Winter Ultra Weekend - with Nicky Spinks & Edwina Sutton

This immerisve weekend is crammed full of inspiration and expert insight! Open to all abilities, it is suitable for ultrarunners looking to improve their performance, as well as trail runners looking to try their first winter ultra.

Join us at Boreland Loch Tay in the Scottish Highlands for practical workshops, fascinating talks and fireside chats. Numbers are limited to just 10 persons to maximise contact time with our experts and ensure a cosy, informal vibe - just don't forget to bring your swimming costume for the hot tub!

If you're thinking about entering a winter ultra or have one rapidly approaching this season, then look no further...

Supported by brand partners Petzl, Kahtoola, SILVA, Mountain King Poles, INOV8, VOOM, Dexshell and HARVEY maps.

WHO ARE WE?

The weekend will be delivered by Girls on Hills, alongside record-breaking INOV8 athlete Nicky Spinks and acccomplished ultrarunner Edwina (Eddie) Sutton of the Tea & Trails Podcast.

Nicky has a long track record of racing some of the hardest ultramarathons in the world and has a growing collection of top finishes in winter events. Nicky has won the Challenger North (Montane Spine), Cheviot Goat (twice) and Arc of Attrition, as well as gruelling fell races such as the Original Mountain Marathon and late High Peak Marathon, plus the Bruce's Crown and Trigger fell races, which she organises. Nicky also finished joint 4th in the winter Spine race in 2024 and brings relevant experience of world-renowed races such at the Barkley Marathons and Tor des Glaciers (3rd F in 2022) to bear on our weekend. Nicky is also an FRA certified running coach, having coached many athletes to success in winter ultras over the years.

Eddie is part of team Centurion and has a BSc in Sports Science in Education. She is a Level 3 Advanced Personal Trainer, SAQ (Speed, Agility and Quickness) coach, and holds a Bodyweight Certificate and UKA Run Leadership License. Her racing background includes a career in Ironman, having qualifed for and raced at the World Championships in Kona in 2009. Turning her attention to ultras in 2012, she went on to win the SDW50 and finished second at the British 100km champs, amongst many other podiums and top-10 finishes, including 3rd F in the Winter Spine 2023 and 4th Female in the Winter Downs 200 last year.

Our programme also includes Girls on Hills' co-founder Keri Wallace, who is herself an experienced winter runner and mountaineer (Keri holds the Unsupported West Highland Way FKT (winter) and Winter Tranter's Round FKT and finished 7th F in the Montane Cheviot Goat 2023. Keri is also author of guidebook Running Challenges, which includes the routes of many epic winter races in the UK.

WHAT WILL WE COVER?

Over the weekend we will cover the following through practical workshops and expert talks:

• Race preparation
• Food and Hydration
• Clothing and Equipment
• Night Navigation top tips (incl night run)
• Pacing and schedules
• Poles for ultras
• Headtorches
• Microspikes
• Shelters & Stoves
• Self care, mindset and mantras
• Time with our experts for participant Q&A

A programme of guided runs will be incorporated into the weekend but these will be max 10km in distance (all abilities welcome). A full itinerary will be made available prior to check-in.

Demo microspikes and poles will be provided as required and each ticket inlcudes a carefully curated goody bag from tour supporting brands!

WHERE WILL WE STAY?

Schiehallion chalet at Boreland Loch Tay is perfectly situated for our event and offers a hillside getaway with a gorgeous loch view and space for everyone to relax. Bedrooms are shared (twin or triple room). There's a fully equipped kitchen for self-catering, decking, wood burning stove, fire pit and hot tub.

Your ticket includes Friday and Saturday night accommodation and a basic evening meal on the Saturday (vegan). Breakfast and lunches are not included but tea, coffee and biscuits (and a nip of whiskey!) will be provided.

Learn from the experts and meet likeminded women with a passion for winter ultrarunning. More than just a running weekend....