Congratulations!
You’ve taken the plunge and decided to run your first ultramarathon. I promise you won’t be disappointed; instead, you will likely become addicted like the rest of us in the ultra-running community.
With trail running and ultra distances gaining increasing popularity, it can be overwhelming to know how to choose your first ultramarathon race from the plethora of longer-distance races popping up all over social media, such as Western States, Hard Rock, and UTMB.
When choosing which ultra trail race to run first, many factors must be considered, such as location, race distance, terrain, altitude, elevation gain, and course type.
As an ultra runner and running coach, I will walk you through the process of choosing your first ultramarathon and the most important components you should consider.
No matter which race you choose, your first ultramarathon is going to be a challenge. When choosing which to tackle, it’s important to take every little detail into consideration so you will have the best chance of enjoying your first race experience to the max.
You want to finish your first ultra wanting more, not fed up and broken, swearing that you will never run one again. My goal is for you to have a positive first experience and keep coming back for more!
What Is An Ultramarathon?
There has been much controversy over the exact definition of an ultramarathon, as some believe it’s a race of 80K, some 100K, and others 50K.
According to Merriam-Webster, an ultramarathon is “a footrace longer than a marathon.” Therefore, anything over 42.195 kilometers, or 26.2 miles, is considered an ultramarathon.
There are currently so many races out there that it can be overwhelming to know where to start, so my goal is to help you narrow down your options and choose your first ultramarathon wisely.
What Should I Consider When Choosing My First Ultramarathon Race?
#1: Distance
Reflect on your training and race history up to this point, and then choose your distance accordingly.
If you have been running marathons for years, a 50K is just a baby step away, so for your first ultra, you may want to look into a 50-mile (80-kilometer) race.
If you have less experience running long distances and have focused more on half marathons, a 50K is going to be a great challenge for you.
As a coach, I may err on the more conservative side, but I wouldn’t push one of my runners into a 100K or 100 miler if they haven’t progressively gone through the ultramarathon training process.
I believe in dominating a distance before moving on to the next one.
This way, you show up to your next race well-prepared and have a better chance of crossing the finish line safe, sound, and happy.
A lot of unexpected challenges can come up in longer distances, from blisters and chafing in places you never dreamed of to complications with nutrition and hydration strategies.
Therefore, gradually progress from distance to distance. Begin with a few 50Ks, move up to a 50-miler, and after a few of those, start planning your first 100K. Have at least one 100K under your belt before deciding to train for a 100-mile race.
Setting attainable goals will allow you to enjoy the process and outcome much more.
#2: Location Location Location
For the first time you run an ultra, decide whether you want to race locally or take a vacation and go somewhere new. Both choices have great advantages.
Run Local . . .
If you choose a race close to where you live, you are sure to have plenty of people who will want to come and help you out.
You can organize a killer crew who can help you out at the different aid stations along the way, filling your hydration pack, stuffing your vest with gels and snacks, and checking in to see if you need anything.
Having your own personal cheerleaders giving you words of encouragement is also a great bonus!
While you’re going through those likely lows of an ultramarathon, it’s very comforting to know you will see familiar faces along the way. Just the thought will cheer you up immediately and motivate you to get to that next checkpoint.
. . .Or Take a Vacation
You may not have as much crew support if you decide to travel for your big race, but how cool would it be to make a big trip out of running your first ultra?
Choose somewhere you have always been dying to go and see what races are available in that area. I suggest arriving a few days before your big race so potential travel delays don’t become an issue, and you can get settled.
After your big race, you can spend the rest of your vacation celebrating your massive achievement by touring around, eating delicious new cuisine, and getting your rest where possible.
#3: Race Specifics
A lot of what you need to take into consideration when choosing your first ultra has to do with the specifics of the race.
The longer the race, the more chance there is for something not to go our way. Therefore, we need to make decisions that will help us control as much as possible. We can start by choosing a race that is advantageous to us.
Consider where you live and look for a race you could simulate during your back-to-back long runs. It is an excellent advantage to do training runs in conditions or terrain similar to those of your race.
