What is an Ultra Marathon?

An Ultra Marathon (or "ultra") is any race that exceeds the marathon distance of 26.2 miles (42.195 km). While there is no upper limit, common distances include 50K, 50 miles, 100K, and 100 miles.

Types of Ultras

1. Trail Ultras: Run on mountains, forests, or deserts. These often involve significant elevation gain.
2. Road Ultras: Run on paved surfaces, sometimes involving multiple loops of a park or long stretches of highway.
3. Timed Events: Races where the goal is to run as far as possible in a set time (e.g., 6-hour, 12-hour, or 24-hour races).

Why Go "Ultra"?

For most ultra runners, it's not about speed—it's about problem-solving and mental resilience. You have to manage nutrition, hydration, and gear over many hours or even days.

Key Differences from Road Marathons

• Walking is Strategic: In ultras, almost everyone walks the steep hills to conserve energy.
• Nutrition: You eat real food (sandwiches, pizza, soup) rather than just gels.
• Community: The atmosphere is often more relaxed and supportive than competitive road races.

The marathon is a race of speed. The ultra is a race of will.