In a nutshell

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The 100 Miler combines the routes of the Flat 50 and Hilly 50 into one absolutely unforgettable running experience. In terms of how tough this 100 is compared to others in the UK, the most challenging thing about it is the fact that the first half has only around a quarter of the elevation of the second. You have a generous 32 hour cut-off and if you can keep moving forward this is pretty achievable. The route showcases so many highlights of Somerset that you won’t believe it’s just one race!

COURSE RECORDS

Male: DANNY HAWKINS – 18:23:40 (2019)
Female: PAULA JONES – 24:18:56 (2017)

 

Westcountry Ultra 100 Miler is the only 100 we organise, and we put a huge amount of effort into it each year to make it an unforgettable experience. Not that we’d need to try too hard with this route – from the early miles on the Taunton to Bridgwater canal path, to the stunning wilderness of the latter stages and everything in between, this is likely one of the most varied 100s you will find in the UK. The route contains (amongst many other highlights) the UK’s smallest parish church, the UK’s largest nuclear power station, two different areas of outstanding natural beauty, world famous limestone formations, Somerset’s highest ‘mountain’, some of the tallest sea cliffs in the UK, an official ‘dark skies’ reserve with a blanket of stars on a clear night…. It might be easier to list what it doesn’t include in a way!

For the first time in 2025 we are introducing tracking for this race as an extra bit of safety for runners. You’ll be out there a long time, so it’ll hopefully be reassurance all round if we know where you are on the route. There are 13 aid stations, a number of which are manned by volunteers who have been on that aid station a few years running, so you will be superbly looked after. The overnight aid stations are likely to have some form of hot food – in 2024 there was soup at one, roast potatoes at another and pizza at a third. What there will be in 2025 is TBC but rest assured you shouldn’t get bored of the aid station fare.

The female course record for this race has stood since 2017 and the male record since 2019 so we’d love to see these challenged in 2025. For anyone thought it’s a huge accomplishment to complete this one within the cut-off. It is more achievable than it may seem – you have 32 hours to finish it, so as long as your pacing and fuelling strategies are on point and you have a bit of luck it’s definitely doable.

For detailed descriptions of the two halves of the route see the Flat 50 and Hilly 50 pages.

RELAY

If the 100 seems just too far there is now also the option to enter as a duo and take this on as a relay, with one running the Flat 50 (starting alongside the 100 mile runners) and the second taking over at the end of this route to run the Hilly 50. This will be a separate category to the 100 miler but both runners are fully part of the event; you will have 6 aid stations each, the second runner is allowed a pacer overnight (see rules below) and you both get a medal if you both finish your halves.
You enter the relay together with a fee of £120 – upon entry you will receive an email asking for further information. You will have a team name chosen by yourselves. The second runner is responsible for getting themselves to Minehead but there is coach transport to Taunton from Minehead before the race. You can both register at Taunton or you can register separately in Taunton and Minehead – whichever works best logistically with your plan. If you have any questions about this at all please email albionrunning@hotmail.com .

CUT-OFF TIME

32 hours

NUMBER OF AID STATIONS

13 – please note that this is a cupless rate so you will need a bottle or two for water and a cup for coke if you want it (All aid stations have water, coke, squash, sandwiches, crisps, fruit, nuts, sweets and a range of other sweet & savoury snacks.)

COURSE MARKINGS

There are a number of sections of this route that are very easy to follow and don’t require additional markings – these include the Taunton to Bridgwater canal path, the River Parrett Trail, the England Coast Path and the South-West Coast Path. Other sections are less obvious and will be marked with red & white tape plus some arrow signs (black arrow on a yellow background.) There is an excellent gpx file, which will be sent out with the race info. If you would like a copy of this to recce the route before the race please email albionrunning@hotmail.com .

MEDICAL SUPPORT

Professional medics will cover this race – details of who to contact if you require medical support during the race etc. will be provided in the race info, which is sent out a few weeks before the event. As always, if you have a medical emergency and are not in the immediate vicinity of the medics the best thing to do is to call 999.

COACH

There is coach transport available from the finish in Minehead to registration in Taunton at an additional cost of £3 per runner – you will confirm your need for this when the race info gets sent out a few weeks before the race and will be emailed an invoice that can be paid by card or Paypal for the coach fee.
 

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START LOCATION

Canal Road, Taunton, TA1 1PN. Registration will take place nearby – location will be given in the race info, which is sent out a few weeks before the event.

FINISH LOCATION

West Somerset College, Bircham Road, Minehead, TA24 6AY.
 

PACERS

Pacers are allowed from the half way point at West Somerset College, which is the end of the Flat 50 route and start of the Hilly 50 route. Pacers are responsible for their own transport etc. but are welcome to enjoy the aid station supplies J They are allowed to assist you in any way that does not involve things that are obviously not in the spirit of the race, such as carrying you! They are allowed to carry food etc. for you and can run ahead of you, beside you or behind you.

CREW

You are allowed to have a support crew, who can meet you along the way and are allowed to hand you food/drinks/supplies etc. You are allowed to sit in their vehicle but not while it is moving for obvious reasons. Crews must show respect to local residents in terms of parking and show consideration to anyone else who is out for the day. There will be suggested meeting points for crew sent out with the race info based on up-to-date local information at the time.

SUPPORTERS

You are allowed to have supporters come out to cheer you on – as with crews it is crucial that they show respect to local residents in terms of parking and show consideration to anyone else who is out for the day – if this does not happen it can have serious implications for the future of the event.

TRACKING

For the first time in 2025 this race will have tracking, details of which will be sent out in the race info.
 

DROP BAGS

You are allowed a drop bag for the half way aid station – this can be the same bag as your finish bag if you want one; if you would like a separate finish bag this is Ok but DROP BAGS MUST BE SMALL! No large rucksacks or suitcases. There will be tags for these at the start on which you should write your race number and 100 MILER.

KIT

There is no mandatory kit check but you are strongly advised to cary these items: -
* Waterproof jacket that you have used in rainy conditions and know will do the job

* Hat and Gloves in case of unseasonably cold weather (possible in Somerset!)

* An additional base layer (this can be lightweight, and it's advisable if it is, as long as it's an additional layer)

* Headtorch with spare batteries

* High viz clothing for night

* Whistle

* Compass

* Mobile phone that is fully charged at start – battery pack if you can get one
* Some Emergency food that you like/water, plus at least one 500ml water bottle to carry with you

* Foil survival blanket in case of emergencies

* Personal first aid kit with plasters, savlon etc.
AWARDS: There will be a trophy for the first male and first female finishers, and all finishers will receive a medal.