A marathon is a unique undertaking and an intimidating proposition. The strain it puts upon participants is so extreme, both physically and mentally, that the moment they cross the finish line is often utterly euphoric.
But there are athletes out there who have such a desire to push themselves and to take on new challenges, that for them the 26.219 miles marathon distance is simply not enough. For these people, the only place to turn is ultra-running.
Any distance over that of the traditional marathon is considered ultra-running, with standard distances for ultra-marathons ranging from 31 miles to 100 miles. These can often be conducted on challenging terrain like dirt roads and mountain paths, meaning that ultra-runners have to contend not only with the sheer distance of races but also with severe weather fluctuations and elevation changes.
So why would someone forego the relative comfort of road running for this more punishing endeavour? Ian Sharman, a three time winner of Colorado's Leadville Trail 100, never intended to. He said: "I didn’t even want to be a runner, really. I was 24 and living in London then saw a documentary about the Marathon des Sables in the Sahara and loved the idea of having something physical to train for in an exotic location.
“I have no background in track racing so that wasn’t even on my radar, but I started running more and found I enjoyed road marathons a lot. So I just like running in general and one of the main appealing factors is that this sport encompasses so many things, from a road marathon to a jungle ultra and everything in between."
Indeed, one of the most famous examples of ultra-running’s versatility is the Jungle Marathon in Manaus, Brazil. This most unique of trails takes competitors through snake-infested swamps and mosquito-filled forests. Runners aren’t sent in blind, of course, and have to complete jungle-training seminars, acclimatization runs and medical checks beforehand.
What, then, goes through the mind of an athlete who has to navigate such variables alongside the physical challenge that long distance running itself presents? Rob Krar, a former Grand Canyon double-crossing world record holder, has the answer.
"My time on the trails is my way of escaping an increasingly difficult and complicated world," he said. “It's my time to reflect, think, and problem solve. Or, it’s my time to think of nothing at all and what a treat that is. I also make a conscious effort of embracing the pain that inevitably appears late in a race.”
David Laney, a winner of the USATF 100k trail championship, values the mental aspect of ultra-running highly. He said: “Having some grit is pretty important to be a long distance runner, it’s a tough sport, it beats you up and you have to keep coming back to be any good. I would say mental and physical are the same, the brain dictates every action of the body.
“To get through a tough patch during a race the mind must be calloused and the body must be prepared. During a race I am very focused on the task at hand, my mind is in the trail.”
Ross Houston, a member of Team Scotland at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, thinks differently. "During a race I believe the majority of performance is physical, and that you will perform according to how well you have trained for the race. There is a mental element to races too, but I don't think it’s more than 20%," he said.
Certainly the demands placed on the body of the runners are much more extreme than in standard long-distance running. The recognition of this fact is key to the training and race preparation of ultra-runners, it’s not just about running for longer than you normally would.
“Training always needs to be specific so that means more of a bias towards longer runs, as well as training on terrain similar to race day, especially hills or mountains - this specificity increases closer to race day,” Sharman said.
“Practicing power-hiking is also important for mountain ultras while that’s not relevant for track or marathon racing. However, some aspects are broadly similar and it’s still important to include speed sessions and variety in training.”
Laney agrees, saying: "During long races you have to consider food, clothing for different conditions, gear, etc. Ultra-distances are a much more complex beast, more variables exist and less control over those variables. A simple rain storm can turn a warm run into a hypothermic survival day."
With so many considerations to make and so many obstacles to overcome, it is unclear whether the practice of ultra-running is beneficial or detrimental to the health of the participant. Even the runners are split on this topic.
Houston said: “Short term they [the physiological effects] are very detrimental, causing damage to muscles and tiredness for several days after. In the longer term, the training and racing is extremely beneficial to health.”
Laney, likewise, feels there are risks. “I think ultra-running does significant damage to all systems of the body, I think frequent hard ultra-racing is an extreme stressor and can have lasting effects if not properly dealt with. It takes months to recover fully from an ultra,” he said.
Krar has a different view of things, saying: "Being mindful and respectful of the demands of training and racing is paramount to a lasting relationship with trail and ultra-running. Running and pushing my body and mind is a gift and almost a necessity in my life these days. I have little doubt the benefits far outweigh any consequences."
Sharman straddles the line between the two points of views. “Overall a lot of endurance training leads to a lean body, low heart rate and lower chance of most illness and diseases. There may be some long term issues with heart damage, but even if there is some slight damage it's much better than the typical counter-factual of being sedentary,” he said.
Like all sports there are hazards attached to ultra-running. But for those who find road running just a tad bit pedestrian, the rewards may prove to outweigh the risks.
