I was thinking about ultramarathons and how tough it must be to reach the top of that sport. But is it tougher than reaching the elite level in the 5k distance?
I was thinking about ultramarathons and how tough it must be to reach the top of that sport. But is it tougher than reaching the elite level in the 5k distance?
Top of the heap in hilly, mountainous 100-milers at high elevation.
It would be more difficult to be a top level 5k runner than ultra runner.
I'm not one of the "ultra-haters" on this board, but if by "reach the top" you mean be the best in the world it is the 5k and it's not even close. It's a numbers game, thousands of great athletes across the world pushing themselves to be the best 5000 meter guy whereas you have a few hundred people in the whole world trying their best to be the best ultra guy.
Yes, but think about how many short-distance runners cannot physically and mentally do a 100-miler, yet alone one in the mountains.
I have great respect for the ultra's. The elites are certainly something special, and yes the pain & physical stamina it takes to compete at that level is impressive, but reaching the top of the heap isn't as difficult as being the best or near the best 5000 meter runner in the world.
88* wrote:
Yes, but think about how many short-distance runners cannot physically and mentally do a 100-miler, yet alone one in the mountains.
You are completely wrong. Any top level 5k runner could run a 100 miler or 50 if they decieded they wanted to waste 2 days. The ultra runner could never break 13:00-ever.
Think about how many people can't run under 60 seconds for a 400. What about running 12.5 of them nonstop?
Like the poster above said - it's a numbers game. There's more money and and far more people trying to become the best 5k runner in the world than people focused on ultrarunning - which is still a fringe sport.
Think about how many people can't run under 43 for a 10k. What about running 16 of them nonstop?
Unlike former 800 runner's example, this has actually happened. 11:28:03 for 100 miles. Reaching the "elite" level in ultramarathons certainly is not as hard as in the 5k. Reaching the world record level is a lot harder than most letsrunners would care to admit.
Also, "ultramarathon" isn't just one event.
Need Insight wrote:
I was thinking about ultramarathons and how tough it must be to reach the top of that sport. But is it tougher than reaching the elite level in the 5k distance?
simple, to be a elite 5k runner you need to be able to churn out a blazing fast lap in championship race, and be able to run real fast constantly in a time trial type race. But Ultras you dont need speed. You dont need to run a 55 second last 400. 5k is harder and im going to laugh at anyone who says differently
Chic Harley... wrote:
I'm not one of the "ultra-haters" on this board, but if by "reach the top" you mean be the best in the world it is the 5k and it's not even close. It's a numbers game, thousands of great athletes across the world pushing themselves to be the best 5000 meter guy whereas you have a few hundred people in the whole world trying their best to be the best ultra guy.
This is clearly the correct answer. There is really no logical way you can argue against it.
Man, it sure is easy to get you guys going!