want plenty of you to be there to celebrate with us - previous runners and new runners alike. Read the content below the buttons to get a bit of the history of this event and what it's all about. If you are convinced it's somewhere you need to be you can secure a place from now onwards....
SECURE PLACE FLAT 50 10th EDITION SATURDAY 9th MAY 2026
SECURE PLACE HILLY 50 10th EDITION SATURDAY 9th MAY 2026
SECURE PLACE 100 MILER 10th EDITION SATURDAY 9th - SUNDAY 10th MAY 2026
IN THE BEGINNING
The Westcountry Ultra's very beginning as an idea possibly came from a notorious training walk that Albion's founders did for the 3 peaks challenge way back in 2010! An intrepid January walk from Porlock to Minehead over North Hill showed just how spectacular this bit of coastline is and what awesome adventures could be had by people there. Years later the idea was in mind that this could be part of a much longer ultra race connecting numerous highlights of West Somerset.
In May 2016 the third ever Albion Running race was a pretty ambitious one, and it was pretty chaotic in a few ways if we're honest! The weather was absolutely horrendous (has usually been pretty decent since), we didn't have the awesome gpx files we have now and were not as experienced in course marking so there were some 'interesting' diversions taken. However, aside from the teething issues it was a pretty special weekend all the same - Alistair Higgins, future Spartathlon hero and all round ultra legend, came over from Ireland and won the 100 miler and despite the torrential rain a lot of runners got to see why we thought this would become a classic event with the sheer beauty of the route. The finish being at West Somerset College also meant there was a spacious, dry hall to hang out in afterwards with plenty of refuelling to be done.
Westcountry Ultra is made up of the Flat 50, Hilly 50 and 100 miler. The idea was that the Flat 50 would follow different waterways from Taunton to Minehead via canal, river and coast. The Hilly 50 would showcase some of the spectacular scenery that can be found if you carry on past here. Then the 100 miler would be an unforgettable combination of all of this. With far more elevation in the second half than the first we knew it would be challenging but to get to the end of this one leaves a lasting impression that many have described with some kind of awe.
THE CONTINUING STORY
As the race had more editions and became more polished over the years it started to become a bit of a classic of the racing calendar. It has never had as many entrants as our other races, but this is mostly because of there being no 'shorter' distance. There are way too many highlights to list from over the years but here are a few.....
* 2021's edition was the first race back after the Covid lockdowns and the atmosphere was absolutely euphoric. People were absolutely buzzing to be racing again. It was the year that Ben Warren set what is still the course record for the Flat 50 with a scorching run of 6:55 but Matt Selway, James Warren and Mark Moore were all sub 8 that year too. It was also the start of an epic battle in the Hilly 50 between Zen Sherley-Dale and Josh Lee. At the time of writing they have two wins each and Josh has the course record but only by minutes.
* In 2017 two of the greatest performances by female runners at Albion events happened. Kate Drew set what is still the female Flat 50 course record with a 2nd place overall finish just eight minutes behind overall winner Matt King and Paula Jones ran a little over 24 hours to record what is still the fastest time a woman has finished the 100 miler in. The 100 was also notable that year for Jan Voorspoels bagging the first of his three podium finishes for the 100 (including victory in 2022!)
* There have been some fabulous redemptions. These include James Smith's epic 100 finish last year after DNFing the year before and Alex Cacchi taking victory after a previous DNF. There was also a fabulous 100 mile debut from Matt Brimble last year - he led for much of the race before Alex's hill experience proved decisive in the end. 2023's winner Steve Collinson had difficulty in the heat last year but had taken a stunning victory previously.
* Rachael Camp, who has along with her family done an amazing job at the Bossington aid station for a number of years now, set a Hilly 50 female course record that would stand for a long time in 2018. It took ultra legend Rachel Fawcett to beat it four years later (if your name is Rachel you might want to consider the Hilly 50!)
* Kathy Moran has taken 1st female in the Flat 50 and 100 miler. She is the only person, male or female, to have won two separate Westcountry Ultra races. Very few have completed all three - Lee Harwood, Emma Challis, Ed Clements are a few who have.
WHY NUMBER TEN?
So why should you be at edition 10 of this race?... Well The Westcountry Ultra might not finish at Lyme Regis, it might not have a 30 miler/50k option but simply put it's a race that anyone who loves ultras should experience at least once. The route is absolutely sublime, the atmosphere is incredible, every aid station will give you a hero's welcome, the hall at the finish is a great place to relax before moving on. What's more you may well have an experience that inspires you, is great to reminisce about and will lead on to other great adventures. GB 24 hour runner Danny Hawkins had his first ultra win here and has visited the area a few times since. Previous 100 mile finisher Ian Morris has talked about how it was one of the most memorable experiences of his life.
The 10th edition will not have booming sound systems, fireworks and laser shows because that wouldn't be very Albion, but like this year's 10th edition of Ham & Lyme it will have a number of small touches to make it a special occasion. When we look back at the photos from over the years and remember all the fantastic occasions this race deserves a proper celebration. Who's with us? : )
