United Kingdom · England
Distance
41 km
Date
Entry fee
179
€ / km
€19.29
Arc of Attrition Arc25 (41.2km): Cornwall's January Coastal Race, Measured
Arc of Attrition by UTMB – Arc 25 is a 41.2 km coastal trail race held on January 25 in Cornwall, England — the final day of the Arc of Attrition UTMB World Series weekend. The course runs from St Ives to Porthtowan along the Cornish coastal path, gaining 1,240m (30.1 m/km), with 49.6% of the distance flat or rolling. The course architecture is deliberately deceptive: the first 35km follows fast coastal paths, sand dunes, and headland traverses before all three of the biggest climbs cluster into the final 7km.
The hardest section — 12.2% average, 21.7% maximum gradient — is the final push to the Porthtowan finish at km 41.13. The primary challenge is not gradient but conditions: Cornwall in January means Atlantic storm exposure, ankle-deep mud, and headland wind chill. Registration fees for the 2027 edition are not yet published. The 2026 edition drew 852 finishers with course records of 2:41:25 (men, Kristian Jones) and 3:09:16 (women, Naomi Lang). It suits fast-footed coastal runners comfortable with British winter conditions and the atmosphere of a major UTMB World Series event.
Elevation and Terrain
Total Meters
1,240m
D+/KM
30.1m/km
For context, the Tor des Géants 330 loop has 73 D+/km.
Avg Uphill Gradient
7.6%
Avg Downhill Gradient
-6.7%
Uphill gradient distribution
| 2–5% | 4.6 km | |
|---|---|---|
| 5–10% | 3.3 km | |
| 10–15% | 1.6 km | |
| 15–20% | 0.6 km | |
| 20%+ | 0.5 km |
Route Profile
AnalysedTerrain breakdown
| 25.4% | Uphill |
|---|---|
| 49.6% | Flat |
| 25.0% | Downhill |
Terrain
Arc of Attrition by UTMB – 41.2 km 41km Top Climbs
Top Climbs
| 1 | 1.5 km · 83 m gain starts km 38 · avg 5.7% · max 18.0% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 1.5 km · 83 m gain starts km 36 · avg 5.4% · max 22.8% |
| 3 | 0.6 km · 77 m gain starts km 41 · avg 12.2% · max 21.7% |
Top descents
| 1 | 0.8 km · 79 m drop starts km 40 · avg -9.7% · max -20.1% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 1.4 km · 75 m drop starts km 34 · avg -5.2% · max -15.7% |
| 3 | 1.1 km · 64 m drop starts km 28 · avg -6.0% · max -19.2% |
Deceptive Terrain and a Technical Finish: The Arc of Attrition by UTMB 42.1km Difficulty Profile
How hard is the Arc of Attrition Arc25 (41.2km)?
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Harder than its gradient suggests. At 49.6% flat and 30.1 m/km, the course looks manageable on paper. The trap: all three biggest climbs land in the final 7km after 35km of fast coastal running. The primary challenge is Atlantic January weather — storm exposure, ankle-deep mud, cliff-top wind chill. The official race says 'the primary challenge is the weather rather than the land.'
UTMB World Series 50K and ITRA Certified: Arc of Attrition by UTMB – Arc25 (41.2 km) Race Credentials
Is the Arc25 a UTMB qualifier?
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Yes. Arc25 is a UTMB World Series 50K category race and ITRA certified — part of the Arc of Attrition by UTMB, one of the UK's flagship UTMB World Series events.
Arc of Attrition by UTMB 41.2 km's Entry Fees: Pricing, Registration Timing, and Where to Register
How much does it cost to enter the Arc25?
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Entry fees for the 2027 edition are not yet published — the 2026 edition has passed. Registration for 2026 opened March 2025. Check arcofattrition.utmb.world from approximately March 2027 for 2027 pricing.
Arc of Attrition by UTMB Arc25 (41.2 km) Race Timing and January Dates in the UTMB World Series
When does the Arc25 take place?
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The Arc25 runs on January 25 as the third day of the Arc of Attrition UTMB World Series weekend. The 2027 edition is expected in late January 2027.
Getting to St Ives: Newquay Airport, London Rail, and Arc25 Access
How do I get to the Arc100 start at Coverack?
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Newquay Airport (NQY) is approximately 20–60 minutes from the Coverack area (~78 minutes in DTR logistics). Exeter (EXT) is 2–3 hours; Bristol (BRS) is ~3.5–4.5 hours (FAR). The race is point-to-point (finish in Porthtowan) — return transport needs planning. Accommodation near Coverack is very limited in January — book immediately when registration opens.
Arc of Attrition by UTMB – 41.2 km 41km GPX
Getting to Arc of Attrition by UTMB – 41.2 km
Nearest airport
Newquay (NQY) / Exeter (EXT) / Bristol (BRS)
Notes
Start: ~20–60 min (NQY) or ~2–3 hrs (EXT) or FAR - ~3.5–4.5 hrs (BRS) to St Ives / Cornwall / Public transport: good rail to St Ives (via St Erth); point-to-point finish logistics often need car or event transport / Accommodation: very limited in St Ives in winter; book early; nearby towns work
