Rat Race | Run Britannia

Fitness level

This pinnacle running challenge requires commitment. You should be an experienced multi-day endurance runner.

You will need everything you have in the tank and more to get the job done here, both physically and mentally. There are no short-cuts: It is 1000 miles on foot, over 5 weeks and across hill, mountain, moor and valley. There will be no winners: It is all about completion. The package not only features the best event support in the business, but that support commences from the day you sign up as major training support is included to ensure you stand the very best possible chance of getting the job done.

Ultimately this will be a journey into yourself as much as across Britain; The Holy Grail of your running goals. 

Season

• Jan
• Feb
• Mar
• Apr
• May
• Jun
• Jul
• Aug
• Sep
• Oct
• Nov
• Dec

Meeting point

Penzance
Penzance
Cornwall
UK

The route has been put together with painstaking precision, encompassing a real ‘runners line,’ largely avoiding busy roads and packing in huge chunks of off-road terrain. It is a swashbuckling tour-de-force through 4000 years of British History and landmarks, taking you on a journey through the very soul of this storied Isle.

Itinerary

• Pre-event | Admin day

  Meet at Penzance for kit check and briefing.

• Days 1-7 | Lands End to Bristol (233 miles)

  The first week of running takes in a huge chunk of the epic South West Cast path on a route that goes through Padstow, St Ives, Bude and Bideford, plus a decent stint in Exmoor National Park. This is a big week running with a huge amount of elevation. The perfect warm up for the rest of your journey through the British Isles.

  

• Day 8 | Rest day in Bristol

  Conclude the week in Bristol for the first rest day where friends/family can meet you. 

• Days 9-14 | Bristol to Preston (217 miles)

  The second week crosses the border into Wales to head up the country via Offas Dyke to Monmouth, Haye on Wye and Bishops Castle. 

  

• Day 15 | Rest day in Preston

  Towards the end of the week head out of the wilderness and into Preston for a well earned rest day.

• Days 16-21 | Preston to Abington (165 miles)

  The third week takes in a little more road running through Lancaster, Burnside and Bampton Castle en route towards Carlisle. This week cross the border into Scotland.

  

• Day 22 | Rest day in Abington

  Celebrate with a wee dram before the rest day in Abington. 

• Days 23-28 | Abington to Fort Augustus (182 miles)

  The fourth week scales Scotland via some of the most beautiful and famous terrain the UK has to offer. Make your way north through Glasgow and on the West Highland Way to Fort William, then towards Fort Augustus on the Great Glen Way.

  

• Day 29 | Rest day in Fort Augustus

  You can sense the finish line from here...

• Days 30-35 | Fort Augustus to John O'Groats (203 miles)

  The final week is an incredible few days of running taking in the entire West Highland Way via Contin and Bonar Bridge. Expect huge vistas, lochs, bogs and legendary Scottish hospitality on route to the highlands and your journeys end at the iconic John O’Groats!

Included

• Accommodation

  36 nights accommodation in hotels, B&Bs and hostels with luggage transfer from day to day.

• All meals

  All meals included as standard, cooked up by expert catering crew.

• Guides and support

  Professional support vehicles, safety staff, Event Doctor, medical and welfare plus daily massage and physio support.

• Safety

  Professional local and UK safety staff, medics, drivers, route safety staff and experts on hand throughout. Audited and accredited to BS8848 expedition safety standard.

• Transfer policy

  Flexible transfer policy up to 12 weeks before your departure.

• Medal, t-shirt, race entry

  High quality and unique medal, rat rag, premium t-shirt plus free entry into The Wall for all participants.

• Transfers

  Transfers from Penzance to the start and from John O'Groats to Inverness.

Meals

• 35 breakfasts
• 35 lunches
• Several daily Pit Stops
• 35 hearty evening meals

Trip leader

James is your leader for this adventure. He designed and completed this challenge in 2021! He's a multi-lingual running machine!

Environmental pledge

This adventure has made a firm commitment to really elevate its approach to a sustainable and environmentally aware way of working. Each activity has been assessed to improve its environmental impact, including:

• race t-shirts to be collected at the event and not shipped across the world
• wooden medals instead of metal
• phasing out single-use plastics
• local event catering
• tighter recycling activities

This event is on track to achieve carbon-neutral in its day-to-day business activities and is making progress with carbon off-setting for worldwide travel, including ground-breaking ways to make a difference in some of the host locations.

Age

16 and 17 year olds will be considered on an individual basis, if taking part with a responsible adult.

Instalment plan

eg. Pay £397.50 in 20 instalments.

Choose how many months you want to spread the cost over, totally interest free. There is no credit check required to use this facility. When you sign up to the instalment plan the organisers will then set up a reccurring payment and your card will be debited on the same date each month.

Refund protect

Add Refund Protect to your booking during purchase and receive a full refund of your entry fee if you are unable to attend the event due to a qualifying unforeseen circumstance.

Costs