Ultramarathon facts for kids
Ultramarathoners compete at the Sahara Race 2011 (4 Deserts).
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| Highest governing body | World Athletics |
|---|---|
| Presence | |
| World Championships | 1987–present |
An ultramarathon is a super long running race. It's much longer than a regular marathon, which is about 42 kilometers (26 miles). Ultramarathons can be as short as 50 kilometers (31 miles) or go on for hundreds of kilometers! Some races are even longer than 320 kilometers (200 miles).
The most famous ultramarathons include the Comrades Marathon and Two Oceans Marathon. Thousands of people finish these races every year. Ultramarathons can be run on roads, but many are also trail races or mountain races. This means runners often face tough conditions like bad weather or steep hills.
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What is an Ultramarathon?
Ultramarathons come in two main types. Some races cover a set distance, like 50 km or 100 km. Others last for a certain amount of time, like 24 hours. The winner in a timed race is the person who runs the farthest.
Common Race Distances
The most common distances for ultramarathons are 50 kilometers (31 miles) and 100 kilometers (62 miles). The 100-kilometer race is so important that World Athletics, the main group for track and field sports, recognizes it as an official world record event.
Other types of ultramarathons include:
- Double marathons (twice the length of a regular marathon).
- 24-hour races where runners try to cover as much distance as possible.
- Multiday races that can last for several days, sometimes covering over 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles).
Race Formats and Challenges
Ultramarathon courses are very different. Some are short loops, like on a 400-meter track. Others go from one point to another on roads or trails. Many trail ultramarathons have big challenges. These can include bad weather, big changes in elevation (lots of hills!), or rough ground.
Runners often find themselves on dirt roads or mountain paths. But some races are on paved roads too. Along the way, there are usually aid stations. These are places where runners can get food and drinks. They can also take a short break to rest.
Timed Events
Timed ultramarathons can last for 6, 12, or 24 hours. Some even go for 3, 6, or 10 days! These longer events are called multi-day races. Timed races are usually held on a track or a short road course, often less than 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) long.
Some ultramarathons are "self-supported" stage races. This means runners must carry all their own supplies. They need to bring enough food and gear to last the whole race, which can be a week long. An example is the Grand to Grand Ultra in the US.
Safety in Races
Organizers of ultramarathons work hard to keep runners safe. They plan carefully and make sure medical help is available. This is very important, especially in extreme conditions. Sometimes, races in tough places have faced challenges. Because of this, some governments have put rules in place for "extreme" competitions to make sure everyone stays safe.
World Records in Ultramarathons
The International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU) keeps track of world records for ultramarathon distances. These records are also recognized by World Athletics. They track the best performances for different distances and times.
The IAU organizes World Championships for various ultramarathon distances. These include 50 km, 100 km, 24 hours, and ultra trail running.
Men's World Records
| Event | Record | Athlete | Date | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 km | 2:40:13 |  Stephen Mokoka (RSA) |
6 March 2022 |  Gqeberha, South Africa |
| 50 miles | 4:50:08 |  Jim Walmsley (USA) |
4 May 2019 |  Sacramento, US |
| 100 km | 6:05:41 |  Aleksandr Sorokin (LTU) |
23 April 2022 |  Bedford, UK |
| 100 miles | 10:51:39 | Aleksandr Sorokin (LTU) |
7 January 2022 |  Tel Aviv, Israel |
| 1000 km | 5d 16:17:00 |  Yiannis Kouros (GRE) |
26 November–2 December 1984 |  Colac, Australia |
| 1000 miles | 10d 10:30:36 | Yiannis Kouros (GRE) |
20–30 May 1988 | New York City, US |
| 6 hours | 98.496 km | Aleksandr Sorokin (LTU) |
23 April 2022 | Bedford, UK |
| 12 hours | 177.410 km | Aleksandr Sorokin (LTU) |
7 January 2022 | Tel Aviv, Israel |
| 24 hours | 319.614 km | Aleksandr Sorokin (LTU) |
17 September 2022 |  Verona, Italy |
| 48 hours | 473.495 km | Yiannis Kouros (GRE) |
3–5 May 1996 |  Surgères, France |
| 6 days | 1036.800 km |  Yiannis Kouros (AUS) |
20–26 November 2005 | Colac, Australia |
Women's World Records
| Event | Record | Athlete | Date | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 km | 2:59:54 | Desiree Linden (USA) |
13 April 2021 | Dorena, Oregon, United States |
| 50 miles | 5:40:18 | Ann Trason (USA) |
23 February 1991 | Houston, US |
| 100 km | 6:33:11 |  Tomoe Abe (JPN) |
25 June 2000 |  Yubetsu-Saroma-Tokoro, Japan |
| 100 miles | 12:42:40 | Camille Herron (USA) |
11 November 2017 | Vienna, IL, US |
| 1000 km | 7d 16:08:37 |  Paula Mairer (AUT) |
29 September-6 October 2002 | New York City, US |
| 1000 miles | 12d 14:38:40 |  Sandra Barwick (NZL) |
16–28 October 1991 | New York City, US |
| 6 hours | 85.492 km |  Nele Alder-Baerens (GER) |
11 March 2017 |  Münster, Germany |
| 12 hours | 152.633 km |  Dominika Stelmach (POL) |
5 January 2023 | Tel Aviv, Israel |
| 24 hours | 270.116 km | Camille Herron (USA) |
26–27 October 2019 | Albi, France |
| 48 hours | 435.336 km | Camille Herron (USA) |
24-26 March 2023 | Hackett, Australia |
| 6 days | 883.631 km | Sandra Barwick (NZL) |
18–24 November 1990 | Campbelltown, Australia |
Famous Ultramarathon Runners
Many amazing athletes have made their mark in ultramarathon history. Here are some of the most well-known:
- Al Howie: Ran across Canada, covering 7,295.5 kilometers in just over 72 days.
- Aleksandr Sorokin: Holds many IAU World Records for timed races (6h, 12h, 24h) and distances (100 km, 100 miles).
- Ann Trason: Won the tough Western States 100 race fourteen times. She also holds the world record for 50 miles.
- Camille Herron: The only runner to win the 50 km, 100 km, and 24 Hour world championships. She holds several world records too.
- Courtney Dauwalter: A two-time winner and record holder for the UTMB, Western States 100, and Hardrock 100.
- Jim Walmsley: Holds the world record for 50 miles and has set course records at many famous races like the Western States 100.
- Kilian Jornet: A top trail runner who has won the UTMB four times and the Hardrock 100 five times.
- Lizzy Hawker: Won the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc five times and was a 100 km World Champion.
- Scott Jurek: A legendary runner who won the Western States 100 seven times in a row.
- Yiannis Kouros: Often called the best ultrarunner ever. He holds many world records from 24-hour races to 1,000 miles.
Images for kids
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View from the Atacama Crossing 2011.
See also
In Spanish: Ultramaratón para niños
