Ultra Marathon Training for the UK’s Toughest Events
At Pearl Lemon Running, we know that each ultra marathon comes with its own set of brutal challenges. From rugged coastal climbs to unrelenting mountain passes, these races push even the most experienced runners to their limits. Whether you’re tackling the Exmoor Ultra or the Lakeland 100, we provide race-specific coaching designed to prepare you for every twist, turn, and elevation spike.
Our program doesn’t just throw generic training plans at you. We craft strategies around terrain difficulty, cut-off times, weather conditions, and fuel access points. Below, you’ll find key UK events we coach for, each with services designed to give you an edge.
Exmoor Ultra Marathon
The Exmoor Ultra is notorious for its coastal trail climbs, with constantly shifting gradients that test your ability to hold a steady heart rate. Expect brutal elevation changes and sudden weather shifts. We focus on hill repeat sessions, quad endurance strengthening, and downhill form drills to keep you running strong on rugged terrain.
Key areas of training:
- Preparing for over 3,500 feet of elevation gain.
- Mastering pacing over rolling hills.
- Developing nutritional strategies to avoid mid-race bonks in remote areas.
Cheltenham Challenge Ultra
This event might seem less intimidating, but the challenge lies in balancing flat sections with deceptively draining inclines across the Cotswold escarpments. Many runners hit a wall from poor pacing during early stretches. Our plan includes threshold tempo runs, gear-shift workouts, and aid station management to prevent costly slowdowns.
Key areas of training:
- Simulating energy shifts between flat and hilly sections.
- Optimizing hydration and electrolyte intake for warm weather races.
- Planning efficient aid station stops.
Yorkshire Three Peaks Ultra
With over 5,000 feet of elevation and three brutal ascents, the Yorkshire Three Peaks Ultra challenges your stamina and descent control. We include power hike training, quad-preservation techniques, and fuel timing for extended climbs to get you through this iconic course.
Key areas of training:
- Long back-to-back runs to build ultra-specific endurance.
- Strength sessions targeting stability muscles for steep inclines.
- Pacing strategies that conserve energy for peak ascents.
Snowdon Ultra Marathon
The unpredictable mountain weather and relentless ascents of Snowdon make this ultra a technical beast. We customise race-day rehearsals for tackling exposed ridgelines and navigating rocky descents, helping you build both physical and mental toughness for unpredictable race conditions.
Key areas of training:
- Mastering pacing in high-altitude conditions.
- Improving trail awareness and technical agility.
- Preparing for temperature and weather fluctuations.
Hadrian’s Wall Ultra Marathon
Running along the ancient Roman wall isn’t just scenic—it’s deceptively hard on the body due to its mix of hardpack and uneven surfaces. Our program emphasizes form consistency over long distances, footwear optimization, and stride analysis to prevent injury from repeated impact.
Key areas of training:
- Long-slow-distance (LSD) runs on similar hard trail terrain.
- Strengthening core stabilizers for form durability.
- Custom nutrition plans for sustained energy.
Lakeland 100 Ultra Marathon
This 100-mile loop through the Lake District is a grueling endurance event with more than 6,000 meters of ascent. Our training plan includes multi-day endurance build-ups, taper protocols, and mental conditioning to help you stay resilient past the 60-mile mark.
Key areas of training:
- Building tolerance for sleep deprivation during night sections.
- Elevation-focused training with weighted hill sprints.
- Drop-bag planning for aid station efficiency.
Run the Ring (London Ultra)
Urban ultras may lack extreme terrain, but the continuous pounding on pavement can wear down even experienced runners. We design plans with impact-reducing strength work and recovery protocols that support faster post-race healing.
Key areas of training:
- Improving pace consistency through marathon-pace progression runs.
- Strength training for joint stability.
- Recovery strategies to minimize impact trauma.
Bournemouth Ultra Marathon
Expect a combination of coastal winds and long stretches of sand trails. Our approach focuses on strengthening stabilizing muscles and optimizing effort levels to combat wind resistance and shifting trail surfaces.
Key areas of training:
- Conditioning for sustained low-intensity cardio output.
- Enhancing cadence stability over soft ground.
- Fine-tuning effort adjustment based on terrain feedback.
Thames Trot Ultra Marathon
Running along the Thames River comes with its own set of technical demands, including waterlogged paths and uneven riverbank trails. We incorporate trail simulation runs, hydration drills, and prevention strategies for blister management.
Key areas of training:
- Core routines to maintain form under fatigue.
- Simulating riverbank conditions with technical trail intervals.
- Developing race-specific hydration protocols.
Surrey Hills Ultra Marathon
Known for steep, wooded climbs and switchbacks, the Surrey Hills Ultra requires strong trail awareness and ascent pacing control. We develop your skills in quick-footwork drills and power-hike recovery to handle fast-changing terrain.
Key areas of training:
- Energy conservation for continuous hill repeats.
- Mastering technical descents with stride adaptations.
- Practicing mental focus through visualization techniques.
Chiltern Ridge Ultra Marathon
With elevation gains spread across multiple ridges, this event emphasizes stamina. We guide you in threshold workouts and elevation cadence drills to prevent burnout mid-race.
Key areas of training:
- Developing aerobic efficiency for rolling terrain.
- Conditioning for energy shifts between fast and slow sections.
- Simulating endurance peaks with progressive long runs.
Dartmoor Discovery Ultra Marathon
As one of the UK’s most challenging road ultras, Dartmoor’s relentless climbs require mental fortitude and structured progression pacing. Our plan ensures your cardiovascular system is prepared for sustained climbs.
Key areas of training:
- Tempo intervals on steep grades.
- Glycogen-depletion runs to simulate final race miles.
- Advanced pacing strategies for cumulative elevation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ultra training involves significantly more time on feet, slower pacing strategies, and a focus on fuel management. We prioritize longer back-to-back long runs and strength work for durability.
We integrate with platforms like TrainingPeaks to track performance indicators such as TSS (Training Stress Score), VO2 max, and HRV trends.
Yes. We specialize in creating plans that work around job and family commitments by focusing on key sessions that deliver maximum endurance gains.
The key is continuous fueling with around 200-300 calories per hour, blending simple carbs and electrolytes. We help fine-tune this through trial runs.
Yes. We incorporate strength circuits to improve running economy, especially for handling steep inclines and rough descents.
Ready to master these ultra marathons? Let’s train smarter—so your next race result speaks for itself.
