Tom Evan’s win at UTMB in 2025 was the first British win since Lizzy Hawker in 2012. Hawker is the most successful runner of all time to race UTMB, winning the race five times between 2005 and 2012. Besides Lizzy and Tom the only other Brit to win UTMB is Jez Bragg, albeit on a shortened replacement race of around 100km in 2010. That was the only year there has been a British double win that can’t be taken away from Lizzy and Jez.

There have been five British winners of CCC: take a bow Alun Powell (2006), Lucy Colquhoun (2008), Ellie Greenwood (2012), Tom Evans (2018) and John Albon (2023).

The only Brit to win OCC is Jon Albon (2021). If Jon is successful in winning UTMB in 2026 he will join Xavier Thévenard and Ruth Croft as the only people to win all three of the World Final races. For the record, Thévenard, has also won TDS, which is a very tough 100 mile race that is held during UTMB week.

Will there be any British winners this year? Let’s take a look at the Brit’s who’ll be chasing paradise at UTMB and the other World Series Finals:

UTMB’s top ranked men feature three Brits. Top of the pile is Kendal based Josh Wade who is returning to Chamonix for the 4th time. Josh has made steady progress up the rankings since DNFing his first attempt in 2023. His 3rd place in 2025, shocked many but his experience and toughness will form a serious challenge this year. He’s also just become a dad. That worked out well for Tom Evan’s last year. Josh’s North Face team mate Jon Albon will also want to be in the mix after a disappointing DNF last year. Can he become the only Brit to win all three of UTMB’s big races?

For the lowdown on Josh and Jon’s 2025 experience watch The North Face’s three part film Sufferfest » HERE

Also keep an eye out on top ranked V40 runner Andy Symonds and Tom Jolly. Andy has raced UTMB four times finishing 5th, 11th, 16th and 24th overall. He’s never DNFed. Tom (Jolly) is coming in on the back of two DNF’s but his form this year is good. He’ll be hoping to place higher than his 16th position in 2023. I’ll also be following my club mate, Luke Lloyd, who was delighted to win a lottery place. Luke is a strong lad from Barnsley. This year he has completed his Bob Graham Round and finished top 10 at the Winter Spine South race.

The younger sister of UTMB is CCC taking in a 100km route: Courmayeur-Champex-Chamonix. Leading the British men’s charge are Hugh Chatfield, Luke Grenfell-Shaw, Keith Wigley and Joe Farrelly. Since finishing 36th at CCC in 2024, Hugh has continued to improve. He didn’t race CCC last year instead focusing on the World Champs Long Trail in Canfranc where he had a finie race, finishing in 12th. Since then he has tuned pro, which should stand him in good form to push for a top ten this year. Luke Grenfell-Shaw won’t be too far behind. Luke finished 8th on debut in 2023 but hasn’t had his best races in the last two years. However, after taking the win at the Eiger Ultra Trail 51k in July he’ll be confident of performing well this year. I’ll also be keeping an eye on Keith and Joe, who are both very strong at the 100km distance.

Kris Jones is Britain’s top ranked runner heading into 60k OCC race. Kris finished fifth last year, just 5 minutes behind Jim Walmsley. He was 6th in 2024. He’s had an injury issue this year but is said to be peaking in time for OCC. A definite podium contender. Kris will be joined by the evergreen Robbie Simpson. He is a master of OCC coming 2nd in 2021, 3rd in 2022, 5th in 2023 and 10th in 2024. While still competitive Robbie will have to be at his best to go top-5 this year. Also keep an eye out for Andy Heyes and Brennan Townshend, and TRAILFAN’s very own Frazer Durris who is taking on OCC for the second time, but first time as a vet 50. Go Frazer!

Fi Pascall is the highest profile British woman taking on the full lap of Mont Blanc. This is her second attempt at UTMB, after a DNF in 2024 and finishing 15th at CCC last year. Fi is one of few runners taking on the Western States / UTMB double this year. She took 8th place at Western States and will no doubt be pushing for a similar performance around Mont Blanc. I’m excited to see how Elsey Davis goes on her UTMB debut. She raced well to finish 12th woman at CCC in 2025 and has an 8th place finish at OCC under her belt. I’ll also be following Ppy Collingwood and Julia Davis.

Another storyline to follow is that of Victoria Stansfield. She moved to Chamonix to pursue a trail running dream, injured her pelvis, then kept fit by cycling. She got so good that she’s now won several big cycling races, including the women’s L'Étape du Tour de France, twice. Now she’s back running she’ll be pushing hard on her hom trails. Rumour has it that she’ll be cycling to the start line.

Several Brit’s have a chance of top-level performances at CCC, with Scarlet Dale and Gemma Hillier-Moses the pick of the bunch. Gemma’s form and ranking have seen great progress, with her winning three out of four of her races this year. She was also 4th at the highly competitive Chianti 118k. Scarlet will make her debut at CCC, coming from a fell running background in the Lake District. In April, she won the GB team trial race for the European Off Road champs, going on to take fourteenth place at the Euros in Slovenia in June.

Naomi Lang is Britain’s strongest chance of a podium at OCC, albeit on debut. Last year she came 3rd at ETC and was also 3rd at the World Trail Champs short trail race in October 2025. She has raced well this year taking first place at the Arc of Attrition 41k and 3rd at Marathon du Mont-Blanc and Pitz Alpine trail. I’ll also be keeping an eye on Holly Page, Holly Wooton and Jemima Farley.

ETC - Experience Trail Courtmayeur

Although not part of the World Series Finals, the ETC is quickly becoming a world class event stacked with some of the best shorter distance trail runners on the planet. Held on the Italian side of the Mont Blanc Masif, it’s also a great introduction race for those building their trail running experience.

Stepping up to represent Britain are good buddies, Tom Simpson and Finley Grant, who have been putting in outstanding performances on this year’s Skyrunner World Series. Finlay is also the reigning English fell running champion. They’ll be joined by highly rated Thomas Hilton and Matt Knowles. For the women experienced fell runner Elle Twentyman will line up alongside Katie Lowery, Emilia Platt, Amelie Lane and Joanna Mockford. Emelie and Amelie are rising stars with Emelia running for the the Salomon Next Gen team and Amelie on the Sportsshoes Pro Alpine Trail Team. Also keep an eye out for Brits reping The Alpine Run Project, brought together to empower young lives through trail running: Check it out HERE

For a full breakdown of UTMBs top ranked runners across all races: CLICK HERE

Media Coverage

To watch all the action unhold live search for the UTMB live stream on YouTube that now operates in multiple languages. Make sure you search for the English version where you’ll find Brits Keith Byrne and 2025 UTMB winner Tom Evans, holding court amongst a predominantly US dominant list of hosts and guests. You won’t be alone as up to one million others as said to tune in to live YouTube coverage, allowing you to interact with other online trailfans and perhaps with the online commentary team.

Keith Byrne @knife_blade

Keith is a Brit who’s been involved with UTMB almost since it started in 2003, firstly working with title sponsor The North Face, then as a volunteer media presenter from 2015. After TNF ended their UTMB sponsorship that year Keith was keen to stay involved, so the Poletti’s suggested he worked with the media team on the first ever live stream. The rest they say is history…..with Keith still working for TNF and taking a week or two out to commentate in Chamonix every summer. Keith is the first to encourage online engagement in the live chat. Hit him up.

Tom Evans @tomevansultra

The 2025 UTMB winner, Tom Evans is not racing around Mont Blanc this year, but he will be in Chamonix, joining Keith and others on media duties. Look out for Tom on the live stream and other platforms during UTMB week. And watch out for TRAILFANS article on Tom’s plans for racing closer to home post-UTMB.

Live Trail - to follow your favourite runners, download the LiveTrail app, find the UTMB page and search by name or race bib number. Here are a few of our British faves: HERE IS THE LINK

UTMB Race Alerts - You can also sign up for UTMB Race Alerts to relive the performances of your favourite runners, explore all the course data and track the evolution of the races: SCROLL DOWN THIS PAGE TO SUBSCRIBE

If you’re running, spectating or being a total fan boy like me, enjoy the week!

Editorial note: since releasing this article both Kris Jones (OCC) and Fi Pascall (UTMB) have withdrawn from their respective races.

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Every August, thousands of runners descend on Chamonix for what has become the biggest week in trail running. But UTMB didn't make Chamonix famous. Long before trail running arrived, the valley had been shaped by mountaineers, climbers, skiers and adventurers drawn to Mont Blanc. So how did one race around the mountain become the defining event of an entire sport?

In this episode of Untold Trails, Frazer and Scott explore the story of UTMB and its relationship with Chamonix — from the first edition in 2003 to the global phenomenon it has become today. We look at the people and stories that helped build its mythology, the extraordinary atmosphere of race week and the rapid expansion of the UTMB World Series. But we also explore the tensions that success has created.

Has UTMB become too big? What does its growth mean for the people who live in Chamonix? And can a race become a global commercial success without losing some of the spirit that made people fall in love with it in the first place?

Ultimately, we're asking a simpler question: What exactly are we chasing when we chase paradise?

## In this episode we explore:

- Why Chamonix was already legendary long before trail running arrived?
- The mountaineering and mountain culture that shaped the valley
- How UTMB began in 2003
- The role of Michel and Catherine Poletti and the early pioneers of the race
- The North Face's involvement in UTMB's early growth
- How athletes, media and storytelling helped build the mythology around the race
- What it feels like to arrive in Chamonix during UTMB week
- Why the starts, trails, fan zones and finish line have created such an emotional connection with runners
- UTMB's expansion into a global World Series
- The impact of its partnership with IRONMAN
- Why commercialisation, brand activations and visitor numbers have become increasingly debated
- What the Mayor of Chamonix thinks needs to change
- Whether UTMB can continue growing without damaging some of what made it special
- And ultimately, what "paradise" means to the people who keep returning to Chamonix

# UTMB Mont-Blanc 2026: The Races

2026 HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc takes place from 24–30 August. There are eight principal races on the official programme, alongside the Mini UTMB children's events. UTMB have released the top-ranked runners for 2026 UTMB, CCC, OCC and other races. Check out the list’s HERE

## Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc » 174 km | 9,900 m+
Start: Chamonix, France
Finish: Chamonix, France via Italy and Switzerland
Start time: Friday 28 August, 17:45
Maximum race time: 46h 45m
Category: 100M — UTMB World Series Final

The race that started it all. UTMB makes a complete circuit of Mont Blanc, crossing various mountain passes in France, Italy and Switzerland before returning to the famous finish line in the centre of Chamonix.

## CCC — Courmayeur, Champex, Chamonix » 101 km | 6,050 m+
Start: Courmayeur, Italy
Finish: Chamonix, France
Start time: Friday 28 August, 09:00
Maximum race time: 26h 30m
Category: 100K — UTMB World Series Final

Once described as UTMB's "little sister", CCC has become one of the major international ultras in its own right. It travels from Courmayeur through Switzerland via La Fouly, Champex-Lac and Trient before crossing back into France and finishing in Chamonix.

## OCC — Orsières, Champex, Chamonix » 60 km | 3,500 m+
Start: Orsières, Switzerland
Finish: Chamonix, France
Start time: Thursday 27 August, 08:15
Maximum race time: 14h 30m
Category: 50K — UTMB World Series Final

OCC starts in the Swiss Val d'Entremont and passes through Champex-Lac and Trient before crossing towards France. The 2026 route has changed, with a new section between Col de Balme and Col des Posettes and a new high point at Tête de Balme, 2,321 m, before runners descend towards Vallorcine, climb to Col des Posettes and eventually reach Chamonix.

## TDS — Sur les Traces des Ducs de Savoie » 145 km | 9,500 m+
Start: Courmayeur, Italy
Finish: Chamonix, France
Start time: Monday 24 August, 23:50
Maximum race time: 44h 55m
Category: 100M
Running Stones: 4

TDS takes a wilder and highly technical route between the Aosta Valley and Savoie, travelling through the Beaufortain before eventually reaching Chamonix.

## PTL — La Petite Trotte à Léon » 300 km | 25,000 m+
Start: Chamonix, France
Finish: Chamonix, France
Start time: Monday 24 August, 08:00
Maximum time: 151 hours

PTL is very different from the conventional UTMB races. Teams undertake a huge journey around Mont Blanc on high-altitude terrain, including unmarked sections requiring navigation both on and off trail. The route changes each year and explores France, Italy and Switzerland. At 300 km with around 25,000 metres of climbing, it is the biggest adventure of UTMB week.

Official source: HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc — PTL race information
https://montblanc.utmb.world/races/PTL

## MCC — Martigny-Combe to Chamonix » 40 km | 2,350 m+
Start: Martigny-Combe, Switzerland
Finish: Chamonix, France
Start time: Monday 24 August, 10:00
Maximum race time: 10 hours
Category: 50K
Running Stones: 2

MCC is primarily reserved for UTMB volunteers, partners and residents of the Mont Blanc region. The route crosses from Switzerland into France via the Col de la Forclaz and Col de Balme before descending through the upper Chamonix valley to the finish in town. Official source: HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc — MCC race information
https://montblanc.utmb.world/races/MCC

## ETC — Experience Trail Courmayeur » 15 km | 1,200 m+
Start: Courmayeur, Italy
Finish: Courmayeur, Italy
Start time: Tuesday 25 August, 14:00
Maximum race time: 4h 30m
Category: 20K
Running Stones: 1

The shortest adult race of the week, but certainly not flat: ETC packs 1,200 metres of climbing into 15 km on the Italian side of Mont Blanc before returning to Courmayeur.

## YCC — Youth Chamonix Courmayeur » 15 km | 1,200 m+
First race: Courmayeur, Italy
Start: Tuesday 25 August, 11:00
Maximum race time: 4 hours
Category: 20K
Running Stones: 1

YCC is for young runners born between 2007 and 2012 and uses a two-race format. The first race takes place in Courmayeur. The top 200 then qualify for YCC The Revenge, a second short race in Chamonix on Wednesday.

# Mini UTMB
The week also includes events for children aged approximately 3–13.
In Chamonix on Wednesday 26 August, seven non-timed races are scheduled at Champ du Savoy. Further children's races also take place in communities around Mont Blanc.

