What Is An Ultra Marathon?

Last Updated on February 1, 2024 by Amanda Bowden

The Ultra Marathon – A Perplexing Idea When You’ve Not Come Across It Before – But What Exactly Is An Ultra Marathon?

There has been a massive surge of interest in ultra marathons, and ultra running in general, over the last few years. And as more people come across the new concept in the news, their first thought is often: What on earth is an ultra marathon?

Is it a marathon that’s extra brilliant in some way? Surely it couldn’t be a run that’s longer than a normal marathon? That would just be crazy!

Regardless of the fact that this is a bazaar notion, an ultra marathon is indeed longer than a marathon! More and more people are getting interested in the idea of testing their boundaries to find out what they are capable of, how long they can stay awake for, and how far they can possibly go.

It may be the most demanding sport out there, and I’m going to delve into what exactly is an ultra marathon, and why would anyone want to run that far?

If you’d like to find out the answers to these questions, then read on:

• What’s An Ultra Marathon?
• What’s Involved In An Ultra Marathon?
• Why Run An Ultra Marathon?
• How To Train For An Ultra Marathon

So, What Is An Ultra Marathon Again? More Specific Please.

An Ultra Marathon is also called an Ultra, or an Ultramarathon – these all mean the same thing.

The ultra marathon is any running race that you need to run further than a marathon. A marathon is 26.2 miles (42.195km), so an ultra needs to be longer than this, although most are quite a lot longer.

The shortest standard distance for an ultra is 50km (which is 31 miles), and often the one people try to run first.

Other common lengths of the ultra marathon are 100km (62 miles) and 100 miles (160.934 kilometers). Ultra marathons can be even longer than this! 200 miles (about 322 kilometers) is another standard length, although this is often split into a multiday (or multi-stage) race, where runners camp en-route.

In another type of ultra people challenge themselves to do as many laps of a course as they can in a certain amount of time, often 24 hours.

The long distance of the race makes it an ultra marathon, although the terrain can vary enormously between different races. Some are on road, although ultras are more often trail running races. They are run through forests, on moorland, over mountainous routes and through deserts.

Running an ultra marathon is the ultimate test of human endurance. The runners physically need to keep going for the length of the race, but it’s not just a physical challenge – a lot of it is having the mental fortitude to keep going when wet, hot, or cold, and in a state of extreme sleep deprivation.

And managing to eat enough while moving to keep up energy levels!

Tell Me More About What’s Involved In An Ultra Marathon

Race organisers plan and mark out the route, often providing aid stations on the way (where runners can re-fuel, re-hydrate, get massages and medical help).

Some races can be entered by anyone, others have an entrance lottery, some you need to complete a variety of other ultras before you can even sign up for them.

One of the fantastic things about an ultra is that you don’t actually have to run the whole thing. Most ultra runners run the flats and downhills, but take the opportunity for a walk on the ascents, or when the terrain is very technical.

Most races can be run by anyone who wants to try, but the more established races attract elite ultra runners too.

Once someone has completed an ultra marathon they can call themselves an ultra runner!

Now I Know What An Ultra Marathon Is, But Why Run An Ultra Marathon?

Running an ultra marathon is seriously impressive, but this alone isn’t enough to motivate most people to run an ultra. What are the other reasons runners decide to do it?

1. Escalating Personal Goals:

Many ultra runners feel drawn to sign up for such long races because they feel a need to target a goal that’s tougher than previous goals.

When someone has already run a marathon, what will they do next? They could try to run it faster, or they could run an ultra…

2. It’s An Amazing Achievement:

There are not many achievements greater than completing an ultra marathon. For some it can be life-changing.

Such a great achievement can boost self-confidence – not just in your running abilities, but in what you can achieve in life.

3. Testing Physical Limits:

Ultra marathons are the ultimate platform to explore the outer boundaries of physical endurance.

While some people would prefer to lounge around on the sofa, others find the desire to see just how far they can push their bodies an irresistible challenge.

4. It Increases Mental Fortitude:

Running an ultra marathon is as much a test of mental strength as it is of physical strength and fitness.

Running such a long way makes all runners tired, and have moments when they feel it might be better to give up (DNF – did not finish).

Overcoming these times of doubt and exhaustion during a race can lead to increased mental resilience that lasts for life.

5. Demons To Overcome:

Many ultra runners have had hardship in their lives.

For some it may be addictions, abuse, mental health problems, or a host of other things.

Running ultras gives them meaning and purpose, helping to overcome difficult thought patterns.

6. It’s An Adventure:

The allure of running through remote wilderness, or rugged mountains, is very appealing if you love a good adventure.

Most ultra marathons are held in stunning locations, and summiting a mountain to find the sun rising on the horizon is awe-inspiring.

7. A Love Of Fantasy:

What can you do that mirrors a fantasy novel better than an ultra marathon?

It’s a relatively safe way re-create a fantasy adventure.

You have to travel by foot such a long way, though the night, carrying on through exhaustion. And all the time you’re being chased by others who’re trying to beat you.

8. Competition:

Although for lots of ultra runners the main goal is just getting to the end of the race in one piece, some people love the competitive element of it. There are runners at each race who want to come in first more than anything!

Are you intrigued by ultra running? Maybe the reason people run ultras has captured your imagination and you’re tempted to sign up for an ultra marathon yourself?

Then read on, as I’m going to explore the training required to run an ultra…

How To Train For An Ultra Marathon

Running an ultra marathon is quite alluring, but it requires a lot of preparation!

