Ultra Marathon
Ultra marathon is a running event that exceeds the standard Marathon distance of 42.195 kilometers or 26.2 miles. This distance event usually begins at 50 kilometers and extends to long distances.
There are two types of ultra marathon racing:
- events that cover a fixed distance e.g. 100 kilometers or 1000 kilometers and
- events that is within a set time frame e.g. 24 hours or 48 hours.
In the latter, runners have to cover the greatest possible distance within a set time to win.
The most common distances run are 50 and 100 miles or 50 and 100 kilometers, while timed events vary from six hours to six days (also called as multi-day events). Timed events are usually run on a track or a short road course.
Ultra marathon races can be held in loop courses, trails, and the outback. For example, the Sri Chimnoy 1300-Miler in New York is held on loop courses while the Niagara 100K is held in the Canadian outback.
Runners have to face challenges such as elevation changes, rugged terrain, and the rough weather. But for every five to 15 kilometers, runners can take a break, eat, or drink in aid stations. However, runners will lose time or distance, which will greatly affect their performances.
The Ultra marathon world championships are organized by the International Association of Ultra Runners (IAU).
Ultra marathons in the world
Africa
Africa is host to the world's oldest and largest ultra marathon racing - the 84 km Comrades Marathon. Twelve thousand runners are said to complete the Comrades Marathon each year.
Asia
Taiwan, Japan, and Korea have hosted Ultra marathon World Championships by IAU in recent years. Ultra marathon is gaining popularity in Asian countries.
Australia and New Zealand
Australia and New Zealand are host to about 100 ultra marathons every year. Australia is also host to the Cliff Young Australian 6-day race, one of the oldest six-day races in the world.
Europe
More than 200 ultra marathons are held in Europe every year, including the 100K in Bienne. A European Ultra marathon Cup (ECU) is also held annually which covers the biggest races in various European countries.
North America
Host to several hundred ultra marathon races every year, North America has an established American Ultra running Hall of Fame. North America is also home to Western States Endurance Cup, the world's oldest 100-mile trail run.
The world's longest certified ultra marathon race is the Ultimate Ultra, the annual Sri Chinmoy 1300-Miler held in New York every fall which extends to 2092 kilometers.
About a hundred years ago, ultra marathon was regarded as pedestrianism or race walking. Moreover, men and women competed separately. Nowadays, men and women compete side by side in ultra marathons in all levels. It is also gaining popularity in the world. It is estimated that about 70,000 people complete an ultra marathon every year.
Ultra marathon has only been recognized recently but it is much older than marathon racing. It was in 1991 that the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) officially recognized ultra marathon racing. Since then, it has replaced marathon racing as the longest running distance event.
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