My first 50 miler...Wow! Super event (in fact, so good I'm doing it again in 2026) super organisation and super volunteers. The GB Ultras team seem to have nailed what race organisation, commitment and fulfilment to its runners is all about. Met some wonderful people enroute and was introduced to what is now part of my life...peanut butter pretzels...absolutely tremendous. The terrain is stunning and fortunately I was lucky enough to get views from all of the peaks. There were some slower areas around the course (mainly walkers on the peaks but it is AONB after all) but to be honest, I felt it was a very good excuse for me to take a little walk and take a photo or two (every cloud etc etc). Perhaps not the easiest of couses underfoot in places but it is manageable and well worth the effort.

Glorious location on mostly well marked national trails. Event staff very helpful and communication good. The course itself is great but there is congestion at the beginning and on sections of the Yorkshire 3 peaks. That is not a slight on the organisers, just the way it is because of the nature and popularity of the trail. A couple of the aid stations were running out of items I noticed for the back markers and having read reviews from previous years it seems this is not a first. I would like to do the event again, but be aware, the limestone areas are very slippy

My first ultra; I would recommend it to anyone wanting to try 50 miles, particularly if you’re in the North of England. The scenery is beautiful; classic Yorkshire Dales. You complete roughly a half marathon from Malham to reach the popular Yorkshire Three Peaks route, do that circuit, then the return back to Malham. The main climbs can be steep but are not too long. The paths are good all the way except for descending from Ingleborough where it’s rough and rocky and very easy to turn an ankle running. You can come across a lot of people walking the Three Peaks route, particularly going up Pen-y-Ghent, but most of the time it wasn’t an issue. Organisation was very professional; for a 50 mile race it’s probably about average in terms of price. Race details were all received well in advance, registration was smooth, communication before and after was spot on, photos and results sorted out promptly. Malham is a nice village and there are a few different options for accommodation including camping, B&Bs and a YHA. Plenty of parking on the showground which was race HQ and people slept in their vehicles there too. The checkpoints exceeded my expectations; water, Tailwind, juices and cola were all freely available. Chocolate bars, mini packs of sweets, crisps, nuts, bananas, variety of sandwiches, Jaffa cakes and biscuits, etc. Only wish I had more of an appetite while running… The volunteers were very positive and helpful. The only small negative from my point of view was an issue with the route-finding. Coming back into Malham near the end, you had to take a different route via Janet’s Foss, rather than the route on the way out. It wasn’t very well marked; there didn’t seem to be any sign at the actual path junction, rather a piece of tape further up the hill on the correct route. When you’re tired and on your own near the end of a race, clearer signage would have helped. Or, attend the recce runs they offer prior to the event; I wasn’t able to, but they’re a popular option and you’ll get to meet a lot of fellow runners ahead of the race.

This may cause a stir. Any event has those who will rave about it regardless. And in lots of ways this event is truly mind blowing. BUT…. It could be better still. The course is humbling even to seasoned trail runners. DO NOT enter this unless you are a seriously decent trail runner. Mess with this event and it will mess with you and it will win! The course is 9,500 feet of brutal. Underfoot is 80% ankle breaking. The hills, the decents are crazy. The sights truly incredible. But, the signage for way finding is scant, and the food stations are poor… sorry but I don’t call stale sandwiches (which ran out) and biscuits an aid station. Plenty of water but even then at aid station 2 I had to wait until they brought more! This is a truly awesome event and one you will never forget… just mind your footing!

Cracking Race - Not For Beginners Let me start with a disclaimer here - this was my first ultra so I am somewhat naive when it comes to what is standard in the ultra category. PROS: - the race organisers were extremely friendly, approachable and willing to help - those manning check points were friendly and forthcoming in offering help to refill hydration vests, etc - registration was simple - I organised for my own food bags at check points which I dropped off at registration and they very kindly distributed along the route - the views were breathtaking - really challenging route with a whole variety of terrains - the organisers arranged two recce runs before race day (I wasn't able to take part but would highly recommend this!) - did I mention how kind the organisers were? (I called for directions when I was very lost and was given directions and reassured that it was no trouble) - nice medal and t-shirt to remember the experience - free photographs too CONS: - the Yorkshire Three Peaks section was absolutely rammed with walkers which made navigating around them at any speed rather tricky - there was a hiccough with the route distance (it was slightly short of 50 miles) which was rectified last minute, but no one seemed aware of whether the cut off times had been adjusted accordingly or not - consequently a number of runners were misinformed and thought cut offs had been extended which led to some tricky conversations at checkpoints (where different checkpoints were giving out different messages) - I had coordinated with the organisers for there to be certain foods available at aid stations on top of what I dropped off at registration, but those foods were not available on the day Things to Bear in Mind: - the course is marked, technically, but it is mostly marked with a piece of red and white tape at a point where you are to change direction - it is down to you to know what direction that is! I would recommend only doing this if you have done the practice runs (two were organised) and/or if you have a watch with the navigation file downloaded - you will not have any phone signal for about 95% of this race - the terrain is really challenging - REALLY challenging OVERALL: It's a brilliant race. It's mind-bogglingly beautiful. The organisers are so friendly and the atmosphere is very casual. If I had known how hard it would be, I would not have done it - certainly not as my first ultra. Expectations and reality were rather different because of my inexperience. I still can't quite believe that I managed it. For seasoned ultra runners, it would be the perfect challenge and I'm sure would be highly enjoyable.