Fortitude Ultra 2025

The Fortitude Ultra is not quite like other ultras. Instead of a set distance it’s 10 laps in 10 hours with a choice of a 3, 4 or 5 mile lap. The first lap starts at 08:30. You then have an hour to complete your chosen lap distance before the start of the second lap at 9:30 and so on for the full 10 hours. If you complete your lap in 45 minutes you have 15 minutes rest before the next lap starts, if you don’t complete the lap within an hour it’s the end of your race. At the start of any lap you can switch to a different distance.

If you complete all 10 laps you get a finishers medal plus a t-shirt based on the shortest lap you completed: blue for the 3 mile, red for the 4 mile and black for the 5 mile, on average only 10% of runners complete all 10 laps running 5 miles every lap.

Ed started with good intentions, hoping to complete the 5 mile course for all 10 laps to get that coveted black t-shirt.

Ed was running well and managed to complete the first 5 laps on the 5 mile lap course. However, due to a combination of fatigue, aching legs and his laps getting closer to the 1 hour time limit he decided to drop down to the 4 mile course. He successfully continued running the last 5 laps on the 4 mile course in order to  get well deserved red t-shirt.

Huge Congratulations to Ed on a tremendous achievement!

The Fortitude Ultra is well organized with friendly marshals giving lots of encouragement. There are plenty of drinks and snacks available in the race village. Ed highly recommends this race if you want to challenge yourself on a tough, hilly course!