Arc of Attrition 100 training guide

Coverack to Penzance

The race starts mid-afternoon on the Lizard, passing Cadgwith and Lizard Point (17 km) before Mullion, Porthleven (40 km), Praa Sands and Marazion. Darkness arrives early in January, so much of this first section is run by headtorch on undulating cliff paths.

Penzance to Pendeen

Through Mousehole, Penberth and Porthcurno to Land’s End (90 km), then Sennen and Cape Cornwall to Pendeen (107 km). This is the most remote and technical stretch, run mostly through the first night. The organiser asks for extra care to stay on the official path at Cape Cornwall and Botallack.

Pendeen to Perranporth

Zennor, Lelant (135 km), Hayle, Godrevy, Portreath and Porthtowan lead to the finish at Perranporth Airfield. Sand dunes around Hayle and Mexico Towans, followed by relentless short climbs, test tired legs. Many runners face a second night here.

Train for the terrain, not the distance alone

The coast path is a constant series of steep, short climbs and descents, often with steps and rock. Hill repeats, stepped climbs and long hikes with a pack matter more than flat mileage. Practise descending on wet rock with care.

Make darkness normal

Large sections are run at night, and the 2026 kit list required two 300-lumen headtorches. Use December’s long evenings for regular night runs on technical ground, ideally including a run that starts in the afternoon and finishes after midnight.

Be self-sufficient in winter weather

Long gaps between aid stations and January conditions mean you must manage your own food, layers and navigation. Train in the full mandatory kit, practise changing layers with cold hands, and carry a baseplate compass you know how to use.

Keep your running and strength work in one place. Explore MaxMile for your Arc of Attrition preparation, or compare the levels of personal coaching.

Cut-offs are strict and counted from the last wave’s start, so the early checkpoints matter. In 2026 the leave-by times were Lizard Point at 16:30 and Porthleven at 20:30 on the Friday, then Penzance at 01:00 and Land’s End at 07:00 on the Saturday; check the 2027 chart before race day. Run the opening miles on the Lizard conservatively and use the runnable sections without forcing the climbs.

The organiser recommends a UTMB Index of at least 380 because cut-offs are calculated from that level. Plan your aid-station stops tightly, keep eating through the night, and expect your pace to drop sharply on the second night between Godrevy and Perranporth.

The Arc 100 starts on Friday 22 January 2027, about 11 weeks after this guide was last checked. If you have an entry, your main block should already be under way. A 10-week run-in from mid-November leaves time for three or four big weekends of back-to-back coastal or hill running before Christmas.

Christmas and New Year fall about three to four weeks out, which is when your last long weekend should sit. Use the holiday break for a recce of a night section if you can, then taper through January. Rest well in the final week, as the Thursday kit check and Friday coach transfer make for a long build-up to a 13:00 start.

Race HQ is Perranporth Airfield. Kit check and bib collection are on Thursday 21 January 2027, 14:30 to 20:00, by booked slot, with photo ID. On race day, coaches from Perranporth Airfield to the Coverack start are mandatory; you cannot be dropped at the start.

The 2026 mandatory kit list for the 100M included two 300-lumen headtorches with spares, a red tail-light, a 10,000 mm waterproof jacket and over-trousers, insulated layers, two pairs of waterproof gloves, a survival bag, a baseplate compass and clear-lens eyewear. One 30-litre drop bag goes to Land’s End. Crew may help only at Porthleven, Land’s End, Lelant and Portreath (subject to change). Expect cold, rain, fog, strong wind and possibly hail or snow.