For many people, running a marathon is the highlight of their fitness career. For others, running a marathon is only considered one day of training as they prepare for a 30 mile/48.2 km, 50 mile/80.4 km, 100 mile/160.8 km, or even 135 mile/217.2 km running race. These groups of “ultra-marathoners” seem to take endurance training and racing to another level. Their races are more common than most would think, with events happening nearly every week throughout the year. These events are gruelling due to the distance that must be covered in order to finish. As with most marathons, only the elite athletes have any chance of making money at this sport, and that is typically in the form of sponsorship, since almost no ultra-marathon has a cash prize for the winners. Race participants are happy to come across the line, and many set their sights on small prizes such as belt buckles awarded for finishing under a certain time (ie Badwater 135 Mile Ultra awards buckles to sub-48 hour finishers). These athletes compete for the challenge, not for the glory.
 
These races take time, dedication, mental toughness, and strategy to complete. A lot can go wrong when a person is running for 18-36 hours. All races have cut-off times that require a runner to have reached a certain mile marker by a given time. During the Holcomb Valley 33 mile run, runners must be past mile 20.8 in 5 hours and 45 minutes, and participants have 10 hours to finish the race. Longer events allow athletes to stop, rest, and even sleep, so long as they reach the mile markers in the pre-determined time. All races have a running clock that does not stop until the race is over. You may hear of people who are unofficial finishers because they completed the distance, but not in the given amount of time.
 
Typically, the races take place on trails and in mountains, where the steep climbs and descents are intentionally part of the course. Unlike traditional races, there may not be an aid station at every mile. The athletes must carry their own food/water, or may have a crew supporting them. Runners prepare bags with necessary items that are dropped at various locations on the course. Many miles are run without a cheering crowd, and perhaps even without anyone else in sight. During these runs, it is very often just about the course, the runner, and the thoughts in their head. 

Ultra-races are typically cheaper than other endurance events, and they are always less crowded. Many require that the runner qualify before they are allowed to sign up for the race. A lot of the trail races require volunteering time cleaning up and working on basic trail maintenance. This is done in an effort to give back to the land which the runner will enjoy during the race.  Ultra-runners are a friendly bunch who love what they do, and they know that some folks do not understand their passion. Talk to one, and you may see why this kind of long term endurance running is getting traction among its fans.

 Manny Escalante, Jr. MA, ATC, CPT has a Master's Degree in Sports Medicine,
Certified Athletic Trainer, and Certified Personal Trainer.
Competed in bodybuilding and a 3 time Ironman Triathlon Finisher