One of the UK’s most accessible ultras, this double marathon (84km) event follows the Cotswold Way from Whiteshill to Broadway Tower over a midsummer’s weekend. Įntrants in the Race to the Tower can run two marathons over a weekend – or tackle all 84km in one day After crossing the finish line, prepare for a gala dinner in a castle with guest speaker Sir Ranulph Fiennes.

The linear course winds its way down the Highlands of Glencoe to the Isle of Arran, covering 120 miles with 10,000m of ascent, and the purpose-built athletes’ village – made up of single-occupancy luxury bell tents with double bed and butler service, and a daily menu prepared by a Michelin-starred chef – is re-erected each day in stunning remote locations. However, this does offer something unique: from the moment of signing up, entrants (limited to just 40) receive support so they’re fully prepared at the start line, including one-to-one coaching with ultra-running world champion Jon Albon, top-notch running apparel and a Garmin MARQ watch (alone worth around £1,500). Ultramarathon purists may be somewhat scathing of a “luxury” event like this.

Expect to bump into turtles along the way, and have a rum punch in hand at the finish-line beach party. This year will be the event’s 20th anniversary with more than 250 entrants expected to cross the channel in anything from around one to three hours. Swap your wetsuit for Speedos and step into turquoise Caribbean waters for a 4.1km swim from the island of Nevis to Saint Kitts.

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