Hey there, Don't forget to log in and join the conversation Log in

Dig Deep Trail Ultra 60

21-Sep-2019 Whirlow Farm Hall in Sheffield, Yorkshire & the Humber, UK (England)

YOUR RATING

2 REVIEWS

Read & Post event reviews

Trail Race Race Terrain

97KM / 60Miles
1 Day - 200 Runners

DIFFICULTY Race Difficulty Advanced

Entry From £65 GBP

Visit the race website

The Dig Deep Trail Ultra 60 is making a name for itself as one of the most gruelling and technically challenging ultramarathons in the UK.

With 2772m of ascent, and navigation essential, it requires plenty of trail experience and training miles.

The most famous climb on the route is the Parkin Clough/Win Hill climb from Yorkshire Bridge with a gradient of 32%.

The past two years have seen a dropout rate of around 30% of the start line.

Despite the severity of some of the route it is still one of the most beautiful long course in the UK.

The 2019 Trail Ultra 60 carries 4 UTMB points.

Event Organiser
Laura Inglis

VIEW PROFILE

LIKE WHAT YOU READ?
SIGN UP FOR MORE

Beginner

Elevation: Very little change < 500 metres. Benign running terrain, not technical.

Suitable for: First ultra runners completing a marathon or doing regular long distance running in the last six months.

Intermediate

Elevation: Increase of up to 1000 metres

Suitable for: Runners who have completed at least one ultra distance race (or similar event) or are doing long distance running (>26 miles) regularly, with elevation shown.

Advanced

Elevation: Increase of up to 1500 metres

Suitable for: Runners who have completed several ultra distances or similar events, or are doing long distance running regularly, with elevation shown.

Expert

Elevation: Increase of up to 2000 metres with some challenging climatic conditions (e.g. ice, snow, humidity or heat) and or technical terrain

Suitable for: Experienced runners who have completed at least regular ultra distances in last 12 months, or are doing regular long distance running (>50 miles) with elevation and conditions shown (where possible). Admission to these races may be subject to evidence of recent qualifying race participation and recent medical examination certificate. Check with the race organiser regarding entry requirements.

Brutal

Elevation: Increase of up to 2000 metres with very challenging climatic conditions (e.g. ice, snow, humidity, heat or at high altitude) and or technical terrain.

Suitable for: Very experienced long distance ultra runners (min 3 years’ experience) or are doing regular long distance running (>50 miles) with elevation and conditions shown (where possible). Admission to these races is often subject to evidence of recent qualifying race participation and recent medical examination certificate. Purchase of specialist kit is often recommended for these races.

Endurance - Multi-activity

Type: An ultra distance race including at least two of the following activities such as running, swimming, cycling, kayaking, skiing and climbing. It may also include different climatic conditions (eg ice, snow, humidity, cold water, mud or heat).

Suitable for: Experienced multi-skilled athletes who have trained for the different activities included in this event. Admission to these races may be subject to receipt of a recent medical examination certificate. Check with the race organiser regarding entry requirements and any specialist equipment required such as a wetsuit, skis or a mountain bike.

Global - Virtual

Type: A virtual race which can be run at any time shown on the dates shown, on any type of terrain in any country.

Suitable for: For runners from beginners to experienced as you choose your own course and challenge based on the guidelines and options set by the virtual race organiser.

Review Dig Deep Trail Ultra 60

You must be logged in to add your review, click here to login or register

pelo

05:46 27-11-18

Great event! Run it in 2018 with a wonderful sunny weather. This race comes for a really good price considered the great organization and the quite good quality of aid stations. The 3 stars are coming for the lack of any shower at the end: it was quite strange to me that nobody was feeling the urge of a shower after 60 miles of running. Moreover, on the website it says camping available for 5 pounds/night: I expected kind of a camping with normal facilities but when I arrived I noticed that for camping they intended a field for grazing where you could pitch the tent. The only facility was the really rough bathroom of the farm (obviously lacking any showers).
Resuming: Great event with superb landscapes but some adjustment needed in order to offer a complete enjoyable experience.

Dannyshrimp

10:28 23-08-16

A great event exploring some of the best trails in the peak district.
It is part of a weekend of running events and talks with speakers and a running kit shop on site. The venue is Whirlow Farm who provided fantastic catering including an espresso bar, local brewed beer, post race meals and Sunday BBQ featuring their own sausages and bacon. Camping was available on site for those who travelled to race although being on the edge of the city more comfy accommodation was easily accessed.

The sponsors were very generous with stacks of prizes given out.

I have now run this event twice, once in 2013 in crazy hot temperatures, desperately trying to keep my core temperature down and again this August (2016), battling wild winds and horizontal rain.

I loved them both!

The course covers some of the best running trails in the peak district. A route mostly run on obvious trails but with a couple of short road sections.
The route climbs out of Sheffield to Stanage Edge following a rolling course that takes in some of the highlights of the area around Ladybower, Edale and the hope valley. There are a number of tough climbs ascending Win Hill, Derwent Edge, Kinder Plateau and Cave Dale. They are steep and technical but none are too long.

The organisation of the race was great with friendly and helpful marshals and a route that was well marked out. There are options for 3 drop bags at feed stations one of which you visit twice. the stations have food and drink available so there is no need to have a support crew.

My own experience this year started with a later than planned night watching the GB women's hockey team gold medal triumph, inspiring stuff but it left me short on sleep. Race briefing early the next day came to soon and by 6am we were off. I tried hard to fight my instincts to race from the get go and struggled to keep my HR down. I set what I felt was a sustainable pace and got stuck in for the day. Heavy rain showers came and went but this felt better than the heat of my last attempt at this route and it allowed me to try out my new super lightweight Berghaus half zip jacket which was great on the day (barring a flappy hood).

More of a challenge was the roaring wind which made life tougher on the tops and along the edge of Kinder plateau and which turned Cave Dale into a full on wind tunnel.

Nevertheless I continued to cover the ground feeling great until the ascent of Kinder plateau just after half way, from here on in it was much tougher. On reflection I was paying for not reigning my enthusiasm in the first half. My nutrition was pretty good using the Cliff blocks and shots provided by the organisers and some cold potatoes from my drop bags.

Setting out from the last feed station at Bradwell and climbing the edge above it I was feeling better and decided to try to push on and catch the next runner. I had a great few miles along the banks of the Derwent but made no impact on my overall position. Climbing out of the valley I paid for my exuberance and had a grim mile or so of ascent, however at the top I was greeted by a cheery marshal and knew that the home straight beckoned. Piling off the moors down the Limb valley I started picking up runners from the 30 mile race, we exchanged brief exchanges of encouragement and the finish line loomed.

In the end I smashed my previous time by 105Mins...I was chuffed. Particularly following a 4 month lay off due to trashing my foot back last September.
This brought home to me the huge value that my coach, Marcus Scotney (from the Accelerate Performance Centre), has added to my training. His training plans have allowed me to return to proper training and racing in a way that has been sustainable and more importantly works. Thanks Marcus your spreadsheets rock!!

Overall the event was great, the venue was superb, the route stunning and the volunteers as ever....awesome.

Dig Deep Trail Ultra 60