Ultra Marathon
Officially Ultramarathon
ENDURANCE RUNNING SPORT — any race LONGER than marathon distance (42.195 km). Distances range from 50 km up to 3000+ km MULTI-DAY races. Signature races: WESTERN STATES 100 (100mi, California), UTMB (Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, France, 171 km), COMRADES MARATHON (South Africa, 89 km, oldest continuous ultra), BADWATER 135 (Death Valley, hottest place on Earth), BARKLEY MARATHONS (100mi cult ultra, Tennessee), SPARTATHLON (Athens-Sparta 246km). Governed by IAU (International Association of Ultrarunners); world records + championships.
Quick facts
Category
Athletics
Type
Individual
Players
1–5000
Duration
~1200 min
Where played
outdoor
Country of origin
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Estimated origin
1837 London-to-Brighton 91km; Comrades Marathon 1921 South Africa; IAU founded 1984; Western States 100 1974; UTMB 2003
Olympic
No
Popularity
regional
How it works
Objective
Complete the ultra distance FIRST (or within time cutoff).
Rules
Basic rules
DISTANCE: any race > 42.195 km (marathon); typical distances 50 km, 100 km, 100 mi, 200+ mi, 24-hr time-trial, multi-day
Signature distance range.
TERRAIN: trail (mountains, forests, deserts) is dominant modern format; road ultras also exist
Signature trail dominance.
AID STATIONS every 5-15 km typically provide water, food, medical support
Signature aid stations.
CUTOFFS: intermediate + final time limits; failure to make cutoff = disqualification
Signature cutoff system.
SLEEP DEPRIVATION in multi-day ultras; power-napping tactics common
Signature sleep tactics.
PACERS + CREW: allowed in some races to accompany runners overnight
Signature pacer culture.
Scoring
Fastest to finish wins.
Win condition · Complete distance in shortest time.
Equipment
Trail-running shoes (grippy, cushioned for long distance)
Signature trail shoes
Hydration pack (5-15 liters, includes water reservoir + snack pockets)
Signature hydration pack
Headlamp + reflective gear (for overnight running)
Signature overnight kit
Poles (for mountain ultras)
Optional trekking poles
First-aid kit + emergency blanket + food + electrolytes
Standard safety kit
Terminology
- Ultra
- Any distance >42.195 km.
- FKT (Fastest Known Time)
- Non-race record on a route (mountain trails, Appalachian Trail, etc.).
- DNF
- Did Not Finish — common in ultras due to cutoffs, injury, exhaustion.
- Aid station
- Support stop with water, food, medical support.
- Pacer
- Companion runner (allowed in some races) to help mental/physical support.
- Backyard Ultra
- Format where runners complete 4.17 mi every hour, on the hour, until last person standing.
Major competitions
UTMB (Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc)
annual · France/Italy/Switzerland Alps · since 2003
Western States 100
annual · USA (California) · since 1974
Comrades Marathon
annual · South Africa · since 1921
Badwater 135
annual · USA (Death Valley → Mt Whitney) · since 1977
Spartathlon
annual · Greece (Athens-Sparta) · since 1983
Barkley Marathons
annual · USA (Tennessee) · since 1986
Where it is played
Governing bodies
International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU)
Founded 1984 · USA
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Kilian Jornet (ESP, mountain-ultra legend + FKT holder)
- Jim Walmsley (USA, Western States record-breaker + 2023 UTMB winner)
- Courtney Dauwalter (USA, dominant women's ultra runner)
- Ann Trason (USA, 14× Western States champion)
- Yiannis Kouros (GRE, ultra-endurance legend; multiple 6-day records)
- Bruce Fordyce (RSA, 9× Comrades winner)
- Ellie Greenwood (CAN, WS100 legend)
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — Ultramarathon— Wikipedia
- IAU— IAU