If you live at sea level and in a tropical climate, you’ll want to avoid choosing your first ultramarathon at 3,000 meters of elevation and an average temperature of 0 degrees Celsius.
If you are more accustomed to road running and road racing instead of trail running, you may want your first race to be a bit more runnable. This means simpler terrain, such as gravel roads, and fewer steep slopes to climb and descend.
I already know you love a challenge because you are reading up on how to choose your first ultramarathon, but let’s save extreme conditions for your second or third.
Also, consider the logistics of the race, such as start time, starting location, finish location, event activities, assistance during the race, and accommodations.
#4: Climate
Take a look at the typical weather during the time of year the race takes place.
Is there a possibility that there could be either extremely hot or cold weather that could affect your race substantially?
Look into races with comfortable climates, where you won’t need to worry about bringing a lot of extra clothes and layers due to frigid temps or risk dehydration because of the heat and humidity.
You’ll still need to prepare for the weather, but choosing a more comfortable climate will minimize risk and provide a more enjoyable experience overall.
#5: Total Verticle Gain
For this first ultra, focus on your strengths as a runner.
If you are an excellent climber, look for a race with ample vertical gain. If you are more of a road runner, look for races that are on the flatter side or that have rolling hills rather than steep climbs.
Stay in your comfort zone because no matter what, you’ll be taken out of it at some point during the race.
#6: Terrain
Take a look at the percentages of asphalt, gravel, single-track trail, river crossings, beach, or any other possible terrain type you’ll run into during the race.
Ask yourself if you are comfortable with those types of terrain. If not, do you have trails with similar terrain close by where you can train?
Choose something you’re comfortable with so you will feel confident on race day.
#7: Course Type
There are a variety of different course setups in ultramarathons:
- Point to point
- Out and back
- Single loop
- Multiple loops
I would suggest choosing either a point-to-point or single-loop race as your first.
Multiple loop and out-and-back races tend to be a bit monotonous, as you are running over the same course multiple times.
In multiple-loop courses, you run by the start/finish line over and over again, which can be a risky thing to do during your first ultra. You may be tempted to call it quits before finishing the race because it’s just so easy to stop.
When you run from point A to point B, or just one long loop, you will constantly travel over new terrain, see new sights, and be more inclined to continue as you feel each aid station is a sense of accomplishment as you cross it off your list.
For more insight into a race’s difficulty, you can also look at the previous race results posted on the event’s website. There you can get an idea of the range of finishing times over the past years.
It’s always difficult to estimate how long it will take to run an ultra as opposed to a road marathon or other race distance because of the different variables.
However, peaking at the previous race results allows you to get a vague idea of what the elite, amateur, and back-of-the-pack runners have done in the past.
#8: Pacers
Many 80K+ races allow participants to pick up pacers for the last leg of the race, so choose an ultramarathon where pacers are allowed if you think having company will help you out.
A pacer is someone who accompanies you for an allotted distance during the race, usually from the second half on. Pacers can be people you know or volunteers who have signed up through the organization to help the runners out.
It’s quite a responsibility to take on the job of a pacer, but it’s also a very rewarding experience. So either ask a buddy to help you out or ask the organization if they provide pacers.
You’ll be thrilled to have someone help push you through those last sections of the race when you’re tired and dying to cross the finish line.
- Related: How To Crew An Ultra
#9: Training Plan
Running an ultra isn’t something you want to “wing.”
To ensure you get to the start line well-prepared, follow a training plan with appropriate workouts for your particular race.
Newer ultra runners are inclined to do too much too fast or think they have to run immense distances to be successful when that’s not true. As an ultra-running coach, I find many of my athletes think they need to run much more during long runs than necessary.
At Marathon Handbook, we have training plans for all ultra distances for new and experienced runners. Check out our database to find the correct plan for you.
Also, if you are looking for a running coach to give you personalized guidance and plans, we offer that as well.
Let’s do this!
I hope I have been able to give you the guidance you need to go on your hunt for the perfect race.
Considering these points when choosing your first ultramarathon will improve your odds of having the best possible first experience and keep you coming back for more.
Good luck with that first ultra!