Official source: HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc — Mini UTMB
https://montblanc.utmb.world/races/mini-utmb

# So, how do you actually get into UTMB?

This is something we touch on in the podcast without attempting to explain the whole system. For most runners trying to reach one of the three UTMB World Series Finals — OCC, CCC or UTMB — there are two separate things to understand: Running Stones determine your chances in the lottery. Your UTMB Index demonstrates that you have the required recent race experience for the distance you're trying to enter. They aren't the same thing.

# Running Stones explained

A Running Stone is effectively one entry in the UTMB World Series Finals lottery.
For a regular runner, Running Stones can be earned by finishing designated 20K, 50K, 100K or 100M races at UTMB World Series Events or Majors. At a standard UTMB World Series Event:

20K = 1 Running Stone, 50K = 2 Running Stones
100K = 3 Running Stones, 100M = 4 Running Stones

UTMB World Series Majors award double:
20K = 2 , 50K = 4, 100K = 6, 100M = 8

The important thing is that more Running Stones do not guarantee entry — they increase your chances in the lottery. Each Running Stone represents another chance of being drawn. So a runner entering with eight Running Stones has eight chances in the draw compared with one chance for somebody entering with a single Stone. Running Stones themselves do not expire. However, to enter the Finals lottery, a runner must have earned at least one Running Stone during the previous two years.

Tip: at some UTMB events it is possible to run more than one race to increase the amount of stones you collect. UTMB also requires runners to enter the lottery using all the Running Stones they hold at the time of the draw, subject to specific provisions such as group entries.

Official source: UTMB World Series — Sports System
https://utmb.world/en/sports-system

# What is the UTMB Index?

This is where the system can sometimes get confusing. The UTMB Index is separate from Running Stones. It is UTMB's performance and experience ranking system, calculated from race results across four categories: 20K | 50K | 100K | 100M
To hold a valid UTMB Index, a runner must have completed an eligible UTMB World Series or UTMB Index race within the previous 24 months. There are thousands of UTMB Index races around the world. Importantly:
Finishing a UTMB Index race can contribute to your UTMB Index — but it does not necessarily earn Running Stones. Running Stones are specifically associated with UTMB World Series Events and Majors.

# Which Index do you need for Chamonix?

For the 2026 UTMB World Series Finals:

### OCC
A valid Index in: 20K, 50K, 100K or 100M
plus the relevant Running Stone requirement for lottery entry.

### CCC
A valid Index in: 50K, 100K or 100M
plus the relevant Running Stone requirement.

### UTMB
A valid Index in: 100K or 100M
plus the relevant Running Stone requirement.

Once those requirements are satisfied, eligible runners can enter the lottery and their accumulated Running Stones determine how many chances they have in the draw. There are separate routes to the Finals for certain elite and high-performing runners.

Official source: HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc — 2026 Registration Conditions
https://montblanc.utmb.world/en/races-runners/registrationconditions

# How big is the UTMB World Series?
What began as a single race around Mont Blanc in 2003 has developed into a global trail-running circuit.As of 2026, UTMB's official World Series information describes a circuit of more than 60 events across: Europe, The Americas, Asia, Africa & Oceania. Each event can contain several individual races across the 20K, 50K, 100K and 100M categories. At the top of the system sit the three UTMB World Series Finals held during UTMB Mont-Blanc:
OCC — 50K Final
CCC — 100K Final
UTMB — 100M Final
The World Series also includes regional Majors, which award double Running Stones and provide additional performance-based routes into the Finals. It's a scale almost unimaginable when the original race first set off around Mont Blanc in 2003.

Official source: UTMB World Series — Sports System
https://utmb.world/en/sports-system

# The conversations behind the episode

This episode wasn't built simply from online research. While researching the story in Chamonix, Scott met and interviewed Doug Mayer, founder of Run the Alps and author of The Race That Changed Running: The Inside Story of UTMB. Doug has lived in the region for many years and has experienced UTMB from multiple perspectives — as a runner, writer and someone closely connected to the trail-running community of the Alps. His insight into the origins, growth and changing culture of UTMB helped inform much of the history explored in this episode. Scott also interviewed the Mayor of Chamonix, discussing the relationship between UTMB and the valley, the views of local residents, tourism, brand activations, sustainability and the challenge of managing the continued popularity of both the race and Chamonix itself. We also drew on conversations with people who have experienced the race from inside the sport, including Keith Byrne, whose long association with The North Face and UTMB provides another perspective on the evolution of the event. We'll be sharing more from these conversations through TRAILFANS.

# Further Reading

Doug Mayer — The Race That Changed Running: The Inside Story of UTMB (2023)

For anyone wanting to explore the history of UTMB in greater depth, Doug’s book tells the story of how a relatively small race created in Chamonix in 2003 developed into one of the most influential events in modern trail running. Also check out:

Doug Mayer, Charlie Edwards, Run the Alps’, Trail Running Chamonix Mont-Blanc: Must-Do Trail Runs in France, Switzerland and Italy (2024)

Doug Mayer & Kim Storm, Run the Alps Switzerland: 30 Must-Do Trail Runs (2019)

Doug Mayer’s articles:

2024 » Doug’s opinion piece: “UTMB is Having a Golden Moment. But it’s Delicate.” via Outside » https://www.outsideonline.com/health/training-performance/utmbs-golden-moment/

2026 » Doug’s latest article: “Is the UTMB World Series on the Right Track?” via TrailRunner Magazine » https://www.trailrunnermag.com/races/is-the-utmb-world-series-on-the-right-track/

Run the Alps website for running trips » https://runthealps.com

# Other background reads….

Alexis Berg, Frederic Berg & Aurelien Delfosse, Grand Trails: A Global Anthology of Trail Running (2025)

Wade Davis, Into the Silence: The Great War, Mallory and the Conquest of Everest (2012)

Adharanand Finn, The Rise of the Ultra Runners (2019)

Fergus Fleming, Killing Dragons: The Conquest of the Alps (2000)

Lizzie Hawker, Runner: A Short Story About A Long Run (2015)

Killian Jornet, Run or Die (2014)

Daniel Light, The White Ladder: triumph and tragedy at the dawn of mountaineering (2024)

NeverSecond, The Trail Times: The World’s Biggest Week in Trail Running (2025)

Christopher McDougall, Born to Run (2009)

Carl Morris, Dirtbag Dreams: A history of mountain, ultra and trail running (2025)

Rich Roll, Finding Ultra (2012)

Edward Whymper, Scrambles Amongst the Alps in the Years 1860-1869 (1871)

Various Authors, Chamonix 1924: The First Winter Olympics (2024)

Mountain Guides & Climate Change, A Story of Adaptation (2022)

# Official UTMB sources

All current race information, distances, elevation, qualification requirements, Running Stones and UTMB Index information included in these show notes has been checked against official UTMB sources for the 2026 edition.

HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc — official event, race, route and schedule information

UTMB World https://utmb.world/

https://montblanc.utmb.world

UTMB World Series — Sports System — World Series structure, Running Stones, Majors and Finals
https://utmb.world/en/sports-system

UTMB Index — official Index information and race categories
https://utmb.world/utmb-index

HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc — 2026 Registration Conditions — qualification and registration requirements
https://montblanc.utmb.world/en/races-runners/registrationconditions

Race routes, distances, elevation, schedules and regulations can change. Anyone planning to race should always check the latest official information directly with UTMB.

———————————————————————-

# About UNTOLD TRAILS

Untold Trails explores the people, races, places, brands and moments shaping trail and fell running. Not simply what happened — but the stories behind it, why they matter and what comes next. UNTOLD TRAILS — stories from the trails, past, present and what comes next.

by Frazer Durris, TRAILFANS

The biggest trail running festivals naturally dominate the headlines. UTMB. Western States. They’re the races every trail runner knows.

But after spending a hot June weekend racing in Morzine, I came away thinking about something else entirely.

This is exactly the sort of race more runners should know about.

RunThrough Trails have quietly built a growing European series over the past couple of years, offering races from 15km to 100km in some of the continent’s most spectacular mountain locations. Rather than trying to compete with the biggest festivals, the emphasis feels refreshingly different: well-organised races in inspiring places that encourage more runners to experience mountain running.

It’s an approach that makes a lot of sense.

Not everyone wants to battle lotteries, enormous fields or the pressure that comes with the sport’s biggest events. Sometimes you simply want a brilliant weekend in the mountains.

Morzine delivered exactly that.

Alongside a strong British contingent was a healthy number of French runners—a reassuring sign that the event is earning local support as well as attracting visitors. The atmosphere felt relaxed and welcoming, with families, first-time alpine racers and experienced mountain runners all sharing the same start line.

A Proper Alpine Challenge

The course itself asks plenty of questions.

Starting and finishing right in the heart of Morzine, it wastes little time before heading into the mountains. Long climbs wind steadily through forests that offer welcome protection from the summer heat before eventually breaking out above the tree line towards Avoriaz, opening up spectacular views across the surrounding Alps. The descents are every bit as enjoyable as you’d hope, but this isn’t simply a race of long climbs followed by easy running back to town. The course never really lets you settle.

Technical sections are mixed with more climbing, while the heat and accumulated fatigue gradually begin to take their toll. By halfway, it was obvious that plenty of runners who had gone out aggressively were beginning to pay for those early efforts.

Accessible and brilliantly organised it may be, but don’t mistake that for easy. The 25km delivers a genuine alpine challenge that rewards patience as much as fitness. It’s an excellent introduction to European mountain racing, but it’s still a proper mountain race that deserves respect. And judging by conversations with some very tired, experienced mountain runners in Geneva Airport on the journey home, the longer distances are a serious step up again.

A Personal Milestone

For me, Morzine came at exactly the right time. After months of managing a stubborn hip injury, I needed to keep the recovery moving in the right direction and put some proper race effort back into the legs. The climbs found me out, the descents brought me back, and I gradually worked my way from 13th to finish 6th overall and 1st V50.

The result was a nice bonus, but the real win was leaving Morzine knowing OCC suddenly felt back on, with a few more hard efforts back in the legs.

More Than Just Another Race

Over the weekend I also spent some time chatting with RunThrough founder Matt Wood. Having built one of the UK’s biggest running event organisers, his ambition with RunThrough Trails isn’t simply to organise races in beautiful locations. It’s about making mountain running more accessible by creating events that encourage runners to discover places they might never otherwise visit.

Several of the European races are still in their early years, which makes this an exciting point in the journey. Rather than arriving once everything is established, runners have the opportunity to experience these events as they evolve and become part of their story from the beginning. That’s something TrailFans will be following with real interest.

Trail running has never had more iconic races, but perhaps its biggest opportunity lies elsewhere—in helping more people discover the hundreds of brilliant events that don’t yet dominate social media feeds or lottery conversations. If Morzine is anything to go by, RunThrough Trails have found a formula that’s doing exactly that.

If you’re looking for your first European trail race—or simply an alpine weekend that combines spectacular scenery, friendly organisation and genuine mountain running without the scale or pressure of the biggest festivals—Morzine deserves a place on your shortlist. We’ll certainly be back.

Why go?

Accessible alpine racing in an incredible location, with spectacular scenery, welcoming organisation and all the ingredients for a memorable mountain weekend.

Best for

• First alpine trail race

• Experienced trail runners

• UTMB Index seekers

• Runners and friends looking for a mountain holiday as much as a race

TRAILFANS Verdict

One of Europe’s most enjoyable trail weekends—and exactly the kind of race more runners should know about. Incredible location, with access to mountain bike trails, stunning hiking routes, amazing mountain restaurants and plenty of reasonably priced accommodation during the quieter summer season.

RunThrough Trails

Choose your adventure » HERE

Have a scroll on Instagram » HERE

Check out our recent digest writings here on Substack

Part One » HERE

Part Two » HERE

In contrast to RunThrough Trails' low-key alpine adventures, our next UNTOLD TRAILS podcast heads to the biggest stage in trail running: the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc in Chamonix. UTMB: Chasing Paradise explores how one mountain race became the dream of an entire sport, following its journey from a single lap of the Mont Blanc massif to a global phenomenon that now shapes trail running around the world. Our podcast documentary drops in August 2026, ahead of this year's iconic UTMB week in Chamonix at the end of the month.

In the meantime check out the latest episode of UNTOLD TRAILS to find out: Why are trail runners so obsessed with Western States?

• Ludovic Pommeret Keeps Rewriting the Rulebook

• No Slowing Down: Damian Hall at 50

• Brit Trails: Record-Breaking Sarah Webster

• Too much of a good thing for trail fans busiest weekend

• UNTOLD TRAILS #2: Western States Podcast

• Read Part 1 of this months digest HERE

• Watch out for Part 3 dropping soon……….

Ludo Keeps Rewriting the Rulebook

Just days before his 51st birthday, Ludovic Pommeret reminded the trail running world that age is no barrier to greatness.

The Frenchman claimed another Hardrock 100 victory this weekend, smashing the course record in one of trail running’s toughest and most iconic races. It was another extraordinary performance from an athlete who continues to redefine what runners in their fifties are capable of achieving.

Here at TRAILFANS, we’ve long admired Ludovic—not just for his remarkable performances, but for the way he carries himself. We were fortunate enough to spend some time with him during UTMB last year and what struck us most wasn’t simply his ability, but his humility. Despite being one of the sport’s true legends, he was relaxed, approachable and generous with everyone who wanted a chat.

As fellow masters runners, performances like this are hugely inspiring. While many athletes begin to wind down in their fifties, Pommeret continues to raise the bar, proving that experience, patience and consistency remain powerful advantages in mountain running.

Speaking to Bryon Powell after his Hardrock victory, Ludovic revealed his next challenge will be the brutally technical L’Échappée Belle, before turning his attention to the legendary Festival des Templiers later this year. For most runners, another Hardrock victory would be enough. For Ludovic, it simply seems to be another adventure. We’ll certainly be watching.

No Slowing Down: Damian Hall at 50

Ludo isn’t the only ‘over-the-hill’ runner proving that turning 50 is no barrier to remarkable performances. British ultra-running legend Damian Hall recently celebrated his half-century, making him eligible to take on the legendary Joss Naylor Challenge – a demanding Lake District round reserved for runners aged 50 and over. He didn’t just complete it; he took more than 12 minutes off Karl Grey’s record. Read Damian’s account of an unforgettable day, in his own words HERE

Buoyed by his record-breaking run, Hall admits he "had a crazy idea to run the Charlie Ramsay, Bob Graham and Paddy Buckley rounds – continuously and entirely on my own." Find out whether he pulled it off by following his Instagram account, @ultra_damo.

