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Running EventsUltramarathons

Ultra Marathons in the USA

Ultramarathons, or ultras, are any running races beyond the standard marathon distance of 26.2 miles (or 42.2k). The most common ultra distances are 50k, 100k, 50 miles, or 100 miles, but each event is unique in terms of distance and terrain. The International Association of Athletics Federation recognises world records at ultramarathon events that have a distance of 100km. There are even 24hr ultramarathons, where the distance is unlimited, or multiday ultras, where the distance can extend beyond 1000km. There are a couple of city-based ultramarathons, but most ultras make the most of the USA's stunning scenery and landscapes. A lot of these events go off-road and require trail-running over difficult terrain with steep climbs or along rugged coastlines. There are over 1,500 ultramarathon events in the USA. One of the most famous and most difficult events is the Badwater Ultramarathon, which is 135 miles long through the searing heat and arduous terrain of Death Valley.

38 events found
Silver Moon Race Reedley

Saturday, 8 Apr 2023

Silver Moon Race Reedley

LocationIndicator

Reedley, California

Participants

ultramarathon

Star5

(1 reviews)

FilledTicket$90 – $200
Booking perksGreat atmosphereTrail
Heart
Valencia Trail Race

Saturday, 15 Apr 2023

Valencia Trail Race

LocationIndicator

Santa Clarita, California

Participants

10k, ultramarathon, half marathon

FilledTicket$120 – $180
Booking perksTrail
Heart
Behind the Rocks

Saturday, 25 Mar 2023

Behind the Rocks

LocationIndicator

Moab, Utah

Participants

ultramarathon, 10 miles

FilledTicketPrice TBC
Heart
Rattler Trail Race

Saturday, 8 Apr 2023

Rattler Trail Race

LocationIndicator

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Participants

10k, ultramarathon

FilledTicketPrice TBC
Heart
Oriflamme 50k

Saturday, 15 Apr 2023

Oriflamme 50k

LocationIndicator

Julian, California

Participants

ultramarathon

Star4.5

(1 reviews)

FilledTicketPrice TBC
Great atmosphereTrail
Heart
John Wayne Grit Series Newport Coast 50k, 25k & 5k

Saturday, 22 Apr 2023

John Wayne Grit Series Newport Coast 50k, 25k & 5k

LocationIndicator

Laguna Beach, California

Participants

5k, ultramarathon

FilledTicketPrice TBC
Hilly trail
Heart
Sierra Azul Trail Challenge

Saturday, 29 Apr 2023

Sierra Azul Trail Challenge

LocationIndicator

San Jose, California

Participants

ultramarathon, marathon, half marathon, 5k

FilledTicketPrice TBC
Hilly trail
Heart
Quad Rock 50 Mile & 25 Mile

Saturday, 6 May 2023

Quad Rock 50 Mile & 25 Mile

LocationIndicator

Bellvue, Colorado

Participants

ultramarathon

FilledTicketPrice TBC
Hilly trail
Heart
Greenland Trail Races

Saturday, 6 May 2023

Greenland Trail Races

LocationIndicator

Larkspur, Colorado

Participants

ultramarathon

FilledTicketPrice TBC
Flat trail
Heart
Ragnar Trail Zion

Friday, 12 May 2023

Ragnar Trail Zion

LocationIndicator

Orderville, Utah

Participants

ultramarathon

FilledTicketPrice TBC
Heart
Thelma and Louise 50k, Marathon, Half Marathon, & 15k

Saturday, 13 May 2023

Thelma and Louise 50k, Marathon, Half Marathon, & 15k

LocationIndicator

Moab, Utah

Participants

ultramarathon, marathon, half marathon

FilledTicketPrice TBC
Heart
Sly Park Lake Trail Run

Saturday, 13 May 2023

Sly Park Lake Trail Run

LocationIndicator

Pollock Pines, California

Participants

5k, 10k, half marathon, marathon, ultramarathon

FilledTicketPrice TBC
Great sceneryFlat trail
Heart
The Pacific Crest Trail 50 Miles

