Race Reports
Several previous runners have written excellent reports about their experience of the Butcombe Trail Ultra, which give a first-hand insight into what it’s like to run the race:
- Amy Boalch (2022 BTU50 winner, marathonmedic.com) wrote a blog post about the 2022 race and her training.
- Dan Bartlett wrote two detailed blog posts about the 2018 race, titled “How to run 50 miles”, covering his preparation and race day. The race day report has an excellent account of the entire day, plus lots of great photos of the course.
- Mick Farrar wrote a comprehensive report on the 2017 race in his blog “Running off the madness“.
Feedback – what runners have said on social media following the races
“The route is beautiful! An absolute dream if you love trails and enjoy a good hill.”
“The race started at 8am and it was one of the nicest starts I’ve ever experienced. Registration was in a lovely pub, The Swan Inn, with the option to get a coffee and bacon butty ahead of the start! After a warm welcome from the Race Director we set off towards Dolebury Warren.”
“Checkpoints were positioned every 8 or so miles and they were extremely well stocked – fresh fruit, sandwiches, sweet treats and hot drinks. Volunteers were really helpful and supported with filling bottles, directing to toilets and checking in on how things were.”
– Amy Boalch
“I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone involved in the race this year. It was my first ultra, and although I’m still having difficulty with staircases, I am buzzing from the experience.
The course is beautiful and epic, the hills were tall and mean, the weather was kind, and I spoke to so many friendly runners as I moved up and down the field.
All the checkpoints were really well run, and provided a much-needed break and motivational boost. It was great to see some familiar faces, and to put real-life faces to some Strava profile pictures! At each CP, my soft flasks were quickly taken from me and refilled, everyone was really supportive, and the selection of food (particularly savoury, past the 6 hour mark) was spot on.”
– Dan Bartlett
“A massive thank you to the organisers, marshals and support crews at yesterday’s run. Your support and encouragement was tremendous. A special thank you to Judith for getting Anna and me to the finish . It was an adventure I will never forget.”
– Stephen Skidmore
“Great challenging race with fantastic scenery. Thanks to all the friendly organisers and especially those at the check points who were outstandingly helpful and so so supportive. A superb event, thanks to all of you!”
– Jeremy Newsome
“A big thank you to all the organisers of the Butcombe Ultra, an amazing race and very well organised. Marshals and aid station guys did a cracking job and outfits were fab!”
– Joanna Rich
“Just wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone at TACH for an amazing day. Superb organisation, marshals, aid stations and of course the beautiful route.”
– Marcus Kropacsy
“Fantastic race. Best one I’ve ever run. BTU is incredible value for money and all the profit is donated. It doesn’t get much better than that.
My partner had a problem pre-race with a flat tyre and Antony, one of the Race Directors, immediately volunteered to change it as soon as the race had started. Plus, Jeremy gives out his photos for free and they’re incredible. I even have one on the wall on a huge canvas from last year.
The atmosphere and attitude of everyone organising this race is 10/10, and the route is stunning”
– Randy Lahey
I ran the inaugural event in September 2016. The event was awesome. The course is fantastic, the marshals incredibly friendly, the aid stations very well stocked and generally very well organised. If you’re looking for a 50 mile trail ultra the Butcombe Trail Ultra should be very high up your list.
– Fizzwhigler, RunUltra.co.uk
A great event from the off, and after hearing the stories of the lashing down rain of two years ago, and the baking heat of the previous year, the conditions on the day were near perfect. Well-marshalled, the pub stops were a joy to stop at, with happy-to-see you marshals, organisers and helpers it eases the miles, and with a looked-forward-to glass of Butcombe Ale second to last stop.
First climb of the day was a beast, with the descent to the finish equally beastly. Route pretty well marshalled with a bit of self-nav helping in a few places. Camaraderie amongst the ultra runners superb as usual, a crazy lot we are, we share our stories and pains and gripes. Will look to run this again, tough and demanding but enjoyable.
– Markyash, RunUltra.co.uk
Press coverage
2019 Race – Chew Valley Gazette (October 2019)
2017 Race – Trail Runner Magazine (March 2018)
Butcombe Trail Ultra 