Brit Trails: Record-Breaking Sarah Webster

Another Brit making headlines on the trails is Sarah Webster. Just weeks ago, she smashed the women's record at Centurion's South Downs Way 100, producing the fastest 100-mile trail performance ever by a British woman. As if that wasn't enough, Webster also holds the 24-hour world record, which she set last October. Read Lily Canter's account of Sarah's remarkable achievements HERE

Trail fans most exciting weekend

If there is one weekend that captures everything brilliant—and occasionally frustrating—about trail running, it’s the final weekend of June. In the space of just a few days, the sport’s biggest names and most passionate fans were spoiled for choice. The iconic Western States Endurance Run unfolded in California, the Marathon du Mont-Blanc lit up the French Alps, Lavaredo by UTMB delivered its trademark Dolomite drama in Italy, the latest Skyrunner World Series race was held in Ibarra, Ecuado and the WMRA World Masters Championships showcased veteran talent in the Czech Republic. Closer to home, Damian Hall was rewriting the record books on the legendary Joss Naylor Lakeland Challenge (see above), while the 4th marker in the English Fell Champs was held at Blencathra.

For fans, it was an exhilarating but almost impossible feast to keep up with. Live streams overlapped, social media feeds exploded with updates, and choosing which race to follow often meant missing another unfolding classic. Trying to absorb every result, storyline and standout performance required multiple screens, plenty of bandwidth and a willingness to accept that you couldn’t see it all.

The weekend also highlighted a challenge facing trail running as the sport continues to grow. With so many high-profile events competing for attention, elite athletes are spread across multiple races, broadcasters and sponsors divide their focus, and fans are left juggling simultaneous coverage. Variety is one of trail runnings greatest strengths—there really is an event for every type of runner—but there is also a strong argument for a more coordinated international calendar that allows the sport’s biggest races to shine without competing against one another.

As trail runnings popularity continues to soar, that’s a conversation worth having. Because if one unforgettable weekend proved anything, it’s that the appetite for world-class trail racing has never been greater.

When we launched UNTOLD TRAILS, we weren’t quite sure what to expect. As complete newcomers to the podcast world, we’ve been learning as we go—finding our voices, refining the format and discovering what works along the way. The response to our first two episodes has been encouraging, with so many of you listening, sharing, leaving reviews and sending thoughtful feedback. Every message helps shape future episodes.

In episode two, we took on one of trail running’s most iconic races: the Western States Endurance Run. From its remarkable history and unforgettable characters to the legends, landmarks and traditions that have defined the race for over 50 years, we’ve created a beginner’s guide to help explain why trail runners around the world are so captivated by Western States.

Thank you for joining us on this journey. We’re still learning, still improving, and we’re excited to keep telling the stories that make trail running such a unique sport.

Listen to Episode Two of Untold Trails - Western States - HERE

Listen to Episode One of Untold Trails - 3 Peaks Race - HERE

We’ve so much to share this month that we decided to split our digest into three parts. The first part will update you on Frazer and Scott’s adventures in trail running and podcasts:

• The Alpine Race You Probably Haven’t Heard Of

• and the one you have definitely heard of » UTMB

• has Scott finally proved a point in the English Champs?

• Our Weekend Race Pick: Lakeland Sky Trails

• UNTOLD TRAILS Episode 2: Western States

Keep and eye for parts two and three that will focus on this summer’s biggest trail races like Hardrock, Western States, Lavaredo and Marathon de Mont Blanc and Run Through Trails in Morzine.

The Alpine Trail Race You Probably Haven’t Heard Of

Coming soon: Frazer headed to Morzine to find out why smaller alpine trail festivals could be exactly what the sport needs. Plus, a chat with RunThrough founder Matt Wood, a race report from the 25k, and why this welcoming event deserves a spot on every trail runner's radar.

and the one you have heard of….

Scott is currently in trail running paradise—Chamonix—researching the next episode of our UNTOLD TRAILS podcast. Surrounded by the peaks, trails and atmosphere that have made the town a mecca of trail running, he’s gathering stories, voices and insights for a documentary exploring the race that has come to define the sport.

Our next episode will dive into the extraordinary evolution of UTMB—from a single mountain race around the Mont Blanc massif to the world’s most influential trail running brand. Along the way, we’ll explore what UTMB means to runners chasing a lifelong dream, to the elite athletes racing for victory, and to a sport balancing tradition with global growth.

Expect a documentary-style deep dive into the history, culture, ambition and debate surrounding trail running’s biggest event, landing just ahead of this year’s UTMB week at the end of August.

Because the story of UTMB isn’t just about one race—it’s about how one race came to define an entire sport.

Still a point to prove

Scott’s Chamonix trip is sandwiched between two English Champs fell races - a medium distance race at Blencathra in the Lake District and a short race, Aldermans Ascent close to home in Lancashire on 25th July.

One of the season’s quieter storylines has been Scott’s quest to score his first point in the V50 category of the English Fell Championships. To earn a point, he needs to finish inside the top 30 in his Vet 50 age group—a target that looked a long way off after a disappointing 66th place at February’s opening counter, Doctors Gate.

Since then, however, the trend has been unmistakably positive. Finishes of 59th, 46th and most recently 38th at the iconic Blencathra race show steady progress, with nearly 30 places gained since the season opener. With just two championship races remaining, the gap to the top 30 is closing. Whether two weeks of leg-busting training in the Alps—including a 27km mountain race in Argentière—will provide the final boost remains to be seen, but the challenge is firmly within sight. It would be a fitting way to prove that persistence, as much as talent, is what the English Fell Championships are all about.

Take a closer look at the season so far in TRAILFAN’s article on Why the English Champs still matter?

Lake District Sky Trails: our pick of this weekend’s races

If you can’t make it to the English Champs but fancy stepping outside your comfort zone this coming weekend check out the Helvellyn Sky Running Weekend. It’s organised by LAKE DISTRICT SKY TRAILS whose series of races play out across the highest, most beautiful and wonderfully technical terrain in the Lake District. This weekend’s flagship races are the Pinnacle Ridge Extreme and the Helvellyn Sky Ultra which both require strong scrambling and climbing experience. The other two races this weekend, Place Fell 15 and Swirral Grind 850 give aspiring extreme trail runners more gentle introductions to Lake District Sky Trails races. Get yourself down to Patterdale to check out the action.

Some online and on-the-day entries are still available!

UNTOLD TRAILS Episode 2 is OUT NOW

When we launched UNTOLD TRAILS, we weren’t quite sure what to expect. As complete newcomers to the podcast world, we’ve been learning as we go—finding our voices, refining the format and discovering what works along the way. The response to our first two episodes has been encouraging, with so many of you listening, sharing, leaving reviews and sending thoughtful feedback. Every message helps shape future episodes.

In episode two, we took on one of trail running’s most iconic races: the Western States Endurance Run. From its remarkable history and unforgettable characters to the legends, landmarks and traditions that have defined the race for over 50 years, we’ve created a beginner’s guide to help explain why trail runners around the world are so captivated by Western States.

Thank you for joining us on this journey. We’re still learning, still improving, and we’re excited to keep telling the stories that make trail running such a unique sport.

Listen to Episode Two of Untold Trails - Western States - HERE

Listen to Episode One of Untold Trails - 3 Peaks Race - HERE

Trail running enthusiasts often find themselves captivated by one particular 100-mile race in the USA: the Western States Endurance Run. But what is it about this race that draws thousands of runners into a lottery every year for a chance to participate?

In episode #2 of UNTOLD TRAILS, we’ll delve into the history, culture and challenges of the Western States 100, exploring why it holds such a revered place in the hearts of ultra-runners around the globe.

### The Allure of the Western States 100

The Western States 100 is not just another race; it represents a pinnacle of endurance and community. Established in the 1970s, it is often considered the original §100-mile race and the birthplace of modern American ultra-running culture. Runners face the daunting task of completing 100 miles through the Sierra Nevada mountains, navigating heat, exhaustion, and the unpredictable weather conditions that can include snow, even in June. This race challenges participants to push beyond perceived limits, fostering a deep sense of achievement and camaraderie among competitors.

### A Unique Challenge in a Stunning Location

Starting in the Olympic Valley near Lake Tahoe, the race begins at an elevation of 1890 meters. The breathtaking scenery, combined with the gruling terrain, amplifies the challenge. Runners are not just racing against time; they’re battling the elements and their own limitations. The course’s twists and turns through canyons and mountains create an experience that is both physically demanding and visually stunning, making every mile resonate with the beauty of nature.

### The Community Behind the Race

One of the most compelling aspects of the Western States 100 is the community that surrounds it. From pacers and crews to aid-station volunteers and spectators, the race is a collective effort. Each participant has a support system, emphasizing that no one finishes alone. This shared journey fosters lasting friendships and connections, making the experience memorable long after crossing the finish line.

### Why the Obsession?

So, what keeps runners coming back to the Western States? For many, it’s a combination of tradition, challenge, and community. Completing the race is a badge of honor, a testament to one’s perseverance and dedication. Moreover, for those who have previously attempted the race but did not finish, the desire to return and conquer the course becomes an obsession. The Western States 100 is not merely a race; it’s a rite of passage in the ultra-running world.

### Conclusion

The Western States 100 captures the essence of trail running, blending personal challenge with a vibrant community spirit. For those who dare to dream of running this legendary race, the journey begins long before the starting gun is fired. Whether you are a seasoned ultra-runner or a newcomer to the sport, the stories and experiences shared by those who have participated in the Western States will inspire you to consider what it means to pursue your own passions.**Key Takeaways**- The Western States 100 is a historic race that challenges runners both physically and mentally.- Its stunning location in the Sierra Nevada mountains adds to the allure.- The sense of community among participants enhances the overall experience.- Many runners are drawn back to the race due to unfinished business or the desire to improve their previous performances.

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Western States Reading & Resources

Official Race Website: https://www.wser.org/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_States_Endurance_Run

https://ultrarunninghistory.com/28-western-states-myths/

Official Race Podcast: The Spirit of Western States, Carrie Meng & John Trent

Reading

Davy Crockett, Ultrarunning’s Endurance Ride Roots - explores how the WSER originated from the horseback endurance race, The Tevis Cup set on the same Western States Trail: https://ultrarunninghistory.com/history-links/pdf-downloads/

Davy Crockett & Phil Lowry, Western States 100 on Foot: The Forgotten First Finishers - describes three infantry soldier’s first completion of the Western States on foot.

Dean Karnazes, Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner: While not exclusively about Western States, this book famously details Karnazes’ introduction to the event and his participation (2006)

Dale Matson, Finishing the Western States Endurance Run (2001)

Carl Morris, Dirtbag Dreams (2025)

Shannon Yewell Weil, Ultrarunning’s BUCKLE FEVER: Origins of the Western States Endurance Run (2025)

iRunFar: https://www.irunfar.com/second-sunrise-john-trents-western-states-100-history-book

YouTube - there are now many films and documentaries that cover Western States. Here are a couple of our favourites:

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TF013 — What’s Inside This Edition

• Monthly performance picks featuring Tove, Blandine

• British Fastest Known Time Updates

• Frazer explores why the English Fell Champs still matter

• A brief look at the 2026 European Off Road Champs

PERFORMANCE PICKS, MAY 2026

If one race defined May, it was Transvulcania. On the volcanic trails of La Palma, France’s Blandine L'Hirondel and America’s David Sinclair both rewrote the record books with commanding course-record performances, while Australia’s Lucy Bartholomew also dipped under the previous women’s benchmark. The depth of competition was equally remarkable, with all six of the leading men finishing faster than the long-standing men’s course record that had stood since 2015. Adding another layer to the story, trail running legend Emelie Forsberg delivered an inspiring return to top-level competition with a performance that reminded fans why she remains one of the sport’s most beloved athletes.

A week later, the headlines kept coming. Fresh from her World Short Trail Championship success, Sweden’s Tove Alexandersson smashed the women’s course record on her Zegama debut, producing one of the standout mountain-running performances of the year. Zegama is arguably the most high-energy trail marathons in the calendar with thousands of Basque spectators taking to the mountain slopes of the Pyrenees to cheer on the runners.

On the same day, Ultra Trail Australia delivered a fascinating duel between two of the sport’s leading women, with China’s Miao Yao edging New Zealand’s Ruth Croft after a closely fought battle. Meanwhile, at Ultra Trail Snowdonia, Britain’s John Albon and France’s Beñat Marmissolle produced standout performances on one of Europe’s toughest trail-running stages, capping a month packed with world-class racing across three continents.

May’s marquee races did more than deliver memorable performances—they helped set the pecking order for the months ahead. From Transvulcania and Zegama to Ultra Trail Australia and Ultra Trail Snowdonia, athletes used these iconic events to test fitness, sharpen race craft and make early statements of intent ahead of the sport’s biggest targets. With races such as Western States, Hardrock 100, Sierre-Zinal and UTMB still to come, May provided an intriguing glimpse of who may be ready to contend when the stakes are at their highest.

Next up on the trail running calendar is the granddaddy of them all: Western States. Taking place in California at the end of June, the world's oldest 100-mile trail race remains one of the sport’s most coveted and iconic prizes. If you’re new to Western States—or simply want to understand why it commands such attention—TRAILFANS has you covered. Our next UNTOLD TRAILS podcast will be a Beginner’s Guide to Western States, exploring the history, terrain, community ethos and the human’s that form the Western States Endurance Run story.

Link to our first UNTOLD TRAILS podcast

BRITISH FKT UPDATE

May and early June also delivered some extraordinary Fastest Known Time performances, proving that some of the sport’s most impressive achievements still happen far from the start line of a race. In Wales, Natalie Taylor set a stunning new supported FKT on the legendary Dragon’s Back route, covering the 380km mountain traverse from Conwy Castle to Cardiff Castle in just 75 hours and 38 minutes. Her effort not only lowered the previous record by more than a day but highlighted the growing strength and ambition of athletes taking on Britain’s most iconic long-distance mountain challenges. It’s especially sweet as Natalie is from Wales. Watch out for our TRAILFANS article on Natalie coming soon.

