Skyrunning in the UK elevated to new heights in 2015 and we now have the pleasure of informing you of the 2016 Skyrunning UK Series.
We announced a new system for 2016 where points are awarded per race, a minimum of £500 prize money per race and of course the ‘2016 Series’ will have a male and female champion – read more HERE
The calendar still has a few surprises to come, so please keep an eye on this page and the Skyrunning UK Facebook and Twitter accounts.
2016 Calendar
V3K Ultra Skyrunning – June 18th
Distance/ascent: 55km, 4,000m
Main mountains and terrain type: The 15 highest mountains in Wales, Snowdon massive (including Crib Goch), Glyderau (inluding Tryfan) and Carneddau expect gnarly ground, a knife edged arete, grade 1 scrambles, boulder fields, scree and some great gentle grassy slopes to finish
The V3K crosses the best of Wales – gnarly edges, rocky inclines and grassy slopes. food. You’ll need to be mountain savvy with a good head for heights, confident scrambling technical terrain and be prepared for the greatest mountain day of your life.
Race website HERE
Lakes Sky Ultra – July tbc
Distance/ascent: 54km/4300m
Main mountains and terrain type: Fairfield/Helvellyn (Swirral, CastyCam & Striding Edge)/Pinnacle Ridge/High Street & Red Screes, the terrain is a mixture of single track trails, technical rocky ground and open fell. Its a race of 2 halves, with very technical running & graded rock scrambling in the 1st half, then faster and easier running on good trail for the second half if you legs can still take it. The course ascends and descends some of the best and most classic ridge lines the Lakes has to offer, taking in 3 of the most iconic scrambles in the Lakes.
Fast & furious. Be lulled into the race by ascending Fairfield via Dove Crag, then punished by Helvellyn’s Edges and the ascent to Pinnacle Ridge. Luckily there’s Patterdale CP & the second half to recover.
Note – New additions for 2016 anticipated asap
Race website HERE
Peak SkyRace – August 6th (tbc)
Distance/ascent: Approximately 47kilometres (29miles) with 2000metres (6560ft) of ascent.
The route is based on a local fell running challenge called the 5 Trigs. The race principally follows public footpaths passing close to or over the tops of Axe Edge, Roaches, Shuttlingsloe, Shinning Tor and Burbedge Edge. Competitors will cross fields, moorland, limestone and millstone grit peaks/escarpments.
Peak Skyrace is an ideal introduction to Skyrunning in the UK. The Peak District cannot compete with the altitude and ruggedness of the Lake District, Snowdonnia and the Scottish Highlands. However do not think that this course will be easy, pacing is crucial. Go out too fast and you will pay the price in the later stages where most of the ascent and technical descent is found.
Race website HERE
Glen Coe Skyline – September 16th, 17th and 18th
Distance/ascent: 53km / 4200m ascent
Main mountains and terrain type: Buachaille Etive Mor, Bidean nam Bian, Aonach Eagach Ridge: extremly remote and serious Scottish mountains.
A route that dances along the jagged and lofty mountainous horizons above Scotland’s most famous Glen and Pass, with long and serious sections of grade III scrambling. Skills needed: scrambling, endurance, running
Note – New additions for 2016
There will be a VK Friday evening 16th September and a 25km ‘Ring of Steall‘ SkyRace race on the Saturday 17th (same high mountainous terrain at Glen Coe Skyline but without the technical scrambling sections).
Race website HERE
3×3000 80k Ultra – September 24th
Distance/ascent: 80km / 4,101m+
Main mountains and terrain type: Scafell Pike – Steep rocky terrain throughout. The summit plateau of Scafell Pike is a vast boulder field. Initial part of descent is steep & covered with loose rocks.
Helvellyn – Long ascent then rolling mountain trails along the beautiful Helvellyn ridge line
Skiddaw – A long & steep climb on grassy terrain, summit scree/slate, fast descent on gravel/stone trails.
A unique ultra running event linking the Lake District’s highest mountains-Scafell Pike, Helvellyn & Skiddaw. Designed by 2013 World Trail Running Champion Ricky Lightfoot, the route offers a journey through the full spectrum of classic Lake District fell terrain.
Race website HERE
Garmin Mourne Skyline Mountain-Trail Race – October 22nd
Distance/ascent: 35k with 3,370 metres of ascent and descent.
Main mountains and terrain type: The course covers the highest peaks in the Mourne Mountains, including Slieve Donard (850m), starting at sea-level on Newcastle Promenade and winding it’s way uphill onto forest and mountain trails, all surrounded by the most stunning scenery.
The seaside start, alongside the relentlessly tough (yet spectacular) course has proved popular with athletes. You will need mountain-trail experience, endurance and courage for the race, which is technical in places. Some speed will also help on the flat and fast sections, and the final 5k descent!
Race website HERE entries open on St Patricks Day 2016
Support Skyrunning UK by purchasing a seamless neckwear product HERE
Interested or need more information? Please contact us:
[contact-form]Tagged: 3x3, 3x3 80km ultra trail, 3x3000, garmin, glancoe skyline, glen coe, glen coe skyline, ireland, lakes sky ultra, mourne, mourneskylibemtr, peak skyrace, peaks skyrace, peaksskyrace, v3k, vegan 3000
