Trail Running Events
Friendly, beautifully organised trail races with stunning routes, well-stocked aid stations, free race photos and a proper welcome at the finish – whether you’re running your first trail race or your first ultra.
From a 6-hour loop challenge to a 13-mile trail half and a 55 km ultra – one season, three superb races.
“If I could leave 6 stars I would! This is an absolutely top-level event – stunning scenery, excellent event support, great communication, an excellent race HQ and some decent challenge… And, to my great joy, real food at the checkpoints! Did I mention the FREE photos too?”
Ruth – Forest of Dean Ultra 2026
Our Trail Races
Three races, three classic landscapes on our doorstep – and a perfect season to build through, from spring hills to an autumn ultra.
Sat 13 March 2027New for 2027
Symonds Yat Super Looper
Run down from Symonds Yat Rock to the River Wye, along the riverside and back up over 100 steps to the trig point – as many times as you can in six hours. Six loops for a medal, nine for an ultra.
- Format6 hours, 5.25 km loops
- Climbing160 m per loop
- Medals6, 9 and 12 loops
- Places100 runners
Sat 24 April 2027Sells out every year
Malvern Hills Trail Half Marathon
The best of the Malvern Hills: woods, fields and streams on the west side, then up onto the ridge for the big climbs and views across three counties, finishing with a sprint into the theatre hall.
- Distance13 miles (21 km)
- Climbing750 m
- Time limitNo cut-off
- Places300 runners
Sat 9 October 2027Every starter finished in 2025
Forest of Dean Ultra Marathon
A self-navigated ultra through the Forest of Dean and along the River Wye – deep forest, open ridges and views to the Brecon Beacons, with real food at the checkpoints.
- Distance55 km circular
- ClimbingAbout 1,300 m
- Aid stations4, well stocked
- Time limit10 hours
Build Up Through the Year
Run one, or run them all. The races are spaced to take you from hill training in spring to your first – or fastest – ultra in the autumn.
- March – Super LooperSix hours of hill reps at Symonds Yat. The perfect early-season test, and ideal training for Malvern six weeks later.
- April – Malvern Hills Trail Half13 miles and 750 m of climbing over the Malvern ridge. No cut-off, so it’s great for a first trail half.
- Summer – train in the hillsGet out on the trails. Our guide to running your first ultra marathon will help you plan.
- October – Forest of Dean Ultra55 km through the forest and along the Wye – the natural step up after a trail half.
Races Runners Come Back To
We’re a small, friendly team who put the same care into every runner, first or last. Routes are planned to show off the very best of the landscape, the aid stations are stocked with real food, and every finisher gets a proper welcome.
We look after the places we race in, too – there are no disposable cups at our aid stations, and our races support the Malvern Hills Trust and Forestry England.
Well-stocked aid stations
Water, snacks and real food at the checkpoints, run by smiley volunteers.
Free race photos
Event photographer Alun Richardson and team cover the course – every photo is free.
Medical and physio
Medical cover on course and physio support at HQ.
Professional timing
Electronic timing at every race, with results published afterwards.
Great race HQs
Theatre halls, cafés and forest viewpoints – somewhere warm to start and finish.
Medals and merch
Distinctive medals, finisher bling and race merchandise.
What Our Runners Say
“I’ve raced the Forest of Dean Ultra both this year and last, and I honestly couldn’t fault either event. Dave and his team deliver absolutely flawless organisation, superb aid stations and stunning routes through the forest.”
RunnerForest of Dean Ultra 2025 & 2026
“My favourite running event. Can’t stop coming back! Great route, great vibes, well organised.”
Richard H.Malvern Hills Trail Half 2026
“Having run Dave’s Malvern Hills Trail Half Marathon a few times I decided to give this a go, and I’m glad I did. My first ever ultra … Great pre-event comms, very well organised on the day, and well-stocked aid stations by smiley happy people.”
RunnerForest of Dean Ultra 2025
“This was my first 1/2 marathon trail. It was truly amazing. The route and scenery were diverse and made for a special day. I am already looking at booking next year.”
J. T.Malvern Hills Trail Half 2026
“Fab event, beautiful route and the best support crews along the way. Everyone is really rooting for you, plenty of good snacks on trail – you really felt looked after!”
RunnerForest of Dean Ultra 2026
“Fab race! Lovely (hilly) course, friendly marshals (even helped charge my Garmin!) would def recommend. Café at start also handy.”
Claire S.Malvern Hills Trail Half 2026
“Lovely scenic varied route … well-stocked feed stations – and a treat to have actual toilets too!!! Great merch and bling and a credit to everyone involved that there were no DNFs.”
RunnerForest of Dean Ultra 2025
“There was no time pressure to finish … all finishers were welcomed in with the bells & whistle just the same, first or last.”
Dave K.Malvern Hills Trail Half
“A standard that other race organisers should aspire to – easy check-in, a useful pre-race briefing, a course clearly marked without blotting the landscape, and NO DISPOSABLE CUPS hurrah! And a most beautiful course. Oh and baklava at the finish!”
LizzieWye Valley Trail Race 2021
See What Race Day Is Like
Malvern Hills Trail Half Marathon
Malvern route guide with Dave
Read more: Why trail running in the Forest of Dean is unforgettable · Running your first ultra marathon
Our Races in Pictures
From the Archive
Some of our races are taking a break – but you can still take on their routes, or browse the history.
BB Ultra – Brecon Beacons
A 55 km point-to-point mountain ultra across the central Brecon Beacons. Take on the same route as a guided two-day traverse.
Wye Valley Trail Race
15 miles from Chepstow Racecourse, across two countries, past Tintern Abbey and Chepstow Castle on Offa’s Dyke and the Wye Valley Walk.
The Great Welsh Ultra
Machynlleth to Cardiff Bay – a journey across Wales, now run as a guided multi-day walk.
Virtual Race Series
Our free virtual races that kept runners going through lockdown, with runners joining from around the world.
Prefer a challenge to a race? Try the Edale Skyline, the Brecon Beacons 10 Peak Challenge or our bespoke challenges.
Trail Race Questions
Pick Your Race
Super Looper in March, Malvern in April, the Forest of Dean Ultra in October. Places are limited – book early, and join the newsletter to hear about new races first.