Meanwhile, James Gibson continued his remarkable run of mountain-running achievements by setting a new Double Ramsay Round FKT in Scotland. The challenge involves completing the already formidable Ramsay Round twice consecutively—around 116 miles and 56,000ft of ascent across the Lochaber Munros. The achievement marks Gibson’s third completion of a double version of Britain’s famed “Big Three” rounds, underlining his status as one of the country’s leading mountain endurance athletes. Together, Taylor and Gibson showcased the enduring appeal of FKTs, where self-driven adventure, mountain craft and sheer resilience take centre stage.

If you know of any other recent FKTs do drop us a line……

WHY THE ENGLISH CHAMPS STILL MATTER

For those who haven’t already read it, check out Frazer’s reflection on the 2026 English Fell Championships. He asks why the Champs still matter in an era of global trail racing and ever-expanding ultra calendars? Frazer argues that they remain British off-road running’s ultimate proving ground. Using the opening rounds of the 2026 series as a lens, he explores the depth of competition, the versatility required to succeed across wildly different terrain, and the unique culture that continues to define championship fell running. The result is a compelling reminder of why the English Champs remain one of the sport’s most respected tests of toughness, consistency, and fell-running craft.

LINK TO FULL ARTICLE HERE

2026 EUROPEAN OFF-ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS

The European Off-Road Championships in Slovenia held last weekend offered a timely reminder of the point Frazer makes throughout his article: the English Fell Championships remain one of the most effective development pathways for international mountain and trail running.

Across the GB & NI squad, familiar names from the fell- and Scottish hill running scene—including athletes from Ambleside, Carnethy, Dark Peak and other traditional fell clubs—were selected to compete against Europe’s best across the Uphill, Up & Down and Trail disciplines. The demands of championship fell racing—technical descending, steep climbing, tactical racing and the ability to perform across varied terrain—translate directly to international competition, making the English Champs not just a domestic title race, but a proving ground for future GB representatives.

British runners Jacob Adkin and Morven Goodrum struck gold in the Uphill race, with the British women’s team also taking the uphill gold.

FULL RESULTS AT THIS LINK

If you want to understand the level of the English Fell Running Championships, start with this:

Many runners winning local fell and trail races across Britain would do well to make the top fifty here.

That’s not disrespect to local racing. It’s been true in British and English Championship fell running for years. But three races into the 2026 English series, the depth across the field feels as fierce as ever.

Finlay Grant, Ben Rothery, Chris Larkin, Sam Bentham, Dan Haworth, Oliver Dawson, Ed Corden, Sam Stead and George Foster have all opened the season with exceptional consistency in the men’s standings, while Caroline Lambert has stamped real authority on the women’s competition alongside strong performances from Sara Willhoit, Emily Cowper-Coles and Alexandra Whitaker, whose strength on the shorter, sharper terrain at Blackstone Edge underlined the variety of athletes now succeeding across the series. These four women finished within 14 seconds of each other, with the lead swapping hands several times on the final downhill. After a final sprint on the tarmac, Cowper-Coles came out on top, pipping Lambert by four seconds.

And behind them sits another huge layer of club runners, mountain specialists and experienced fell racers all battling for places rather than podiums. Because the English Champs still occupy a unique place within British off-road running.

In England at least, there is probably no tougher or more respected proving ground across a full series than this. With the British Championships now limited to two single races per calendar year, nothing consistently combines the same depth, terrain variety and sheer brutality as the English Champs. Of course, north of the border, the Scottish Fell Runners put on a similarly respected six-race Championship series.

In both series the races are different every year. The terrain changes. The demands constantly shift. But the key thing never really changes: The standard is relentless.

And the Championships are rarely won with one spectacular performance alone. They’re won by repeatedly turning up across at least four of the six very different race counters and surviving the accumulated damage.

The opening three races of 2026 have already shown exactly why the series still carries so much weight.

Doctor’s Gate opened the English Champs back in February with proper early-season fell running conditions across 20 kilometres of bleak Pennine ground in the Peak District. After ninety minutes, Finlay Grant edged Ben Rothery by just four seconds in a brutal, close-fought men’s race, with Chris Larkin taking third. In the women’s race, Caroline Lambert immediately stamped her authority on the series with a dominant win ahead of Sara Willhoit and Poppy Wardley.

Then came Black Combe.

Rare dry conditions transformed one of the Lake District’s most notorious bleak races into a fast and aggressive contest. Grant delivered one of the standout performances of the season so far, breaking Ian Holmes’ long-standing course record, with Rothery once again finishing second and Sam Bentham taking third. Caroline Lambert backed up her opening victory with another commanding win ahead of Hannah Russell and Sara Willhoit.

Blackstone Edge brought a completely different test again. Shorter, sharper, wet underfoot and more frantic. The kind of race where positioning matters immediately and there’s very little chance to settle into rhythm. Climbing strength alone isn’t enough in races like Blackstone. Leg speed, aggression and efficiency over muddy terrain suddenly become just as important.

My Trailfans partner in crime, Scott Cunliffe, was relieved to come out the other side of this race covered in little more than muddy war-paint after several falls in the mud. This was a race that favoured gritty runners with resilient leg strength. As it was only a short race, the women and men ran separate races. As the women went first, many of the men got up the hill to observe the best lines taken by the women.

With Ben Rothery absent, having won a gruelling 48-mile British Trials race the week before, Finlay Grant was left to chase down Tom Wood of Oxford University. Grant eventually took the win by a mere seven seconds after a brave sprint on the final stretch of tarmac.

Three races in, the standings are already beginning to reveal the consistency required to survive a Championship campaign.

Finlay Grant has been almost faultless so far, winning all three races to open a commanding lead at the top of the senior men’s standings. But behind him the depth is striking. Chris Larkin sits second overall after three consistently strong performances across very different terrain, while Sam Bentham, Daniel Haworth and Oliver Dawson have all shown the versatility needed to stay competitive across the full series. Ben Rothery, meanwhile, remains very much in contention despite only racing two counters so far, underlining both his quality and the importance of the four-from-six scoring format across the Championship season.

It’s also important to note that only four of the six races count toward the final Championship standings, meaning several athletes remain very much in contention despite missing an early counter.

That strength at the front of the field is not new either. Last year, Finlay Grant and Ben Rothery finished first and second in every Championship race apart from one (Borrowdale), where they were beaten only by Finlay Wild — one of the most respected mountain runners in Britain and renowned for his strength over longer, rugged mountain races. That perhaps says plenty about the level required to consistently compete at the sharp end of the English Champs.

Senior Standings (After 3 Races)

The women’s competition is also shaping up strongly.

Caroline Lambert has looked dominant through the opening races, but there’s real depth building behind her. Both Emily Cowper-Coles and Sara Willhoit combine English Championship racing with packed international calendars that include skyrunning and World Cup mountain racing across Europe, while Alexandra Whitaker’s strong run at Blackstone Edge highlighted how varied the demands of the Championship series can be from one race to the next.

Athletes are no longer simply specialising in one discipline. Many of the strongest athletes now move fluidly between fell racing, mountain racing, skyrunning, trail racing and ultras.

The best athletes increasingly look adaptable rather than specialised. And the English Champs reward that adaptability brutally. You need:

• climbing strength

• descending skill

• leg speed

• endurance

• race craft

• durability

Miss one element and the standings punish you quickly.

That depth is one reason why many athletes still see the English Champs as one of the toughest proving grounds within British off-road running.

Sara Willhoit, who balances English Championship racing alongside international skyrunning and World Cup mountain racing, believes the variety of terrain and demands within the series still provides ideal preparation for bigger international objectives.

“The English Fell Running Championships is intense but there are times when the races are well spaced in the year. The fells fit well in getting the pace up on various terrain and getting in elevation with shorter, punchier hills.”

Willhoit says international racing has increasingly taken her into bigger, higher-altitude mountain environments, but the foundations built through fell racing still translate remarkably well.

“International skyrunning and World Cup races have taken me into much bigger, high-altitude mountains and although I’ve not necessarily had easy access to long continuous climbs, the shorter hills have still allowed me to arrive at the high point in a strong position.”

But balancing both calendars comes with compromises.

“I have to be a bit smart about how to layer that stress between fell racing and international races. It’s not possible for every event to be an A-race, so managing priorities, training and recovery is important.”

The rise of international skyrunning, mountain racing and global trail calendars has undoubtedly changed the landscape for elite athletes, with some increasingly focusing on European or global campaigns. But the English Champs continue to demand a unique combination of adaptability, consistency and toughness that still commands huge respect across the British scene.

And that depth runs right through the age categories too.

The vets competitions (over 40s) perhaps tell the story of the Championships best of all.

Because while the senior races continue to get deeper and faster, the experienced runners simply refuse to disappear.

Karl Gray continues to set ridiculous standards in the masters competition. Gav Mulholland remains incredibly strong. Ian Holmes is still winning V60 categories nearly three decades after setting records that only now are being threatened.

Again, the standard is extraordinary speed.

What perhaps stands out most is how relevant experience still remains in mountain running. Unlike many sports, experience genuinely matters here:

• pacing judgement

• movement over rough ground

• descending efficiently

• knowing when not to panic

• understanding how races unravel

The hills punish overconfidence very quickly.

And according to multiple-time English Fell Championship winner and a two-time World Masters Mountain Running champion Karl Gray, longevity in fell running is rarely accidental.

“Experienced fell runners tend to know what they need to do to build and get fit to compete and aren’t focused purely on minute-mile speed.”

Gray also points toward the variety built naturally into mountain running itself — changing terrain, technical footing, climbing and descending — all helping athletes build resilience over time.

“The variety of terrain and training builds a lot more strength and resilience and certainly for me improves consistency and longevity.”

But for Gray, part of the answer is also much simpler.

“It’s so enjoyable. The hills, mountains and scenery make you want to keep training and competing in that environment.”

That perhaps explains why the over-40s categories within the Championships remain so brutally competitive year after year.

Mark “Goldie” McGoldrick, a hugely respected figure within fell running who has spent years racing at the sharp end of the sport, believes the Championships continue to evolve while still retaining the same brutally honest nature that has always defined them.

“I especially love the English Champs. It’s a great way to test yourself against the best fell runners and the craic at these races is extra special.”

For McGoldrick, the appeal runs far deeper than simply chasing podiums.

“It doesn’t matter whether you’re fighting for the top ten or simply trying to beat other veterans.”

And despite missing the opening races this year while supporting his children through cross-country competition, the Championships still retain a pull that keeps experienced runners coming back.

“I was lucky enough to run all six last year. This year, due to my kids’ successes in XC, I’ve missed the first two — but fingers crossed I’ll be at Blencathra.”

And despite all the changes happening around modern trail running, the Championships still feel deeply connected to the traditional heart of the British scene.

Volunteers standing on freezing checkpoints.
Clubmates reccying routes together in clag and rain.
Former winners chatting in muddy finish fields.
Tiny race HQs packed with nervous runners and steam rising off wet kit.

Even now, in a rapidly growing global trail scene, the English Champs still somehow feel refreshingly unpolished.

That’s probably why they still matter so much.

Not because they’re fashionable.
Not because they dominate social media.
Not because there’s prize money.

But because they remain one of the few places where the hill still decides everything.

And with Blencathra, Alderman’s Ascent and the Old Crown Round still to come, this year’s Championships feel far from settled. If anything, the hardest racing probably still lies ahead. The big mountain days. The weather shifts. The races where small mistakes suddenly become very expensive.

Which is exactly why the English Champs continue to hold such status within British off-road running. They remain the gold standard proving ground.

And three races into 2026, the level looks as fierce as ever.

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TF012 — What’s Inside This Edition

• Is the Three Peaks Britain’s most iconic trail race?

• What comes next for multi-day trail racing?

• Who are the best British trail runners?

• Who’s made a global splash this month?

  

IS THE THREE PEAKS BRITAINS’s MOST ICONIC TRAIL RACE?

There are few races woven into the fabric of British fell and trail running quite like the Three Peaks Race. With its unforgiving climbs, unpredictable weather, rich history, and legendary status stretching back decades, it remains, in our eyes, one of the most iconic races in British trail and fell running.

That’s exactly why we wanted to make The Three Peaks the focus of our first UNTOLD TRAILS podcast — diving into the stories, rivalries, characters and moments that have shaped the race over generations.

The response to the episode has been brilliant, including a message from Tom Evans a few days before the race saying listening to the history and stories had genuinely made him even more excited to finally experience the race for himself.

If you haven’t listened yet, it’s a deep dive into one of the sport’s richest and most important races.

UNTOLD TRAILS: The Three Peaks: Is this the Most Iconic Race in Britain?

This year’s race itself delivered a fittingly unforgettable chapter. Unseasonably high temperatures turned an already demanding race into a true battle of survival, with many runners suffering from heat-related issues and finishing times notably slower than in previous years.

Despite the hot weather, Tom Evans produced a brilliant victory on the Yorkshire hills. A champion of both UTMB and Western States Endurance Run, Evans brought his trademark strength and composure to one of Britain’s toughest and most historic races, mastering the brutal terrain and relentless pace with authority. Seeing one of the world’s finest ultrarunners take on — and conquer — the Three Peaks only reinforced the race’s enduring prestige and allure.

The women’s race was equally hard fought, with Helen Leigh producing a superb performance to take the win in testing conditions. There was also huge admiration for veteran fell running legends Karl Gray and Rob Jebb, whose remarkable runs inside the top ten proved once again they remain two of the sport’s most respected figures.

Read Trailfans article on Karl Gray: STILL IN THE GAME

For us personally, the day captured everything that makes the Three Peaks Race so special — the atmosphere, the unpredictability, and the sheer resilience demanded by the course. Scott had the privilege of running the relays final glory leg over Ingleborough, soaking up the incredible crowds and the unique energy that only the Three Peaks can deliver. Meanwhile, after an injury-plagued build-up to the race, Frazer made the difficult but sensible decision to step off the course early at Ribblehead, ensuring he came away unscathed rather than risking a longer-term setback. In a strange twist, it meant getting back to Horton in time to witness Tom Evans storming down the finishing straight looking astonishingly composed, before grabbing a brilliant post-race interview just moments after he crossed the line.

