Humans love to be challenged. We thrive on the possibility of our own failure– if failure is not a possibility, then the task isn’t worth working toward in our eyes. That’s why as things become easier, we find ways to make the task harder– making puzzles more and more complex, lowering the World Athletics Championships time qualification standards, and creating increasingly difficult ultramarathons.
Ultramarathons are a fantastic way to lay ourselves on the line and present ourselves with the possibility of failure. For some, however, a simple ultramarathon is not enough. Some seek to test their limits even further– facing harsh weather, steep elevation gains, a lack of aid stations, brutal cutoff times, etc.
I like to call these people ‘admirably crazy.’ ‘Admirably’ because even having the desire to test your limits in this way is impressive– who wants to do this, and why? To knowingly throw yourself into this great big unknown, with the possibility of failure, the certainty of long-lasting physical and mental pain, and the rewards in sight is downright respectable. And ‘crazy’ because, like I said before, who wants to do this? And why?
For all of you admirably crazy runners out there, or aspiring admirably crazy runners, or for just you curious athlete wondering about how hard a race can get, I compiled a list of the 15 hardest ultramarathons in the world for you to read about. And in all honesty, just researching these ultras made me tired. Warning: they may make you tired, too. Proceed with caution.
What is the hardest ultramarathon? Here’s our top 15 picks:
1. Iditarod Trail Invitational
Where: Knick, Alaska
Distance: 130 miles, 150 miles, 350 miles, 1,000 miles
What Makes it Tough: Participants get to run, bike, or ski along the same iconic Iditarod trail, all while dealing with gale force winds and sub-zero temperatures as far below as -50 degrees Fahrenheit. However, not just anyone can enter– to compete in the 1,000 mile race, you have to first successfully finish the 350 mile race and prove your winter survival skills. Tough.
More info: iditarodtrailinvitational.com
2. Barkley Marathons
Where: Frozen Head State Park, Tennessee
Distance: 100 to 130 miles
What Makes it Tough: You may have heard about this race, or seen the documentary about it that used to be on Netflix. There are five loops, and each loop is about the distance of a full marathon. Runners will have no access to GPS, and the course is unmarked (except for checkpoints in which participants take a page of a book placed at each checkpoint that corresponds to their bib number) and only ⅓ on trails, so runners have to mark their own maps the day before the race starts– which is at an ambiguous time within a 12-hour time frame.
Runners have 60 hours to complete the race, and will have to ascend and descend a total of 120,000 feet– that is, if they finish all five loops. Only a small handful have ever done it.
More info: mattmahoney.net
3. 6633 Arctic Ultra
Where: Yukon Territory, Canada
Distance: 120 miles, 380 miles
What Makes it Tough: Here’s another cold ultra that’ll have you battling against heavy winds and sub-zero temperatures. The course is hilly and mostly runs north of the Arctic Circle, but features beautifully barren panoramic views. And when they say the race will be windy, they mean windy enough to overturn large trucks onto their sides.
More info: 6633ultra.com
4. La Ultra – The High
Where: Indian Himalayas
Distance: 333 kilometers
What Makes it Tough: Runners have under 72 hours to complete this grueling ultramarathon that runs through the gorgeous Indian Himalayas. However, runners will also have to run through three 5,000 meter mountain passes. The altitude change can become so extreme, that altitude sickness and a lack of oxygen is a high possibility.
Race organizers suggest taking these passes slow enough to not shock your body– that means, no sprinting up and down these hills in order to catch somebody. Death is a possible outcome from severe altitude sickness.
More info: laultra.in
5. Self Transcendence 3,100
Where: New York
Distance: 3,100 miles
What Makes it Tough: Apart from the fact that you have to run 3,100 miles?! You’d have to complete this distance on a static course in 52 days– that’s averaging at least 59.6 miles a day (though you can run more in a day if you’d like/are able to). And you can only run from 6 am to 12 am each day.
This run has been heralded as ‘the Mt. Everest of Ultramarathons’ by The New York Times. Only a few people finish each year.
More info: srichinmoyraces.org
6. Munga Trail
Where: Belfast, South Africa
Distance: 248 miles
What Makes it Tough: Participants have to traverse through rugged forests and grasslands using a GPS within 120 hours (with some elites finishing in 80 hours). There are five aide villages where you can stop along the way, however, it’s best to carry your own pack full of extra clothes, food, and hydration. The constantly changing terrain, all at 6,500 feet of elevation, makes this race incredibly tough.
