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