See the full 2026 Results of The Three Peaks Race

WHAT COMES NEXT FOR MULTI-DAY RACING?

If the last month has shown us anything, it’s that the appetite for big adventures and even bigger stories is only growing. The resurrection of the legendary Dragon's Back Race under the stewardship of Ultra X signals renewed confidence in the future of expedition-style racing, while the enduring popularity of Marathon des Sables continues to prove that runners are still drawn to the raw challenge and self-sufficiency of the classic stage race format. Across the Atlantic, the growing reputation of Cocodona 250 is pushing the boundaries of what modern ultra racing can look like — part competition, part survival, and part spectacle. Together, they paint a fascinating picture of a sport evolving beyond finish times alone and towards immersive experiences, storytelling, and true endurance adventure.

You can watch our interview with Ultra X co-founder Sam Heward here:

WHO ARE THE BEST BRITISH TRAIL RUNNERS?

The best way to find out is to hold a British Trail Running Championship. First organised by the Trail Running Association in 2013, the current iteration of the British Champs is three races held on three separate dates between March and June.

The standout race was the ‘Middle Distance’ race hosted in the Lake District by Run Through Trails on 11th April. Both the men’s and women’s fields were stacked. Heavy hitters on the women’s start line, included Western States winner Beth Pascall alongside Scarlet Dale, Dragon Back winner Holly Wooton and top notch fell runners Emelie Cowper Coles and Eve Panone. For a full breakdown check out RunThrough's pre-race podcast

The men’s field was just as competitive with Bertie Houton, Luke Grenfell-Shaw, Ben Rothery, Keith Wigley, Dan Connelly, Lewis Bowness, Andy Berry, Andy Symonds, Harry Bolton and Chris Holdsworth all setting a fast pace out of Keswick towards the summit of Scafell Pike. To add to the excitement, the 53k race, also acted as a trial for the 2026 European Off-Road Championships, with four Team GB slots up for grabs.

English Champion fell runner Ben Rothery took the men’s title with Scarlet Dale taking the female crown. FULL RESULTS HERE

MONTHLY PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS

Who’s made a global trail splash this month?

April is one of the finest months on the sporting calendar, with Rory Mcllroy repeating at the US Masters, Wert Van Aert defeating Tadej Pogacar to finally win Paris-Roubaix and Sebastian Sawe breaking the sub-two hour barrier at the London Marathon. It was also a hot month out on the trails. So, who’s made a global trail splash this month?

Hot off the press is Rachel Entrekin laying claim to the trail running performance of the year with an overall win at the Cocodona 250. Rachel also three-peated, claiming the women’s race title for the third consecutive year, with a sprint finish to cross the line in downtown Flagstaff, Arizona in 56 hours, 9 minutes, and 28 seconds.

We can’t wait for Rachel’s breakdown of her historic performance here on Substack. For a non-elite view of this beast of a race check out Mountain Outpost’s Cocodona Chronicles. Anyone fancy signing up for a 200 miler?

FKT on the West Highland Way: another impressive female performance this month was by FREYA SHEPHERD who snagged the fastest known time on the West Highland Way. Read more about it on the She Trails Substack

Organisers of the Marathon des Sables stepped up their media game in 2026 providing great footage of trail President Ludo Pommeret and Boston Marathon winner, turned trail runner, Des Linden take on one of the toughest stage races on the planet. The notorious MDS is run over 6 stages covering 270 kilometers of largely desert terrain in Morocco. Ludo pushed hard finishing 3rd behind Mohamed El Morabity, claiming his second title.

Older brother Rachid El Morabity has a colossal 11 titles. Maryline Nakache won the female race in 2023 and 2025, and raced totally unchallenged this year, dancing across the dunes to win all six stages and take victory by almost 3.5 hours.

Have you ever signed up for a race from looks alone? After watching footage of the Skyrunner World Series, Scott was hoping to make the trip to Spain this year to take on the ridges and scrambles of the Calamoro Sky Race. While his plans didn’t quite work out a who’s who of European sky running did make it to Spain. The dual between the top two finishers in the 2025 World Short Trail Championships was a standout, with Frederic Tranchard losing out to Manuel Merillas. Two young British mates, Tom Spencer and Finlay Grant, also threw down with Tom running in 3rd and Finlay in 7th. Home favourite Sara Alonso took the win, followed by Jane Maus from the USA.

2026 Western States: this week trail excitement peaked with the news that four times champion, Jim Walmsley is returning to Western States. With such a stacked field for the premier 100 mile race in the USA, headed by Jim, Kilian Jornet, Adam Peterman, Hayden Hawks and Zach Miller trail fans are in for a treat.

In the final build up to Western States Miller and Hawks battled right to the line to grab Golden Tickets to States at the Canyons 100k race by UTMB. They were joined by 2022 Western States winner Adam Peterman who finished several minutes in front of Miller and Hawks.

Will these trail titans push the course record below fourteen hours for the first time or will one of the upcoming elites like Francesco Puppi, Seth Ruhling or Hans Troyer steal the show? Check out the full Western States START LIST

Prior to the race at the end of June, TRAILFANS will be taking a deep dive into the history and alur of America’s most iconic trail race with our second UNTOLD TRAILS podcast.

In the meantime check out the TRAILFANS wrap up of the 2025 WESTERN STATES RACE

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We’re joined by Ultra X co-founder Sam Heward, who takes us behind the scenes of how this bold acquisition came together. From his initial reaction of shock and sadness to the realization that something could be done, Sam shares the mindset that drove Ultra X to step in. This isn’t just a business move — it’s a commitment to preserving races that have shaped the identity of the sport in the British Isles.

At the heart of this conversation is a simple but powerful idea: legacy matters. Sam explains how Ultra X plans to honor the spirit of these iconic events — keeping their DNA intact while strengthening areas like safety, runner support, and long-term sustainability. With the Dragon’s Back Race set to go ahead in 2026, and flexible solutions offered to affected runners, the focus is firmly on rebuilding trust and momentum within the community.

Show Notes:

Read Ultra X blog on Securing the Dragon’s back & Northern Traverse (22nd April 2026)

Background:

The Dragon’s Back Race is a 380 km, 6-day ultra-running event across the Welsh mountains, often described as the world’s toughest endurance event. It features 16,400m of ascent, which participants navigate, across remote, mountainous terrain. The 2026 version is scheduled to take place from 07-12 September. Go to www.dragonsbackrace.com/

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The Dragon’s Back returns — but who are Ultra X?

Just a few weeks ago, one of the most iconic events in our sport looked like it might not happen again. Now, it’s back. But the bigger question is: who are Ultra X — and what happens next?

Following the unfortunate demise of Ourea Events in mid-March, the future of some of the UK’s most respected ultra races has been uncertain.

When the news broke, even those close to the sport were caught off guard. Ultra X co-founder Sam Heward describes his first reaction as shock — and sadness — quickly followed by a different question: Could something be done?

Ultra X have now acquired the core assets of the Dragon’s Back Race and the Northern Traverse — including the brand, IP and participant base — securing their immediate future. Importantly, this is an asset acquisition rather than a continuation of the previous company, meaning the races move forward without historic liabilities.

The immediate focus is on delivering the 2026 Dragon’s Back Race as planned, while Northern Traverse entrants will be offered alternative options, including deferred entries. For runners affected across the wider portfolio, Ultra X are offering pound-for-pound race credit — an attempt to provide flexibility in what has been a difficult situation.

Read Ultra X blog on Securing the Dragon’s back & Northern Traverse (22nd April 2026)

WHO ARE ULTRA X — AND WHY THEM?

Ultra X have built their reputation around multi-day stage racing — delivering events in remote and often extreme environments, from deserts to mountain regions, with an emphasis on self-sufficiency and endurance over multiple days.

Founded by Sam Heward and Jamie Sparks, the business has grown steadily in recent years, positioning itself as a more global brand within endurance running, though still less familiar to parts of the traditional UK trail and mountain running scene.

Ultra X have largely built that reputation by creating and operating their own events, often working with local teams on the ground. Taking on Dragon’s Back, however, represents something different. This isn’t a new race in a new location. It’s an established event — with a history, a community, and expectations that are already defined.

That hands-on approach still defines how they operate. In the days leading up to the deal, TRAILFANS spoke to co-founder Sam Heward, who responded to a message while halfway up a mountain in South Africa — checking that safety tracking equipment would function at altitude for their race. It says quite a lot about how they operate — and what it takes to run events like this.

With something like Dragon’s Back, a lot of it comes down to the people behind it — and Ourea had built a strong reputation for how these events were delivered over many years.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Dragon’s Back isn’t just difficult — it’s defining. For many, it sits as one of the most iconic endurance events in the world — a race people build towards for years, and one that has become a benchmark for what multi-day mountain racing can be.

A multi-day test of endurance and mental strength in tough and often unpredictable conditions, it’s an event that’s hard to fully prepare for — and even harder to deliver.

But the past few weeks have highlighted something deeper. Even the most established and respected races in the sport are not immune. Races like this don’t just exist. They rely on organisers willing to take on the complexity, risk and responsibility of making them happen — year after year.

THE REALITY

Ultra X’s decision to step in reflects that reality. As co-founder Sam Heward explains:

“These are iconic events with incredibly strong communities behind them. It was important to safeguard their future and make sure participants were looked after.”

The priority now is clear:

“Deliver Dragon’s Back Race 2026 properly and give people clarity and confidence as quickly as possible.”

The challenge, however, is immediate. With a short runway to deliver the 2026 race — and with much of the original event funding already spent — Ultra X are effectively rebuilding confidence from scratch.

That focus matters — because delivery is everything. Moments like this are a reminder of how difficult it is to get events like this right — and how much is at stake when they do. The biggest risk now isn’t competition or positioning. It’s execution.

Saving a race is a moment. Earning back belief takes longer.

Over the next 12 months, we’ll find out which one matters more — for Ultra X, and for a sport that depends on races like this continuing to exist.

The Dragon’s Back Race is a 380 km, 6-day ultra-running event across the Welsh mountains, often described as the world’s toughest endurance event. It features 16,400m of ascent, which participants navigate, across remote, mountainous terrain.

We go deeper into how this came together — and what happens next — in our UNTOLD TRAILS podcast featuring Ultra X co-founder Sam Heward, released here on SUBSTACK

Also available on TRAILFANS YouTube and UNTOLD TRAILS Spotify.

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In the first episode of our new podcast, UNTOLD TRAILS, we dive into the stories behind it all, from its origins and evolution, to the legends who’ve defined it and the volunteers and runners who keep it alive today. We also explore why we think the Yorkshire Three Peaks Race is so special, what the future holds for the race and whether we think it is the most iconic race in Britain.

The episode is a tribute to the enduring spirit of the Three Peaks and the vibrant community that sustains it. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or a curious spectator, this race embodies resilience, tradition and the thrill of testing your limits.

CREDITS

UNTOLD TRAILS is a TRAILFANS Production featuring hosts, Frazer Durris & Scott Cunliffe. It is produced by Tom Walker. All creative design is by Robyn Miller.

A big thank you to all those involved in the race who have taken time to talk to us in preparing this episode.

Background photo credits to Woodentops via the Three Peaks social pages.

One year ago we launched TRAILFANS here on Substack with a hand full of articles on the 2025 Three Peaks Race. We will continue to use Substack to host UNTOLD TRAILS. You can also listen our podcast on Substack and Trailfans YouTube Channel as well as Spotify and Apple Music (Search for UNTOLD TRAILS).

Please do get out to Horton-in-Ribblesdale to support the 2026 edition of the race held on Saturday 25th April. Frazer and Scott will both be on the start line.

INSIDE THIS EPISODE

In our first ever feature length podcast Frazer and Scott discover what makes the Yorkshire Three Peaks a legendary and challenging race that encapsulates the spirit of British trail and fell running. From its rich history to modern adaptations, this episode explores why it remains a symbol of resilience, community, and versatility in endurance sports. Here’s a breakdown of what we cover:

• The race’s unique blend of road, trail, and fell elements

• The history and origins of the race, dating back over 70 years

• Key challenges: cutoffs, weather unpredictability, and terrain variations

• Stories from legendary runners like John Calvert, Billy Bland and Olympic gold medalist Alistair Brownlee

• Evolution of the race’s format: route changes, qualification standards, and community involvement

• The race’s cultural significance and community spirit

• Analysis of the race’s standing in modern fell and trail racing, and future potential

• Notable moments, iconic competitors, and inspiring stories of perseverance

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Victoria Benn, Peak Performance: the Sporting History of Ingleborough and the Three Peaks (Second Edition)

• Steve Chilton, The Three Peaks Race: the History and Characters of the Marathon with Mountains (2024)

• Steve Chilton, Voices from the Hills: Pioneering Women Fell and Mountain Runners (2023)

• Steve Chilton, website It's a Hill, Get Over It that has some great Three Peaks stories

• The Fellrunner Magazine published by the Fell Running Association (FRA) available online with back issues dating back to 1971. Join the FRA to receive season hard copies of the magazine.

• Fell Running Association website has details of races, results and a lot more

• Bill Smith’s, three part ‘A Short History of Clayton-le-Moors Harriers’, was published in the FRA’s Fellrunner Magazine. If you have a few hundred pounds to spare Bill’s 1985 classic book ‘Stud Marks on the Summit’ is worth tracking down.

• Three Peaks Race website is available HERE. It is packed with informative pages on Category Records, 21 Completions, Race Winners 1954-2025, Race Information and Hostory. It’s also worth following the Three Peaks Facebook page

• Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge website has details about the 12-hour hiking challenge

Before we dive into our first feature on the iconic

Three Peaks Race, we start with a simple question: how did we end up here?

In this pilot episode, Scott and Fraser share their own journeys into trail running — from unexpected beginnings in Chamonix during Brexit weekend, to chaotic ultra experiences in the mountains of Indonesia. Along the way, they reflect on what makes this sport different, and why it all comes back to one thing: Stories.

Subscribe and follow to join us as we explore the untold stories of trail and fell running.

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TF011 — What’s Inside This Edition

• UNTOLD TRAILS intro!