More info: trail.themunga.com
7. Badwater 135
Where: Death Valley, CA
Distance: 135 miles
What Makes it Tough: I heard about this race a long time ago, and I remember specifically hearing that if you don’t run along the white line on the roads during the heat of the day, you run the risk of the soles of your shoes melting off.
With the gun going off in early July, at the lowest elevation point in the United States, this race is known for the brutal heat and extreme elevation change, starting at -280 feet and ending at 8,300 feet on the trailhead to Mt. Whitney. Overall, runners will experience over 14,000 feet of total ascent.
More info: badwater.com
8. The Jungle Marathon
Where: Brazil
Distance: 200 kilometers
What Makes it Tough: This is more of an adventure ultramarathon that tests not only your endurance, but your wilderness intelligence and survival skills. Runners have to cross rivers, traverse through dense jungle, and will come across mosquitoes, snakes, leeches, and even larger prey like jaguars. This ultramarathon is not for someone with a deathly fear of insects or spiders.
More info: junglemarathon.uk
9. The Grand Raid Réunion/Diagonale de Fous
Where: La Réunion Island
Distance: 164 kilometers
What Makes it Tough: There’s about 10,000 meters of ascent to complete in this race. However, it’s not just the ascent that’s daunting– there are many steep drops on volcanic rock that’s said to induce vertigo, so those prone/sensitive to vertigo should not attempt this race. Along with the extreme ascent and descent comes extreme weather patterns, making this the ultramarathon that checks all the boxes.
More info: grandraid-reunion.com
10. Berghaus Dragon’s Back Race
Where: Wales
Distance: 300 kilometers
What Makes it Tough: This is an entirely trail-less, trackless race– don’t expect any pathways showing you the route as you traverse through this ~196 mile course. Runners’ navigation skills, on top of their endurance and sheer will, are put to the test here. Since the race runs along the “spine” of Wales, the terrain will be uneven and the ascents nearing a total of 15,000 meters.
This opens up the door for some seriously off-kilter weather patterns.
More info: berghausdragonsbackrace.com
11. Grand to Grand Ultra Race
Where: Grand Canyon
Distance: 170 miles
What Makes it Tough: Ever run an ultra almost entirely on rock and soft sand? Well, now’s your chance. With difficult terrain and sharp inclines and declines, the Grand to Grand is not for the faint of heart. This race features a total of 18,000 feet of ascent, and is a six stage race.
While the views may not be panoramic, running through slot canyons in the Grand Canyon is surely something most other ultramarathons cannot compete with.
More info: g2gultra.com
12. Marathon de Sables
Where: Sahara Desert, Morroco
Distance: ~150 miles
What Makes it Tough: Was the Grand to Grand not sandy enough for you? I found another ultra that will make the soft sand of the Grand to Grand feel like playing in a sandbox. Running through the Sahara Desert, this ultra covers six stages, with one rest day mixed in, and forces runners to carry their own food on their packs.
Basically, runners are not only running 150 miles in the heat of the desert, they’re doing so with a around ⅓ of their body weight on their backs.
More info: marathondessables.com
13. Tor de Géants
Where: Italy
Distance: 330 kilometers
Tor de Géants is one of the hardest ultramarathons with over 24,000 meters of vertical gain/loss.
What Makes it Tough: There are 25 mountain passes in this race. 25. And if that wasn’t enough for you, the total amount of ascent is around 24,000 meters. And if that’s still having you rolling your eyes, runners are faced with extreme weather conditions and temperatures as they go. But the stunning views may be worth it!
More info: tordesgeants.it
Related Article: Is Running Good for Mountaineering?
14. Montane Yukon Arctic Ultra
Where: Canada
Distance: 692 kilometers
What Makes it Tough: Want an ultramarathon so cold you could easily risk hypothermia and/or frostbite? Look no further than this ultra. Temperatures regularly run well below zero degrees, so planning accordingly is a must. Runners also are required to not only bring along their extra gear and necessary food and hydration, they also have to do so by pulling it all on a sled. Basically the Iditarod without the dogs.
