Western States 100 - image from markhartell.blogspot.com

INTRODUCTION

The accepted general consensus is that Ultra Running can be defined as any run that is beyond standard marathon distance (26.2miles).  Now there's a challenge!  Although there are both road and off-road Ultras, Lakes Runner focus's on info and equipment for the off-road variety (a marathon is more than enough miles on the road for us!).  If you are getting fired up to run such distances it seems logical to fill those miles with fantastic scenery and wildlife.  More than any other discipline in running, Ultra Runners are seen as complete loonies, by the general public, which on first glance seems like a fair assumption.  Anyone running up to 100+ miles in one go has to be mad?

Having run some Ultras over the past few years, something else has emerged.  There seems to be some deep connection for humans to cover these huge distances quickly in a real endurance effort.  Maybe in the past we were all endurance hunters, that tired out our prey by constantly running after them day and night? Who knows..... All that I can say is that when you hit that 'Ultra Groove' when your body has switched to real endurance mode, its an incredibly naturally satisfying feeling.  I can't be alone in that feeling as more and more people are getting involved and their is now a dedicated UK Ultra Running Series.

BRIEF HISTORY

Its hard to map the exact history of Ultra-running as humans have been performing huge feet's of endurance via their migration as they have evolved! However from about 1000 AD onwards we start to see examples of impressive feats of ultra-running for either communication, sustenance or challenge.  The Native Indians of North America have been know to run up to 120 miles in 24hrs to communicate between tribes.  Similar things where undoubtedly happening in Africa and else where around the world.

Fast forward to 1874 and Edward Payson Weston walked over 1300 miles in twenty five days from Portland to Chicago, watched by over 75,000 people and earning himself $10,000!  This spawned many long distance challenges in the USA with the formation of many world championships of the ultra races (see advert below), which unfortunately died out around the turn of the century.  Into the twentieth century and you had the arrival of more and more mass participant events like the Comrades Marathon (1921 - 90km) in South Africa and the London to Brighton Race (1953 - 54 miles) here in Britain.

Move forward again to the road marathon running boom of the 1970's and another surge in interest in ultra-running.  This time events were starting that had been designed to really test humans endurance in harsh environments.  The Marathon de Sables stage race and the Bad-water 135 miles both run in extreme heat and the iditasport 100mile race run in extreme cold of Alaska.  From world classics like Western States 100 to a newly established 12 race UK ultra-running series, more and more people are going those required extra miles to complete their first Ultra race.

Iditsport - cold 100 in Alaska	Who can go the furthest in 6 days? Edward Peyson Weston pre 1900.	Runners in Marathon De Sables

GETTING STARTED AND TRAINING TIPS

Trying to get started in Ultra Running can seem like a massive leap even if your used to running regularly.  The key is to realise that most of these long challenges are done through a combination of walking all the hills (no matter how gradual the incline) and running the flats and downhill.  If you want to win one you might have to run a bit more than that, but getting fit enough to operate like this for say 30 miles is a good starting objective.  More than any other kind of running going slow enough at the start of your run is absolutely crucial.  From experience, pushing too hard in the first few hours of an Ultra can add 3 or 4 hours of misery at the other end!

A great starting point is getting entered into one of the many Long Distance Walkers Association (LWDA) events, then try to build your training towards that date.  The brilliant thing about the LDWA events is they are aimed at keen walkers who want to do a long supported walk.  So they often have fantastic food stations and support on the way round.  They are also very relaxed and the time outs are easily achievable if you are running some parts.  In terms of training its all about time out on your feet, so try to focus on getting a good 3hr + run in on the weekend, you could also do a some shorter LWDA events/races in the lead up to give a bit more purpose to your training. Check out the LWDA events here.

Once you have done some walkers events and feel more confident in covering the extra distance then you could look at entering one of the UK Ultra Running Series events for your first Ultra Proper.  Again even though the competition stakes will have been upped the best way to achieve a good time is to pace yourself well and avoid the temptation not go off to fast. Check out the UK Ultra Running Series events here.

KIT FOR ULTRA RUNNING

The kit needed for Ultra Running depends on the format of the race or challenge you are involved in:

a) Single Push Events and challenges - eg. Lakeland 100 or the Ultra Tour of Mont Blanc or any long training trip
Here you are just concerned with the gear and food/hydration you need to wear and carry to get you to the finish as comfortably as possible.  Special attention should be taken getting a footwear sock combination and carrying system that works for you.

b) Stage Races over multiple nights - eg. Marathon de Sables (MDS) or Trans Britain
Now you also need to look at the additional equipment you need for overnight camping.  If you need to carry all of this on your back through each stage (MDS will transport a tent for you, Trans Britain will transport a tent and provide you with camp food) then it obviously needs to be as light and packable as possible.

c) Ultra's run in extreme conditions - eg. MDS or Iditsport Alaska
Some extra specialist equipment will be needed such as sand gaitors or extra warm clothing layers.  Also you may need to pay more attention to medical supplies to keep your body going.

All of the Ultra's will provide you with an extensive kit list of what you need to bring.  Use our gear guides to help you select the kit you need to fulfil the requirements.  Lastly make sure all kit is thouroughly tried and tested before you embark on the big challenge.