Training in one of the UK'S TOUGHEST LOCATIONS! UTMB update! - Ben Parkes

Aug 13, 2025

Intro: This is a quick summary of Training in one of the UK’S TOUGHEST LOCATIONS! UTMB update! from Ben Parkes. It’s a great watch — we’re breaking it down so you can try the workout today. Be sure to check out the full video for all the details.

Key Points:

Long‑duration trail run (~25 km) with ~1.8 km of cumulative elevation to mimic UTMB race‑day time on feet.
Focus on hill‑repeat work up the 886 m “Penny Fan” climb, using either trekking poles or a hands‑on‑knees technique to power steep sections.
Aim to hold a steady “race‑pace” effort (roughly your target UTMB pace) throughout the climb and descent, blending effort with technical trail handling.
Practical gear tips: pole lock‑up can happen on steep climbs—have a backup hands‑on‑knees method, stay hydrated with a water filter, and keep nutrition handy in easy‑to‑access pockets.

Workout Example (run it today):

Warm‑up: 5 min easy on flat terrain.
Hill repeat set – Run up Penny Fan (≈800 m elevation gain) at a comfortably hard effort (≈90 % of your target race pace). Use poles if you have them; if not, place hands on knees for extra push. Recover downhill at an easy jog.
Repeat the climb 3 times (≈10 km total running, ~2 km ascent).
Cool‑down: 5 min easy on flat ground. Total: ~25 km with ~1.8 km of climbing, mirroring the session Ben did.

Closing Note: Give this hill‑repeat session a go and feel free to adjust the distances or paces in the Pacing app to match your own goals. Running the hills now will make the UTMB mountains feel a little easier later—go for it! 🚀