Cover Tired of running marathons? Test your physical and mental stamina with these ultramarathons. (Photo: Orest Sv / Pexels)
Tired of running marathons? Test your physical and mental stamina with these ultramarathons. (Photo: Orest Sv / Pexels)
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These ultramarathons promise pain, prestige and a little bit of magic
Running a marathon was once the pinnacle of human endurance. It was a 42.195-kilometre homage to the ancient Greek soldier Pheidippides, who, legend has it, ran from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens to deliver news of victory (and promptly died). For over a century, the marathon has stood as the symbolic finish line for countless weekend warriors and elite athletes alike. But in recent decades, as GPS watches replaced sundials and protein gels supplanted orange slices, a new breed of distance runner emerged—unsatisfied with “just” 26.2 miles.
Enter ultramarathons. They refer to any footrace beyond marathon distance, often run on mountainous trails, across deserts or through jungle terrain that feels more Apocalypse Now than Chariots of Fire. While the first organised ultramarathon, the Comrades Marathon in South Africa, began in 1921 as a tribute to fallen soldiers, the sport gained underground momentum in the 1970s and ’80s, with races like the Western States 100 (originally a horse endurance event, which should be telling) marking the dawn of extreme human-powered adventure.
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Today, ultrarunning isn’t just a fringe cult of sadists in trail shoes—it’s a fast-growing, globally revered test of resilience. Training involves long solo slogs, strategic fuelling, mental fortitude and often, a willingness to chafe in places that should never chafe. And yet, it’s become the new Everest for a generation who has already PR’d at Boston and needs a challenge with altitude gain, hallucinations and maybe a yak sighting.
Whether you’re looking to suffer in the Alps, fry in the Sahara or sweat it out in the humid hills of Southeast Asia, these are the ultramarathons that will break your legs but possibly rebuild your soul.
1. Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB), France/Italy/Switzerland
Considered the Tour de France of trail running, the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) is a 171-kilometre beast that loops around Mont Blanc with over 10,000 metres of elevation gain. It’s as scenic as it is savage. You'll traverse three countries, experience four seasons and battle sleep deprivation while trying not to weep on a glacier. It’s not a race—it’s a rite of passage.
- Distance: 176 km
- Elevation gain: 10,000 m
- Date: August 29, 2025
- Start location: Chamonix, France
- Time limit: 46.5 hours
2. Western States 100, USA
Born from a 1970s horseback race, Western States is the oldest 100-mile trail run in the world and arguably the most prestigious. From Squaw Valley to Auburn, California, runners climb nearly 5,000 feet in the first 30 miles alone before descending into scorching canyons. It’s blistering, brutal and beautiful.
- Distance: 100 miles (161 km)
- Date: June 28–29, 2025
- Start location: Olympic Valley, California
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3. Spartathlon, Greece
Channel your inner Pheidippides and run 246 kilometres from Athens to Sparta—yes, in one go. Held in late September, the race is famous for its strict cut-off times, historical gravitas and sole- and soul-crushing asphalt. Finishers are crowned with an olive wreath by a Spartan child, which almost makes up for the 36 hours of suffering.
- Distance: 246 km
- Date: Late September 2025
- Route: Athens to Sparta
4. Comrades Marathon, South Africa
Here’s the granddaddy of all ultramarathons. Encompassing 89 kilometres, Comrades is the race in South Africa, with a nearly century-long history. The crowd support is electric, and the “up” or “down” courses alternate yearly. Don’t let the festive atmosphere fool you—it’s a gruelling affair that tests your grit and your quads.
- Distance: Approximately 89 km
- Date: June 8, 2025
- Route: Alternates annually between Durban to Pietermaritzburg ("up" run) and vice versa ("down" run)
5. Tor des Géants, Italy
The name literally means “Tour of Giants”, and yes, the 330 kilometres (with 24,000 metres of elevation gain) through the Aosta Valley is exactly that: gargantuan. With minimal support, unpredictable weather and sleep-deprived mountain traverses, it’s less of a race and more of an odyssey.
- Distance: 330 km
- Elevation gain: 24,000 m
- Date: Early September 2025
- Location: Aosta Valley, Italy
6. Marathon des Sables, Morocco
Affectionately known as “The Toughest Footrace on Earth”, this multi-day stage race crosses 250 kilometres of the Sahara Desert. Like many other ultramarathons, you carry your own gear, brave 50°C heat and sleep in tents under starlit dunes. It’s sand, sweat and survival, but also stunning vistas and serious bragging rights.
- Distance: Approximately 250 km over 6 stages
- Date: April 6–12, 2025
- Location: Sahara Desert, Morocco
7. Barkley Marathons, USA
This is more mythology than race. Hidden in Tennessee’s Frozen Head State Park, the Barkley is around 100 miles (no one’s quite sure), with navigation based on books hidden in the woods and start times announced by lighting a cigarette. Only 17 people have ever finished since 1986. Want to suffer in secrecy? This is your race.
- Distance: Approximately 160–209 km, depending on the course variation
- Elevation gain: Approximately 60,000 feet (18,288 metres) over five loops
- Date: Mid-March and early April
- Location: Frozen Head State Park, near Wartburg, Tennessee
8. Borneo TMBT Ultra, Malaysia
Asia’s wild card entry, TMBT (The Most Beautiful Thing) lives up to its name with a 109-kilometre trail through remote villages, jungle terrain and sweeping views of Mount Kinabalu. But don’t be fooled by the beauty. The humidity is soul-sapping and the mud is ankle-deep. It’s an ultramarathon and a tropical fever dream.
- Distance: Approximately 109 km
- Elevation gain: Approximately 3,000 metres
- Date: Early September
- Location: Foothills of Mount Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
9. Hardrock 100, USA
Held in the thin-aired San Juan Mountains of Colorado, this 100-mile ultramarathon has over 10,000 metres of climbing. Oh, and the average elevation is 11,000 feet. Finishers kiss a literal rock at the end, which feels fitting: you’ve basically been smashed against one for 40 hours straight.
- Distance: 100 miles (161 km)
- Elevation gain: 33,050 ft (10,070 m)
- Date: July 11, 2025
- Location: Silverton, Colorado
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10. Mt Fuji Ultra-Trail (UTMF), Japan
Some of these ultramarathons like to compete with each other. Japan’s answer to the UTMB, the UTMF circles the iconic Mount Fuji over 100 miles of technical trails, volcanic gravel and surreal serenity. Expect meticulous organisation, exquisite scenery and emotional elevation to rival the physical. This is a pilgrimage for the trail running faithful.
- Distance: Approximately 165.3 km
- Elevation gain: Approximately 7,574 metres
- Date: Late April
- Location: Yamanashi and Shizuoka Prefectures, Japan, circling Mount Fuji
