Ourea Events, who have created and organised some of the UK’s most iconic ultrarunning races including the Dragon’s Back, have announced they have ceased trading with immediate effect.
They have made a huge impact, not just with the Dragon’s Back multi-day event across the spine of Wales but also with the Cape Wrath Ultra, the Glencoe / Scotland Skyline and the Northern Traverse.
The last-named had morphed into other alternatives for runners (including Lakes, Dales and Moors traverses) while the Glencoe race attracted some of the world’s greatest runners to Scotland, including the GOAT Kilian Jornet.
In Greek mythology, the Ourea (Greek: Οὔρεα, “mountains”) are the primordial deities who personify the mountains.
‘A deeply painful moment’
Shane Ohly, Event Director and inspiration from the start, posted the sad news on their website: “It is with deep regret that I must announce that Ourea Events has ceased trading and is currently in discussions with professional advisors.
“This is a deeply painful moment for everyone involved with the business, including our participants, staff, partners, suppliers, volunteers, and the wider trail running community that has supported our events for the last fifteen years. I am truly sorry that we have reached this point.
“We are especially aware of participants who have already paid race entry fees for our events. By opting to cease trading at this stage, our goal is to maximise the likelihood that the events will continue under a different structure or ownership. We sincerely hope this approach will give the best opportunity to protect the events and, where possible, deliver value for participants and creditors.”
Impact of COVID and BREXIT
The news comes at a time when running – including trail and ultrarunning – is booming, but Ohly explained the sequence of events which have led to this point.
He said: “By no means do I wish to make excuses for this situation, but I believe we owe some explanation to participants who have trusted us with the entry fees, often paid long in advance of the event they have entered. Ourea Events was a profitable business before the COVID-19 pandemic, recording a modest profit at the end of 2019. However, the pandemic led to an 18-month period during which events could not take place and income ceased. Like many event companies, we were ineligible for COVID-related grants. This left Ourea with substantial COVID-related debt and a significantly weakened financial position.
“The pandemic was followed by BREXIT at the end of 2020, which led to a collapse in international participation, especially among Europeans. At its peak, international participation reached as high as 50% at some events. Additionally, the cost-of-living crisis in 2022 significantly impacted the business because our budgets are set well in advance, and when our costs increased by around 20%, entry fees lagged 12 months behind revised costs.
“Ever since COVID, we have worked diligently to rebuild the business and restore its financial stability by pouring endless love and attention into each event. However, despite these efforts, the business has continued to operate at a loss. Throughout this period, we have held regular financial reviews with our professional advisers, and our judgment was that continuing to trade, continuing to organise the events, whilst gradually repaying debts, remained a reasonable and achievable way forward.
“Regrettably, the current trend in entries for 2026 clearly indicates that the financial situation will only gradually deteriorate further this year. Therefore, it has become evident that continuing to trade is neither fair nor reasonable, as it risks increasing the overall debt owed to creditors, participants, and suppliers.”
What happens next?
One thing not mentioned is the expansion of UTMB whose dominance of the trail running landscape has increased in recent years, including in the UK where they have added the Arc of Attrition to their portfolio alongside Snowdonia.
The immediate focus will be what happens to some of Ourea’s highest-profile races which have created a legacy in a relatively short space of time.
Could other organisers step in and take them on, while retaining what made them so special?
Ohly continued: “At this stage, although it was difficult, we decided that the only responsible action was to cease trading and allow the business to undergo a reorganisation. This decision impacts all Ourea Events races scheduled for 2026, including:
- Northern Traverse (including the Lakes Traverse, Dales Traverse, and Moors Traverse)
- Cape Wrath Ultra
- Dragon’s Back Race
- Skyline Scotland
“These events will not go ahead in 2026 under Ourea Events. We understand that many participants will be deeply disappointed and frustrated. Participants will be contacted in due course. We must ask you not to contact Ourea Events, as no one will be able to respond.
“I want to thank the extraordinary community that has supported Ourea Events over the years, including runners, volunteers, partners, and other stakeholders who have helped create truly special events in the mountains and landscapes of the UK. In particular, I want to pay tribute to the exceptional team of employees I have had the honour to work with at Ourea Events.
“While today’s news is deeply upsetting, my sincere hope is that this process will allow the events themselves to continue in some form in the future. I am truly humbled by this experience and the support that the running community has given over many years. Please accept my sincerest apology.”
Shane Ohly
