Arc of Attrition 2025 by UTMB - Race Blog

Arc of Attrition 2025 medal

Here in the UK, we currently have 2 options to earn those coveted UTMB Running Stones and as detailed in the recent race blog of the 2025 Ultra Tour of Snowdonia (I know this one should've been written first!), 2025 marked my push to gain access (via the ballot) to the world finals in Chamonix.

Now the Arc of Attrition is a very well known event, despite 2025 being the first under the UTMB banner. Held on the Cornish coastal path in the middle of Winter (January), it's the kind of event that can present some really difficult conditions for racing as those brave runners in the 100m distance would find out first hand - as one of the major winter storms passed through on the Friday night, bringing heavy wind and rain after about 12 or so hours of running! Nice.

Angry seas and steep banks

I however was not in this race. The thought of putting those long hours in over the depths of Winter may not have totally put me off, but it did inspire me to go for the 25 mile route instead! Certainly 'piddly' by comparison but still a significant effort so early in the season, hence why it's still worth 2 running stones.

So after a nice warm night in a great B&B after a 9 hour drive from the north of England, I was on the bus, making my way to the start line. This is a point to point race hence the event coaches taking all athletes to the start line.

After a nervous and somewhat chilly, but all things considered pleasant (weather) wait, I was off in wave 1. All thoughts of staying dry for at least a wee while faded as the farm track descended towards the coast path sending us through some knee deep and significantly long puddles. I'd opted for waterproof socks so decided not to join those trying to avoid it and failing, and just went straight through. This came back to haunt me later but we'll get to that and I maintain it was the right thing to do.

As we hit the coast path proper, the trail was immediately technical. Not super steep but very rocky and in places tricky to get a good line considering the pack was bunched together. it felt a little more frantic than usual to be honest, probably due to many runners like myself not having a proper steer on how well winter training had gone yet.

Any way, the field thinned out and I found a rhythm, navigating the narrow, muddy and very wet trails through endless short but steep climbs and equally fleeting descents as we picked off the miles/km's. Whilst underfoot conditions were challenging. overhead we were lucky. Cold yes, but bright sunshine (periodically) and nothing too blowy coming off the seas either.

a typical path/climb in the early stages of the route

With 2 aid stations on the route, we hit the first after a long ish flat section at around the 22km mark in Godrevy. I was moving well but wasn't feeling great. From about 17km in my toes had been constantly cramping (likely from the cold standing water mentioned earlier and laso lack of terrain specific training all winter!) and this had now moved in to my calves, making progress somewhat unpleasant and resulting in more walking than I should have been doing at this stage.

Aid station 1 was very well stocked and I had my fill of coke and food and started to feel better, still cramping but otherwise in good spirits. this next section saw us move through the Dune of Doom, about 5km of sand dunes. Actually it's quite fun and nothing to worry about but again not ideal with both calves regularly cramping.

in the zone!

Honestly, writing this 6 months later I don't recall much else of this section. Stunning views of course but every second of the race is stunning so you start to take it for granted after a couple of hours. I do recall this being the section where I ran with Ultra Running royalty - Tom Evans. Incidentally he broke the 80km route course record, taking the win. I doubt he recalls the 0.5 second we ran together but you never know. Actually digressing somewhat, I was directly behind him in the registration queue the day prior. Being a huge fan I opted not to make a fool of myself so a quick fist bump was all I went in for as other tried to spark (likely) unwanted conversation.

Somewhere en route

The dude was absolutely flying and probably mistook me for a walker as progress was not great now with the cramping being constant and painful.

Edging in to Aid station 2 at Portreath, slowly but in good spirits I indulged in about 2 bags of crisps and plenty of coke before setting off with a running in the 100m race and we struck up a conversation that he later admitted helped him come out of a dark place. I forget his name but the feeling was mutual. This wasn't my day so the distraction was great.

Still moving but not quickly

We ran together for a fair few KM's actually and all the way to 'The Bitches' - 3 pretty unpleasant coastal climbs with huge Cornish style steps right when you could do without them. On fresh legs they'd be nothing but I didn't have fresh legs. Actually my energy was high. Still they kind of just get done due to not being too big and now with the end in sight, and a definite day light finish ahead, all was good.

one of the Bitches

Descending in to Porthtowan the race has 1 last surprise for us, the biggest climb onf the day back up to the eco village. Climbing had been my saviour as the cramps were less problematic going skyward and my legs had plenty of energy due to walking more than I planned with cramping so I made good time up here and soon crested with probably 200 metres to go.

Gotta finish like a pro, even if they finished long before me!

Weaving through the Eco park on to the finish straight I gave my customary sprint finish, nearly stacking it in the sloppy thick mud but held my cool and crossed the line in a somewhat steady time of a little over 5 hours. not fast, not pretty but still happy. The hug from a nice lady handing out medals was a lovely touch as all day the volunteers had been so friendly and the event really does feel like a family. I know that's a cliche but it really does, It's hard to describe but I hope in the coming years, under UTMB ownership, they manage to retain that element.

So that's me done. All in all i was happy. not with my time or position (I think 30th in my category) but certainly happy to have completed the Arc of Attrition and with some awesome memories in tow.

I'm not sure if I'll be back for the 80km in 2026, The winter training I can do, but living so far away means all told with travel, accommodation and race entry it's close to a £1000 investment, so I may leave it a year or so before coming back - but I will definitely be back in the next few years.

A wonderful race and highly recommended. Well done all.

All smiles now it's done : )