I’m thinking about stepping up to my first 100-mile ultra and have my eye on the West Highland Way Race. I’ve previously completed the Highland Fling and the Devil o’ the Highlands, so the full WHW feels like the natural next step.

That said, I’m also weighing up the West Highland Way Challenge Race (96 miles). A big attraction for me is that there’s no ballot, which means I could plan my training with certainty rather than hoping for a place.

A few things I’m unsure about with the Challenge:

• Unlike the WHW Race, it doesn’t appear to have the same level of medical support on course, which gives me pause.
• The timing and direction mean I’d likely be running through the night from Beinglas onwards, which could be a mental and safety factor.
• Looking at past results, the field size is usually under 100 participants, so there’s a real possibility of long stretches running alone.

I’d really value hearing from anyone who has done either or both events. How did you find the support, atmosphere, and overall experience? And would you recommend the Challenge as a first attempt at the full WHW route, or is it better to aim for the official Race despite the ballot?

Thanks in advance for any insights

I finished my first 100 miler a couple weeks ago, and yup, ended up with our old friend, Rhabdo. Spent 2 days in the hospital.

A few details about the race:

1. It was uncharacteristically hot and humid, 90F and 90% humidity

2. Because of this was likely way off on hydration and electrolytes (I'm usually a big time sweater, but these conditions were next level)

3. Had way more vert than expected. Race claimed it was 9k feet, but my Garmin told me it was close to 14k

How can I prevent Rhabdo again?

More attention to hydration And electrolytes?

More vert and especially downhill running in training?

More leg strength work?

I want to do more 100milers, but I really don't want to end up with Rhabdo each time

I'd like to go to Chamonix as a spectator of the UTMB but I don't understand how public transports will work. I checked UTMB website and it seems that all the buses tickets are sold out. Are those tickets just for the athletes or the spectators as well?

Also If I arrive by car in Chamonix, is there a map with the parking lots?

Any hint and suggestion is more than welcome!

Completely honest, not really sure on what to stick with for a training plan. This is something I found and I am actively strength training 4-6 times a week at the moment. Does anyone have any recommendations on this or tips? The race is the San Diego 50 Miler. Thank you!

I’d love a reality check on my plans. I’m registered for the Black Canyon 50k on February 15, so about 6 months away. It’s my first ultra and I’m looking to finish. I’m a fairly experienced runner and hiker, 45f. Black Canyon is my home turf so I’m used to desert conditions/terrain/hydration needs. There’s an 11-hour cutoff so I need to have a 16ish minute mile.

Questions: 1. Below is a rough sketch of my plan. Is this enough training to get me to the finish line? It’s kind of low volume and relying a LOT on hiking. 2. Since I’ll be at the slow end of things, what do I need to prep to be out there for potentially 11 hours? Am I wrong in thinking about this as basically a hard and long hike with a little running thrown in or am I underestimating the stakes? 3. Anything else I need to think about? My partner is doing the 100k the day before and I’m planning on crewing him along with friends and camping out there.

Background/The Plan: I was consistently running 30 mpw and hiking 15-20 mpw until June. I got a hamstring re-tear on June 24 from tripping on a trail run. I have been religious about PT and progressing well.

Right now I’m at run/walk intervals at ~10 mpw. I’ve been keeping up aerobic conditioning as though I’m running 30 mpw. I’m ok to gently build volume on flat surfaces until October, when I can slowly add hills and hiking.

I could probably be at 25-30 mpw by then, even if run-walk intervals. I would progress to trail run-walking by late November. From that point I was planning to work up to 40-50 mpw of time on feet between running and hiking.

My plan is generally 5 run-walk workouts a week: back-to-back long efforts, easy run, shorter hill-focused run (once I’m cleared for intensity) and one long hike. There’s pretty much no speed work in my plan. I’ll keep up strength/PT no problem (I have EDS so if I don’t strength train I don’t get to run).

I’ll also be using poles for the first time in my life because why not have some help?

I have the full blessing of my ortho and PT and know how to rehab/listen to my body, so assume the rehab portion goes well. I have no problem bailing on training if my hamstring says no.

