Mountain marathons
Mountain marathons blend fell/trail running with navigation—usually across two days on rough ground, carrying mandatory kit and with an overnight camp. Use the filters to find an event by date and region, then commit to your next wild challenge. Read more
Mountain marathons sit somewhere between trail running, fell running and adventure racing. Instead of following a marked course, you’ll usually navigate between checkpoints using a map (and often a compass), choosing your own lines across open mountain terrain. It’s part endurance, part decision-making—and it rewards calm heads as much as strong legs.
Most events run over two days. Day 1 ends at an overnight camp, where you carry or access the kit you need to stay safe and comfortable. Day 2 is where tired legs meet tired brains—so pacing, fuelling and navigation discipline really matter.
Before you enter, be honest about your skills. If you’re new to navigation, build confidence with local orienteering, recce days, or shorter nav-based events first. Then step up: start with friendlier terrain, shorter formats, or events known for supportive organisation.
Use this page to find mountain marathons by region and month, or switch to map view to scan what’s coming up.
Want to read more? Read the guides, tips and advice from our blog.
Got questions? Read our FAQs for answers.
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Mountain marathons 2026–2027
Discover mountain marathons that match your skills and get ready for a proper running adventure.
- Fri 25 - Sun 27 Sep 2026
- £57.50-£185
Altra 13 Valleys
Celebrating the unique valleys of the Lake District which are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site status, by linking them together with spectacular trail and ultra routes for you to enjoy!
- Trail run
- Ultra run 3
- Sat 10 Oct 2026
- £140-£160
Lakes in a Day | 50 Miles
On foot from the top of the Lake District to the bottom via the stunning Helvellyn Ridge and the western shoreline of Lake Windermere. Not easy but certainly spectacular.
- 50 miles trail running + 4000 m ascent
- Sat 2 - Mon 4 May 2026
- £250-£300
SCARPA Great Lakeland 3Day
Enjoy three days of glorious Lake District fell routes, a truly chilled-out weekend and all logistics taken care of as you hike, run, camp and socialise.
- 3 days fell running
- Sat 6 Jun 2026
- £65
Midnight Mountain Marathon | Marathon
A unique trail marathon on the Brecon Beacons, Wales.
- 26.2 miles trail running + 4150 ft ascent
- Sat 11 Jul 2026
- £70
Black Mountains 50 & 32 Mile Ultra, Marathon & Half Marathon | Marathon
Limitless Trails are very excited to be offering Ultramarathons, Marathon & a Half Marathon in the beautiful Black Mountains, deep in the heart of the Brecon Beacons National Park.
- 27 miles trail running + 5505 ft ascent
- Sat 29 Aug 2026
- £79-£107
EQPE Fjallmaraton Salen | 42K
Fjällmaraton Sälen by EQPE is the trail running adventure for those who like experiences, running and beautiful nature.
- 42 km trail running
Mountain marathons blog
Guides, tips and advice on mountain marathons.
- 10 mins read
Race 101: the 13 Valleys Ultra
Introducing the 13 Valleys Ultra plus the event's shorter distance options, helping you to push your limits and get involved!
Mountain marathon FAQs
Quick answers on navigation, kit, formats and choosing your first event.
A mountain marathon is typically a two-day running and navigation event across rough terrain. You navigate between checkpoints (often choosing your own route) and usually complete an overnight camp as part of the challenge.
Not always. Some are close to marathon distance across the weekend, but many are better thought of as time-based or checkpoint-based navigation races where terrain and route choice matter more than exact mileage.
Yes—navigation is usually central. You’ll want to be confident reading a map, taking bearings, and making safe route choices in poor visibility. If you’re building experience, start with beginner-friendly navigation events before stepping up.
Most organisers require mandatory safety kit (commonly waterproofs, warm layers, whistle, map/compass, emergency items) and, for overnight formats, camping gear. Always follow the event’s kit list—mountain conditions can change fast.
They can be—if you choose carefully. Look for events with a supportive vibe, less technical terrain, shorter options, or novice-friendly formats. The best first mountain marathon is one that lets you learn without feeling rushed.
Pick one with (1) terrain you’re comfortable on, (2) a format you understand (two-day/overnight vs single-day), and (3) a location you can train in. Then practise: long hill days, fast hiking, and navigation under pressure.
Road marathons are marked and measured; mountain marathons are usually unmarked, navigated, and run on rough ground—often with overnight kit. If you’re looking for classic 26.2-mile road races, use our Marathons page.
Use the region filters on this page, try map view, or run a quick search (e.g., “mountain marathon Scotland”), then refine by month to lock in a date.
Mountain marathons near you
Select your location for mountain marathons in your area.