ultramarathon
An ultramarathon, also called ultra distance or ultra running, is any footrace longer than the traditional marathon length of . Various distances are raced competitively, from the shortest common ultramarathon of to over . 50k and 100k are bot ...
running events which are typically either segmented into daily events of a specified distance or time, or staged so that runners can run as far as they want, at their own discretion, over a set course or over a set number of days. Multiday races can range from continuous 48-hour track events to staged transcontinental treks.
Beyond the marathon
Very long endurance running events can be divided into three broad categories: the traditional
marathon
The marathon is a long-distance foot race with a distance of , usually run as a road race, but the distance can be covered on trail routes. The marathon can be completed by running or with a run/walk strategy. There are also wheelchair div ...
, the ultramarathon, defined as any event longer than the marathon, and true multiday events, which begin with the 48-hour event and can stretch out almost indefinitely, often ranging from six days to or longer.
Ultramarathons, of which multiday races are a subset, include events of any distance beyond the traditional
marathon
The marathon is a long-distance foot race with a distance of , usually run as a road race, but the distance can be covered on trail routes. The marathon can be completed by running or with a run/walk strategy. There are also wheelchair div ...
distance of . Common ultra events include and 100 kilometer races. Ultras are usually considered to include all events of 50 kilometers or longer. Depending on the degree of terrain difficulty, up to 30 hours or more is generally allowed for runners to complete typical ultras, for example the
Badwater Ultramarathon
The Badwater Ultramarathon describes itself as "the world's toughest foot race". It is a course starting at below sea level in the Badwater Basin, in California's Death Valley, and ending at an elevation of 8360 feet (2548 m) at Whitney Portal ...
.
Types of courses
Many multiday races are held on tracks or measured loops, which eases provision of aid station support for runners. Stage races are the alternative; these include point to point races such as the Trans-American races, which traverse the
North America
North America is a continent in the Northern Hemisphere and almost entirely within the Western Hemisphere. It is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South America and the Car ...
n continent coast to coast, and the Gobi March, a seven-day journey across the Gobi desert, the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon, a 7-day, 250 km trail event in the Kalahari Desert, and the Yukon Arctic Ultra, a 430/300/100/26 mile challenge crossing
Yukon
Yukon (; ; formerly called Yukon Territory and also referred to as the Yukon) is the smallest and westernmost of Canada's three territories. It also is the second-least populated province or territory in Canada, with a population of 43,964 as ...
in the dead of winter.
Longer multiday races include the Trans-Europe race, which ran from
Lisbon
Lisbon (; pt, Lisboa ) is the capital and largest city of Portugal, with an estimated population of 544,851 within its administrative limits in an area of 100.05 km2. Grande Lisboa, Lisbon's urban area extends beyond the city's administr ...
to
Moscow
Moscow ( , US chiefly ; rus, links=no, Москва, r=Moskva, p=mɐskˈva, a=Москва.ogg) is the capital and largest city of Russia. The city stands on the Moskva River in Central Russia, with a population estimated at 13.0 million ...
in 2003, a distance of about 5,100 kilometers. These events take the runner to a different level, where the race becomes a way of life and where
nutrition
Nutrition is the biochemical and physiological process by which an organism uses food to support its life. It provides organisms with nutrients, which can be metabolized to create energy and chemical structures. Failure to obtain sufficient n ...
,
sleep
Sleep is a sedentary state of mind and body. It is characterized by altered consciousness, relatively inhibited sensory activity, reduced muscle activity and reduced interactions with surroundings. It is distinguished from wakefulness by a de ...
, energy and psychological states have to be carefully managed. The
Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race
The Self-Transcendence 3100 mile race is the world's longest certified footrace. In 1996 Sri Chinmoy created this event as a 2,700-mile (4,345 km) race. At the award ceremony that year he declared that the 1997 edition would be extended to ...
is the longest certified footrace in the world.
The past
The golden era of multiday races stretches back to the 1870s and 1880s, when they were held on indoor tracks and offered substantial prizes. Known as
pedestrians
A pedestrian is a person traveling on foot, whether walking or running. In modern times, the term usually refers to someone walking on a road or pavement, but this was not the case historically.
The meaning of pedestrian is displayed with ...
, these athletes established records which in some cases have stood until recently. In summer 1809 in Newmarket,
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...
,
Robert Barclay Allardice
Robert Barclay Allardice of Ury (25 August 1779, Stonehaven, Kincardineshire – 8 May 1854), generally known as Captain Barclay, was a notable Scottish walker of the early 19th century, known as the celebrated pedestrian. His most famous feat w ...
, better known as Captain Barclay, ran/walked one mile (1.6 km) for each consecutive hour, each consecutive day, totalling .
