• Ultramarathon
  • 161.2 km
  • Porthtowan, Cornwall
  • Event weekend starts
  • Entry from £239
  • Qualification entry

Arc of Attrition Ultramarathon

This race edition

Race date
Awaiting a fresh confirmation
Race timezone
Timezone not confirmed
Edition status
Status not confirmed

Entry options

2027 edition

Entry information needs a fresh source check.

Modelled energy-cost change 7.2% versus flat · net elevation 78 m · true cost £369

Decision summary

Arc of Attrition Ultramarathon at a glance

Route ascent
4,116 m

Lower than 31% of comparable mapped races

Cut-off average pace
13:24/km

36:00:00 total limit divided by distance. Check gun/chip timing and intermediate limits; allow time for stops.

Entry fee
£239

Lower than 6% of comparable known fees

Evidence depth
33 verified facts

Stored GPS route

Quick answers

What runners ask first

Arc of Attrition Ultramarathon route map

raceindex.org has a GPS course file for Arc of Attrition Ultramarathon, so runners can inspect the route line on the map. Elevation charts and ascent figures appear only when that file includes usable elevation data.

How hilly is the Arc of Attrition Ultramarathon?

The Arc of Attrition Ultramarathon route has 4,116 m of ascent, 4,038 m of descent and an estimated 7.2% grade-adjusted pace penalty versus a flat route.

Where does the Arc of Attrition Ultramarathon route go?

The Arc of Attrition Ultramarathon route starts at Coverack and finishes at Porthtowan Eco Park. Underfoot, expect trail. The setting includes coastal and waterfront.

What should runners know on race day for the Arc of Attrition Ultramarathon?

Bag drop is available. Wave starts are used.

Race character

Scenery

  • Coastal
  • Waterfront
  • Countryside
  • Historic

Atmosphere

  • Wilderness
  • Nighttime
  • Destination

Terrain

  • Trail
  • Beach
Elevation character
Hilly
Technicality
Technical
Source-stated ascent
5,300 m

The stored route produces 4,116 m of ascent, while a source states 5,300 m. GPS sampling and elevation models can produce different totals, so both are labelled rather than combined.

Entry, logistics and records

Records and field

Men's course record
18:51:54 (Mark Darbyshire)
Women's course record
21:22:16 (Emma Stuart)

Entry requirements

Entry status
Qualification entry: Entry requirement held: Previous ultra distance experience and night-time running experience recommended.
Cut-off
36:00:00
Qualification status
None
Prior experience
Previous ultra distance experience and night-time running experience recommended
UTMB index
380

Race day logistics

Wave starts
Yes
Bag drop
Yes

Access and course status

Start
Coverack
Finish
Porthtowan Eco Park
Parking
Official car park at Mount Pleasant Eco Park

Course facts

Course type
Point To Point
Surface
Trail
Notable features
  • Follows the South West Coast Path with undulating cliff paths and cliff edges
  • terrain can be difficult, steep and arduous, with large stretches of coastline between aid stations in winter conditions

How hilly is the Arc of Attrition Ultramarathon?

15%17%35%17%15%
  • Steep descent 15%
  • Descent 17%
  • Flat 35%
  • Climb 17%
  • Steep climb 15%
Total ascent
4,116 m
Net elevation
+78 m
GAP factor
7.2%
Longest climb
730 m at 11.3%
Gradient mix and ascent are derived from the course geometry under our published normalisation, not taken from organiser marketing.

What does it really cost to run?

Estimated cost to the start line from National Average
Entry fee£239
Travel (modelled)£40
Accommodation (modelled)£90
Estimated total£369
Entry fee is a sourced fact. Travel and accommodation are modelled estimates for a typical runner from this region, not quoted prices.

More race details

Is the Arc of Attrition Ultramarathon flat?

Its normalised GAP factor is 7.2% slower than a flat course, with about 4116 m of total ascent.

How much does the Arc of Attrition Ultramarathon cost?

The adult entry fee is £239, and the estimated true cost to the start line is about £369 including modelled travel and accommodation.