Ultra In The Black Country 2027

The Ultra In The Black Country returns for its tenth year on Sunday, March 21st, 2027. This iconic urban ultra race begins and ends at Baggeridge Country Park near Dudley, West Midlands, offering runners a unique blend of history, nature, and adventure.
Participants can choose to run solo or as part of a two-person relay team or a four-member squad, making the event accessible for all levels of experience. The course is meticulously crafted over 32 miles, broken into four distinct legs that showcase the rich tapestry of industrial heritage in the Black Country region. With support from South Staffordshire Council and the Canals and Rivers Trust, this scenic route offers a mix of old railway lines, canal towpaths, tunnels, and other hidden gems not typically visible on roads.
The race begins at Baggeridge Country Park, which also serves as the finish line and base for event activities. The park's Team Room cafe will be open post-event to provide refreshments for runners who wish to stay and enjoy their accomplishment with a well-deserved meal or drink.
Runners can expect 97% of the route to be traffic-free, traversing disused railway lines and canal towpaths that are largely smooth underfoot. While personal shoe preference varies among participants, many have successfully completed past editions wearing road shoes.
The first leg takes runners through woodland trails towards Pensnett and Brockmoor via Fen’s Pool before reaching a checkpoint near Merry Hill. Here begins the mandatory head torch section as night falls over Netherton Tunnel, one of Britain's longest tunnels at 2.7 kilometers in length. After exiting this historic tunnel, participants will find their second check point at The Fountain Inn, Tipton.
Leg three leads runners along the canal network towards Wolverhampton via Coseley Tunnel and ends with a checkpoint stop at Aldersley Stadium before heading back to Baggeridge Country Park for the final lap. This last stretch takes them through Lower Penn and Wombourne on old railway lines and nature reserves, culminating in an impressive finish line celebration complete with a finisher’s medal and Teme Valley Brewery beer.
Wayfinding markers will be abundant throughout the course, ensuring that runners stay on track even during low-light conditions. Additionally, all participants receive a GPX file to download onto their GPS devices for navigation assistance.
With three checkpoints serving as change-over points for relay teams, each location offers essential hydration and energy replenishment in addition to basic sustenance options.
The event is open to anyone aged 18 or older on race day. Entry fees are set at £55 per solo runner (early bird rate of £30 available for the first twenty sign-ups), with team rates starting from £65 (£32.50 each) for pairs and £90 (£22.50 each) for teams of four.
The race starts promptly at 09:00, requiring all participants to complete their run within a nine-hour time limit.
This year’s Ultra In The Black Country promises an unforgettable journey through the historic landscapes and industrial heritage sites of the West Midlands region.