Are you a thrill-seeking runner looking for your next big challenge? Look no further than the Big Five Marathon in the Limpopo province of South Africa. Known as the “world’s wildest marathon,” this race is not for the faint of heart. The stunning surroundings are reason enough to take on the challenge but add in the fact that it takes place in the heart of a wildlife reserve, and you have a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Read on to learn more about […]
The Western States Endurance Run, commonly referred to as WSER, is one of the oldest and most prestigious ultramarathon races in the world. Founded in 1974, it covers a 100-mile course from Squaw Valley, California to Auburn, California, passing through the Sierra Nevada and Cascade ranges. The terrain is rugged, with punishing climbs and descents, and the weather is usually hot and unforgiving. Running the WSER is considered the ultimate test of endurance, and thousands of ultra-runners from around the […]
The Western States Endurance Run is the world's oldest and most prestigious 100-mile trail race, traversing the rugged Sierra Nevada mountains from Olympic Valley to Auburn, California. Course Highlights The Western States Endurance Run (WSER) follows the middle portion of the historic Western States Trail, a nationally dedicated recreational trail that stretches across the Sierra Nevada. The race begins at the west end of Olympic Valley, the site of the 1960 Winter Olympic Games, and immediately subjects runners to a […]
Iceland is not only known for its icy glaciers but also for its magnificent volcanoes. What better way to truly explore this mystical land than through participating in an Icelandic Volcano Marathon? The terrain is challenging, the weather unpredictable, and the scenery stunning. In this post, we’ll dive into the details of this infamous marathon, and explain why you should consider taking on this unique challenge. The Route: The one-of-a-kind volcano marathon route takes participants through the southeast of the […]
An annual fundraising marathon held at the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya, where participants run on dirt roads alongside diverse African wildlife to support conservation and community projects. Course Highlights The Lewa Safari Marathon course is widely regarded as one of the most breathtaking and unique endurance challenges on the planet. Set entirely within the 62,000-acre Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in northern Kenya, the race offers participants a rare opportunity to run through a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The course consists […]
The Zermatt Marathon is a world-class mountain race in the Swiss Alps, featuring a grueling ascent from St. Niklaus to the Riffelberg or Gornergrat with iconic views of the Matterhorn. Course Highlights The Gornergrat Zermatt Marathon is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful yet challenging mountain races in Europe. The course begins in the picturesque village of St. Niklaus, located in the deepest valley of Switzerland. From there, runners embark on a journey that ascends through the breathtaking […]
The Mount Marathon Race is a legendary mountain running event in Seward, Alaska, featuring a grueling 3.1-mile course with nearly 3,000 feet of vertical gain. Course Highlights The Mount Marathon Race is world-renowned for its brutal verticality and technical terrain, offering a challenge that belies its relatively short 3.1-mile distance. From the starting line on 4th Avenue, runners face an immediate and unrelenting ascent of nearly 3,000 feet. The course is famous for its extreme steepness, with an average slope […]
Course HighlightsThe Vail HillClimb is one of Colorado's most storied mountain running traditions, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026. The 12.2K (7.6-mile) course is a pure uphill race from the base of Vail Village at 8,160 feet to Mid-Vail at 10,254 feet — a relentless 2,128-foot climb. The route follows the same gravel and dirt service road that has been used since the race was founded in 1976, with 80% dirt/gravel and 20% paved sections. Runners work through dense spruce-fir […]
The Hardrock Hundred Mile Endurance Run is a premier 100-mile ultramarathon in the San Juan Mountains, known for its extreme elevation change and technical high-altitude terrain. Course Highlights The Hardrock Hundred Mile Endurance Run is legendary for its challenging and breathtaking course through the San Juan Mountains in southwestern Colorado. The 2026 edition will follow a clockwise loop, starting and ending in the historic mining town of Silverton. Runners will encounter thirteen major passes in the 12,000' to 13,000' range, […]
Running a marathon is already a monumental feat, but what if you could experience it in one of the most extreme locations on the planet? The North Pole Marathon is not your typical marathon - it takes place on the frozen tundra surrounded by endless white landscapes and sub-zero temperatures. It's a challenge that only a select few dare to take on, but those who do are rewarded with a truly unforgettable experience. In this blog post, we'll explore everything […]
The Eiger Ultra Trail by UTMB is a world-renowned trail running event in the Swiss Alps, featuring distances from 15km to 250km set against the backdrop of the iconic Eiger North Face. Course Highlights The Eiger Ultra Trail by UTMB offers an unparalleled alpine experience at the foot of the legendary Eiger North Face in the Bernese Oberland. The crown jewel, the E101 course, takes runners on a spectacular journey through the Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Nature Heritage site. Key landmarks […]
Conquering the Heights: All You Need to Know About Mount Rainier Half Marathon & 5k Mount Rainier has always been a source of inspiration for many hikers. The area around the mountain offers thrilling trails and stunning accommodations that truly make it a nature lover's paradise. However, apart from hiking, Mount Rainier also has an amazing marathon and 5k that takes place each year. These events attract the best of runners and the most determined participants. In this blog post, […]
The Vermont 100 is a historic ultramarathon featuring a concurrent horse race, challenging runners with 17,000 feet of gain across Vermont's scenic dirt roads and trails. Course Highlights The Vermont 100 Mile Endurance Run is a legendary test of grit set against the scenic backdrop of the southern Green Mountains. The course is a relentless series of "unrelenting rollers" that accumulate to approximately 17,000 feet of elevation gain for the 100-mile distance and 9,000 feet for the 100K. Runners traverse […]
