What are the best ultras in the world? (Sponsored by HOKA ONE ONE)

Let me just say this. My favorite day of the year is the fourth Saturday in June, which is the day of the Western States 100. I’ve spectated at the race for the last few years and last year was unfathomably lucky enough to run it. It’s an amazing race with tons of prestige, but it just makes you feel good about humanity. Love it, and will always be there whenever I can.

For me the most prestigious is the Comrades because of the history and size of the event. However, I don't have enough knowledge that I could say which one is the most difficult to win.

The most beautiful one is probably the Two Oceans Marathon. I am not running ultras yet but when it comes to bucket list I would say at least the following ones: The Comrades, Two Oceans, Lake Sonoma 50, Lake Saroma 100K. In addition to that it would be nice to run something in the mountains or in Lapland. Just not too technical. I want to run, not hike or climb.

Kouros!

Probably the Spartathlon record. Kouros competed there 4 times, won all of them and those still are the four fastest times that anybody has run there. For example Scott Jurek's PB is 2 hours slower than the course record.

Mitchellmac2 wrote:

Let me just say this. My favorite day of the year is the fourth Saturday in June, which is the day of the Western States 100. I’ve spectated at the race for the last few years and last year was unfathomably lucky enough to run it. It’s an amazing race with tons of prestige, but it just makes you feel good about humanity. Love it, and will always be there whenever I can.

Sounds like the big homie, AJW! Look, I am likely never going to run a 100 mile race. I absolutely love, love this sport though. I am a long time runner, and get intrigued and a great deal of inspiration from the ultra guys. Some may refer to his era as the "old guard," but when I hear somebody like AJW talk about the Western States race, the history, the real life experiences, the community as a whole, man oh man, something special.

I vicariously live through many of you during Western States, UTMB weekends, and the many other awesome races that are now more transparent for us. However the sport evolves while keeping it's grass roots feel in community is what counts. Whether you're a marathon specialist, maybe a 50k-50 mile stud, or you're incredibly slow twitch dominant and crush it across 100 miles in the mountains, simply enjoy this gift.

Nothing lasts forever, and too often, the ego ruins, or even takes away from so many special stories out there. For the non elites included. How many Jim's and Killians are out there? Very few if only 2 (currently). How many weekend warriors are out there with families and careers to tend to as soon as the race is over? I'd say 85-90% of all runners. Anytime you can toe a starting line, and eventually cross the finish, well that's a special day.

What are the most prestigious/most competitive ultramarathons in the world to win?

Road: Comrades

Mountain/Trail: Western States

What is your favorite ultra?

I plan to complete my first 50k this fall, so I don’t know yet. But my favorite that I’ve got on my list is San Juan Solstice 50 miler in Lake City, CO

What is the most beautiful ultra?

See answer above, but I’d guess Hardrock 100.

Is there a bucket list of ultras that most amateurs should aspire to run?

Probably, but I think the great part about trail and ultra is that there is a place for you and you’ll have an amazing experience even if you never go to those races.

Who is the GOAT of ultra running?

Ann Trason

What are the hardest course/world records to break in ultra running?

These are probably at courses where the number of variables and difficulty go up, like Hardrock and WS100 (weather, heat) and have been competitive forever so already have very fast CRs.

Wejo, this is running not a popularity contest. The numbers speak for themselves. Who the hell cares if you (who admittedly doesn't know jack about ultra running) have heard of them or if they have a Wikipedia page?

Are we debating who has the best publicist or who is the best runner?

Greatest Ultra - Barkley

GOAT - The Barkley Course

Sage, I have to ask..and be honest about this..if you had won WS in 2016 and or set the record, would your opinion of the race be different? You cite in the last 8 years or so TNF 50 for example is more competitive than WS. I respect your opinion as a pro athlete, but could one not argue at least state side WS is the most competitive ultra race?

I mean WS brings back the top 10 and golden ticket qualifiers, which seems like a pretty legit way to stack a field. Many past runners have even cited in this decade the competitiveness at WS is per runner more deep than it ever has been. Guys not just vying for top 10 but the podium spot too, and ultimately the win.