• The Great British Trail Transition

• Community Racing

• The English Fell Champs, where Scott has a point to prove

• Spring Racing Highlights

Introducing UNTOLD TRAILS

UNTOLD TRAILS is a storytelling podcast exploring the deeper, lesser-heard stories from trail running. Beyond race results and finish lines, this is a journey into the human side of the sport: the defining moments, personal battles, and powerful experiences that shape the trail running community. Watch out for our first episode on the Three Peaks Race dropping soon. Click on the banner below to listen to our intro:

The Great British Trail Transition

The British trail running scene is entering a period of rapid and uncertain transition. The recent collapse of Ourea Events has sent ripples through a tight-knit community built on grassroots passion and volunteer spirit. The disappearance of beloved events like the Northern Traverse and the Dragon’s Back Race has raised concerns that some of Britain’s most storied challenges could fade away. What’s been left behind is not just a logistical gap, but a cultural one—these events have long embodied a distinctly British ethos of self-reliance, rugged terrain, and understated organisation.

Into this vacuum steps the global powerhouse UTMB Group, whose acquisition of the Winter Spine Race briefly signalled a new era of consolidation and commercialisation— until it was revealed as an April Fools’ prank, courtesy of the Home Trails Podcast.

As cheeky as the post was, it neatly captured the unease many feel about the future direction of the sport. That tension is already visible: UTMB’s recent course changes to the Ultra-Trail Snowdonia 100k (UTS 100k) sparked widespread debate, highlighting the delicate balance between global standardisation and preserving the unique character of British trail races. This amplifies the importance of iconic events like the Three Peaks Race, which we cover in detail on the first episode of our upcoming podcast.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on how this transition will play out?

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Community Racing

While some races remain in limbo the great british trail community ploughs on. One reaction that caught our eye, was the Community Traverse group set up in a flash after Ourea cancelled the Northern Traverse that was set to commence on 28th March 2026. Concerned runners got together to stage an unofficial race allowing those who had signed up to the Ourea event to put their training into action. As we type this the first finishers have just crossed the line of their 300km journey across the width of Britain. Big kudos to all those involved. We can’t wait to

Check out Instagram feed and the results page of the Community Traverse » HERE

We’ve also been enjoying great community driven races closer to home. In his warm up for the Three Peaks Race Frazer and two hundred other hardy souls took on the Stan Bradshaw Pendle Round (see the full results HERE) where he finished in an impressive fifth place. He then went on to achieve a top ten at the gruelling Heptonstall Fell Race, which you can experience via Conquer The Fell’s informative video » HERE

We’ve also had fun racing some shorter local races. The pick of which was last weekend’s Pendle Fell Race won by William Walker (Full Results » HERE). Will’s grandad, Harry Walker, was on hand to witness Will’s victory. Harry won the race seven times, and his great, great uncle was won the inaugural race in 1954. In 1970, the Fell Running Association was officially launched at a meeting following the Pendle Fell Race. The race is still organised by local volunteers who have maintained £5 entry on the day for some time.

This coming weekend we’ll be lacing up some speedy shoes as we take on one of Britain’s oldest races, the Rivington Fell Race. First run in 1892, the race attracts a decent crowd on Easter Saturday who bomb up and down a 700ft climb over 3.2 miles.

A Point to Prove

Talking of community driven events. On Saturday, 7th March, the English Fell Championship season continued in the Southwest Lake District at Black Combe. The day left Trailfans Scott Cunliffe with a point to prove.

It was a glorious day — with Black Combe hill fully visible on the approach in - Scott’s travel mate, Geoff Gough had run the race several times before including a 6th place in the British Champs in 1984. But Geoff had never seen the hill before as more often than not it’s shrouded in clag. The 8-mile race is run over 8-miles with nearly 3000 ft of ascent across two steep climbs overlooking the Irish Sea.

In the senior men’s race Finlay Grant (Dark Peak) delivered a standout performance at storming to victory in a new course record time of 1:03:18. His run shaved an impressive 1 minute 30 seconds off the long-standing mark set by Ian Holmes 29 years ago, underlining both his strength and the unusually fast conditions on the day. On the day, the indestructible Ian Holmes, finished in 01:22:09, as the first V60 runner.

The race, which formed the second counter in the 2026 English Fell Championships, saw 433 runners take on the demanding 13km course with 1000m of climb. Known for its tough, boggy terrain and often harsh late-winter weather, Black Combe instead greeted competitors with glorious sunshine—making for a rare “fast year” on the typically gruelling route. Grant led home a strong men’s field, with Ben Rothery securing second place and Sam Bentham completing the podium in third.

In the women’s race, Caroline Lambert (Keswick AC) took a commanding victory in 1:21:16. She was followed by Hannah Russell in second and Sara Willhoit in third, rounding out a competitive podium. Lambert has now won both of the opening making her hot favourite to win this years overall series.

With clear skies and firm underfoot conditions replacing the usual clag and mud, the 2026 edition of Black Combe will be remembered not only for its record-breaking performance but also for offering runners a rare opportunity to race the classic Lakeland fell at speed.

Scott climbed well again and with only two descents his aging hips held up. The race marked a step forward in his championship campaign, improving to 59th in his age group. With momentum now on his side, he heads to the next counter at Blackstone Edge aiming to secure his first points and continue his upward trajectory in the series.

There is still time to enter the third counter in the English Champs, that takes place on Saturday 18th April » ENTER HERE

For a results recap of the English Champs » SEE HERE

Spring Trail Racing Highlights

The past few weeks have delivered some truly standout performances on the trails, with athletes pushing the pace early in the season. At Transgrancanaria — a brutal 126 km test across rugged island terrain — Jonathan Albon once again showed his class with a dominant display, while his wife, Henriette Albon backed it up on the women’s side with an equally commanding performance. Together, they underlined their status as one of trail running’s most formidable duos, setting the tone for the season ahead with strength, control, and experience on one of the sport’s most iconic long-distance courses.

Meanwhile, in the Tuscan hills, the Chianti Ultra Trail by UTMB 120 km race wrapped up in style, with Courtney Dauwalter and Thomas Cardin taking top honours. Cardin accepted his Golden Ticket to Western States. Courtney turned hers down, choosing instead to focus on Hardrock 100 in Colorado.

Back on his home turf, TRAILFANS favourite, Francesco Puppi also lit up the day at Chianti making it two wins in a row at Chianti 50k. Check out our interview with Puppi from last year: HERE

Watch out for our first episode on the Three Peaks Race dropping soon.

Subscribe to TRAILFANS and be part of a community that goes beyond the surface of our sport in UNTOLD TRAILS.

TF010 — What’s Inside This Edition

• Back on the fells, for the first English Champs race of the season

• FEATURE: The Outdoor Industries New Frontline - Frazer tracks trail’s shift from a niche pursuit to a strategic battleground, now sitting at the centre of the outdoor industry’s race for growth, innovation and cultural relevance.

• Still in the Game: Trailfans masters series recap

Back on the fells

The first race of the English Fell Running Championship was held last Saturday, 21st February at Doctor’s Gate in the Peak District National Park. The opening race of six was run over 12.7 mile with nearly 3000 ft of ascent up and down three climbs.

Like any proper fell runner, Scott headed out for a reccy two weeks before race day. It was a damp, sodden morning — hardly inviting for a solo outing across the bleak Pennine moorland. Thankfully, he wasn’t alone. He tagged along with a friendly group from Todmorden Harriers, who took charge of the navigation, leaving Scott free to hop over slippery rocks and keep his hands warm inside his cag.

After close to three hours picking their way between knee deep bogs, US aircraft wreckage and several trig points Scott and his new fell friends were rewarded with one of the finest Pennine rainbows seen this year.

On race day, no cag was needed. The clag cleared. Spring was in the air. Runners were offered fine views over the Glossop and the Derbyshire Peak district. Last year’s joint English Champions, once again dominated the men’s race, with Finlay Grant piping Ben Rothery to the win by a mere 4 seconds. They were almost 4 minutes ahead of Chris Larkin in third place.

The women’s race wasn’t such a close call. After missing the Champs last year, Caroline Lambert had an outstanding run finishing well ahead of the chasing pack. She took the win by six and a half minutes from Sara Wilhoit who beat Poppy Wardley in a sprint finish for second and third.

Calder Valley lads dominated the men’s masters races with Gav Mulholland winning Vet50 and world champion Karl Gray winning the Vet55. Another legendary fell runner, Ian Holmes, from Bingley Harriers took the Vet60 win. Susannah Richardson of Calder Valley was the first female Vet runner to cross the line, with Lou Osborn of Keswick taking the Vet50 win and Wharfedale’s Jean Powell wining female Vet55.

Check out the full results from Doctors Gate Fell here

Scott climbed well. He felt strong on all three climbs but his dodgy hip appeared after the second climb. From there on, his downhill fell apart and he struggled to flow on the muddy single track sections. But positivity prevails. He’s already reccyed the 8 mile route of the next English Champs race at Black Combe. He’s confident he can improve on his low level finish this time out. And maybe even score his first championship points. Stay tuned.

Cag: northern slang for a waterproof jacket, known back in the day as a Cagoule. Clag: northern slang for low hanging cloud, mist or fog.

English Senior Fell Running Championship 2026, dates for your diary:

Sat 21^st February: Doctor’s Gate: AL - Sat 7^th March: Black Combe: AM

Sat 18^th April: Blackstone Edge: AS - Sun 28^th June: Blencathra: AM

Sat 25^th July: Aldermans Ascent: AS - Sat 12^th September: Old Crown Round: AL

Trail Running: The Outdoor Industries New Frontline

When we walked through Chamonix during UTMB week last summer, something felt different. Not just busy. Strategic.

Brand-hosted chalets weren’t simply handing out caps and gels. Founders and senior leadership had flown in from across the globe.Entire executive teams were present. Product demos ran from morning until late evening. Data platforms launched collaborations. Influencers filmed around the clock. Coaches were interviewed. Asian brands were making deliberate statements of intent.

UTMB week no longer feels like just a race. It feels like an industry summit.

We saw it firsthand with TrainingPeaks, the global endurance coaching platform used by elite and amateur athletes worldwide. This wasn’t token visibility. Founders and senior leadership were on the ground. Chalet events brought together emerging performance tech brands. Interviews were hosted with respected endurance coaches such as Scott Johnston — coach to UTMB winners Tom Evans and Ruth Croft. The message was clear: trail running is not peripheral. It is central to growth.

And since Chamonix, the shift has accelerated.

In a recent Bloomberg interview, Nike President & CEO Elliot Hill made the company’s intent explicit: trail running is their entry point into outdoor, via ACG. He repeatedly referenced innovation, cultural positioning and product development. At one point, he described how he had told his teams to “run — don’t ask for permission, ask for forgiveness.”

That is not cautious language. It signals urgency. Internal conviction. A willingness to move decisively. Nike are not testing the water. They are committing.

They are signing serious trail athletes on contracts that reportedly extend far beyond race bonuses — full-spectrum support structures, long-term development, genuine investment in athlete careers. They are backing races with some of the largest prize purses the sport has seen, including a $150,000 total purse at Broken Arrow Skyrace and $75,000 at the Gorge Waterfalls race in Oregon.

That isn’t generosity. It’s positioning. Bigger purses attract bigger names, greater media attention and stronger commercial leverage. Inevitably, this creates pressure on competitors and race organisers — particularly in Europe — to respond.

Meanwhile, Asian markets are firmly in play. Nike ACG’s recent launch activity included a new store presence in Beijing. Brands from across Asia are no longer observers in Chamonix — they are contenders. Trail is becoming global capital territory.

All of this points to one conclusion: Trail running is no longer niche. It is the outdoor industry’s new frontline.

The Bigger Questions

When a company of Nike’s scale pivots, the industry reacts. But how far will this go?

• Is this a decade-long build — or a five-year surge?

• How will competitors respond?

• Is this purely offensive growth, or partly defensive, given Nike’s challenges in Asia and the rise of specialist performance brands?

• What does “innovation” truly mean in trail footwear and apparel?

The capital required to reposition a global brand around outdoor is enormous — product development cycles, athlete contracts, race sponsorship, marketing infrastructure. This is not light investment. Which makes sustainability the key question.

Trail’s appeal has always rested on authenticity, community and a sense of being slightly outside the mainstream. That’s part of its power. Can that survive large-scale commercial acceleration?

The Paradox

In recent months, we’ve revisited the careers of Angela Mudge and Karl Gray — athletes shaped in a very different era. Prize purses were modest or non-existent. Support networks were limited. Performance was built on personal grit rather than multidisciplinary panels. Races felt like gatherings, not global showcases.

And yet those stories resonate deeply. Because trail’s essence has never been transactional.

Brands across the spectrum are thinking similarly. In Chamonix, Olivier Roux, Export Manager at CIMALP — a heritage alpine brand with deep mountain roots — told us that visibility and presence at UTMB have become strategically important for companies operating in the trail and outdoor space. “UTMB has become the place to be,” he said, explaining that trail now acts as a spearhead category, introducing performance-focused consumers to the wider outdoor world.

For established mountain brands like CIMALP, trail is not a departure from heritage, but a natural evolution of it. Trail is becoming the gateway. Not just for Nike. For the wider outdoor industry and many new disruptor brands.

Foundational Questions for the Sport

Nike ACG’s entry forces us to look beyond short-term excitement.

• Will rising prize money reshape race hierarchies?

• Does increased investment create sustainable athlete careers — or widen the gap between the few and the many?

• As brands concentrate capital and attention, which races will define the sport’s centre of gravity over the next decade?

• Can grassroots fell and trail racing coexist alongside growing commercial spectacle?

• How do brands scale without losing the authenticity that made trail compelling in the first place?

• And in five years’ time, will UTMB week feel more like a global motorsport spectacle — or like the mountain gathering that made it special?

• Beyond that will UTMB races be the pinnacle of the trail running calendar or will other races, formats and even Olympic competition dominate the racing circuit?

None of these questions have simple answers. But they matter. Because this moment feels different. Chamonix showed us the shift. Nike’s declaration of intent validates it.

