Set on the exposed, remote South West Coast Path in bitterly cold January weather, you’ll have to battle not only some of the country’s most technical terrain but also the brutality of the harsh British winter.
The Arc of Attrition, or Arc100, is a point-to-point race exploring 173km of rural coastline running from Coverack to Perranporth Airfield. The South West Coast Path is a National Trail and one of England’s longest marked footpaths, covering 630 miles (1,014km).
Renowned as one of the UK’s toughest winter ultras, the Arc100 is a true test of resilience, determination and endurance. Showcasing the best of Cornwall’s coastline, the challenging terrain is just one factor in this race, as unpredictable weather, combined with over 100 miles of relentless coastal terrain, can push runners to balance endurance with psychological strength.
Temperatures can range from 8°C to below freezing, so runners must be prepared for a self-sufficient adventure while battling coastal winds and icy rain.
Decorated ultrarunner Mark Darbyshire currently holds the course record he set in 2024 (beating his previous record from 2022) with 18:51:54. Irish ultrarunner Emma Stuart holds the women’s record with 21:22:16 (2023) and is also the first woman to finish the Arc100 in under 24 hours.
One racer who completed the course in 2023 said in his race report:
“What you do see in the dark though is the places like Penzance can often appear nearer than they are, you can’t always see the curve of the coast and what seems like half a mile away turns out to be 5. You need to be prepared for that otherwise its all to easy to get really depressed by these elastic destinations.”
The Arc100 is not the only race this weekend; the Arc100k, the Arc50k, and the Arc20k are also options for ultrarunners who want to experience the course.
The 2027 edition will run from January 22nd to 24th, 2027.
Leave a Reply