Thoughts?

This November 16th I’m running IM Arizona. A friend of mine is running the brazos bend 100m and after a bout of momentary insanity I decided to sign up for the 100k as that seemed like a more “reasonable” first ultra to run. It’s on Dec 6-7. So about 3 weeks after my IM. 4 days later I’m turning 50 so I guess it’s my version of a mid life crisis. In any case what advice do all of you have that have done these before? The course is extremely flat and on soft non technical trails with outstanding race support. Specifically I’m interested in how I can make best use of the three weeks between races. Thanks!!

I have my first ultra coming up in less then 2 weeks - 100k, 2500m elevation(Kerry Way Ultra Nite)

Is it good idea to get poles now if I never used them before? I can still do one long run this weekend to learn a bit. I know it's not really recommended but still feel they might be helpful.

Plan was to use then only on steeper hills.

Was looking at BD Carbon Z and Salomon quiver.

Thanks a lot

I ran my first two ultras this year - 100km on road and 100km on trail. I'm thinking now of upping the ante and trying a 24hr track race next March.

I'm terrible on trails, but relatively good on flat terrain and roads (low 2:40s for the marathon, and ~8:30 for the road 100km in v warm conditions). If I do commit, I'd like to aim for a competitive result over 200km - potentially in the 240km range.

My question is whether it's sensible to try and jump from a competitive 100km to a competitive 24hr, or whether it'd be better to step up over a year or two through 12hr and 100M events first?

As context I'm 46M (so age-related slowing-down is a factor) and average 130-140km/week in full training.

TIA!

I’m running a 50k in January in North Carolina (so cold but not extremely cold) and need some recommendations for gear, specifically a jacket that will be warm enough but still compact enough to fit in a vest/pack. Any other recommendations for things that were life saving for cold weather running are appreciated! Thank you in advance!

Looking for advice on 100M training, I just got my ass handed back to me by a mountain 100M race this weekend.

I can run a 3:08 road marathon and a 50M race with up to 15,000 feet with ease but the 100M becomes a death march and I don’t enjoy it.

My weaknesses:

1. Downhill is painful, have a hard time stoping and running
2. After 6,000 feet downhill my abs feel tired/sort
3. I have some gut problems after 16 hours during races.

I live in a flat area so I don’t do strength usually but only some mountain workouts and races.

Is it just a matter of incorporating more specific training or is there another secret I need to uncover?

On the bright side, no blisters after this race so we have that covered!

Wondering if the UTMB races are being live streamed now, with TDS going on. I see a link to “Live Streaming” on their site but the page it lands me on isn’t a live stream. The site is a bit confusing. Thanks!

https://live.utmb.world/utmb/2025

Eyeing up my first 100 miler in 2026. Trying to convince some friends to come out and support and it feels like the easiest ones would be a race where they could just hang out under a canopy all day and I could see them each loop. So far looking at Javelina but wondering what else you guys can recommend for a first timer.

On my last two longer runs, I have encountered the same problem: after 5-6 hours of running I'm getting sick of gels, bars and all that sweet stuff. It feels like that little hunger coming up, but I don't feel like eating bars, rather a Pizza or a Burger, but this is not really possible somewhere in the mountains on 2500 m altitude.

On one run I was lucky to find some bread. It was just a slice and some cheese, but was a miracle and immeditaly brought the power back up. I'm now considering bringing always a sandwich with me. This is not really a problem, but I'm wondering, if I'm the exception, because I always read, that all the runners fuel on gels and gels only.

My question:

• Why does it seem to be 5-6 hours?
• Has altitute an impact? Both runs were on 2000-3000m above sea level?
• What is your trick against the hunger feeling?

I’ve been running all year in Altra Experience Flows, but I’d like to get used to something more trail oriented the remaining few weeks. I have Lone Peaks but not a fan of those.