The next decade may define what trail running becomes — not just as a competitive sport, but as an industry. Greater investment can elevate athlete wellbeing, strengthen infrastructure and create viable careers. It can bring sports science, better contracts and broader global visibility. But it also changes incentives. Calendars follow prize money. Media gravitates toward spectacle. Brands compete for cultural dominance.

Trail running stands at an inflection point. And if it is now the outdoor industry’s new frontline, the responsibility for how it evolves doesn’t sit solely with brands. It sits with athletes. With race directors. With communities. And with all of us who care about what trail running becomes next.

All Nike ACG Images from: https://about.nike.com/en/newsroom/releases/nike-reintroduces-acg-all-conditions-gear

Still in the Game: Trailfans Masters Series

In Still in the Game, we turn the spotlight on mountain athletes proving that performance, perspective, and passion don’t always peak in your 20s — echoing Faye Johnson’s running age is its own thing. Across three new features, we explore Masters running through very different lenses: David Taylor’s enduring competitiveness and curiosity, Karl Gray’s remarkable longevity at the sharp end of international racing, and Angela Mudge’s elemental story from a generation that helped shape the sport itself. Together, they form a portrait of what experience really looks like in the mountains — not a slowing down, but a deepening of purpose. If you missed them, do have a read:

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Please let us know the Masters stories that you’d like us to cover next.

Words by Scott Cunliffe (Trailfans)

Angela Mudge was born with her feet pointing backwards.

For the first few years of her life, both legs were held in plaster and braces. Doctors corrected her feet’s positioning, but nothing about her early biomechanics suggested a future in endurance sport — let alone on steep, technical terrain.

Decades later, she would become one of the most dominant mountain runners Britain has ever produced — a world champion, multiple-time British champion, Skyrunner World Series winner, and the first woman to break three hours at Sierre-Zinal.

She did all this wearing an analogue watch.

That detail matters, because Angela belongs to a generation of the sport that existed before almost everything we now take for granted — before GPS data, before social media, before UTMB prize purses, before the Great Britain vest era.

And in many ways, she is still quietly guarding what that era stood for.

The Hills Before the Hype

Angela grew up on Dartmoor, where running meant freedom more than competition.

“I’d always been on the hills — little hills, on the moor. I’d always been a hill person anyway.”

She ran as a teenager but drifted away from structured athletics. Track never quite fit; cross country felt flat in more ways than one.

Everything changed when she moved to Scotland in the early 1990s to study for a Master’s degree at the University of Stirling.

“In the ’90s,” she laughs, “if you were a student at Stirling and you ran, you’d get dragged up Dumyat at lunchtime.”

It was there she found the terrain — and the people — that would define her life in the sport. The Ochil Hill Runners had just formed, and she quickly became part of the club’s orbit. Later she’d also run with Carnethy Hill Running Club, now home to Jasmin Paris and emerging Scottish talent, Naomi Lang.

“They drove me to races, to hills, and kind of introduced me to the sport.”

That “scene” became her competitive home. Not just for a season, but for years. Hill running, as fell running is known in Scotland, wasn’t just competition. It was community, landscape, and a style of racing that rewarded resilience and skill rather than pure speed. She fell back in love with running — and never really left.

“I started running for Scotland as I was a resident there… To me, it made sense to run for Scotland—even though I’m English—because I didn’t have any plans for moving back to England. And all my running buddies were Scottish as well.”

A Late Start — Then Dominance

Angela wasn’t a prodigy. In fact, her rise was unusually abrupt. In 1995 she finished 49th at the British Championships. Within two years she was winning them — and then kept winning.

Her career highlights read like a map of mountain running’s most iconic arenas: she won the Scottish Hill Running Championships three times (1997, 1998, 2006) and the British Fell & Hill Running Championships five times (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 & 2008).

After completing her PhD in 2000 Angela had arguably her finest season, whilst biking and camping in the Alps: “I won the British title, raced in the WMRA grand prix series, set course records, raced the Scottish Island Peaks race and won the World Mountain Running Trophy” in Bergen, Germany representing Scotland (Steve Chilton: Voices from the Hills).

A year later, Angela returned to the Alps winning the Sierre Zinal in 2001 in a time of 02:56:41. She was the first woman to break 3 hours at what is now considered to be one of the world’s most prestigious trail races. In contrast the female winning time in 2025 was 02:55:31.

In 2003, in preparation for the World’s in Alaska, Angela headed to Colorado, where she became the only British runner to win the Pike’s Peak Marathon. After an injury ion 2004, she went on to win the World Masters Mountain Running Championships in 2005, and topped the Buff Skyrunner World Series in 2006 (including a win at Zegama) and 2007—a résumé that places her among the defining figures of modern hill and mountain running.

The late surge became part of her legend: a runner who arrived relatively late, then dominated. But Angela herself rarely frames it as dominance. To her, it was simply what happened when she found terrain that suited her — steep, technical, unpredictable.

Descending, especially, became her trademark.

“You can’t do a race well if you don’t have any skill at descending.”

The Elemental Years

To understand Angela’s place in the sport, you have to picture the circuit she came up through. This was an era before professionalisation, when elite mountain runners travelled across Europe not with support crews but with bikes, tents, and gas stoves. Angela lived that life fully.

She spent seasons racing across the continent, sometimes living in a tent, cooking simple meals, and travelling race to race in the most practical ways possible. She once declined flowers after a race because she had nowhere to put them.

She was nominated for a Laureus World Sports Award — one of the biggest honours in global sport — and didn’t attend. She had a holiday booked. She didn’t own a black dress. And she didn’t fancy wandering around collecting autographs from the other nominees, footballer David Beckham, Olympic Champion Steve Redgrave, triple jumper Jonathan Edwards and boxer Lennox Lewis.

She has never chased the spotlight.

The Cost of a Career in the Mountains

The narrative of toughness in mountain running can sound romantic — until you look at what it actually demands over decades. Angela’s body, like many long-term mountain athletes, paid the price.

She wore away knee cartilage to the point of running on bone. Surgeons drilled into her femur to stimulate repair. She didn’t ask about success rates; she just wanted to know when she could run again.

Later came the ankle injuries, compensation problems, and long periods of rehabilitation — including months of aqua jogging.

There was also personal loss. During her Skyrunning years, she lost her twin sister — a moment that deepened, rather than diminished, her connection to racing.

These experiences explain something important about Angela’s current philosophy: she doesn’t talk about longevity as an abstract concept. She’s lived the cost of pushing limits.

The “GB vest” and how mountain running teams evolved

There’s a historical nuance in mountain running that gets forgotten: the way teams and vests evolved over time. Angela’s international racing predates the era many current runners assume has “always been the way.”

“The Great Britain vest didn’t come in until about 2004.”

Before that, she raced at the World Mountain Running Trophy in a Scottish vest. The European Championships shifted to a British team earlier; the World Mountain Running Championships became more formally “GB” later.

“I never actually did a World Mountain Running Champs with the GB vest. I always did them with a Scottish vest.”

By the late 2000s, she’d moved into team management too—another thread that runs through Angela’s career: she competes, but she also builds, supports, and protects the structures around the sport.

Masters Racing — And a Shift in Perspective

Angela first entered a Masters championship almost by accident — because it was in Keswick, and she happened to be racing nearby.

“I won it as a Vet 35… and said I’d do it every five years.”

For much of her 40s she wasn’t interested in Masters competition. She was still competitive at senior level and focused on longer challenges. But after surgery and repeated injury cycles, her mindset shifted.

“I got to the stage where I decided I’d rather be running and enjoying it than getting really fit and then breaking down.”

Speedwork disappeared from her training.

“I haven’t done speedwork for years. I just end up tearing my calf muscle. It’s not worth it.”

What replaced it was something simpler: consistency, time outdoors, and accepting what her body can handle now.

What Masters Racing Really Is

Angela is passionate about clarifying one misconception: international Masters racing isn’t exclusive.

“You don’t have to qualify. It’s open to absolutely everybody.”

You enter the event like a normal race, join your governing body, and compete. Team results come from whoever shows up — a system she values because it rewards participation as much as podiums.

“It’s good because somebody who normally wouldn’t be competitive can suddenly be part of the team result.”

For Angela, Masters racing is less about chasing past performances and more about continuing to belong in the sport.

Guarding the Soul of Mountain Running

If there’s one theme Angela returns to repeatedly, it’s concern about the direction of the sport. She doesn’t reject growth — but she worries about what might be lost.

“I really hope we don’t get taken over by big corporate organisers that are just in it for the money.”

She sees the proliferation of multi-distance, heavily branded events as diluting both competition and culture. Traditional races — small, volunteer-run, navigation-heavy — struggle when participants drift toward easier, more packaged experiences.

“You’re spreading the best runners across fields. No one race is as competitive as it could be.”

Her perspective isn’t nostalgia. It’s stewardship. She belongs to the generation that built the sport’s culture — and she wants that culture to survive.

The mindset shift: performance vs. continuity

Angela describes a very familiar masters transition: the moment you realise the biggest competitor isn’t “the field”—it’s recovery. Now, it’s about managing injuries.

“I’d rather be running and enjoying it than getting really fit and then breaking down and injured for another six weeks.”

She’s blunt about what she no longer does.

“I haven’t done speedwork for years… I just end up tearing my calf muscle or something. It’s not worth it.”

That doesn’t mean she’s stopped being good. Even while managing illness and setbacks, she’s still finishing near the front at major masters events, including podium-level uphill results. But she’s clear-eyed about why that happens: it’s not because she’s chasing “peak fitness” at all costs. It’s because she’s choosing consistency. If there’s one theme that repeats in her answers, it’s this: keep turning up.

Training, strength, and the most honest “cross training” answer ever

When I ask what she does besides running—gym work, strength training, cross training—Angela delivers maybe the most Angela answer of the whole interview.

“I’ve got three strong dogs and I chase them when they go chasing deer on the hill.”

Translation: dogs, daily movement, and a life lived outdoors. She does cycle, and she has indoor kit for when she’s injured—a cross trainer with incline—but she doesn’t enjoy exercise for its own sake.

“I don’t like exercising for the sake of it… I want to be out when I’m running or biking. I don’t want to be inside.”

That preference is part personality, part philosophy—and it’s also a clue to why she’s lasted: her training is deeply connected to place and enjoyment, not just discipline.

Still Running — On Her Own Terms

Angela has never questioned the path she chose.

“No.”

She structured her life around racing and travel, and she doesn’t regret it. But the races she loves most now are the quiet ones — 50 or 100 runners, spectacular terrain, minimal fuss.

“I like the low-key races. You go up a spectacular route and that’s it.”

In a sport increasingly measured in metrics — data, sponsorship value, follower counts — Angela Mudge still measures it the old way:

You against the hill.
You against the elements.

And the simple satisfaction of still being out there.

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Scott & Frazer, Trailfans

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Words by Scott Cunliffe, Trailfans

In two-weeks time, the Doctor’s Gate fell race with kick off the 2026 English Fell Championship. Reigning Vet 60 Champion, David Taylor, who was the focus of TRAILFANS MASTERS 001, will fancy his chances on his home fells around Glossop in the Peak District. Reigning Vet 55 Champion, Karl Gray will also be on the start line on 21st February. We caught up with Karl to reflect on his astonishing running career.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with the name, Karl Gray is one of Britain’s most accomplished fell and mountain runners, a multiple English Fell Championship winner and a two-time World Masters Mountain Running champion whose career spans more than two decades. Renowned for his strength on classic up-and-down courses and long fell races, Gray has claimed World Masters titles in both the M45 and M55 categories, added European Masters gold and consistently delivered at domestic level while anchoring championship-winning relay teams for Calder Valley Fell Runners. His record is defined not by a single peak but by longevity — remaining competitive, resilient, and tactically sharp across generations of rivals and changing championship formats.

Karl Gray: Still in the Race

Karl Gray answers the Trailfans call mid-winter, with the 2026 season coming early and his training quietly ticking over. He sounds in good shape, training is going well. Nothing dramatic. Just consistency. Enough to keep things moving in the right direction as another season edges closer.

It’s a familiar tone from someone who, over more than two decades, has become one of Britain’s most accomplished fell and mountain runners — particularly in the Masters ranks — without ever sounding like someone who needs to tell you that.

Gray has always preferred a bit of separation. He’s a physiotherapist by profession, but he’s never wanted his working life and his running to bleed into each other too much. He trains, he races, he works, and then he moves on to the next thing. Even now, he admits he doesn’t carry a neat mental list of his own achievements. The focus is always forward.

That modesty makes it easy to overlook the scale of what he’s done.

Over the years, Karl Gray has won multiple English Fell Championship titles, anchored championship-winning British relay teams, taken European Masters gold, and claimed two World Masters Mountain Running titles, a decade apart, in different age categories. Few runners manage that level of longevity. Fewer still do it while remaining so understated. Karl trains and races without fanfare.

Finding his place on the fells

Gray didn’t arrive in fell running as a teenage prodigy. He came to it in the early 2000s with a football background, bringing with him a strong engine and a competitive instinct that never faded late in games — or, as it turned out, late in races.

He was never a pure uphill specialist. What suited him best were classic up-and-down courses — races that demanded balance, resilience, and the ability to descend well when legs were already tired. By the mid-2000s he was a regular presence in English championship races and a reliable counter for Calder Valley Fell Runners team. He found his niche quickly finishing 5th in the English Fell Championship in 2005. The relays also mattered to him — still do. Being someone a team could trust under pressure became a defining part of his identity.

A standout team moment came when Calder Valley won the British Fell Relay Championship for the first time on Pendle Hill — not just for the result, but for the intensity and chaos of the day. Gray recalls the tactical decisions around team selection and leg order, and how strongly opinions were held in the build-up. He felt he’d been running well enough to feature on one of the longer legs, but the final call went another way, with teammates confident in their own strengths. Karl ran the final leg, by which time it became clear just how fine the margins were. Gray describes coming in with a group of runners almost together — navigators and fast descenders converging at once — leaving little room to separate decisively until late in the final descent. Despite the lack of a clean run-in and minimal warm-up, he found himself locked in a hard battle all the way to the top of Pendle, staying close before committing on the descent. The victory, when it came, felt hard-earned and slightly chaotic — “an amazing year,” as he puts it — and a reminder of why relay wins carry a different weight: shaped as much by trust, teamwork, and decisions under pressure as by individual fitness.

