UKH

Hi All,

I'm serisouly considering running my first Marathon this year hopefully around September/ October, I can already quite comfortably run half  Marathons but know a full is a different ball game. 

Ideally I'd like it to  be a trail marathon as I much prefer running on trails and find them more interesting but although I'm comfortable running in the hills for shorter distances I'd  prefer my first Marathon to be a bit flatter (although some hills or a bit bump is fine but  not a ridiculous amount of ascent) 

Any suggestions? Within a few hours of Manchester would be an added bonus and if it's pushing up to 30 miles or  similar I'd consider that as well.

Thanks

Dan 

The Yorkshireman is in September every year, though I'm guessing it will be full for 2021?

Take a look at Endurance Life coastal trail series, there's lots of options plus multiple distances at each. I'd say generally the marathon distance is better than the ultra, which tends to be the marathon route plus an arbitrary 10k tagged on (often you pass the finish line then do the 10k route). I've done Pembroke, Gower, Exmoor and Sussex so none of the ones closer to you, but all have been excellent, and hilly but not mental. 

White peak marathon is on old railway line, so trail, flat with some hills, if the weather and wind it is nice and easy, if wet and windy very hard work.

Less than 30 miles from Manchester

Grizedale 13 and 26, only done the half which was pretty much all fire road, I think the second half of the 26 gets a bit more off road

https://lakeland100.com/grizedaleforesttrail/

Lakeland trails Coniston would fit the bill

https://www.lakelandtrails.org/marathon

Except annoyingly it is not quite a marathon in length (yesterday 25.9–26 miles) so no good if you want a marathon time.

Having said that it is a great route, albeit rather tough when hot for this cold weather person.
Early bird entry should be in the next couple of days for next June (2022)

In North Wales how about Coed Y Brenin. they are meant to be good routes, pretty runnable. June 2022.

http://www.runcoedybrenin.com/events-at-coed-y-brenin/trail-marathon-wales/

I'd consider the white peak one though first. 

Snowdonia is awesome though, it's 80+% road but nice and hilly and varied. 

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone, have definitely got  some  ideas for next year, I've added myself to the waiting list for the Yorkshireman and I'm definitely going to  have a look at the white peak marathon for next year, I think it's quite soon and the programs  I've been looking at seem to be about 12 weeks of training. Having run some parts of the pembrokeshire coastal path this year as well I'm really keen to try that out next  year! 

There's also the Lancashireman which still has places for this year, it is similar but slightly more lumpy than the Yorkshireman. Another alternative, for a road marathon ran on mostly country lanes (but no trails) the Chester marathon is good.

Hi Rich, 

I fancy the  Lancashireman any chance you can point me in the direction where I can get tickets from as I think this could be a good challenge but can't  see the 2021 race listed anywhere (I'm probably being blind) 

Cheers

Dan 

just found it on Sientries - I was being blind. 

Sorry I should have put a link in my post as entry is a bit hidden! I'm tempted to give it a go now 🙂 All the best for the training!

Not a suggestion for a race but I'd suggest entering two marathons about a month apart.

You will probably learn stuff the first time about how to handle the immediate preparation and the race that will help you get a better time on the second outing.  Also, if it goes wrong on the first one e.g. from getting cramp or sh*tty weather you haven't blown a season's worth of training.

https://www.100marathonclub.org.uk/contents/1640-uk-and-ireland-events-list...

Here is the best list I've found. If anyone has any better listings, I'd be happy to hear about them. 

Best wishes.