The World’s 10 Toughest Races

As if running a marathon wasn’t tough enough, humans decided to make it tougher—running distances of 100 or 200 or more miles! And, if that wasn’t tough enough—humans began running ultramarathons in extreme conditions, on impossible terrain, with the threat of dangerous wildlife looming. What are these ultramarathons? We round up the top ten toughest … Read more

Race Profile: The Coastal Challenge Costa Rica

Are you looking for the adventure of a lifetime? Look no further because I have the perfect one for you! The Coastal Challenge in Costa Rica. Over 6 days and 225k, this race takes in the best of Costa Rica! My experience running the Coastal Challenge was out of this world, and if you are … Read more

What is RacingThePlanet I The 4 Deserts Ultramarathon Series?

How can you truly experience this beautiful and varied planet we live on? Competing in the RacingThePlanet 4 Deserts Ultramarathon Series would be one way.  The 4 Deserts Ultramarathon Series takes place in four deserts around the world. Participants traverse 155 miles over several days in each self-supported ultramarathon, running through sand dunes, past an … Read more

The Western States 100 Race Profile: The King Of 100 Mile Races

The Western States 100 is the oldest 100-mile ultra trail race in the world. It is well-known for its history and challenging conditions including 18,000 feet of climbing and temperature swings from the blistering cold to triple-digit heat.  For almost five decades, Western States has been home to some of the sport’s most legendary competitions … Read more

Circumpolar Race Around the World (CRAW): The Virtual Global Relay Run

Leave it to Lazarus Lake, creator of the Barkley Marathons (arguably one of the toughest ultramarathons in the world) and the Backyard Ultra, to transform the idea of racing virtually into a years-long, team-based race around the world.    After the success of his four-month-long virtual Race Across Tennessee held during the summer of 2020, Lake … Read more

Complete Guide to UTMB: Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc Ultramarathon

If you’re a trail runner, then you’ve likely heard of the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc or UTMB. It is considered one of the most significant, competitive, beautiful, and challenging ultramarathon trail races in the world.   Each year in the summer, tens of thousands of outdoor adventurers from around the world gather in Chamonix, France to take … Read more

The Badwater 135 Ultramarathon, Explained: The Hottest – and Hardest – Race On Earth

The Badwater 135 ultramarathon is known as one of, if not THE, most challenging ultras on the face of the planet. It combines distance with grueling terrain and elevation with staggering heat.  Here we investigate what the Badwater ultra entails, why it is so hard to get into, and why so many ultramarathoners want to … Read more

Big Dog’s Backyard Ultras Complete Guide: The Format, Training, How To Survive One

Big Dog’s Backyard Ultra, also known as Big’s Backyard Ultra or Backyard Ultra, is the original backyard ultra, invented by Gary “Lazarus Lake” Cantrell of Bell Buckle, Tennessee in 2012, the mastermind of the famed Barkley Marathons and more recently, CRAW. Since its founding, Backyard Ultras have popped up all over the world, especially gaining popularity during … Read more