| While marathons are the talk of the town and | | | | 3100-mile race. All of these are the most |
| a major goal for most runners and fans of | | | | intense races one can enter, with the |
| running, for some, they're simply not enough. | | | | Self-Transcendence 3100 being officially |
| These running super-athletes crave more, and | | | | named the longest on-foot race in the world. |
| want to push themselves to new limits. As | | | | Hence the title, as entering such a race is |
| such, ultramarathons - marathons that are | | | | truly transcending any ideas of limitations a |
| significantly longer and more strenuous than | | | | person may have on themselves. |
| a normal 26+ mile marathon - have come into | | | | |
| existence. | | | | Because ultramarathons and multi-day races |
| | | | are so strenuous, there are no novice runners |
| For the average person, simply completing a | | | | in these races. There is actually support |
| 26-mile run seems to be an almost impossible | | | | available to people who want to participate |
| task. But for some, once they have completed | | | | in these races, in the form of the |
| that goal, they seek an even greater | | | | International Association of Ultra Runners. |
| challenge, and that comes in the form of | | | | The group organizes, regulates, and sanctions |
| ultramarathons and multi-day marathons. | | | | international races that are 42 miles or |
| | | | longer. |
| Ultramarathons are simply any race that is | | | | |
| longer than the standard 26-mile marathon, | | | | In order to train for this sort of race, a |
| usually coming in around 50 miles or so. A | | | | runner must be in superior condition and used |
| true multi-day marathon, however, is no less | | | | to marathon running. Only the most elite |
| than 48 hours in duration, and can be as long | | | | runners can even consider this sort of race, |
| as 3,000 miles - or even longer. | | | | given that it is such a strain on the body |
| | | | and the mind. The event's organizers also |
| There are many different types of multi-day | | | | have to be sure that adequate safety |
| marathons. Some are divided into multiple | | | | precautions are taken to endure that racers |
| events over the course of a few days - with | | | | are able to get sleep, food, hydration, and |
| more than one event that is 26 miles or | | | | have access to health care should they need |
| longer. These races will generally be 50-100 | | | | it over the duration of the race. This is |
| miles, and the specific number of races and | | | | especially true of longer races that run |
| amount of days they will span is | | | | thousands of miles. The runners need to be |
| race-specific. These sorts of events are not | | | | observed and checked for signs of various |
| for the weak or faint of heart - only the | | | | illnesses and injuries that can come up in |
| truest runners can even begin to consider | | | | the duration of any marathon - but |
| taking on such a test of their strength, | | | | particularly in the ultramarathon or |
| endurance, and ability. | | | | multi-day marathon. |
| | | | |
| Many multi-day races choose to use specific | | | | As you can see, the multi-day marathon is the |
| measured courses or tracks, due to the need | | | | pinnacle of the marathon runner's life. That |
| to assistance stations to aid the runners who | | | | said, very few people will ever be able to |
| are taking on the task at hand. These are far | | | | run such a marathon, and really, people |
| easier to manage, as well as to keep an eye | | | | shouldn't feel bad about this. It is not |
| on the participants. However, there are | | | | something that the average, or even most |
| myriad races where runners cover huge | | | | skilled, athlete even contemplates for the |
| distances. The best known are the | | | | most part… it's wildly difficult and |
| Trans-American race, the Gobi March, the | | | | not remotely common as sporting events go. |
| Trans-Europe race, and The Self-Transcendence | | | | |