Runners tackle 100 mile coast path race

BBC Hundreds of competitors running along a clifftop roadBBC
Hundreds of runners took part in last year's event

Hundreds of runners are tackling a race of up to 100 miles (160km) around the Cornish coast path.

The Arc of Attrition event sees competitors taking on distances of 25, 50 or 100 miles - many running non-stop and through the night.

The race which began at 12:00 (GMT) takes place between Coverack and Porthtowan.

Organisers said runners on the longest route have 36-hours to complete the race, with elite competitors expected to do it in under 20.

Competitors have to run with their own safety kit, including waterproof clothing and mobile phones, with checkpoints along the route.

Race officials said the full course involves 4250m (14,000ft) of ascent and includes potentially tricky sections, including Kynance Cove, Botallack and Godrevy Head.

Race organiser Hayden Arrowsmith said the event attracted a wide-range of runners.

"There are the elite athletes at the top who are incredibly strong runners and for some of them this will be their profession, their full-time job," he said.

"We have an awful lot of people who have not run the Arc of Attrition before, who are keen to come and experience the trails and the South West and are making their way into ultra-distance running."

More than 200 runners completed the 100-mile challenge in 2024.

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