A world title on home ground

Karl’s individual breakthrough moment came in 2015, when the World Masters Mountain Running Championships were held in Betws-y-Coed, Wales. For years, the World Masters scene hadn’t fully aligned with Gray’s strengths — many races leaned heavily toward short uphill formats — but this one was different. Proper up and down. Technical. Honest. Gray seized it.

The race unfolded as a sustained battle, gaps measured in seconds rather than minutes. He remembers counting time at the top of climbs, regrouping on descents, sensing when momentum shifted. When he finally crested the final hill with a narrow advantage, he knew that if he could just get downhill cleanly, the title was his.

He did — becoming the World Masters Champion (M45).

It wasn’t just the win that mattered. It was confirmation that his style of running, built on patience and race craft rather than explosive moves, could succeed on the biggest stage.

Staying relevant as the years move on

What followed wasn’t a slow fade — it was a second act built on adaptation.

Gray remained a constant in domestic championships, collecting English Fell Championship medals and wins across Masters categories. He continued to travel selectively for international races, choosing courses that suited him rather than chasing everything.

In 2016, he returned to the World Masters to take silver. In 2019, he was part of a British Fell Relay Championship–winning V40 team with Calder Valley. In 2022, now racing as an M50, he stepped back onto the global podium with silver at the World Masters in Connemara.

Each phase required adjustment. Recovery took longer. Margins narrowed. The cost of getting it wrong increased.

Gray responded by simplifying rather than adding complexity.

The mindset that keeps him competitive

If there’s one thing Gray believes has helped him more than any training method, it’s mindset.

He’s seen runners want success so badly that it tightens them — faces clenched, decisions rushed, races lost before they’re finished. Gray prefers to stay relaxed. Calm, he believes, is a competitive advantage.

That approach paid off again in 2025, the most complete season of his career.

Now racing as an M55, Gray won European Masters Off-Road gold, then followed it with victory at the World Masters Mountain / Trail Championships, taking the long-distance title over roughly 32–34 kilometres. Alongside that, he secured the English Fell Championships M55 title, completing a rare domestic–international double in the same year.

One moment from that world race stands out. Partway through, Gray found himself behind two strong Italian runners. They surged. He felt the gap open.

For a moment, he accepted the possibility that it might not be his day. We’ve all been there.

But he didn’t stop racing.

On the technical descent, momentum shifted. He reeled them back in. Later, on the climb, he felt close to cramping, close to the edge — but he kept moving forward. Others faltered. Gray didn’t.

It’s a pattern he’s lived by for years.

“Just keep going,” he says. “You never know what happens.”

Still choosing his challenges

At 55, Gray isn’t chasing everything. He’s choosing carefully.

For 2026 Karl shared a few options…….

Championship races still matter, but so do big mountain rounds and long-term health. Every decision now involves balance — between ambition and recovery, between competition and longevity.

Gray is weighing his ambitions carefully rather than simply adding more races to the calendar. While he’s keen to remain competitive in the English Fell Championships and would like to defend his World Masters title if the timing works, his biggest focus is on making room for a long-distance mountain round while he still feels his body is capable of doing it justice. He talks openly about wanting a “good Ramsay Round” — not just a completion, but a strong, well-executed run — and recognises that preparing for a big round demands months of focused training and significant recovery time. The challenge for 2026, he says, is juggling that commitment alongside championship racing without overloading his body: choosing fewer objectives, spacing them properly, and deciding whether to prioritise a major round over stacking European, World, British, and English championships into the same season.

The quiet idea of a “grand slam”

Running alongside Gray’s championship seasons has been a quieter, more personal idea — what he half-jokingly refers to as a Masters “grand slam”: winning the World Masters, European Masters, and the British or English championships in the same year. It wasn’t something he set out to announce or chase publicly. The idea emerged gradually through conversations with training partners, prompted by the simple question of whether it could be done at all.

In 2025, Gray came closer than ever. He secured European Masters Gold, followed it with a World Masters title, and added the English Fell Championships crown, all while navigating the physical toll of travel, recovery, and tightly spaced race dates. He’s careful not to frame the season as a formal “grand slam” — calendars rarely align neatly, and staying healthy is often the hardest part — but he acknowledges that year as proof that the idea isn’t fanciful. It’s just exceptionally demanding, requiring restraint as much as ambition.

What hasn’t changed is his relationship with running. It’s not all-consuming. It’s not performative. It’s part of a life that includes work, family, friendships, and a deep enjoyment of moving well in the hills.

Karl Gray may not frame his career in terms of legacy, but the numbers speak clearly enough. World titles a decade apart. Championship success across multiple age categories. A presence in British fell running that has endured while others have come and gone.

And through it all, the same quiet philosophy applies:

Stay relaxed. Stay consistent. Stay in the race.

Because you never know what might happen next.

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This year, we’ll also be sharing more of our own journeys.

Scott’s year ahead

Scott’s primary focus for 2026 is the English Fell Running Championships, with a clear goal: to compete as hard as possible in the V50 category and test himself against the very best in England.

Alongside the championship races, there’s also a long-held ambition finally coming to life — his first skyrace in Spain at the Calamorro SkyRace (link). A technical, spectacular event that’s been on the list for years.

In preparation, Scott’s notched up a 125-day Spanish learning streak on Duolingo, embracing the full experience rather than just turning up on race day. If he passes his Spanish test he may well head out for a long through-hike across the Pyrenees this summer on the GR11 trail.

Frazer’s year ahead

Frazer turns 50 this year and plans to mark it properly — with a still-to-be-announced long-term challenge combining some of the UK’s biggest peaks with high-speed logistics and plenty of ambition. More on that soon.

Race-wise, the standout is OCC by UTMB, after securing a place via the lottery. That will sit alongside a return to classic fell races closer to home in Lancashire and across the borders into Yorkshire — plus, perhaps optimistically, another attempt at a long-standing life PB over traditional 5k or 10k distances (we say this every year…).

With the V50 category now firmly in view for Frazer — and Scott entering those early veteran years — we’ll both be exploring how training, recovery, nutrition and mindset need to evolve to keep performing well and enjoying these “golden years” of running.

What’s dropping next

We’ll kick this off next week with two interviews from two of the most respected names in UK fell and mountain running: Angela Mudge and Karl Gray.

Both have achieved extraordinary things on the fells and at prestigious mountain running events around the world — and both remain deeply involved in the sport.

Scott spoke to them recently and uncovered a mix of stories, lessons and reflections that feel especially relevant to runners navigating longevity, motivation and performance later in their careers.

Something different

Finally, Frazer stepped well outside his usual comfort zone, travelling to France to race a Snow Race in Les Deux Alpes in mid-January.

The aim wasn’t just to compete, but to understand what these events are really about — from atmosphere and logistics to the unique challenges they present. Read his full race-experience piece here.

That’s the shape of the year ahead: familiar ground, new formats, and honest conversations about performance, ageing well in the sport, and why we still love turning up to the start line.

What else is coming

We’ll also be introducing TrailFans podcasts this year — but not in a conventional format.

Our as yet un-named, audio-first TrailFans documentary series will explore the people, ideas and moments that shaped trail and fell running — and where it’s heading next.

We’re currently working through a small number of pre-pilots, testing a different approach to storytelling and perspective. The first will be released in February, with more detail on the format shared over the coming weeks.

As always, we’d genuinely like to hear from you. Tell us what you’d like to see, read or listen to — and who you think we should be talking to.

We’ll be reporting on the trail and fell running scenes across the UK and further afield throughout 2026. There are plenty of other ideas and projects in motion — but that’s enough for now.

More soon.
— TrailFans

Reply to this email with one person or topic you’d love us to explore.

I’ll take a guess. Shoes.

Do I wear spikes? Will it be icy? How cold will it actually be? What do I wear?

In truth, it’s not that different from most trail or fell races. I’ve spent more than my fair share of time overthinking kit choices over the years — and once the gun goes, within reason, it rarely makes much difference. And yet, this time, it sat in the background for weeks. Then, in the final 24 hours, it intensified.

Part of that was context. A 3am alarm. A flight from Manchester into the tiny airport at Grenoble. Then a transfer — via the ‘locals’ route — up a narrow, exposed mountain road, straight into the ski town ‘Les Deux Alpes’ sitting at 1,600 metres. I wasn’t there to ski — at least not yet. I was there to race. On snow.

Snow racing felt unfamiliar. Slightly theatrical. But also quietly compelling.

The attraction, initially, was logical rather than romantic. I’d first come across the idea of snow racing back in August, of all places, while in Lake Placid. That chance discovery led me down a rabbit hole of winter trail events, and eventually to Les Lumières de la Muzelle — the only race that fitted the dates and logistics. That, in truth, was the extent of the filtering.

But everything else aligned.

The profile.
The early-season timing.
The chance to experience something different..

I opted for the 16km race rather than the longer options on offer — which ranged from 11km through to a full marathon. Early-season judgement, rather than ambition. Enough distance to experience the format properly, without forcing fitness that wasn’t there yet.

There was also an attraction to the profile itself. The course leaned heavily into downhill running — something that plays to my strengths far more than my climbing ability. Snow exaggerates everything. Control matters more than power. That all felt intriguing.

The longer distances attracted a noticeably higher level of competition. The 21km in particular drew several elite-level entries, including Mathieu Blanchard, whose presence underlined the seriousness with which the event is viewed on the European trail calendar.

Despite all that logic, anxiety crept in.

Kit lists were poured over. Weather forecasts refreshed obsessively. Spikes on? Spikes off? Layers added, removed, added again.

A glance at the organisers’ WhatsApp group — thank goodness for translation features — confirmed I wasn’t alone. The same questions appeared daily as new runners joined. Shoes. Spikes. Ice. Layers. Over and over again.

It became almost comical to observe. I even caught myself feeling like an expert as newcomers repeated what now felt obvious.

But if the organisers — or other competitors — were tiring of it, they never showed it. Advice was repeated patiently. The tone stayed calm. And slowly, a sense of community emerged. Shared uncertainty, handled well.

That, it turned out, mattered more than the answers themselves.

That uncertainty became tangible on the gondola ride up to the start.

Sitting opposite me was a woman clearly heading for the marathon. She was quiet, wrapped in layers, staring straight ahead. She looked genuinely frightened — not theatrically so, just aware of what she was about to take on.

It was a small moment, but it said a lot. This wasn’t novelty for everyone. For some, it was a serious leap into the unknown.

Trust, built early

I think that set the tone for the experience — and the organisation — more generally.

The email communication, Instagram coverage, and sheer volume of clear, accessible information were genuinely impressive. Especially so given that it was predominantly in French, and could easily have felt confusing or overwhelming. It didn’t.

This mattered.

There were four races, from 11km through to 42km. Around 2,000 runners. Gondola access to the same start point. Staggered start times running into darkness. Shared ski slopes. Highly unpredictable weather.

It had snowed almost continuously for around 24 hours, right up until a few hours before the first 3pm marathon start. That uncertainty fed directly into the final kit decisions. Spikes or no spikes? In the end, the call was made (spikes on) around fifteen minutes before the start.

And yet, nothing felt chaotic.

Even the small details were thought through. A simple jacket-drop system, positioned right next to the start line — exactly where it needed to be. No fuss. No confusion. Just practical solutions to very real problems.

The result was trust. And once that trust was established, everything else could work.

A festival start — and why it worked

The start line felt unmistakably European.

In contrast to the familiar UK countdown — 3, 2, 1… go — this was about building energy and, just as importantly, staying warm. A DJ set the tone. The PA whipped runners into motion with Mexican waves and dance-style warm-ups. The music was genuinely good. No euro-pop clichés — proper dance tracks designed to get body temperature up.

There were drones overhead. Serious cameras on the ground. Loud music. Big energy.

And yet, it didn’t feel overdone.

It felt right for the occasion.

The start itself was fast, furious, and oddly playful. A few elbows flew as momentum took over. Laughter mixed with adrenaline. Then, quickly, the fun gave way to focus.

A clever opening loop took runners back past the spectators and through the start area once more. But the return came via a short, brutally steep climb that immediately reset expectations.

If the downhill footing was unpredictable, the uphill was worse. The snow turned almost sand-like in places, even with spikes biting hard.

Within minutes, it was clear: this wasn’t novelty. This was going to be hard work.

Running on snow

Running on snow is different.

Not necessarily harder. Just different.

Speed becomes secondary to control. Rhythm replaces aggression. Downhill running feels playful one moment, cautious the next. The surface never quite does what you expect.

There were sections where the snow felt packed and grippy — particularly lower down the mountain — and others where it shifted without warning, feet disappearing briefly into invisible holes. Effort felt uneven even when pace wasn’t. It soon became clear that smaller, controlled steps worked better than aggressive attempts to attack the descent.

And yet, it was fun. Proper fun.

Not because it was easy, but because it demanded attention. Presence. Adaptability.

It didn’t feel like trail running transplanted onto snow. It felt like its own discipline.

When novelty fades

Somewhere between the start and the finish, the novelty faded.

Snow racing stopped feeling strange. It started to feel normal — though still hard. The pacing felt off, the climbs increasingly demanding, legs clearly affected by the unfamiliar terrain. The final kilometres were about holding things together.

But the logistics still made sense. The atmosphere still made sense. Even the spectacle — the music, the cameras, the noise — felt justified rather than indulgent.

By the time I dropped into the final fast descent and crossed the line, it was clear this wasn’t about gimmicks.

It was about creating the right conditions — physical and psychological — for something complex to work.

Snow racing doesn’t replace trail running.

It expands it.

When done well — and this was done very well — it shows what’s possible when organisation, communication and atmosphere are treated as part of performance, not decoration.

I arrived curious. I left convinced.

And already wondering when — and where — I might do it again.

Author’s note: I finished 5th in the 16km race. Results mattered less here than understanding how — and why — this format works.

Les Lumières de la Muzelle returns in 2027. Event details can be found via the organisers’ website https://www.les2alpestrail.com/les-lumieres-de-la-muzelle and Instagram channels @les2alpestrail Footage & images in this article courtesy of:

@pierregouineau

@lukaleroy

@les2alpestrail Words by Frazer Duris, Trailfans

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