Why It’s Time to Stop Gatekeeping 100-Milers (and Make Your First 100 Miler Possible)

As ultrarunning continues to boom globally and more people look to go beyond marathon distance, there’s one number that still looms large: 100 miles. Often hailed as the holy grail of endurance running, the 100-miler is seen as the pinnacle, a distance steeped in prestige, grit, and tradition.

But with that prestige has come gatekeeping.

Signing up for a 100-mile ultra has long meant navigating a maze of prerequisites: qualifying races, harsh cut-offs, vetting processes, and an unspoken expectation that only elite, ‘serious’ runners need apply. For years, 100 milers were treated as the exclusive domain of the 0.001%, those with perfect training logs, sub-elite marathon times, or enough free time and money to dedicate their lives to the trail.

Why 100-Milers Have Been Gatekept

In the ultrarunning world, 100-mile races are often viewed as the “holy grail.” To even sign up, you’ve traditionally had to:

• Complete qualifying events (sometimes multiple).

• Be able to meet aggressive cut-off times.

• Prove you’re already an accomplished ultra runner.

• Have a support crew willing to assist you on the day.

  
  

This creates an intimidating barrier for anyone curious about attempting their first 100 miler or those who just want to see if they have it in them to make it to the finish line.

But here’s the truth: you don’t have to be elite to finish a 100 mile ultramarathon. You just need the right mindset, preparation, and support.

Our Philosophy: Epic, But Achievable

At Rat Race, we’ve spent over a decade creating iconic ultramarathons like The Wall, a 70-mile ultra that sees thousands of everyday runners and walkers cross the finish line every year.

Our core belief? Everyday people can do extraordinary things. Whether it’s multi-day challenges or even multi-week journeys like Run Britannia, our goal is always to make big adventures inclusive, not exclusive.

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Testing the Rat Race 100 Concept

In summer 2024, we decided to see if we could create a 100-mile ultramarathon for people who don't do 100 milers. One that anyone could attempt. Our Test Pilot team included:

• Experienced ultra runners

• Walkers planning to cover the distance on foot

• People with very minimal training but a good base fitness

  
  

We filmed the journey (mini-doc below), and what we discovered was game-changing: with mental toughness, support in all the right places and steady pacing, anyone can complete 100 miles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hpc96eqOa5Y

What You Really Need to Finish 100 Miles

Running your first 100 miler isn’t about speed. It’s about:

• Mental grit

• Resilience

• A plan to keep moving forward (even if that means walking)

  
  

And most importantly: an event environment that supports you rather than shuts you out.

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Our 100-Miler: Inclusive by Design

We’ve built the Rat Race 100 to welcome first-timers and solo participants:

• No qualifying races required

• Generous cut-off times and a 48 hour completion window

• 2.5mph completion pace

• Sleep stations where you can rest safely

• A supportive, community-first atmosphere

• Fully waymarked course so no need to navigate

• Fully stocked Pit Stops with real food to keep you moving

• In event bag drops, sweeper bus and post event transport so you don’t need a support team

• Female focused support including pregnancy transfer options for your entry, female only changing areas, toilets and sanitary products and the option to ‘pair up’ at Pit Stops with people for night time sections

In July 2025 we welcomed over 500 #ratracers to the startline at Bamburgh Castle ready to see if they could make it. The weather was not on their side and the Northumberland coastline battered them with a solid 24 hours of none stop rain, despite these conditions a huge 64% of them still finished – one of the highest completion rates in the country for this distance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fkym1p8xYZo

What our 2025 #ratracers had to say about their experience

"The conditions were biblical weather & route insane, the Rat Race Adventures team, Marshalls, volunteers,medics local communities, supporters near and far, Charity support , fellow adventurers - all totally amazing, thank YOU 🤩"

"After a looong stop at 60miles, it feels like an out of body experience that I made it - still in disbelief, relief & gratitude - for Macmillan and managed to finish in 44 hrs."

"I loved every single person I met, the stories & struggles we all share , the hope and possibilities, so to Anna who smashed it so incredibly humbly and so wonderfully and to everyone , wherever your finish line was, I know it will have been absolutely your finish line and totally amazing effort and to William who I sat with on some benches, to Simon who dragged me along and his wife who bought us chips, you are all legends, and to anyone who just gets up and is brave to try , a parkrun or whatever they hope to try, keep going, life is messy yet you matter. Keep being awesome everyone, and thank YOU all for making me want to keep being brave and showing up, possibilities lie beyond & there is magic is the pause, tired rambles and a grateful heart, thank YOU Team."

"OMG what an experience so enjoyed this one more than anything (apart from broken feet!). Stops food, drink, volunteers such a fantastic well organised event 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻"

"Another shout out to the amazing volunteers and staff! Offering to make us tea and looking after us with a smile. I had an amazing time. It was bloody tough and hurt like hell ( more after 😂) I don’t get blisters and my feet were hideous! The chaffage looks like I have been lashed 😂 but so thrilled to have made it round and thanks to all the people I chatted with who helped keep spirits up! Brilliant event and recommend to anyone wanting to push themselves 💪 thank you!!"

"I got to mile 60 and had to call it a day but the first 60 was impressive I am hoping to be back and next time complete it. Thank you so much for another amazing event Rat Race Adventures the staff and the volunteers and all the other people involved were phenomenal."

"Rat Race Adventures great event guys. Thanks a lot. Very well organised. Way marking was fantastic and very reassuring through the night. And thank to all the volunteers."

"One of the hardest events I’ve taken part in but the crew, volunteers and fellow runners made it a great weekend . Thank you all 🙂"

"My Wife Chris completed the race and said that the organisation was incredible and the staff and in particular the volunteers were absolutely wonderful. Well done everyone and thanks to all who helped."

"I'm 43, I'm perimenopausal, I'm on HRT, that massively affects your hormones and that has a massive impact, I got my period on Friday and I was very aware that I was wearing light-coloured leggings, but at every checkpoint, they had female-specific toilets with sanitary products. I think it just shows women do these things too. Women are not just little men. They have their own specific needs, but they were being catered to and I really loved that."

Ready to Run Your First 100 Miler?

If you’ve been dreaming about your first 100 miler, or thought it was out of reach, this is your sign to join us in summer 2026. We’ve designed this adventure so you can show up curious, committed, and ready to achieve something incredible.

At Rat Race we believe in finish lines > finish times and that this distance should belong on everyone’s medal rack, not just the chosen few.

Enter The Rat Race 100 Castle to Castle

Bamburgh to Edinburgh 4th July 2026

Edinburgh to Glamis 25th July 2026