The most common multiday race of the era was the six-day race, which ran from Monday to Saturday with Sunday being observed as a rest day. In 1878, Sir John Dugdale Astley was inspired to create a series of five international six-day races, in which competitors vied for the Astley Belt. Two early competitors were the American
Edward Payson Weston
Edward Payson Weston (March 15, 1839 – May 12, 1929) was a notable pedestrian, who was largely responsible for the rise in popularity of the sport in the 1860s and 1870s.
Biography
Edward Payson Weston was born on March 15, 1839, in Providence ...
, who covered in 6 days. The Englishman Charles Rowell covered 241 km in the first day of a 6-day races in the 1880s.
By the early 1890s, public enthusiasm for such events had moved into bicycle racing, and the multiday running craze came to an end. Interest grew again in the late 1920s, with the advent of Trans-America races. These events were transcontinental stage races that inspired a new generation to challenge the huge distance. There was little reward for these races in the long run, and it was not until the 1980s that interest re-awoke in true multi-day races. In 1980,
San Francisco
San Francisco (; Spanish language, Spanish for "Francis of Assisi, Saint Francis"), officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the commercial, financial, and cultural center of Northern California. The city proper is the List of Ca ...
postal delivery worker organized the first modern era six-day race, on a track in
Woodside, California
Woodside is a small incorporated town in San Mateo County, California, United States, on the San Francisco Peninsula. Woodside is among the wealthiest communities in the United States, home to many technology billionaires and investment manager ...
.
The present
In recent years, several multi-day races have stood out, among them the
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
n Westfield Sydney to Melbourne races, which were run from 1983–1991, and the Colac (1983–2005) race which is no longer being held. August 2012 will see possibly the final 64 stage Trans-Europe race organised by Ingo Schulze.
Sri Chinmoy
Chinmoy Kumar Ghose (27 August 1931 – 11 October 2007), better known as Sri Chinmoy, was an Indian spiritual leader who taught meditation in the West after moving to New York City in 1964.six- and ten-day races, a 3,100-mile (5,000 km) race, 700-, 1,000- and races, and several 24- and 48-hour events in
Europe
Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a Continent#Subcontinents, subcontinent of Eurasia ...
,
Asia
Asia (, ) is one of the world's most notable geographical regions, which is either considered a continent in its own right or a subcontinent of Eurasia, which shares the continental landmass of Afro-Eurasia with Africa. Asia covers an area ...
,
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
and
New Zealand
New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...
.
Trans-Gaule The Trans-Gaule is a trans-national ultramarathon the second longest multiday race in France after Le Tour de France Footrace (43days 2776km).It consists of eighteen stages in eighteen consecutive days with a total of 1,150 km, from Roscoff in ...
, Trans-
Germany
Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...
- the Deutschlandlauf, Trans-
Korea
Korea ( ko, 한국, or , ) is a peninsular region in East Asia. Since 1945, it has been divided at or near the 38th parallel, with North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) comprising its northern half and South Korea (Republic o ...
as well as occasional Trans-Am and Trans-Australia races plus several 6 day events in Europe and
South Africa
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...
. The RacingThePlanet's 4 Deserts Race Series and the Marathon des Sables are among the most popular multiday races taking place today.
Notable pedestrians
*
Edward Payson Weston
Edward Payson Weston (March 15, 1839 – May 12, 1929) was a notable pedestrian, who was largely responsible for the rise in popularity of the sport in the 1860s and 1870s.
Biography
Edward Payson Weston was born on March 15, 1839, in Providence ...
* Daniel O'Leary
*
Foster Powell
Foster Powell (1734–15 April 1793) was the first notable exponent of long-distance walking known as pedestrianismCharles G. Harper (1922) ''The Great North Road: London to York 2nd edn'' Cecil Palmer, London and has been called "the first ...
Robert Barclay Allardice
Robert Barclay Allardice of Ury (25 August 1779, Stonehaven, Kincardineshire – 8 May 1854), generally known as Captain Barclay, was a notable Scottish walker of the early 19th century, known as the celebrated pedestrian. His most famous feat w ...
Notable multiday runners
*
Ashprihanal Pekka Aalto
Ashprihanal Pekka Aalto (born August 27, 1970) is a Finnish ultramarathon runner who began running as a hobby at age 25. He currently works as a courier. Aalto is a member of The Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team. In 2006, Tarja Halonen, the President ...
Sandy Barwick
Sandra May Barwick (born 1949) is a New Zealand ultramarathon runner who set a new six-day track world record in Campbelltown, Australia, 18–24 November 1990. Covering 549 miles 110 yards in six days, Barwick set a record that still stan ...
*
*
Dipali Cunningham
Dipali Cunningham (born August 27, 1958) from Melbourne, Australia now she lives in New York City, USA is an ultramarathon woman runner. Dipali is a Disciple from the spiritual Master Sri Chinmoy over 30 years.
History
She began multiday runn ...
*
Serge Girard
Serge Girard is a French ultramarathon runner born in 1953. He fulfilled the challenge of running across the 5 continents without a single day off.