More info: arcticultra.de
15. Spartathlon
Where: Greece
Distance: 246 kilometers
What Makes it Tough: Strict and difficult cutoff times makes this race from Athens to Sparta incredibly difficult– runners have only 36 hours to complete the race. Less than half of participants finish the race– either they dropped out or missed the cutoff time. This race is steeped in history, and is considered one of the toughest races in the world.
More info: spartathlon.gr
Closing thoughts – If any of you readers are now considering entering any of these races after this article, then all I have to say is… you’re welcome? But above all, good luck. You may need it.
And if any of you have already competed in any of these races, or have a more difficult ultra in mind that isn’t included in the list, let me know in the comments and I’ll be sure to remind you how admirably crazy you are (that is, if you’ve competed in them).
See you on the trails!
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Emma Knudson
Emma is a semi-professional runner for the Hoka One One Aggies, based out of beautiful San Luis Obispo, California. She is an NCAA DIII All-American, has made multiple top-10 all-time performance lists for track and field and cross country for her alma mater, Linfield College, and graduated with a degree in creative writing with honors. When she’s not running, working, or in physical therapy, she enjoys going to the beach, fishing, or lazing around watching Netflix with some Ben & Jerry’s chocolate brownie ice cream.
FAQs
How do you qualify for Badwater 135? ›
To qualify for the Badwater 135 you must have completed the Badwater 135 in the past four years, and have completed at least one 50-mile or longer ultra running event. You have finished 3 running races of 100 miles or longer (one in the last 13 months).
What is the hardest ultra? ›Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc
It's not every day you get to run through three countries. The Ultra Tail du Mont Blanc is a 106-mile loop that starts at Chamonix, France. Hitting 10,000 feet of elevation several times along the way, participants will circle around the intersection of France, Italy, and Switzerland.
The Marathon Des Sables, dubbed the 'toughest footrace on earth', is a 6 day long ultra marathon located in the Moroccan Sahara Desert. Over the 6 days participants aim to travel 156 miles (251km), which is the distance of six regular marathons, with the longest single stage is 57 miles (91km).
How many people have run a 100 mile ultra? ›The first Barkley Marathons took place in 1986, and as of 2022, only fifteen runners have ever completed the 100-mile course. Since 1997, runners have been competing in the Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race, which is billed as the longest official footrace in the world.
How much does it cost to do Badwater 135? ›Race Entry Fee: The Badwater 135 entry fee is $1595 and may only be paid via credit card immediately upon acceptance into the race.
Do you sleep during Badwater 135? ›Competitors must complete the race within 48 hours, which means having to run the course non-stop on little to no sleep, and must have their own support crew and vehicle.
What's harder than Ironman? ›| Difficulty Ranking | Race Type | Cutoff Time (Hours) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 100 Miler Trail Ultramarathon | 30 |
| 2 | Offroad Ironman Distance Triathlon | 28 |
| 3 | 100k Trail Ultramarathon | 20 |
| 4 | 66k (40 mile) Trail Ultramarathon | 17 |
The hottest regular marathon race is the Badwater Ultramarathon held between Death Valley and Mt Whitney, Caifornia, USA, which registers temperatures of 55 degrees Celsius.
How hard is Moab 240? ›Tough, to be sure, but joyous nonetheless. There's no way around it: The Moab 240 is a behemoth. Whether an individual looks to tackle it by channeling rage or joy, the race is still a massive task that only a rare breed can complete.
What is the jungle marathon? ›Jungle Marathon (Brazil)
Runners cover over 260 kilometers in six stages through the Amazon rainforest – making their way through almost impenetrable undergrowth, where dangers could be lurking behind every tree.
What is the fastest race in the world? ›
The fastest speed measured in an F1 qualifying session in 2022 was 351.7km/h (218.5mph) by Kevin Magnussen in Mexico, while Valtteri Bottas currently holds the record for the highest speed in an F1 race, hitting 372.5km/h (231.4mph) in the 2016 Mexican Grand Prix.
What is the Spartan death race? ›The race, created by Ultra athlete and Spartan Race founder Joe Desena, was developed as a way for athletes to test themselves both mentally and physically. The Death Races take place in the unexpectedly challenging terrain of the Green Mountains in and around Pittsfield, Vermont, and have lasted over 70 hours.
