Multiday Races - Beyond The Marathon

Beyond The Marathon

Very long endurance running events can be divided into three broad categories: the traditional 26.2-mile (42.2 km) marathon, the ultramarathon, defined as any event longer than the marathon, and true multiday events, which begin with the 48 hour event and can stretch out almost indefinitely, often ranging from six days to 3,000 miles (4,800 km) or longer.

Ultramarathons, of which multiday races are a subset, include events of any distance beyond the traditional marathon distance of 42.195 kilometres (26.219 mi). Common ultra events include 100-mile (160 km) and 100 kilometer races. Ultras are usually considered to include all events of 50 kilometers or longer, although the 50-mile (80 km) race is regarded as the shortest true ultra. Depending on the degree of terrain difficulty, up to 30 hours or more is generally allowed for runners to complete typical ultras, for example the Badwater Ultramarathon.