He is related to French hurdler Patricia Girard-Léno.
Runs achieved so far
* 1997: trans-Uni ...
, trans-USA (1997), trans-South America (2001), trans-Africa (2003/2004) and trans-Eurasia (2005/2006) record holder
* Al Howie
*
Rimas Jakelaitis
Chinmoy Kumar Ghose (27 August 1931 – 11 October 2007), better known as Sri Chinmoy, was an Indian spiritual leader who taught meditation in the West after moving to New York City in 1964.Yiannis Kouros
Yiannis Kouros ( el, Γιάννης Κούρος, ; born 13 February 1956 in Tripoli, Kingdom of Greece) is a Greek ultramarathon runner based in Greece. He is sometimes given the epithets "Running god", "Pheidippides' Successor" or "Son of Ph ...
Stu Mittleman
Stu Mittleman is an ultradistance running champion, as well as a fitness/running coach and author.
Mittleman set three consecutive American 100-Mile Road Race records in the US National Championships 1980–1982. His fastest 100-Mile Run was 1 ...
, US record holder for six-day race (578 miles)
*
Wolfgang Schwerk
Madhupran Wolfgang Schwerk is an ultra-marathon runner, born 28 July 1955 http://www.vfum.de/index.php?id=875 and now living in Solingen, Germany. He was a trained retail-salesman, baritone opera singer, farmer, carpenter, and poultry breeder bef ...
* William Sichel, World #1 for 6-day race in 2009, World M55 record holder
* Samuel Thompson, Ran in 50 consecutive marathon races (August 19, 2006)
* kobi oren
Antibes 6 Day Race
The Antibes 6 day race (6 Jours d'Antibes) was a multiday race that is now called the 6 Jours de France which took place in Antibes starting in 2009 in Juan-les-Pins in the South of France. Consisting of 24h (not done in 2011), 48h and 72h ultra ...
*
Across The Years
Across The Years is a series of timed multi-day ultra-marathons held from December 28 to January 1 each year outside Phoenix, Arizona. It consists of a 24-hour race, a 48-hour race, a 72-hour race and a 6-day race. The 6-day race was reintroduced ...
*
Athens International Ultramarathon Festival The Athens International Ultramarathon Festival is a Multiday race which takes place at the former Ellinikon International Airport in Greece.
Events
The first Athens International Ultramarathon Festival (UF) was organized by Dr Costas Baxevanis in ...
Marathon des Sables
''Marathon des Sables'', or MdS, (French for Marathon of the Sands, also known as Sahara Marathon)
"Facing Africa NOMA : The Marathon des Sables",
FacingAfrica.org, 2010, webpage:
-->pages/mds/default.asp FA8.
is a six-day, ultramaratho ...
*
Self-Transcendence 6- & 10-day Race
The Self-Transcendence 6- & 10- day race are two concurrent multiday running events, held in Corona Park, a large public park in the borough of Queens in New York City. The course is one mile (1.6 km) long. They are held annually in April ...
*
Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race
The Self-Transcendence 3100 mile race is the world's longest certified footrace. In 1996 Sri Chinmoy created this event as a 2,700-mile (4,345 km) race. At the award ceremony that year he declared that the 1997 edition would be extended to ...
*
Surgères 48 Hour Race
The Surgères 48 hour race is perhaps the most significant event in the current ultrarunning
An ultramarathon, also called ultra distance or ultra running, is any footrace longer than the traditional marathon length of . Various distances a ...
*
Trans Europe Foot Race 2009
The Trans Europe Foot Race is a multiday long-distance ultramarathon that consists of running across Europe.
2003 race
The 2003 Trans Europe Foot Race was organized by Ingo Schultze. It ran from Lisbon to Moscow in 64 days and covered approxima ...
Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon
The Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon is a self-sufficient run over seven days, covering an approximate distance of . The event takes place in the Kalahari Desert in the proximity of the Augrabies Falls on the Orange River. The route traverses ...
International Association of Ultrarunners
The International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU) is the world governing body of ultra running, race events longer than the marathon distance of 42.2 km. It regulates and sanctions the World Championships for various ultramarathon distance ...
*
Ultrarunning
An ultramarathon, also called ultra distance or ultra running, is any footrace longer than the traditional marathon length of . Various distances are raced competitively, from the shortest common ultramarathon of to over . 50k and 100k are both ...
German Ultramarathon Association News results and statistics
I Run Far Ultrarunning news
Multidays.com - 'A resource for the multiday runner: Multiday and Ultrarunning news.'
Sri Chinmoy Races.org - 'The worldwide home of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team' (hosts of multiday races around the world)
ULTRAmarathonRunning.com Global Ultramarathon Races & Events Calendar
Yanoo.net - French ultrarunning news and home of the 'Transe Gaule' (trans-
France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...