Beautiful ultras might have to include the European races that include the high-altitude guesthouses? Unlike our USA alpine areas, there is far more infrastructure there. Only once did I have fresh coffee & pastry in a 100-miler (the only Long Island 100 in ‘95). Possibly the best snack I’ve ever had.

After watching Sage's video today, and taking into consideration that there are some really top notch ultra's in the US if not the world, I think the trail scene leads in that respect. South Africa has a feast of trail beauties that can compare with most international events, and some of them to name a few e.g. Namaqua Quest - Schaap River Canyon Ultra over 58kms, or the equivalnet 3 day Trail event. You also have the Mac Mac 100 miler, The Washie 100 and the Merrell Whale of Trail 52km Ultra.

However, with that said, There is one baby and yeah its become a bucket list race for many South Africans and overseas runners and yep its a real monster. Its a road race that gives everyone (novices included) a chance , But its a qualifying event where an entrant must run a marathon in under 5 hours to ensure a place on the start line. This year the cut-off has been reduced to 04h50min and this means that many novices or casual runners will not be qualifying. It attracts around 25 000 runners of all shapes, sizes and running capabilities. Yep, its the Comrades Marathon run over 87.7km on the ocean to inland run and every second year it reverses to come down from inland to the ocean. Its a city to city run between Pietermaritzburg and Durban

I think this has to rate as one of the best if not the best road ultra marathon in the world. For the trained elite, its roughly a 5/6 hour run and for the novice like me 12 hours on the hard road. A novice has to train for 2 years to get your body ready for such a grueling event and believe me you would think the hills definitively have eyes on in this race, cos there are some maddening up hills followed by few downs on the Up-Run. The down is a knee killing run after 30kms into the race, where you descend down some valley roads that would leave you crawling around for 2 week before you get some life back in your legs.

So put Comrades on your bucket list and Sage can tell you more, as he has already run the 2015 edition and I think hes back to better his 15th position from the year. A couple years from now there will be the 100th running of this race and I think no other road races compare to this.

I'm only posting here because I tried the Hoka Cavu 2.0 and I want them for free.

Most prestigious ultra seems to be Western States from the ultra runners I've talked to.

My favorite and most underrated ultra would be the Burning River 100 in the Cleveland/Akron area.

My favorite ultra runner is Sage, because he actually posts here under his real name and gives good advice.

Hardest record to break? They're all up for the taking -- the depth of ultrarunners is ridiculously thin. Personally, I would like to see more 24 hour run competitions. This gives you a set goal with limitless strategies. With proper editing, it would even make for decent tellie.

Historically, London to Brighton or Comrades would be the most competitive ultras - back when ultra runners races on the roads. South African Bruce Fordyce is the Goat - still holding the 50 mile WR on the road set on the early 1980s at the AMJA ultra held in Chicago.

Yeah I'd admit that my opinion might be different (And that I might be biased because I've done TNF 50 in SF several times more). But again my main point: The North Face 50-miler is more accessible (no crazy lottery, no golden ticket requirement, no crazy $400 entry fee or needing a crew for 100-miles)...plus it has $10,000 for first place. Because it is 50-miles and "non-technical" you get more "road speed cross overs." Also, the finisher density of the top 10 I believe (historically) is a lot more competitive at The North Face 50 compared to Western States 100. Finally, you get pretty much all the runners that won or placed well at Western States: (ie. Rob Krars, Francois D'hane, Ryan Sandes, Magda Boulet, Timothy Olson, Stephanie Howe etc.) that also do North Face (in the past 5 years or so) plus guys like Zach Miller, Hayden Hawks, Tim Tollefson, Dakota Jones, Max King etc and some international guys.

I believe the best ultra in the world is the first one that you do. I did my first ultra(100k) about a month ago, and even though the route wasn't the nicest and the course was practically flat all the way, it will be a run I won't forget any time soon . I feel that in general, inexperience of anything makes for the most enjoyable moments and being out of your comfort zone helps you to develop yourself mentally and physically. Now I know that peanuts are good, vanilla milk doesn't agree with my system and hokas are good shoes for a long run :)

I agree with Sage when he says it is only in the US that 100s are a big deal. For the many reasons he listed, Western States doesn't have the international depth of UTMB or Comrades. 100k seems like a better standard to me.

