Ben Nevis Race Results, Ultra X England, and Watching the Tor: This Week's Trail Tally

Ben Nevis © https://www.scotlandswild.com/

Chasing Trails: Week 38

From the heights of Ben Nevis to racing all distances in the Peak District, this week we take a look at some iconic and up & coming events that have got runners lacing up their shoes and hitting the trails. And we’re dot watching the Tor des Géants, where the women’s race is proving quite the exciting battle!

- Kate Parker, Director - Founder

Historic Ben Nevis Hill Race Crowns Eve Pannone and Sasha Chepelin

Established in 1895, the Ben Nevis Race is one of the hill and mountain running points of reference in every athlete’s calendar. The course is 14 km long with 1,340 m of ascent, climbing the highest mountain in the UK, Ben Nevis, and returning down to Fort William. A popular route that attracts hundreds of runners to the Scottish Highlands, but also has strict eligibility rules for runners, who must have a minimum of experience to tackle it. Remarkably, the course record for the men has stood since 1984 (set by Kenny Stuart in 1:25:34). 

This year’s race saw Eve Pannone win back-to-back women’s titles. She won in 2:00:56, bettering last year’s result of 2:05:25, in front of Lizzie Richadson (2:02:14) and Helen Leigh (2:04:32). 

The men’s race was won by Sasha Chepelin in 1:38:04. He was joined on the podium by Philip Vokes (1:39:05) and Alistair Masson (1:39:56). 

© Thincat - Own work, Public Domain, 

Ultra X England - A Festival of Trail Running in the Peak

Ultra X England events took place in the Peak District National Park over the weekend, offering race distances from 110 km (non-stop and in two stages) down to a 12km “dash.”

On the 110k, runners were faced with just under 4,400 m of ascent, starting at Newfold Farm just outside of Edale and taking on some beautiful Peak District trails through the Kinder Scout National Reserve, rounding iconic hills like Mam Tor and going through some of the most beautiful local villages, too. It’s an accessible format that can be done over two days: 61.5 km with 2,423 m of ascent on day 1, followed by 50.5 km with 1,961 m of ascent on day 2.

This year’s stage race winners were Brandon Delacote (12:31:17 total time) and Samantha Jones (17:18:38). In the men’s race, Liam Brennan (13:31:18) and Jamie Frost (14:58:19) rounded out the podium, while in the women’s, it was Alice Taylor-Bennett (17:37:56) in second place and Sally Rankin (18:42:11) in third place.

And, for the first time this year, there was also a non-stop 110k race which allowed runners to go without stopping overnight. It was Max Nicolle who won here, crossing the finish line in 17:15:15 just after midnight. In the women’s race, Helen Platel had a fantastic run to finish first in 21:33:26.

Max Nicolle Winner of the 110k Non Stop © Ultra X UK Instagram

All Eyes on the Tor

Another legendary European race is taking place at the moment - the Tor des Géants. Created in 2010, the route is 330 km long with 24,000 m of ascent, taking runners from Courmayeur in Italy through breathtaking scenery across the Aosta Valley. Athletes pass through 25 cols at over 2,000 m of altitude and reach high points around 3,300 m, on documented trails Haute Route N°1 and 2. This fantastic challenge notably saw British women succeed several times, with Nicky Spinks coming third in 2021 and Sabrina Verjee emerging victorious in 2022 and coming second in 2024 (Ireland’s Emma Stuart won in 2023). 

This year, we’re watching Natalie Taylor, recent winner of the Ultra Tour Monte Rosa stage race, and currently battling closely with race leader Lisa Borzani in the top two positions, two thirds into the race. 

Best of luck to all the runners taking on this huge adventure in the mountains! You can follow for updates here.

Tor des Géants Race © https://trailandrunning.com/