Butcombe Trail Ultra

Event details

Butcombe Trail Ultra is a pair of self-navigation ultramarathons held in the Mendip Hills AONB, with race HQ at Mendip Activity Centre in Churchill (BS25 5PQ). The course follows the official Butcombe Trail, a mainly off-road route of about 47 miles that passes six pubs and crosses much of the Mendips. In 2026 the event will run anti-clockwise from the race HQ. The races are organised by volunteer members of the Town & Country Harriers for the benefit of the Mendip Hills Fund; previous race proceeds have totalled £18,800 donated to the fund.

Distances and entry

• 50 miles - self-navigation ultramarathon
• 50 kilometres - self-navigation ultramarathon

Entries open 8 June 2025 and close 11 April 2026. Minimum age is 20 on the event date. Entry fees (early / later) are listed as: 50 miles £72 / £82, 50 km £57 / £67; affiliated athletes receive a £2 discount. A £5 increase from 2025 is included in fees to cover tracking devices. Both races are UTMB qualifying index races - 50 miles as a 100 km index and 50 km as a 50 km index. Event rules include a strong discouragement of headphones (both earpieces must be removed at checkpoints and marshalled road crossings), one pacer allowed from the final checkpoint, mandatory kit requirements, and penalties for short-cutting. Guide runners for blind, visually impaired, or disabled runners may accompany competitors and receive free entry and a finisher medal but are not eligible for prizes. Entries recorded so far show 90 participants. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.