Arc of Attrition by UTMB (AoA) 2025
With the 2025 edition of the Arc of Attrition by UTMB complete, let’s take a look at the event.
Backstory
In 2024, Mudcrew who are the founders of ‘The UK’s toughest winter 100 mile ultra footrace’, decided to partner up with the UTMB World Series. In what is the 10th year of the AoA, why would they join forces?
It is a notoriously tough winter race which see’s participants running from Coverack to Porthtowan, along the rigorous terrain of the Southwest Coast Path. Well, that’s if they make it through the continuous climbing and descending. But here is the real kicker, most of the race is carried out at night with a head torch.
Is it the constant running chatter and question master style conversations heard whilst queuing up for the mandatory kit check that sparks the endorphins and adrenaline? Standing there knowing that in less than 24 hours you will be raring to go on the start line, wondering what you have signed up for.
This year’s chatter was slightly different, though. Some of which included ‘this isn’t what it used to be’, or ‘I won’t be signing up to this, again’. Well, whatever your opinions are, try not to let it ruin an incredible course in an incredible part of the world. Yes, commercialisation is not everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s part of society. Benefits include, more resources and bigger budgets. Hosting a marathon can cost millions.
The Arc Of Attrition has simply outgrown Mudcrew, but without that great crew, it wouldn’t have grown to have such a fantastic reputation. They have made it so exciting, tough and invigorating, exactly why it has become a very popular event. A new chapter for the run has begun.
This years event
As a 100 mile finisher of the 2025 course, it was great to see 515 runners at the start line, sipping electrolytes, checking GPS and two stepping to whatever rock song they were playing to maintain the adrenaline.
The MC ramping up the hype as the start of the race came closer. It’s clear that for anyone to sign up to a race like this you have to be mad, but a handful of those had also ran ‘Britain’s Most Brutal’ race just a couple of weeks prior.
It is easy to understand why the course is known to be one of the most difficult in the UK. Battling a 100 mile distance, nevermind 14 or so hours of darkness and the British coast during winter.
One thing for sure is that the course is unforgettable, arduous but magnificent scenery… when you can see it.
