Townshend Performance BLOG

1. Race Overview & Context What is the OCC? OCC is one of the Finals races in the UTMB World Series. It is essentially the “shorter ultra” (mid-distance ultra) final, sitting between the lottery-accessible 20 km and the longer CCC / UTMB races. montblanc.utmb.world +1 For 2026, OCC is listed as ~57 km with ~3,500 m of positive elevation gain. The maximal allowed race time is long (~ 14h 30m as of the 2026 edition) to account for technical terrain, weather, and altitude effect

by Coach Kat - The Lap Finisher (four years ago) Hey there, soon-to-be Ultra Runner! First of all,  huge congratulations  on signing up for The Lap Ultra. You’ve already done the hardest part - deciding to take on something bold, beautiful, and a little bit bonkers. I ran my first Lap four years ago in May - a day I’ll  never forget . We had storm winds, hail, and freezing rain pelting down for hours. It was wild! There were moments I could barely see the trail through the m

English Senior Fell Running Championship 2026 – Preview, History & How to Prepare The English Senior Fell Running Championship 2026, organised by the Fell Runners Association (FRA) and proudly sponsored by Pete Bland Sports and Inov8 , promises another thrilling year of competitive fell running across some of England’s toughest and most beautiful terrain. A Brief History of the English Fell Running Championship The English Fell Running Championship has been a cornerstone of

Preparing for The Lap ultra around Lake Windermere? Coach from High Peak Running shares expert advice strength and conditioning to help you race strong and enjoy the challenge.

The Lake District offers an unparalleled experience for trail runners, boasting stunning landscapes, picturesque views, and a variety of challenging terrains that cater to all levels of runners. For those looking to participate in events we've a list of our favourite 5 ultramarathons. We hope this information inspires you to lace up your running shoes and explore the beautiful trails of the Lake District.

1. Understand What Heat Exposure Does Before diving into tactics, it helps to know why  heat training works - and when it can backfire. Physiological Adaptations Plasma volume expansion: Repeated heat exposure forces your body to retain more fluid, increasing plasma volume. This aids blood circulation, reduces cardiovascular strain, and improves cooling capability. Earlier, increased sweat response: You begin sweating sooner and at higher rates, improving evaporative cooling.