Ultramarathons

About 2500 years ago, a soldier called Pheidippides ran approximately 25 miles from the town of Marathon to Athens. Nowadays, many cities host marathons in which competitors run 42 kilometres. However, for some people, marathons aren’t tough enough, so they prefer to take part in ultramarathons.

The ‘Spartathlon’ may be the most similar to a traditional marathon. Some historians believe that Pheidippides actually ran from Athens to Sparta to ask the Spartans for help in the battle of Marathon. Each year, runners recreate the 250 km journey of the Greek soldier. The race must also be completed in just 36 hours which makes this competition extremely difficult.

Perhaps the most difficult race is the ‘6693 Ultra.’ Only 11 people have ever completed it! It is only 37 km but starts in the Arctic Circle and finishes at the Arctic Ocean. While competitors are hiking over difficult terrain, they also face freezing temperatures and sub-zero winds. While they are taking part in the 6693 Ultra, many athletes say the mental exhaustion is even harder to overcome than the physical fatigue.

The ‘Jungle Ultra’ combines both length and difficulty. It is 230 km and takes place in the Peruvian jungle. The race begins in the cloud forest and descends 3,200 metres into the Amazon rainforest. Racing downhill may make it sound a bit easier than the other ultramarathons but racers face 33C heat, overwhelming humidity as well as biting bugs.