5 Jaw Dropping Ultra Marathon Feats

An ultra marathon is considered any distance over the standard 26.2-mile marathon such as 50k, 50 mile, 100k, 100 mile, and beyond!  In addition, there are timed runs as well as multi-staged events. Completing an ultra marathon alone could be considered boarder line supernatural, however; some elite athletes have taken ultra running to new incredible heights. These individuals shock us, amaze us, and inspire us in their quest to break down mental and physical barriers.  At one time considered impossible, they shatter world records and endure creatively constructed and unimaginable distances.  Here you will find 5 jaw dropping ultra marathon feats.

100 Mile Record

Running 100 miles is certainty no easy challenge. Think about it, you’re only half way finished after the completion of 50 miles. Recently, one ultra marathon runner by the name of Zach Bitter made a name for himself by setting the new one hundred mile track record.  He ran 100 miles in 11:40:45! That’s 7:01 minutes per mile for 100 miles. The tale of his 402 quad crushing laps around a track spread through the running world like wild fire setting a new bench mark for distance running.  Now that’s what I call giving 100 percent!

Across America

A handful of ultra runners have attempted to trek across the United States. Fortunately, some have been successful and sadly, some have not. There have been several remarkable attempts but none comes close to the most recent one.  Ultrarunner Pete Kostelnick broke the 36 year standing record and now holds the title for the fastest run across the United States. His jaw dropping 3,067 mile journey was completed in 42 days, 6 hours, and 30 minutes. That’s 72 miles per day!

Appalachian Trail

Super endurance athletes Scott Jurek, known for his plant based diet and his phenomenal ultra marathon achievements, recently became the fastest person to complete the Appalachian Trail. His incredible journey measured at 2,189 miles in length which took him 46 days, 8 hours, and 7 minutes. I thought my “100 MILE” car magnet was impressive until I pulled up next to Scott Jurek.

Running Non-Stop

Ultra Marathon Man Dean Karnazes commonly known for completing 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days has completed a number of endurance events setting incredible records beyond belief. One of his most famous feats was running 350 miles in 80 hours and 44 minutes with zero sleep!  Can you say “Dean the Machine”?

24 Hour Record

As previously stated, some ultra marathons are timed events.  Well, definitely the most prestige timed event is the 24 hour race.  In this type of ultra marathon participants must run as far as possible within 24 hours. Amazingly, Yiannis Kouros, the ultra running Greek God, has shattered several ultra running records in his lifetime with the 24 hour race being one of them.  During his record breaking performance, he ran an unfathomable 177 miles!  Not bad for a day’s work, literally.

Ultra marathon runners are a breed of their own. Mileage some people aren’t willing to drive these endurance athletes are excited to run. During an ultra marathon, the physical devastation can only be shadowed by the severe mental anguish one must face to complete such a challenge. But the runners who have completed these feats, along with most other ultra runners, understand the hidden benefits within resistance, struggle, and pain. There’s a hidden beauty buried within our struggles and if we keep moving forward, past our limits, to the other side of that horizon, there is a view like no other. A view that is earned and a view that will change the way you view what’s possible along with what can be accomplished in a lifetime.