545The Ultra Marathons Of All Ultras For most of us, running a single marathon can be the ultimate test of physical and mental endurance. But what if there was a race that took it to the extreme, pushing past the limits of what most athletes could ever imagine? Enter Badwater 135, a race that is notorious for being one of the toughest in the world. Located in the scorching hot Badwater Basin of Death Valley, California, this race is not […]
Course HighlightsThe Aspen Backcountry Marathon is one of Colorado's most stunning trail races, utilizing the world-class trail network that surrounds the legendary resort town of Aspen. All three distances — the 50K, marathon, and heavy half-marathon — run almost exclusively on single-track dirt trails with diverse terrain: challenging climbs through aspen groves, high ridge traverses with panoramic views of the Elk Mountains, and technical descents back into the valley. The 50K distance includes an out-and-back to the McNamara Hut, part […]
Sierre-Zinal is an iconic 31 km mountain race in the Swiss Alps, famously known as the 'Race of the Five 4,000s' for its views of five legendary peaks. It attracts elite athletes and amateurs alike for its challenging elevation and breathtaking scenery. Course Highlights Known as the "Race of the Five 4,000s," Sierre-Zinal offers some of the most spectacular views in the trail running world. The point-to-point course stretches 31 kilometers through the heart of the Swiss Valais Alps, connecting […]
Course HighlightsHaulin Aspen Trail Marathon & Half Marathon runs through the spectacular trail network surrounding Sunriver Resort and the Deschutes National Forest in Central Oregon. The course winds through golden aspen groves (at their most spectacular in late summer), old-growth ponderosa pine forests, and open meadows with sweeping views of the Three Sisters, Mount Bachelor, and Broken Top. The marathon and half marathon share the same scenic forest terrain, making this one of Central Oregon's premier late-summer trail experiences.Race DetailsThe […]
The Bigfoot 200 is a premier 200-mile point-to-point ultramarathon that traverses the technical and volcanic terrain of Washington's Cascade Mountains. Course Highlights The Bigfoot 200 Endurance Run offers an unparalleled journey through the rugged and diverse landscapes of the Cascade Mountains in Washington State. The race begins at the base of the iconic Mount St. Helens, where runners navigate through the otherworldly "blast zone" and vast lava fields created by the 1980 eruption. This section provides stark, moon-like scenery with […]
The Vasaloppet Summer Run is a series of prestigious trail and ultra-running races held in Sweden, following the historic 92 km route from Sälen to Mora. Course Highlights The Vasaloppet Summer Run, part of the renowned Vasaloppet Summer Week, takes place in the historic Vasaloppet Arena, tracing the legendary path used by skiers during the winter months. The flagship event, Ultravasan 90, starts in Sälen and spans 92 kilometers to the finish line in Mora. Runners experience a diverse terrain […]
Have you always been up for a running challenge? How about a marathon with a breathtaking view and steep climb? Well, you’re just in luck. Bridger Ridge Run is a fun and competitive race that’s worth every penny spent and every sweat bead shed. With Rocky Mountain peaks and steep ridges, the Bridger Ridge Run trail has been ranked as one of the most technical running trails in America. It’s a grueling test of physical ability, endurance, and mental toughness […]
The Leadville Trail 100 Run is a legendary 100-mile out-and-back ultramarathon through the high-altitude terrain of the Colorado Rockies, famously known as the "Race Across the Sky." Course Highlights The Leadville Trail 100 Run course is a brutal out-and-back ultramarathon that will push even the toughest runners to their limits. Starting and finishing in the heart of Leadville at 10,200 feet, the course traverses the rugged and unrelenting terrain of the Colorado Rockies. Key highlights include the steep and punishing […]
Course HighlightsThe Leadville Trail 100 Run — the Race Across the Sky — is the defining event of American ultrarunning. The 99.7-mile out-and-back course starts and finishes in Leadville, Colorado (10,152 feet, the highest incorporated city in the United States) and crosses the legendary Hope Pass twice at 12,500–12,600 feet, climbs the rugged Powerline section, traverses technical stretches of the Colorado Trail, and descends to the lowest point of 9,200 feet at Twin Lakes. The course accumulates 15,492 feet of […]
Course HighlightsThe Telluride Mountain Run is one of the most visually spectacular mountain running events in the American West, set above the jaw-dropping box canyon town of Telluride in the heart of Colorado's San Juan Mountains. Runners navigate old mining roads, technical singletrack, and sweeping alpine tundra over mountain passes and exposed ridgelines, with portions of the course reaching above 13,000 feet. The 65-mile distance — new for 2026 — starts at 6:00 AM from Telluride Town Park and traverses […]
If you're a passionate trail runner, there's no denying that the Ultra Trail Du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) is probably on your ultimate bucket list. This legendary trail race that spans three countries - France, Italy, and Switzerland - takes runners on a challenging journey of 170km with a staggering 10,000m elevation gain. It's one of the most demanding and spectacular trail races in the world, gathering thousands of excited runners from all corners of the globe each year. In this blog […]
A scenic point-to-point half marathon held on the historic railroad trails of Washington state, finishing in North Bend (https://www.orcarunning.com/iron-horse-half/). Course Highlights The course follows the unpaved, hard-packed dirt of the Palouse to Cascades and Snoqualmie Valley Trails, which are former railroad beds (https://www.orcarunning.com/iron-horse-half/). While traditionally a gentle downhill run starting at Olallie State Park and finishing in North Bend, the 2026 course will be modified due to trail damage from floods (https://www.orcarunning.com/iron-horse-half/). Runners can expect scenic forest views and crossing […]
