UTMB Arc of Attrition Weekend 2026: Mud, Storms, and Community

A couple of weeks ago, a small group of us headed back down to Cornwall for the UTMB Arc of Attrition weekend, with a few clear objectives in mind:

• Have fun (important)

• Crew Rob in the Arc 100

• For me, run the Arc 25 and finally complete the only section of the route I hadn’t yet raced

• Hang out with other type 2 fun people

What followed was a weekend that reminded me exactly why the Arc of Attrition has the reputation it does: raw, wild, uncomfortable, and utterly memorable.

The Journey South: Storm Goretti Sets the Tone

The weekend began with a five-hour drive to Penzance on Friday evening, straight into Storm Goretti.

High winds, standing water, and sideways rain made for what can only be described as interesting driving conditions.

The sole purpose of this mission was simple:

👉 Cheer Rob through Penzance before he pushed on towards Porthcurno.

Already, the Atlantic was in full voice. Waves were smashing into the sea wall, sending spray 10 metres into the air and horizontally across the promenade, soaking runners as they passed. It felt less like a race checkpoint and more like a test of commitment.

Changes at the Eco Park: Familiar, But Different

Before race day properly unfolded, it was clear that a few things had changed at the Porthtowan Eco Park compared to last year.

What Was Different This Year?

• The main marquee was moved closer to the finish line, clearly aimed at improving atmosphere and reducing post-race trudging through mud

• Merchandise was available as usual, though not extensive enough to replace forgotten mandatory kit

• Kit checks felt notably different

Last year, Arc 100 runners had everything checked without exception.

This year, based on runner experiences, the Arc Angels focused on selected items only, likely due to time pressures and runner volume.

Given the forecast and what was coming, this was… an interesting decision.

Race Morning: Wind, Rain, and Controlled Chaos

On Friday morning, runners were bussed to the start in the usual wave system.

Wave 1 set off first, with subsequent runners held on coaches until conditions allowed.

As the wind howled and rain battered the windows, it already felt like the Arc was reminding everyone who was really in charge.

I didn’t run the Coverack to Land’s End section this year, but between crewing and runner feedback, a clear picture emerged:

• Brutally wet underfoot

• Strong winds, but largely tail or side-on

• Energy-sapping conditions from the off

In races like the Arc, especially in true Cornish winter conditions, survival comes down to:

• The right kit

• Spare dry layers

• Nutrition discipline

• And the very British ability to “be bothered” looking after yourself when everything feels hard

A combination of conditions, niggles, and bad luck led to a higher than usual dropout rate. The last few years have been relatively kind weather-wise — this felt far more like the Arc returning to its roots.

Crewing at Land’s End: Cold, Chilli, and Tough Calls

By the time we reached Land’s End, our group had grown from two to four.

James had made the difficult — but absolutely correct — decision to DNF early due to an ankle injury going into the race.

A smart, brave call that likely saved months of rehab.

From a crewing perspective, one major change stood out:

Crew Access Restrictions

Crew members could only enter the checkpoint with their runner.

This didn’t go down well with many, as it meant no pre-setup and long waits outside in torrential rain.

With runner tracking data readily available, it felt like an odd call — but the Arc presses on regardless.

At around 2am, Rob arrived:

• Cold, but in good spirits

• A few kit changes

• Two bowls of chilli

• Straight back out into the storm

  

  Crewing Rob at Portreath

The Long Night and a Gritty Finish

We didn’t see Rob again until around 10am, nearly eight hours later.

He dug deep through worsening ground conditions and eventually finished in 27:17 — a huge effort in properly testing weather.

The finish line after the Arc100

By the time we reached the Eco Park, it had turned into a full-scale quagmire:

• Mud everywhere

• Cars stuck despite metal tracking

• Tyres spinning

Arc 25 Race Day: Closure on the Coast Path

Sunday was my turn.

After a DNF at mile 65 last year, this race was about closure, not redemption.

The Start: St Ives Buzzing

St Ives delivered the usual electric atmosphere, and we set off through:

• St Ives

• Lelant

• Towards Godrevy

I knew this section was flat — but I hadn’t appreciated just how runnable it would be.

Running alongside David Miller (photographer extraordinaire and former podcast guest) and his mate Gaz, I found myself moving well and enjoying the rhythm.

By the time we crossed the infamous “Dunes of Doom” (honestly… not that bad), I was already 20 minutes up on projected splits.

Godrevy to Portreath: When the Mud Bites Back

A quick stop at Godrevy:

• Naak top-up

• Squash

• A few bits of fruit

• High-fives to Rob, Sarah, James and Sandy

Then it was back out into what can only be described as grim but beautiful running.

The combination of:

• Heavy rain

• Repeated footfall

• Winter ground conditions

turned otherwise non-technical trails into sloppy, energy-sapping mud baths.

The descent into Portreath was a particular highlight — type-2 fun at its finest.

As the climbs came, my early time buffer began to disappear.

Add in my midfoot arthritis flaring up, and the final miles became about problem-solving rather than pacing.

The Finish: Just Under the Wire

Despite everything, I clung on.

⏱ 4:59:40

🎯 20 seconds under my goal time

Given the limited running I’ve managed since September and relatively low weekly volume, I couldn’t be happier with that outcome.

Takeaways from the Arc of Attrition Weekend

The Arc received criticism for:

• Mud

• Parking issues

• Limited food options at the end

• No medals at the finish (still unresolved, and communication hasn’t been great by most accounts)

But here’s the reality.

There are countless blogs, podcasts, vlogs, and race reports outlining exactly what the Arc is:

• The Eco Park

• The conditions

• The logistics

• The general chaos

Don’t go in blind to everything, do your homework.

From a coaching perspective, this is a reminder that ultra running success isn’t just fitness — it’s expectation management, preparation, and adaptability.

Would I Recommend the Arc of Attrition?

Yes — absolutely.

But only if you:

• Respect the weather

• Prepare for atrocious underfoot conditions

• Accept parking and logistical challenges

• Understand that comfort is optional

The Arc Angels, the community, the shared suffering, and the memories far outweigh the negatives.

It was an epic weekend — and one I’ll happily return to.

Want Help Preparing for Your Next Ultra?

If you’re eyeing up races like the Arc of Attrition, and want structured, realistic coaching that prepares you for the real demands of ultra running — not just the Instagram version — get in touch.

You can also hear more stories, lessons, and honest takes over on the Trails, Tales & Fails podcast.

Cornwall will always be waiting. 🌊🏃‍♂️