Bowland Ultra 2026

10th January 2026. It’s cold, bleak, and dark. We get out of the car after parking up near Langdon Brook, and begin to ascend toward Ouster Rake from its MUCH easier side. My partners first time witnessing a race of this kind, she’d keep me from boredom for the entire day. A treasure.

There’s ice everywhere. The last remnants of snow are fading from the summits all around. It’s perfect weather for a winter ultra of this nature. It feels remote, as it should.

We pick our spot, test some shots, fly the drone, and get a feel for the day ahead. I chat with her about where they will come up, where they’ve come from, and where they’re going. She probably gets bored of my obsession with this beautiful race in this beautiful land.

We waited, and see no movement. We joke about whether we got the right day. Suddenly, Barney Plummer and Will Howard appear at the top of Ouster Rake, practically a shock to us, appearing out of nowhere with a clear sense of determination. I fire off shots and feel like I’ve hit gold.

So begins the four hours of shooting the incredible runners at Bowland Ultra 2026.