10 European Ultra Running Events You Can't Miss in 2025

As 2025 approaches, ultra runners worldwide are gearing up for a year filled with thrilling challenges.

Whether you're an elite athlete or preparing for your first ultra-distance event, Europe's ultra-running scene promises an unforgettable experience.

These 10 handpicked events combine spectacular scenery with intense physical tests, making them must-try adventures for any passionate runner.

1. TransAlpine Run

• Location: Germany to Italy (via Austria)
• Type: Multi-day mountain stage race
• Distance: 268 km (167.8 miles) over 7 stages
• Date: September 6-12, 2025

Traverse the Alps in this team-based race that combines camaraderie and endurance. Covering over 15,000 meters of elevation, this seven-day adventure passes through Germany, Austria, and Italy, offering breathtaking views of meadows, rocky summits, and Alpine villages.

Registration Tip: Opens December 2024. Spots fill quickly, so register early with your teammate.

2. La Sportiva Lavaredo Ultra Trail

• Location: Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy
• Type: Mountain ultra-trail
• Distance: 120 km (74.5 miles)
• Date: June 25-29, 2025

Explore the Italian Dolomites with this iconic race, featuring 5,800 meters of elevation gain. Starting at dawn, runners tackle steep ascents and ridgelines with views of the famous Tre Cime di Lavaredo.

Pro Tip: Registration requires a UTMB Index and fills quickly, so plan ahead for 2026 if you missed out.

3. Spartathlon Ultra Race

• Location: Athens to Sparta, Greece
• Type: Road/trail ultra
• Distance: 245 km (152.9 miles)
• Date: September 26-27, 2025

Follow in the footsteps of ancient legend Pheidippides on this grueling yet historic route. With strict time cutoffs at 75 checkpoints, the journey challenges even the most seasoned runners.

Highlight: Finishers are greeted as heroes at King Leonidas’s statue in Sparta.

4. Highland Kings Ultra

• Location: Scottish Highlands, UK
• Type: Trail ultra
• Distance: 160 km (100 miles)
• Date: April 25-29, 2025

Combining the wild beauty of Scotland with luxurious amenities, this exclusive event offers gourmet meals, glamping, and professional mountain guides.

Note: Only 40 spots available. Early booking is essential.

5. Legends Trail

• Location: Ardennes, Belgium
• Type: Self-supported winter ultra
• Distance: 250 km (155 miles)
• Date: February 28, 2025

Test your endurance in freezing conditions on this rugged trail through Belgium's Ardennes. With no aid stations and strict navigation requirements, this self-supported race is for the toughest runners.

6. Montane Dragon's Back Race

• Location: Wales, UK
• Type: Multi-day mountain race
• Distance: 380 km (236 miles)
• Date: September 1-6, 2025

Widely regarded as the world's toughest mountain race, this six-day event covers Wales’s most rugged peaks and wild valleys. Expert navigation skills are a must for this unmarked trail.

7. Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB)

• Location: Chamonix, France
• Type: Mountain ultra-trail
• Distance: 171 km (106.2 miles)
• Date: August 2025

The pinnacle of ultra-running, UTMB combines 10,000 meters of elevation gain with a challenging route through France, Italy, and Switzerland. The electric atmosphere in Chamonix adds to the race’s legendary status.

8. Madeira Island Ultra Trail (MIUT)

• Location: Madeira, Portugal
• Type: Mountain ultra-trail
• Distance: 115 km (71.5 miles)
• Date: April 26-27, 2025

Run through UNESCO-protected laurel forests and along dramatic cliffs in this breathtaking race. Expect technical trails, steep climbs, and incredible coastal views.

9. Transgrancanaria Classic

• Location: Gran Canaria, Spain
• Type: Mountain trail ultra
• Distance: 126 km (78 miles)
• Date: February 19-23, 2025

Experience Gran Canaria’s diverse landscapes, from volcanic craters to pine forests. With nearly 7,000 meters of elevation gain, this race is a true test of endurance.

10. Swiss Alps 100

• Location: Kandersteg, Switzerland
• Type: Mountain ultra
• Distance: 160 km (100 miles)
• Date: July 18-20, 2025

Run through Switzerland's stunning Bernese Oberland, featuring glacier views, turquoise lakes, and iconic peaks. The 6,250 meters of elevation gain ensures this is a challenge you won’t forget.

Conclusion

Whether you’re chasing personal records or seeking a new adventure, Europe’s ultra-running calendar for 2025 offers a race for every kind of runner.

From the historic paths of Greece to the rugged peaks of the Alps, these events promise unforgettable experiences that will test your limits and redefine what’s possible.