The British Ultra Cup

The British Ultra Cup competition is organised by the 100km Association, Britain's only specialist ultra running club, but is open to all ultra runners who race in Britain, irrespective of club and nationality.

The competition is run on a 'grand prix' basis with competitors required to finish three events from a prescribed list of the best ultras in the country. Points are awarded based on competitors' finishing times relative to the winner's. From 1993 to 1995, the competition was all inclusive and men and women were awarded points based on the finishing times of the first man and first woman respectively. Following the 1994 competition where two people shared first place, the 'countback' rule was introduced whereby, in the event of a tie for first place, the competitors' fourth scoring event is used to decide the winner. In 1996, a major change to the format took place with separate categories for men and women being introduced, both based on the overall winner's time. At the same time, the team competition was discontinued, mainly because of the fact that a significant number of runners turn out for different teams, rendering the competition meaningless. Also in 1996, a change was made to the rules to discard scores of less than 0.50000. Until now, the list has always included a mix of road, track and trail ultras. However, from 1999 only road and track ultras will be included on the list. All of these changes have been introduced to ensure a greater degree of competition.

Role of Honour

1993: Overall Winner - Carolyn Hunter-Rowe; First Man - Paul Taylor

1994: Joint Overall Winners - Sharon Gayter/Eleanor Robinson; First Man - Geoff Oliver

1995: Overall Winner - Lesley Turner; First Man - Don Ritchie

1996: Men's Winner - Stephen Moore; Women's Winner - Hilary Walker

1997: Men's Winner - Stephen Moore; Women's Winner - Eleanor Robinson

1998: Men's Winner - Stephen Moore; Women's Winner - Sharon Gayter

Stephen Moore, the current World Veterans 100km Champion, won the British Ultra Cup for the third successive year with a maximum score of 3.00000. However, last year’s runner-up, Simon Pride, also scored maximum points and so the competition was decided on the basis of the points scored in their fourth race. Sharon Gayter’s win in the women’s section was more clear cut; in fact, her points tally was good enough to place her amongst the top ten men! Last year’s winner, Eleanor Robinson, was runner-up this time.

Special mention should be made of Geoff Oliver, whose 6^th place, at the age of 65, is probably the best performance of all. In all, 743 men and 89 women took part in the 1998 Ultra Cup. Thomas Kabuss of Germany was the highest placed overseas runner, finishing in a creditable 27^th place.

Supplied by Greame Carey

The original then presents a table or 743 men and 89 women who scored during the year, too big for this site.