Can a human run 100 miles without stopping? ›The Rarámuri, or Tarahumara, indigenous peoples of Mexico's Copper Canyon are also among the most elite ultra-runners in the world. They routinely run upwards of 100 miles in a single day, with a diet consisting mainly of maize and root vegetables. While all of these examples are exceptional, they are also rare.
Can a human run 100 miles in a day? ›To travel 100 miles in 24 hours, you have to average 1 mile every 14 minutes and 24 seconds. A runner can build up a lead by running faster than that and then take breaks by walking or even stopping. But it's hard to walk much faster than 13 or 14 minutes a mile for hours upon hours.
Has anyone ran 1 million miles? ›Why: Nobody has ever run 1,000,000 miles. The record as of 1997 was held by Douglas Alistair Gordon Pirie of Great Britain (b. 1931), who ran 216,000 miles from 1941 to 1981 [Guiness Book of Records, 1992].
Why is it called Badwater? ›Stories suggest that Badwater Basin earned its name when a mule belonging to an early surveyor refused to drink from the spring-fed pool near the present-day boardwalk. However, the water here is not truly “bad,” just very salty. Despite this high salinity, many organisms not only survive, but thrive here.
Did David Goggins win Badwater? ›He was able to run 101 miles in 18 hours and 56 minutes. He completed the Las Vegas Marathon in a time that qualified him for the Boston Marathon. In 2006, Goggins entered the Hurt-100 in Hawaii. Goggins was invited to the 2006 Badwater-135, where he finished 5th overall.
How hot is the Death Valley race? ›It takes place annually in mid-July, when the weather conditions are most extreme and temperatures can reach 130 °F (54 °C). Consequently, very few people, even among ultramarathoners, are capable of finishing the race.
Can you lick the salt at Badwater Basin? ›The Badwater Basin
What is this? The Badwater Basin is the lowest elevation in North America at 282 feet, or 86 m, below sea level. Give it a lick if you dare – it tastes just like Himalayan sea salt.
As the film says, Death Valley is not a place you want to be without water, as while a human can survive three days without water, in this desert you can live just 14 hours. Camping out under the stars the Dawson's Creek actor and his stunning girlfriend happily cooked with what their car had produced.
Do people run ultra marathons without stopping? ›
Do you run the whole time? No. For almost any distance of ultramarathon, even the best runners will both stop at aid stations and walk at various points.
What is a lazy Ironman? ›The LAZYMAN IRONMAN is a triathlon challenge created just for YMCA members! Participants will have the opportunity to complete a full or half IRONMAN by swimming, biking, and running their way to the finish line at their own pace and in their own time.
Is an Ironman unhealthy? ›But while participating in endurance contests provides long-term health benefits, it can also increase a healthy middle-aged person's risk of heart attack. Every endurance athlete knows these events carry risk. The Ironman swim in particular has been recognized for some time as the riskiest part of the race.
What is an Ultraman race? ›Ultraman is a three-day, 515 km (320 mile) multisport race modelled on the one held annually on the Big Island of Hawaii which is now called the Ultraman World Championship. "Ultraman" is a branding for events affiliated with the Hawaii original.
Which city is very hot in USA? ›What Is The Hottest Place in the United States? Death Valley, California, recorded a temperature of 134 degrees Fahrenheit on July 10, 1913. More than a century later, that temperature remains the highest ever recorded in the United States.
How hot is too hit to run? ›Experts generally advise running in temperatures up to 95°F (35°C) is safe for most people, but it's not as simple as checking the temperature and heading outside. Some runners will be adapted for the heat because of where they live; some may need a couple of weeks to adjust to warmer climates.
What is the coldest run ever? ›According to Guinness World Records, the coldest marathon recorded was the 2001 Siberian Ice Marathon in Omsk, Russia, with a temperature of minus 39 degrees Celsius.
Do people sleep during Moab 240? ›Nearly every runner sleeps at least several hours during the course of the race. At the Moab 240, there were four “Sleep Stations” provided at miles 71.3, 121.6, 167.3, and 201.4. Athletes seemed to have different strategies on how long, frequent or where they would sleep.