Saturday, 13 May 2023

The Pacific Crest Trail 50 Miles

LocationIndicator

San Diego, California

Participants

ultramarathon

FilledTicketPrice TBC
Trail
Heart
Ragnar Trail Kentucky

Friday, 19 May 2023

Ragnar Trail Kentucky

LocationIndicator

Brandenburg, Kentucky

Participants

ultramarathon

FilledTicketPrice TBC
Heart
Valkyrie Trail Race

Saturday, 20 May 2023

Valkyrie Trail Race

LocationIndicator

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Participants

half marathon, marathon, ultramarathon

FilledTicketPrice TBC
Heart
Ragnar Trail Colorado

Friday, 9 Jun 2023

Ragnar Trail Colorado

LocationIndicator

Snowmass Village, Colorado

Participants

ultramarathon

FilledTicketPrice TBC
Hilly trail
Heart
Yellowstone Half Marathon and 5k

Friday, 9 Jun 2023

Yellowstone Half Marathon and 5k

LocationIndicator

West Yellowstone, Montana

Participants

5k, half marathon, ultramarathon

FilledTicket$46 – $377
Trail
Heart
Ragnar Sprint Wasatch Back

Saturday, 10 Jun 2023

Ragnar Sprint Wasatch Back

LocationIndicator

Logan, Utah

Participants

ultramarathon

FilledTicketPrice TBC
Heart
Mt. Umunhum Ultras

Saturday, 10 Jun 2023

Mt. Umunhum Ultras

LocationIndicator

San Jose, California

Participants

ultramarathon, marathon, half marathon, 10k, 5k

FilledTicketPrice TBC
Hilly trail
Heart
Running with the Devil

Saturday, 17 Jun 2023

Running with the Devil

LocationIndicator

Las Vegas, Nevada

Participants

ultramarathon, marathon, half marathon, 10k, 5k

FilledTicketPrice TBC
Flat road
Heart
Tahoe 100k

Saturday, 17 Jun 2023

Tahoe 100k

LocationIndicator

Stateline, Nevada

Participants

ultramarathon

FilledTicketPrice TBC
Great sceneryHilly trail
Heart
Bears Ears Ultra

Saturday, 24 Jun 2023

Bears Ears Ultra

LocationIndicator

Monticello, Utah

Participants

ultramarathon

FilledTicketPrice TBC
Heart
Rancho Hills Trail Run

Saturday, 8 Jul 2023

Rancho Hills Trail Run

LocationIndicator

Morgan Hill, California

Participants

5k, 10k, half marathon, ultramarathon, marathon

FilledTicketPrice TBC
Trail
Heart
Silver Rush 50 Run

Saturday, 8 Jul 2023

Silver Rush 50 Run

LocationIndicator

Lake County, Colorado

Participants

ultramarathon

Star5

(1 reviews)

FilledTicketPrice TBC
Great atmosphere
Heart
Showing 1 - 24 of 48 events

About ultramarathons in the USA

Ultramarathons, or ultra runs, are endurance running races or treks beyond the standard marathon distance of 26.2 miles (42.2k). The most common distances for ultra running are 50k, 100k, 50 miles, or 100 miles (aka centurion races). Ultras take place on roads or trails across the US, and some last for 24 hours or multiple days. Some multi-day stage races are even self-sufficient, where runners must carry all of there equipment and provisions with them for the duration of the race.

What are the best USA ultra marathons?

There are over 1,500 ultra marathon events in the USA. The best ultra marathons make the most of the USA's spectacular scenery, including coasts, deserts, mountains, and national parks. The Golden Gate Trail Run is one of the best rated ultra marathon events on our list. The Badwater 135 is seen as one of the world's toughest and hardest ultra marathons, going through Death Valley.

How long should I train for an ultramarathon?

It is important to devote a significant amount of time and effort to training if you are wanting to complete an ultramarathon. Everybody has different levels of fitness and the race distances vary, so it is difficult to be precise with training plans. Most first-time ultrarunners will already have lots of running experience, so 6-10 weeks of specific training should get you ready for a 50k ultra. During your training, it is also important to get used to in-race nutrition and running on trails.

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