Why ultramarathons are different

I’ve run 6 ultramarathons and I often get questions about them.

Ultras are defined by their distance—any race beyond marathon distance. But they’re different in a few fundamental ways.

Nearly all ultras take place off-road, on trails, and frequently pass through AONBs (Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty) like the Mendips, Cotswolds, Snowdonia etc.

This makes them very different to running on roads. Trail running requires more attention to the ground and, for me, it’s much more engaging. The feeling of gliding over an undulating single-track trail is magical. It takes some practice at first, but I don’t know anyone who’s been left craving tarmac afterwards.

Ultras also include a lot more elevation. This varies wildly between “flatter” courses and mountain ultras, where you might be ascending to Himalayan heights. Both uphills and downhills bring challenges and stunning views.

Oftentimes, people try to extrapolate the intensity of a road marathon to grasp what an ultra is like. But these races are much more relaxed than most people imagine. Most people run ultras pretty slow; think relaxed 5k pace. And many races have very generous cut-off times.

Think of it as a jog through beautiful landscapes, eating as much as you can, rather than a race to the gun. Most people are walking the uphills. I’ve had many good conversations with people during a race.

Every ultra is unique. The distance itself varies a lot, from 50k (5 more miles than a marathon) to 50 miles, to 100k, to 100 miles, and beyond. You could make this case for marathons too, but generally, the surroundings, time of year, altitude, length and organisation vary much more between ultras. And that makes each event a unique challenge and an equally unique sense of accomplishment.

The training for an ultra is also not as intense as people imagine. I have friends who run marathons. They run more than me and they train harder. I’d say a 50k race is a more relaxed affair than most city marathons. I averaged 30-mile weeks in preparation for my 100k run in 2018, with some cycling thrown in for extra cardio. It was more than adequate.

My partner told me that someone described the difference between a marathon and an ultramarathon like so: when you run a marathon, everyone asks your time. When you run an ultra, everyone asks if you finished. I think this says a lot. The vast majority of ultra-runners are just looking to finish.

So the distance and terrain change how the race looks. And it will also change your focus. As you’re on your feet for a long time, there’s more emphasis on running sustainably and fuelling well. You’re going to be eating a lot on the go and a happy stomach is essential. Ultras are often defined as eating contests and the checkpoints are a sight to behold, packed with flat coke, jelly babies, sandwiches, cake and pretty much anything in between.

I’d also argue ultras are healthier in the longer term. The off-road, undulating nature of the courses is kinder to joints and the beautiful backdrops are more beneficial to mental well-being vs higher-intensity sprints on tarmac.

Another reason I love ultras is because being smart and determined pays off. Gear, fuelling, hydration, downhill technique, patience and resilience can all have you crossing the finishing line before someone half of your age and twice your aerobic capacity. All sports are mental games, but the protracted length of an ultra makes mindset an even bigger factor than usual.

Lastly, age and gender matter less than in other sports. The curve for performing well stretches much further into middle age at this distance. FKTs and race winners are regularly in their 40s and beyond. Last week, 55-year-old Anna Troup won one of the toughest ultras in the UK, beating all the male competitors for good measure.

So there you have it. If you’re curious, see what’s going on in your local area. More races are being put on than ever.