Best 5 Trail Races in the UK – Recommended by Ultra-Runner Gareth Jones
Trail runner Gareth Jones, widely recognised as “The Mental Health Wanderer,” is known for transforming his life through endurance running. After overcoming drug addiction and severe mental health struggles, Gareth created the Mental Health Wanderer platform during the COVID-19 lockdown to share his story and support others facing similar battles.
Since then, he has completed extraordinary challenges including a 300-mile run across Wales, a 200-mile Offa’s Dyke effort, multiple Fastest Known Times across Welsh trails, and charity runs dedicated to raising awareness for mental health and children’s causes. His resilience, openness, and passion for the mountains have earned him deep respect within the UK trail running community.
With years of experience across brutal terrains and long-distance ultras, Gareth’s race recommendations come from a place of authenticity, hardship, and heart.
Here are Gareth Jones’ top five trail races in the UK—the events that have shaped him, tested him, and inspired his journey.
1. Ultra Trail Snowdonia – 168km
Snowdonia, Wales | A Mountain Test of Grit
For Gareth, Ultra Trail Snowdonia is the race that taught him to respect the mountains. Every climb feels like a question, and every descent an answer you have to earn. Technical, steep, and punishing, this event pushes runners beyond comfort and into true endurance. It’s the race that showed Gareth what real grit looks like.
2. Beacons Way Ultra – 100 Miles
Brecon Beacons, Wales | Wild, Exposed, Honest
The Beacons Way is a raw and revealing ultra. The Brecon Beacons show you exactly where your fitness, mindset, and heart truly are. Gareth describes long stretches of solitude—not lonely, but grounding. Just you, the wind, the ridgelines, and the rolling wildness of Wales. This race is as honest as trail running gets.
3. Race Across Scotland – 215 Miles
Southern Upland Way | A Multi-Day Epic
The Race Across Scotland is less a race and more a journey. Covering 215 miles on the Southern Upland Way, Gareth experienced days blurring together, emotional highs and lows, and the discovery of a new version of himself. Scotland has a unique way of breaking you down only to rebuild you stronger—and this race defines that cycle.
4. GB Ultras Yr Wyddfa – 50 Miles
Snowdonia, Wales | Short Distance, Huge Challenge
The Yr Wyddfa 50 may look short on paper, but it hits hard. Fast runnable sections merge with brutally steep slogs, making it a race of constant shifts in rhythm and effort. For Gareth, finishing this race always feels like coming home. Snowdonia has a special way of reminding runners why they fell in love with the sport.
5. North Downs Way – 30 Miles
South East England | Punchy and Deceptively Tough
The North Downs Way 30 is fast, runnable, and honest from the first step to the last. Gareth recommends it as a shorter yet still demanding challenge—perfect for testing speed, waking up competitive instincts, and enjoying the rolling greenery of Southeast England. Don’t underestimate this one.
Why These Races Matter:
Across mountains, moorlands, and historic trails, these five UK ultras offer:
- Authentic, challenging terrain
- Mental and physical breakthroughs
- Stunning natural landscapes
- A strong and supportive community
These are the best 5 Trail Races in the UK that shaped Gareth Jones’ journey, and they’re the ones he believes every trail runner should experience at least once.
