Arc of Attrition Arc 50: 80.5km of Cornwall Cliff Path in January — Where Flat Rankings Meet Atlantic Brutality

The Arc 50 covers 80.5km / 50 miles of the South West Coast Path from Porthcurno (near Land's End) to Porthtowan in January, with a 15h30 time limit and 3 UTMB Running Stones. The Arc 100 (161.2km / 4 Stones) starts earlier (12pm Friday vs 9am Saturday) and is predominantly a night race with a brutal ~40-60% DNF rate. In 2026, the Arc 50 had a 72.4% finish rate (435 of 601 starters), compared to 41.4% for the Arc 100 (261 of 630 starters). The DTR database gradient rankings confirm that neither race is hard because of gradient: the Arc 50 ranks 43rd flattest of ~390 courses (PctFlat rank 347) and 360th for biggest single ascent. The difficulty is January Atlantic weather — coastal gales, cold, and rain — and 50 miles of relentless cliff-path undulation. The Arc 50 is an achievable but genuine coastal winter ultra for experienced trail runners.

No. The Arc 50 does not require a UTMB Index score to register. This makes it one of the more accessible UTMB World Series 100K-category events. However, you must be at least 20 years old on race day, and experience in long-distance trail running is strongly recommended — the race features difficult terrain and potentially extreme winter weather conditions. By finishing the Arc 50, you earn 3 UTMB Running Stones which can be used toward qualification for UTMB World Series Finals races (including UTMB® Mont-Blanc) in future years — making it an excellent qualifying event for runners building toward the UTMB system. The Arc 100 (161.2km / 4 Stones) does require UTMB Index.

In 2026 (24 January 2026), the Arc 50 was won by Kristian Jones (Great Britain) in 07:09:41 for the men's race, and Gemma Hillier Moses (Great Britain) in 08:12:56 for the women's race. Top 3 men: 1. Kristian Jones 07:09:41 / 2. Keith Wigley 07:27:45 / 3. Lewis Bowness 07:38:32. Top 3 women: 1. Gemma Hillier Moses 08:12:56 / 2. Aroa Sio (Spain) 09:31:30 / 3. Katie Kaars Sijpesteijn 09:33:15. 601 starters; 435 finishers (72.4% finish rate); 74 women (17%) / 361 men (83%) finishers. Full results: live.utmb.world/arcofattrition/2026/arc50 or statistik.d-u-v.org/eventdetail.php?event=106873

The Arc 50 is a point-to-point race. Registration and the finish line are at Eco Park, Porthtowan (north Cornwall). Race buses transport all participants from Porthtowan to the start at The Minack Theatre, Porthcurno (near Land's End). Do NOT drive to the start. Nearest airports: Newquay Cornwall Airport (NQY) — approximately 20-60 min to the race area. Also: Exeter (EXT) ~2-3h; Bristol (BRS) ~3.5-4.5h (FAR threshold). By train: Penzance is the nearest mainline station (~5km from Porthcurno); GWR services from London Paddington (5h) and Exeter. From Penzance: taxi or local bus to Porthcurno start area or directly to Porthtowan for registration. Accommodation: Penzance is the closest large town to the start (5km from Porthcurno); Truro is convenient for the finish. Book months in advance — January is low season in Cornwall but the Arc weekend sells out accommodation in the area quickly.

Entry fee for the Arc 50 is £179-219 (2026 rates), using variable/inventory-based pricing. The first 20% of entries are available at the early-bird price (£179); prices automatically rise as each price band fills. A booking fee of approximately 8% is added by the registration platform. Cancellation insurance is available for an additional 10% of the entry fee (must be purchased at time of registration). Registration typically opens in March and closes in mid-December or when the race fills. For 2026, registration closed in December 2025 (exact date: approximately December 14, 2025). Registration is conducted via the UTMB platform at in.register-utmb.world (linked from arcofattrition.utmb.world). Entry to the Arc 25 (41.2km / 2 Stones) costs £119-159; Arc 100 (161.2km / 4 Stones) £239-289. Participants who register with a UTMB Index account during the first 48h of registration may have priority access.