~10k loop and you run it 10x. Start time: High Noon

I’m training for 100 miles in October and since I hadn’t checked the 100k box yet, I figured Texas’ hottest ultramarathon would be a good place to start. Luckily, this year was pretty mild, but that didn’t make it any easier. Managing the heat and hydration only got slightly easier once the sun went down and the fatigue started to creep in. I considered this another long run in my training for 100 miles so I took it relatively easy. I didn’t stop by my tent after every loop, but when I did I would spend 5-10 minutes refueling, changing shoes, and getting more ice on me. Out of 76 people started. 25 recorded a DNF. I took home 15th overall. Not too shabby.

I have someone who is able to come out and support me for the CCC last minute. I currently don’t have a supporters mobility pass for them. Does anyone have a pass that they’re willing to sell? I’d be happy to Venmo or pay cash!

Ran my first ever ultra this weekend. Day went very well apart from the last 5k where I was cramping a bit due to lack of electrolytes and fluids I presume. Managed to snag 1st place overall which I’m pleasantly surprised at. Looking forward to doing more races in the future 🙌

Wondering if anyone has any recommendations at all? I know BMC have very comprehensive insurance, but I was ideally looking for a combination of normal travel insurance and then an add on that dove tails with that. I've looked at ITRA and UTMB (which I think are both the same provider) and are very reasonable but struggling to find a UK insurer that will allow a combination without invalidation of the main insurance cover for the rest of the trip.

Any recommendations of anything that people have personal experience of would be ace!

https://share.google/Xhpqom16tX22YHpXq

Hi, bit of a long shot, I am looking between these two 50 mile ultras for next May. They have similar elevation, I wonder if anyone who had done any or both can comment on what they are like. I mainly am interested in is one harder than the other, and is one prettier?

Has anybody have any experience in being a brand ambassador for running? Any advice or tips?

Leeds to Liverpool Ultra vlog Definitely not my fastest run, but without a doubt my favourite adventure. There was no way I wasn’t finishing this one.Around mile 85 things started to get rough , I felt sick every time I tried to eat, started hallucinating (my hand were pixalted and girl was hide me ), and even had the joy of a *very* natural toilet stop in the middle of nowhere .But honestly? All that aside, it was magic. I met some of the best people, chatted with fellow runners, and the volunteers were absolute heroes their energy kept me moving when my body wanted to stop.36 hours on the canal felt like 5 days… and I came out the other side feeling like it changed my brain chemistry. Learned so much about myself out there.Ultra running is wild. And I love it.

Long time lurker. Finishing my taper and about to run my 1st 100 miler this weekend. I have completed a few 50Ks in recent years, a 50 miler last year and spent this year training for a 100 miler.

One thing I have been struggling with during my long runs during training has been nausea. For context I live in the south where daily temperatures are 90F+ and high humidity. (A 3 hour training run in January would be 20 miles but 3 hours in summer is 15-16 miles. I follow HR in conjunction with RPE in the form of Nasal Breathing mainly for Z2)

During these 5+ hour runs I typically start at 5am when the temp is 75-80ish with the same level dew point but by the 4.5-5hour mark I’m considerably nauseous with heat index reaching near 100F.

Is this due to the lack of fluids, too much food, or not enough electrolytes or pace? I feel like I stay on top of my hydrations and electrolytes. I supplement liquid carbs in the form of tailwind which contain 600mg sodium every other hour and eat either honey stinger gels, PBJ sandwiches, trail mix during my run every hour. (I haven’t been sweat tested. I try to follow my bodies natural signals for what it needs and maybe that’s the problem?)

Could it possibly just be the heat? My ultra is in the heat so I’ve always tried to mimic race day conditions.

The ultra is pretty tame with minimal elevation gain and frequent aid station stops every 30 ish minutes. (Loop style ultra.)

Also I have moments like everyone where I feel like I haven’t done enough to prepare. I’m active duty military so training around my schedule has been a huge challenge. I’ve ran close to 1,350 miles this year and used Doug Stewart’s 100 mile 18 week prep plan and was 70-80% consistent. (Life happens for example a 0700 range that lasts until 1500 in the blazing heat which requires me to train early or plan around it.) had multiple weeks of either 60+ or 70+ miles of running in the summer heat.

Thank you in advance for your insight/time or simply letting me voice my anxiety.