How many people have finished Moab 240? ›| Year | Finishers | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 111 | 60:14:47 |
| 2019 | 86 | 59:30:12 |
| 2020 | 127 | 61:43:15 |
| 2021 | 168 | 55:49:58 |
Triple Crown of 200s (Bigfoot 200, Tahoe 200 and Moab 240), offer no prize money. The entry fee for each of those races is around $1,000 depending on when you sign up. Unless you have sponsors covering your way, even the person who wins takes a monetary loss.
What did Oprah run the marathon in? ›
Oprah Winfrey- 4:29:20
In 1994 Oprah Winfrey took on the Marine Corps Marathon. Her 19 month journey inspired the masses thanks to a documentary film crew that accompanied her throughout her training.
The annual Grizzly Canmore Ultra Marathon and Relay is one of Canada's largest and most popular ultra races. Trail runners come from near and far to tackle the 50km course solo or team up for the two- or five-person relays.
What is a green marathon? ›Participants wouldn't sustain their energy for long without being provided food and water. Biodegradable paper cups, recyclable containers and foods from local farmers' markets are provided at many green marathons; some require runners to bring their own handheld water bottles or waist packs to refill along the course.
What is the fastest Mach a human has gone? ›The winner of our top 10 – the X-15! Number 1: North American X-15 This aircraft has the current world record for the fastest manned aircraft. Its maximum speed was Mach 6.70 (about 7,200 km/h) which it attained on the 3rd of October 1967 thanks to its pilot William J. “Pete” Knight.
What is Usain Bolt's top speed? ›At the record-winning event, Usain Bolt's average ground speed was 37.58km/h, whilst reaching a top speed of 44.72km/h in the 60-80m stretch – numbers fitting for the world's fastest man.
What race can run the longest? ›- Dragon's Back Race. Photo: Dragon's Back. ...
- Tor De Glaciers 450. Photo: Tor Des Geants. ...
- 6633 Arctic Ultra. Photo: 6633 Arctic Ultra. ...
- Self-Transcendence: 3,100 miles (of boredom, even) Photo: Sri-Chinmoy Self-transcendence 3100 Mile Race.
The Maniots (inhabitants of the Mani Peninsula) therefore are considered direct descendants of Spartans. Almost three thousand years ago, Greece consisted of multiple 'polis' that were mostly controlled by Sparta. Spartans, as depicted in the 2006 movie 300, were highly trained fighters.
What do Spartan racers yell? ›And at the start of each race, an announcer traditionally asks the crowd, “Who am I?” The yelled response is “I am Spartan!” followed by the war cry “AROO! AROO! AROO!”
Is the Spartan Bloodline still alive? ›There is a Greek village in Mani, on the Peloponnesian peninsula, called Neochori where residents boast that they are true descendants of the Spartans.
What is runner's face? ›Runner's face occurs when your cheeks sag or appear skeletal as a result of the intense movement, fat-burning and regular exposure to the sun experienced by runners. Women and men who run marathons often suffer from runner's face in their late thirties.
Do people sleep during 100 mile races? ›
In such events, runners reported between three and nine sleep episodes, averaging a total of 8.2 h of sleep. In contrast, few runners reported any sleep during events up to 36 h [2]. Hurdiel et al. [4] observed that over 50% of runners (N = 17) did not sleep during a 106-mile (170 km) event.
How many miles are humans designed to run? ›Humans are designed to run long distances, according to Dr. Lieberman. By long, he means over 3 miles (5 kilometers) — distances that rely on aerobic metabolism. We aren't designed to be sprinters, and hence we'll lose short-distance races against squirrels and other four-legged animals.
Do humans have the best stamina? ›Humans are the best endurance runners out there. Some of you will instantly cry, “But what about horses!?” Horses may be faster than humans, but they can't outlast them. In a standard marathon (about 26 miles or 42 kilometers), humans regularly beat horses, although the horses tend to win most of the time.
Are humans built to run? ›There is a growing consensus among the scientific community – evolutionary biologists, paleoanthropologists, neuroscientists and other dilettantes – that our bodies and brains evolved to run long distances so we could slowly hunt down animals on the African savannahs.
Can humans outrun any animal? ›Most mammals can sprint faster than humans — having four legs gives them the advantage. But when it comes to long distances, humans can outrun almost any animal. Because we cool by sweating rather than panting, we can stay cool at speeds and distances that would overheat other animals.
