Races
Arc of Attrition
Cornwall coast. One hundred miles of cliff path, bog, and January North Atlantic wind. No mountains. Still brutal.
100 mi36 hours0 ft to 361 fttech 5/106 stationscoastalJanuaryUTMB IndexWSER qualifierJanuaryRunning Stones · 4 stones
Distance100 mi
Altitude0 ft to 361 ft
Technicality5/10
Air35°F to 50°F
- Start79 ft
- High353 ft
- Low7 ft
- Finish322 ft
- Cornwall at mile 0.0
- Arc of Attrition mile 20 at mile 20, cutoff 7.2 hours
- Arc of Attrition mile 40 at mile 40, cutoff 14.4 hours
- Arc of Attrition mile 60 at mile 60, cutoff 21.599999999999998 hours
- Arc of Attrition mile 80 at mile 80, cutoff 28.8 hours
- Finish England at mile 100, cutoff 36 hours
Geometrycourse math
Steepest drop276 ft-2.8% over 1.9 mi
Night miles55 misunset near 17:00 local
Weather at the cruxcourse math
At hour 10 of race, feels like 7 C (49 F).Sample of 7 race days, medium confidence.At hour 10 of race, apparent temperature P90 is 7 C / 45 F.
The cruxDay three cliff miles between Portreath and St Ives in January wind (near mile 65)
Course DNA
The Course
Arc of Attrition runs 100 mi through Cornwall, England. Surfaces skew 60% coastal trail / 30% cliff path / 10% road. Day three cliff miles between Portreath and St Ives in January wind. High point near 361 ft. Low near 0 ft. January temps run 35°F to 50°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 50.
The Work
Train for the climbing across 100 mi. Back-to-back long runs on trail. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 36 hours total means limited margin: rehearse fueling every 45 to 60 minutes and downhill eccentric work weekly. Technicality 5/10. Build a block that simulates the crux near mile 65.
Kit
January in Cornwall, England: plan for 35°F to 50°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 36 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 25. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 60% coastal trail: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 50.
Race Day
Hold effort through mile 25. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 50. Day three cliff miles between Portreath and St Ives in January wind near mile 65 is where time is won or lost. Walk the steep pinches. Run the flats and gentle downhills. Crew at major aids: socks, calories, ice if hot. Transitions under 5 minutes when possible. Final third is 33 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.
Results
Arc of Attrition finish lines.
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Sources (1)
- Qualifier: utmb_stones: https://utmb.world/utmb-world-series