The Gruelling Challenges You Should Be Training For in 2019
Get in peak condition this year to crush 7 of the UK’s biggest fitness tests...
For most, the new year comes with the stark realisation that it’s *probably* time to do a little more exercise than walking to the pub, and consume something other than booze, pigs in blankets and miniature heroes. Relight your fire and resist the temptation to roll back over in bed, by training with a purpose this January.
According to The American Society of Training and Development, the probability of completing a goal is 10% if you just have the idea, 50% if you plan how you will do it, and 95% if you have a specific accountability appointment with a person you’ve committed to. Which is exactly why you should gather the troops and make 2019 the year you get in peak condition to crush some of the UK’s most gruelling challenges…
Taking place at the ExCel Centre and Royal Victoria Dock, with a uniquely urban route – the London Tri gives you the opportunity to swim, bike and run past the city’s most iconic landmarks. Which is exactly why it attracts over 11,000 participants and 30,000 spectators each year. There are 4 adult distances available: Super Sprint, Sprint, Olympic and Olympic Plus, so it’s up to you how far you you’re your body to its limits.
Dates: 27th, 28th July 2019
Touted as the best obstacle race in the world, the Spartan Beast is the most brutal of the lot. Including 30+ obstacles over a 20+ kilometre course, you’ll face signature Spartan challenges: mud, barbed wire, walls, rope and fire… Designed to “test not only your endurance, perseverance and grit, but also your mind”. Events take place across the UK and Ireland.
Dates: check out 2019’s events, here.
Running a marathon is a bit mainstream these days, so get one up on your mates and take on a double instead. Set in one of the most scenic locations in the UK, the South Downs Way, you’ll pass numerous historical sites to keep things interesting before finishing at Winchester Cathedral. Cover 23.4 miles on Day 1, and 30.2 on Day 2 – because when you’ve just run a marathon, who doesn’t want to get up and do it all over again?
Date: 22nd– 23rd June 2019
What’s the Welsh 3000 we hear you say? Also known as the “14 Peaks”, to complete this crushing challenge you need to have been at the top of all 15 of the mountains over 3000ft in Wales within the space of 24 hours, without using any form of transport. The distance is about 24 miles, but with tough navigation and some dangerously exposed peaks - it’s not a feat to take on lightly.
Dates: There’s no organised event, but most people do this as close to the 22ndof June as possible – to maximise light.
Europe’s biggest open-water swimming event located in the midst of the Lake District. Whatever distance you choose (ranging from 250 metres to 10k) the hardest part will most definitely be braving those bone-chilling northern waters.
Dates: 7th-9thJune
Grab 9 of your mates to take on the Reebok Ragnar White Cliffs challenge. It’s (approximately) a 170-mile course, that runs from Sittingbourne, through Dover, to Brighton. Each teammate has to run 3 “legs” of the course during the overnight relay, with each one ranging in difficulty and covering 3-11 miles. Ending 2019 as a Ragnarian sounds pretty epic to us.
Dates: 21st– 22nd September
The cycling equivalent to Wainwright’s famous coast-to-coast walking route, the route takes you through a whole range of Northern English landscapes. 12-15,000 people take on this route every year, and it’s known for having awesome rider camaraderie throughout the course. Push through the climb to Hartside during the middle third of the route, and you can reap the rewards and roll downhill to the finish line.
Dates: No official date – although we probably wouldn’t recommend this during the depth of winter…