Races
Arc of Attrition
Cornwall coast. One hundred miles of cliff path, bog, and January North Atlantic wind. No mountains. Still brutal.
100 mi+5,293 ft-5,241 ft36 hours289 ft to 524 fttech 5/10Checkpoints per race bookcoastalJanuaryUTMB IndexWSER qualifierJanuaryRunning Stones · 4 stones
Distance100 mi
Gain+5,293 ft
Loss-5,241 ft
Altitude289 ft to 524 ft
Technicality5/10
Air35°F to 50°F
- Start289 ft
- High524 ft
- Low289 ft
- Finish341 ft
Geometryderived
Steepest drop157 ft-1.4% over 2.1 mi
Night miles55 misunset near 17:00 local
Weather at the cruxderived
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. +5,293 ft gain and -5,241 ft loss. 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 524 ft. Low near 289 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 5,293 feet of 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.
Official siteBack to racesPredict your timeTrain for this raceCheck readinessFoot care plan
Sources (1)
- Qualifier: utmb_stones: https://utmb.world/utmb-world-series