It’s best to prepare for an ultra a little differently than you would a shorter running race. They often are not just longer, but have far greater elevation changes, than marathons. Especially when they are in the mountains.

You need to prepare for the distance, the elevation changes, the terrain and also get a good nutrition strategy to see you through the mileage.

1. Increase Your Mileage

If you want to run an ultra, and not feel absolutely awful while you’re at it, you need to get in as many high mileage weeks as you can in the run up to the race.

Many ultra runners cover 100 miles a week on their feet when it’s their training season. If your aim is to complete, not compete, then you might get away with 50 miles a week in training.

This training doesn’t just need to be running though. As ultra marathons require plenty of uphill hiking, make sure to include that into your training too.

And increase your mileage slowly, otherwise you run a high risk of getting injured. Make sure you do at least one long run a week, and make it a little longer each time but adding on an extra mile or two. This will help your body adapt to the higher mileage.

2. Follow A Good Training Plan

Following a training plan can be really helpful. If you’d like to try following one for your first 50K ultra marathon, have a look at this one for beginner ultra runners from inov-8: 16-WEEK 50K ULTRAMARATHON TRAINING PLAN.

3. Do Some Cross-Training

Add in a good cross-training session each week to help improve your endurance. A long bike ride or swim would be ideal as they are low impact so easier to add in on top of all the time on feet.

Also do 1 or 2 strength training sessions each week, as getting stronger means you’re less likely to get injured. It has the bonus of making running feel easier and improving your performance.

Watch this video below from THE RUN EXPEREINCE for a good strength session for ultra runners. It shows you how to strengthen your ankles, hips, and core, and has a good explanation of why it is worth it.

4. Fuel Well And Practice Eating On Your Long Run

Obviously everyone could do with eating well, but to run ultras you need to go beyond this – you need a fuelling strategy! Eating the right things at the right time will really help you have the energy to get through an ultra.

It can take your digestive system a while to get used to eating while running. It’s important to practice eating on your long run to give your tummy time to adjust to food while being bounced up and down.

Side effects associated with eating while you’re running include stomach cramps, gas, needing the toilet in a hurry, and even being sick. Most people prefer to avoid, or at least reduce, the chances of this happening during a race, and stomach training is the way to do this.

If you aren’t used to eating during your runs make sure to start slow by eating something really little, like a jelly baby, on your run.

Gradually you can eat a little more as your running stomach training progresses.

Here are a few good energy sources to consume while running:

• Organic Honey Stinger Energy Chews (Cherry Blossom) – running fuel at its most delicious.
• Dates – full of energy and easy to carry.
• Energy gels – carbs and electrolytes in a handy to carry packet.
• Cereal bars – packed with easy to digest carbs.
• Raisins – dried fruit is an ultra running staple.
• Cashew nuts – good for carbs, protein and healthy fats.
• Banana – a good source of carbs, and in it’s own biodegradable packing.
• Nakd bars – fruit and nut bars for carbs and protein in one hit.

Read this article to develop your personal fuelling strategy: How to Fuel For Your Next Ultra Marathon: Your Ultimate Guide.

Drinking enough is just as important during your long run, as getting dehydrated will make you really tired and can be dangerous for your health.

Many ultra runners add this tailwind endurance fuel drink to their soft flasks to help them get their fluids, nutrition and electrolytes in at the same time.

5. Gear Up

Having nice lightweight and breathable gear will make running more comfortable, but not only this – most ultra marathons have quite the mandatory kit list.

Ultra runners not only run this incredible distance, in most races they also need to carry all their kit. Getting items that are as lightweight as possible will make this much easier.

It’s also worth training carrying all this gear (or just a running pack with some extra weight in) on your long runs to get your body used to running with the extra load.

One of the most popular (and hard to enter!) ultra marathons is UTMB (Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc).

UTMB is extremely famous and challenging. It takes place in the breath-taking Mont Blanc massif, spanning France, Italy, and Switzerland.

Runners have approximately 106 miles (170 kilometers) to run, with intense elevation changes and very unpredictable mountain weather.

The scenery for UTMB is alpine, with big mountains and forests, and sometimes even snow to trudge through.

It has a very detailed mandatory kit list that runners get checked before they’re allowed to race.

This sounds like a lot of stuff, but it’s a quite typical list of gear needed for an ultra marathon.

Running gear needed for UTMB:

• Waterproof running jacket with sealed seams and hood
• Running pack
• 15cl beaker and bowl
• Water supply of at least 1 liter
• 2 torches
• A survival blanket
• Whistle in case you get in trouble
• At least 800kcal worth of food
• Cap, or a hat or Buff AND a beanie
• Leggings or trousers AND waterproof trousers
• Warm long-sleeved top that must weigh at least 180grams
• Scissors and sewing kit
• A GPS running watch
• AND some cash (at least 20 euros)

Whoa, that’s a lot of stuff to carry for 106 miles.

A waterproof jacket is top of the list as it’s really important to help regulate your temperature when you’re out for hours. If you need to find yourself a good lightweight running jacket for ultra marathons read The Best Trail Running Waterproof Jackets.

Try Taking On An Ultra Marathon Yourself, Or Just Marvel At What Other People Decide To Put Themselves Through!

Whichever of these reasons you’re interested in ultra marathons, have a watch of this video before you leave. In it Jeff Pelletier runs the stunning UTMB – 106 miles of amazingly beautiful trails. It really is worth watching!

Related:

• Ultra Running Demystified: Everything You Need to Know
• Scott Jurek’s Diet: What Does The Champion Ultra Runner Eat to Stay Strong?
• The Best Gifts For Ultra Runners