Has a car ever hit 2 million miles? ›4 1963 Plymouth Fury – 1.62 Million Miles
In that time, he estimates that he carried some 800,000 passengers across the city. He came within a few miles of claiming the Guinness World Record for high mileage in 1999, but a truck hit his car.
Any number of reasons can end a car's life before the million-mile mark, from crashes to terminal rust, to major repairs costing more than the car is worth. Still, it's possible to get your car to a million miles and beyond. The late Irv Gordon famously drove his 1966 Volvo P1800 past 3 million miles.
Can my car last 500000 miles? ›Depending on how well you treat your car, you could potentially reach over 500,000 miles. In fact, there's a driver whose car reached even more than that.
How hard is it to get into Badwater 135? ›Entrance into Badwater 135 is almost as challenging as the race itself. According to the site, you have officially finished at least THREE running races of 100 continuous miles or longer , at least one of them in the previous 24 months.
How many people apply for Badwater 135? ›Badwater's post
- Of those 1396 entries, 1142 have been men. - Of those 1396 entries, 254 have been women. event, 652 finished officially (88%).
What is the cutoff for Badwater? ›
It is a 135-mile (217 km) course starting at 282 feet (86 m) below sea level in the Badwater Basin, in California's Death Valley, and ending at an elevation of 8,360 feet (2,550 m) at Whitney Portal, the trailhead to Mount Whitney.
How do you qualify for the two oceans marathon? ›The Two Oceans Half Marathon has an entry limit as determined by the governing authorities each year. All (local and international) entrants into the Two Oceans Ultra Marathon must run a qualifying race between 1 July of the previous year, and the Profile Update deadline date as stipulated on the TOM website.
What is the deepest point in Death Valley? ›Death Valley is the lowest point in North America.
At 282 feet below sea level, Badwater Basin is a surreal landscape that tricks the senses. What many visitors mistake for snow covering the ground is actually a thick layer of salt on the valley floor.
Runners have just 48 hours to complete this torturous traverse. But it isn't just the haunting (and very real) prospect of failure that gives this race its tantalising appeal (indeed, even Dean Karnazes was defeated during his first attempt in 1995), but the prestige of securing an entry spot in the first place.
How long does it take to train for Badwater? ›Heat training can be done anywhere, as long as you have access to a dry sauna: Start heat training 6 to 8 weeks (4 weeks minimum) before your desert event. Always drink plenty of water. Be sure to add electrolytes (my favorite is Sustain tablets), including sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium.
What was the hottest NYC Marathon? ›The earliest race day was the marathon's first; the latest date in the marathon season was November 14, 1993. The hottest year for the race was 1979 when the race day of October 21 reached 80 °F (27 °C). The coldest race was in 1995 when the race day of November 12 only reached 43 °F (6 °C), with an intense wind chill.
Who is the oldest finisher of Badwater 135? ›Jack Denness of the UK set the record in 2010, finishing in just under 60 hours (the prior finish cutoff) at age 75. Becker was determined to best Denness by finishing in under 48 hours.
Can you walk on Badwater Basin? ›Badwater Basin can be viewed from your vehicle in the parking area. Many visitors hike out onto the salt flat. There is no designated trail, but we advise visitors to choose a path where others have already walked to minimize damage.
Who is the oldest finisher in the Badwater Ultramarathon? ›Today I am honored to have Bob Becker from Ultrasportllc join me to discuss his recent Badwater 135 finish becoming the oldest finisher of the race at 77 years young.
How much does it cost to enter comrades? ›| Entry Type | Entry fee |
|---|---|
| South Africa 2023 Entrants | R1 200 |
| Rest of Africa 2023 Entrants | R2 000 |
| International 2023 Entrants | R4 500 |
What is the cut off time for the two oceans ultra? ›
Cut-off is 7 hours gun to mat, with the final cut-off time to be determined by the start time of the last batch (12.32 PM). If you do not reach the cut-off points within the required time (7.5 min per km), you will be asked to retire from the Race and leave the road. You may not continue running.
Is it better to run with or without music? ›Improved Safety. Running without music is one of the smartest ways to run more safely—especially if you run in the early morning or evening when it is dark. In a perfect world, cars, cyclists, and other traffic would see runners all of the time and steer clear so that the runner stays safe.