Ultrarunning is classed as any distance greater than a marathon 26.2 miles or 42.2km. This facet of the sport is experiencing a clear and continuous boom in popularity in the UK, with runners looking to move beyond a marathon to physically challenge themselves further and/or support fundraising initiatives. 2025 has seen a significant increase in the amount ultra-distance events with over 400 taking place in the UK, supported by increased participation numbers.
The National Running Show, the largest running community meet-up in the UK will take place at NEC Birmingham 31st January – 1st February 2026. Catering for the surge in ultrarunning enthusiasts, the content-packed weekend will be teeming with ultramarathon heroes, specialist brands and dedicated stages and spaces accommodating those from the ultra-curios to experienced ultramarathoners.
This top 10 guide should help navigate those visitors interested in ultrarunning to suggested ‘checkpoints’ at The National Running Show 2026:
1. The Trail and Ultra Stage
A ‘mandatory’ stop for trail running and ultrarunning enthusiasts, the Trail & Ultra Stage sponsored by Erdinger Alkoholfrei, 13 Valleys has a feast of favourites across the two-day agenda to satiate all tastes. The thrilling pick n’ mix will feature ultrarunning champions, legends, race directors and podcasters, plus strategic data and nutrition insights from elite teams.
2. The Inspiration Stage
A tantalising mix of sessions including personalities, projects and topical discussions from the world of trail and ultrarunning will take to The Inspiration Stage sponsored by Great Run Company, Sportsshoes.com and High 5.
There will be a live Tea & Trails podcast featuring stories from the Altra 13 Valleys Ultra with hosts Eddie Sutton and Gary Thwaites, who are joined by record-breaking two time winner of the 7 Valleys Ultra – Dr Leonie Ansems de Vries.
Another insightful panel session will feature Project Fire and Ice – a forthcoming Channel 4 documentary exploring an expedition by Ultra4Charity – a collective of Karl Hinett, Brian Wood MC, Aldo Kane and SAS TV favourite Jason Fox taking on The Arctic Ultra, a 500km self-supported trek through the snow-covered forests of Swedish Lapland in aid of for SSAFA, the armed forces charity.
Further notable personalities in ultrarunning appearing on The Inspiration Stage throughout the weekend include: host Susie Chan, Dean Karnazes, Sabrina Pace-Humphreys and Tasha Thompson.
3. Lucy Gossage
A consultant oncologist for Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Lucy Gossage who has emerged as a prominent figure in ultrarunning in recent years will feature on the Trail & Ultra Stage. A former professional, 14-time Ironman Champion, Lucy transitioned to ultra events and in 2025 won the Montane Winter SPINE Race – 268 miles along the Pennine Way, UK. Passionate about promoting exercise as a medicine in the fight against cancer. In 2018, Lucy co-founded 5k your way, Move Against Cancer .
4. Tom Evans
Also gracing the Trail & Ultra Stage during the weekend will be Tom Evans. A former British Army Captain, Tom has experienced a meteoric rise in the sport of ultrarunning, conquering some of the most challenging and iconic global courses. Notable accolades include winning CCC at UTMB in 2018, taking the top podium at Western States 100 in 2023 and this summer surmounting the ‘Super Bowl’ of trailrunning in blizzard-like conditions to become the first British man to win the UTMB (Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc) since 2010. Tom was also recently selected in the lottery for the Hardrock 100 in 2026, an iconic 100-mile event that takes place in Colorado in early July.
5. Sabrina Pace Humphreys
UK-based ultra-runner, author, activist, and co-founder of Black Trail Runners, Sabrina is an inspiration to many. Sharing her story of overcoming rural racism, teenage motherhood, and alcoholism through running and the outdoors, Sabrina campaigns for social justice advocating for mental health and inclusion. She has also completed several ultramarathons including Marathon des Sables, Summer SPINE Race, Arc of Attrition 50, Comrades Marathon and the Winter Downs 200.
6. Holly Stables
Holly is a decorated British ultra-runner, former international marathoner (GBR European Champs, Commonwealth Games), and coach known for conquering extreme endurance challenges including The Dragon’s Back Race, Comrades Marathon and various UTMB events. Holly was second place finisher in The Speed Project in 2025 – a 300-mile solo run from LA to Las Vegas battling extreme heat (nearly 40°C), sleep deprivation (less than 4 hrs sleep on day 1), and mental exhaustion.
7. Kim Collison
A prominent British ultra-runner and fell runner, running coach and mountain leader Kim Collison boasts a long list of achievements in international competitions, major races, and setting fastest known times (FKTs) on iconic UK rounds. Kim has represented Great Britain and Northern Ireland multiple times at the World Trail Championships, winning a team bronze medal in 2015. His accolades also include winning the Winter Spine Race 2025 after four attempts, winning the Swiss Peaks Trail 360 in 2024, as well as victories in well-known events such as Arc of Attrition 100, Lakeland 50, Fellsman race and Lakes in a Day.
On top of which Kim Collison has set several FKTs (Fastest Known Times) and records. These include: Lakeland 24-hour fell record: In July 2020, he summited 78 peaks (more than 2000ft) within 24 hours (23 hours 45 minutes), adding one more peak to the long-standing record set in 1997; Paddy Buckley Round (Wales): Broke the record in April 2021; 4-hour Munro record (Scotland): Broke the record with 33 tops in July 2021. In addition, he holds the winter record for the classic Bob Graham Round (set in 2019).
8. Sophie Power
Sophie Power is a prominent British ultrarunner, campaigner, and mother of three who has completed over 50 ultras, including the Spartathlon and UTMB, and represented Great Britain in 24-hour events, becoming a Team World Champion in 2025. Sophie is known for using her platform to champion women in sports. She founded SheRACES, a charity that advocates for equitable race planning and has broken multiple records, including the Guinness World Record for the furthest distance run by a woman in 48 hours on a treadmill (over 226 miles/365km) demonstrated live at The National Running Show in 2025.
9. Dean Karnazes
“Ultramarathon Man” Dean Karnazes is a legendary American endurance athlete and author who brought ultrarunning from a niche sport into mainstream attention with superhuman feats. Such as running 350 miles non-stop without sleep, completing 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days, and running a marathon at the South Pole. He has completed Western States 100 eleven times with a sub 24-hour finish and taken victories in Badwater, Vermont Trail 100 and the 4 Deserts Race Series. You’ll find Dean on various stages throughout the weekend.
10. Marie ‘Lootie’ Leauty
In 2022, French athlete Marie Leauty became the fastest woman to run around the world, running an incredible 698 marathons in just 825 days. Marie, a former international CFO turned world-record endurance athlete, author, and inspirational speaker, became only the seventh person—and the second woman in history—to complete a run around the planet. Her astonishing journey, captured in ‘Lootie’s World Run’, is a story of grit, transformation, and the relentless pursuit of purpose. Today, Lootie is inspiring audiences worldwide to break through fear, redefine limits, and reconnect with what truly matters.
Check out the agenda for The National Running Show 2026 and make it a mandatory plan in your new year schedule with a day or weekend meeting with the UK running community and hearing from your ultrarunning heroes. Tickets are available now.