Ultramarathons

As if running a marathon isn’t hard enough, some people decided they want to run more than 26.219 miles in a race. Ultramarathons are classified as any foot race longer than a standard marathon. If you thought running on asphalt was tiring, try running on some of the surfaces covered by the hardest ultramarathons in the world.

The Marathon des Sables takes place in the Sahara desert in southern Morocco, a 154-mile slog that takes six days to complete. The fine sand absorbs most of the runners’ energy, making progress a slow and exhausting task.

Over in the United States, the Grand to Grand Ultra runs from the Grand Canyon to the Grand Staircase, two of the most important geological formations in the area. It’s a 147-mile, seven-day route.

Down in South America, the Jungle Ultra pits runners against the Amazon Rainforest in Peru. A 142.6-mile course is hard enough, but the biting insects and sky-high humidity make for a unique challenge.

Whichever ultramarathon you decide to take part in, be aware requirements are strict. Due to the grueling nature of the events, most organizers demand competitors have completed shorter foot races before embarking on the longer ones.

Check out the exact requirements for the event you want to take part in and then get training!