A Beginner’s Guide to the Ultramarathon
Even though the marathon-- a 26.2-mile race-- is often considered the pinnacle of distance running, there are much longer races known as ultramarathons. I had no idea these even existed! Maybe that comes from the fact that I am much more of a sprinter than a distance runner, but nonetheless, I was intrigued by the idea of people racing so far.
What is an ultramarathon?
There is no set distance for an ultramarathon-- any race that is longer than a marathon falls under the umbrella term. Speed is the last thing that you need to worry about when running such a long distance-- instead, training for endurance is key. Ultramarathon runners focus on preserving the energy in their bodies instead of getting a new best time. This also means always having food and water in a pack in order to keep your energy level up.
People involved in the sport often talk about the comradery that comes along with running together for such long, grueling distances. Most ultramarathons are multi-day events, so when they aren't running, competitors sleep in groups and converse with one another.
Where and when are ultramarathons held?
Unsurprisingly, there are relatively few well-known ultramarathons in the United States. There are a myriad of 50-mile races, but once it gets farther than that, the number drops off dramatically. Check out these popular, intense 100+ mile runs to get a better idea of how the sport works:
The HURT100 is a 100-mile ultramarathon in Hawaii, fittingly named for the pain that it puts runners through. It takes athletes on unkempt trails, caves, and pig trails which have been converted into running paths. There is a 36-hour time limit, and runners continue their trek throughout the night. One man finished the 100 miles in little over 19 hours.
The Barkley Marathons in Tennessee are referred to as the most brutal, crazy ultramarathons in the entire world. It is also a well-kept secret among ultramarathon enthusiasts-- there is no website, and applications must be submitted by mail. It sounds like a relatively bizarre race, with five laps around extremely high elevation. In fact, if you complete all five laps, it would be the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest-- twice. No joke. Only 15 people in the event's 25-year history have completed all 5 laps in less than 60 hours. No one has finished since 2017. Check out this wonderfully done documentary about the Barkley Marathons.
The longest ultramarathon currently available in the United States is the Swamp Fox Ultra in South Carolina. There is a 420-mile race with a 160-hour time limit. Participants camp during the ordeal, but they are required to bring all of their own supplies-- including food.