We are proud to continue with Vasque as our title sponsor for 2009 and continue with Lakes Runner, Thorlo Socks, OMM Packs and Cliff Bar Nutrition as supporting sponsors.

Now in our 4th year we seem to have created alot of interest in Ultra-running in the UK, with many competitors taking their running abroad too. See our pages on "Events we like" to see what other races you can get involved with both here in the UK and Abroad.

In 2008 we saw some excellent performances from all of our runners, improving times from previous years, making new teams with new friends found through the events and some fantastic performances from all our winners too. See the party pages for the end of year presentation to all the winners, including Nicky Spinks and Mark Hartell (the overall winners) and the results pages show all the individual and team results. Maybe in 2009 some more of you will take up Stuart and Karen's challenge of "doing a Grand Slam" - running all 12 events

in the series, which this year is a massive 524 miles. See their blogs from last year to see just how tough and rewarding this challenge is.

The Series Explained

The series consists of 12 races grouped into three distance classes - short, medium and long. There are 4 races in each distance class.

Simply by completing races in the series you will get a score in the Championship. To be eligible for prizes and awards you will need to register - see the right hand side of your brouser for registration details.

There are several ways to be a winner in the Vasque Ultra-running Championship

· Overall winners - the main category counts your 4 best scores across the series. These have to include one at each distance.

· High Points Winner - fancy doing all 12? This category features prizes for the highest point scorers across all 12 races in the series. You don't have to do every race to qualify but the more you do the more points you can get. Everyone who completes all 12 races in the series will receive a souvenir “Grand Slam” top. In 2006 only one of these was awarded for this significant achievement and 2007 saw Si berry try, but injury got the better of his legs, 2008 saw Stuart Walker and Karen McDonald complete all 12 races - take the challenge in 2009 and try all 12 races for that "Grand Slam".

· Individual Races – there will be great prizes for the first 3 men and women home at each race in the series plus further spot prizes at each race. So, you don’t have to be at the leading edge of the race to walk away with a some Vasque shoes Thorlo socks, an OMM pack, a box of ClifBars or a voucher from Lakes Runner.

· Spot prizes - throughout the year there will be lots and lots of lucky spot prize winners through this site – pairs of Vasque shoes, Thorlo socks, boxes of Clif shotbloks and OMM packs. To be eligible you simply have to register for the Championships. If you have registered previously then you will be registered automatically for 2009.

The Races