ultratrails

Ultratrails are long-distance trail running races held on natural terrain, typically longer than the marathon distance (42.195 kilometers). They emphasize endurance, elevation management, and technical terrain. Courses can range from forest trails to alpine ridges and may include navigation in unmarked sections, though many events are well marked. Conditions such as weather, altitude, and rough terrain are common challenges.

Common formats include 50-kilometer, 100-kilometer, and 100-mile races, with some events spanning multiple days. Races may be single-stage or multi-day stage events. Courses can be point-to-point or looped, and many have substantial total elevation gain. Runners are often supported by aid stations; some races are self-supported, while others restrict assistance and require mandatory equipment.

Training for ultratrails emphasizes high-volume mileage, long back-to-back runs, hill and technical trail work, and nutrition planning. Equipment typically includes trail running shoes with good grip, hydration systems, weather-appropriate layers, headlamp, and sometimes trekking poles. Races impose cutoff times and mandatory gear depending on conditions and distance.

Organizational and competitive context includes national athletic federations and the International Trail Running Association (ITRA), which provides standards and rating systems. The Ultra-Trail World Tour groups several premier events into a circuit. Notable ultratrails include Western States Endurance Run, Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, Barkley Marathons, Hardrock 100, Tor des Géants, and Leadville Trail 100.

Ultratrail participation spans recreational runners to elite athletes. Risks include dehydration, hypothermia, injury, and exhaustion, particularly in remote or high-altitude sections. The community emphasizes safety, trail ethics, and environmental stewardship.