With the London Marathon completed, thousands of runners across the country will be asking themselves what to do next. For us at Ultra Challenge the answer is simple – a trail 50km. With a relaxed atmosphere but an even bigger sense of achievement from completing an ultramarathon, trail running (or jogging or walking!) offers a perfect alternative to chasing another PB on the tarmac.
Remove the Time Pressure After a Marathon
We can be quick to tie up our trainers again to head out for a PB, but chasing time goals can leave us burnt out and disappointed on a finish line – progress is not linear, and it shouldn’t be.
Stepping from a road marathon to a trail ultramarathon guarantees another fantastic finish line and removes time pressure. Even the fastest trail runners will walk up the hills whilst happily enjoying some jam sandwiches and flapjacks.
This is the perfect next step after completing a marathon – take it from me!
Dealing With the Distance
The 8km increase might seem daunting, but you don’t need to worry. In terms of mileage, your training will look incredibly similar to a marathon.
Key differences when training for a trail 50km are around time on feet, and elevation training if applicable. This makes the extra 8km just feel like a natural progression from the marathon.
- More ‘easy’ long runs, walks, and jogs rather than hitting pace targets.
- Deliberate switching between walking uphill and running or jogging downhills & flats.
- Some specific elevation work including hill reps or especially high elevation routes.
- Getting used to mixed terrain – trails all look different!
Learning to Fuel
Marathons undoubtedly demand you take on fuel during the distance, but a trail 50km is a different beast. You’ll need to ‘train your gut’, with most ultramarathoners opting for solid foods rather than gels. Expect to be packing sandwiches, flapjacks, and sweets as your fuel rather than gels.
At Ultra Challenge, we take this to the next level with rest stops packed with both sweet and savoury snacks and plenty of drink options.
An Ultra Achievement
Taking on an ultramarathon – whether you walk, jog, or run – is a phenomenal achievement which will stay with you forever. You might think it is impossible to top the finish line feeling of a marathon, but trust us, the Ultra Challenge finish line is something else.
Check out all the Ultra Challenges in 2026 here and get ready to set new goals