I really like his approach of targeting races that are the most competitive. Any of the Golden Trail series are in that category, although none of them are beyond 42k. The Pikes Peak Marathon is the US race in that series. Very competitive, iconic and historic (3rd oldest US marathon and the first to allow women). Even Rojo has heard of it.

the blue2blue challenge is the best ultra out there don’t @ me ???

Your search begins and ends with one runner: Jim Walmsley

A cool but little known Southern California course along parts of the Pacific Crest Trail is the AC100, Angeles Crest 100.

Before deciding on a best / most competitive ultra or GOAT, it would be helpful to break down ultras into categories. Then we could decide the best ultra(s) and GOAT in each category. After doing that, we could see if any one course is the best overall, and whether there is an overall GOAT overall. As a start (adjust these as needed):

Road Ultras (50km - 100km)

- Roughly speaking an extension of road marathons (but typically hillier).

- Runners excelling here typically have a road or track background.

Most Competitive/Prestigious:

- Comrades

- Two Oceans

- IAU 100k World Championship

- GOAT: ?

Trail Ultras (50km - 100km)

- Substantially more vertical change than a road marathon, but runnable (see Mountain Ultras below for non-runnable courses).

- Typically a fast marathoner is likely to be a fast trail 50km - 100km runner (aside from extreme/outlier courses), with proper adaptation to vertical change

Most Competitive/Prestigious

- North Face 50

- ???

- GOAT: ?

Trail Ultras (100 mile)

- Separate from 50km-100km, reasons:

1. Historically, fast runners in marathons, road ultras, and 50km-100km are typically competitive, but not automatically near the top when moving to 100 miles.

2. More per-race variance due to fueling, course conditions, and race duration, as compared to 50km-100km.

3. There are a substantial number of 100 mile races;

Most Competitive/Prestigious

- Western States

- UTMB (which is interesting competitively since it almost crosses over into a mountain ultra)

- GOAT: ?

Mountain Ultras / Sky Running

- Characterized by extreme ascents and descents, often requiring scrambling and hiking.

- A very fast and competitive sky runner may be slow (relatively speaking) on a flat marathon course.

- A very fast road marathoner is typically competitive, but the terrain and race is so vastly different than a flat road marathon that they are not automatically near the top.

Most Competitive/Prestigious

- Zegama

- ???

- GOAT: Killian Jornet

"Extreme" Races (this could be broken down further)

- The race format itself is extreme, due to time, distance, or unique characteristics.

- 24 hour record (on a track)

- Barkley

- Tour de Geants

- GOAT: ???

I like this...these categories make sense. However, I think for the "road ultras" can we get into just "flat road/track" stuff even up to 24+ hours (and not just 100km). 24 hours on a track I think still correlates very well with "road marathon speed." Maybe at 48 hours we put it in the "extreme category" as that is then multi-day stuff. For example, Camille Herron has done well at Comrades (won) and also the 100-miler records (Tunnel hill/track) as well as up to 24 hours....This of course could include IAU 100km Worlds as well as 24hr worlds and maybe even Badwater/Spartathon and Kouros territory. (but of course that might stretch into 48 hours and more multi-day stuff....which is "Extreme" and I agree would include Barkleys, 200-milers etc) But it is " more flat and non-technical" and usually runnable all the way (track/roads/tame dirt roads). ____________________________________________ Then for" trail ultras" we have those iconic 100-milers: Western States 100 and UMTB: Of course Kilian has won both of those (as well as dominated at a lot the shorter mountain stuff "Sky Running" and "Golden Trail Series"....however note he did not win the GTS last year. _____________________________________________ The stuff at 42km and less (some of the most competitive and epic mountain races in the world!) like Zegama and Sierre-Zinal can be in the same category as WMRA Mountain Running Champs (12km)....these are technically not ultras in distance obviously though... but make up the "M" in "Mountain-Ultra-Trail aka 'MUT' Running"....Kilian may be the GOAT there although we also had/have guys like Jonathon Wyatt. (Robbie Simpson is pretty good now too)...might want to also include some Fell Running now that I think about it!