These aren’t the trendy color runs where your Facebook friends take all those pictures clogging up your newsfeed.
A marathon, for our friends who may not be aware, is traditionally 26.2 miles. In ideal conditions during the most perfect weather day, the runner’s marathon is a feat in itself. But why stop at 26.2 in ideal conditions when you could run much farther in vastly more hazardous conditions? Here are some exemplary resources to help you plan your next death defying sprint into the athletic stratosphere.
1. Jungle Marathon
This race was voted by CNN as the “World’s Toughest Race.” As soon as you visit their website, you are immersed in the sounds and nature of the jungle. But watch out, your cursor may wander over to the “SIGN UP” link if you aren’t careful. The jungle can be a scary place. We all learned that from Robin William’s classic film Jumanji. (RIP). Similar to Jumanji, you will face all the dangers of the jungle. Anacondas, poisonous snakes, swamps, poisonous plants, etc.
You can expect an average daily temperature of 104 degrees with a balmy 99% humidity.
You can even choose from two exciting race options: 63 miles in four stages or 150 miles in six stages.
“Jungle Marathon is a 42km, 120km or 242km self-sufficient stage race held in primary Amazon Jungle in the state of Para, Brazil. For the longer distance, the race is divided into four or six daily stages of different lengths, linking camps on a course that penetrates the deep jungle on logging trails and hunters paths in the forest. As the race is self-sufficient, competitors must carry all their own food and equipment for the week. The organisers provide shelter, medical and safety cover and water. Runners entering the marathon or the 120km race will then continue to live the jungle experience before celebrating with the 242km runners at our finishing party. The stages range from 16km to 108km. It is extremely hot and humid and competitors will be faced with difficult ground, in places clambering over roots and crossing streams. The jungle is a hard environment in which to race, and the humidity can be very debilitating. The race will be a taxing and exhilirating challenge- whatever distance you choose.”
Source: Jungle Marathon
2. Badwater Marathon
If you’re looking for something within the continental United States with the scorching heat of the jungle, Badwater is for you! 90 runners compete on the blistering 104 degree route in Death Valley, California during the month of July. Prepare to run through sand and various cacti as you ascend 8,000 miles covering over 135 miles.
“AdventureCORPS, Inc. hosts BADWATER® 135 annually in July of each year. Recognized globally as “the world’s toughest foot race,” this legendary event pits up to 100 of the world’s toughest athletes—runners, triathletes, adventure racers, and mountaineers—against one another and the elements. Covering 135 miles (217km) non-stop over the most epic terrain imaginable and finishing at the end of the road on Mt. Whitney, it is the most demanding and extreme running race offered anywhere on the planet.”
Source: Badwater Marathon
3. Marathon Des Salbes
If you have more of a penchant for the Sahara Desert, then this is the dance for you! I mean, it’s only 150 miles across a desert, straight shot. Seems easy, right? Wrong. This desert marathon is for only the toughest marathon runners in the world, who also fail when they try. There’s something funny that happens to the temperature during the month of May here: Your feet swell up in size due to the daytime to nighttime fluctuations in temperature which are 100 degrees daytime and down to 50 degrees night.
“Known simply as the MdS, the race is a gruelling multi-stage adventure through a formidable landscape in one of the world’s most inhospitable climates – the Sahara desert. The rules require you to be self-sufficient, to carry with you on your back everything except water that you need to survive. You are given a place in a tent to sleep at night, but any other equipment and food must be carried.”
Source: Marathon Des Salbes
4. Comrades Marathon
Hope your knees are in good shape. This South African race includes a 500 meter descent in just thirteen of the other fun filled marathon miles.
“The Comrades Marathon is the world’s oldest and largest ultramarathon run over a distance of approximately 90 km | 56.1 miles between the capital of the Kwazulu-Natal Province of South Africa, Pietermaritzburg, and the coastal city of Durban.”
Source: Comrades Marathon
5. Antarctic Ice Marathon
No silly, it’s a marathon for HUMAN people. Not penguins. What makes this particular marathon so special is that in addition to the customary 26.21875 mile marathon, runners are lucky enough to opt for the 100 mile marathon. Yes. One hundred mile marathon in the Antarctic. These pictures even hurt to just look at.
“The Antarctic Ice Marathon is run over the classic 42.195km (26.2 miles) marathon distance. The race encompasses an individual competiton, with male and female divisions. There is also an option to run a half marathon – the Frozen Continent Half Marathon – which commences at the same time as the marathon. The Antarctic 100k is a 100km (62.1 miles) footrace.”
Source: Ice Marathon
And if THAT wasn’t “WTF” enough for you, you can sign up for one of their Intercontinental Marathon Club! They have a simple guide to this exclusive club, but guess what else? Your favorite: it’s in list form.
“DEFINITIONS & GUIDELINES
1. A marathon distance is 42.195km (26.2 miles).
2. The seven major continents are Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America.
3. A marathon distance in its entirety must be completed on each continent. A marathon which starts on one continent and finishes on another will not be counted. Marathons on treadmills or boats will also not be counted. A person running through a marathon distance as part of an ultra marathon race must complete the ultra marathon with an official time or distance.
4. Islands located near a continental landmass can be considered part of that continent if they are part of its continental shelf. A continental shelf is the shallow undersea plain between a continent’s coastline and the deeper ocean: It is an extension of the continent’s landmass that is underwater during interglacial periods (such as today) but dry during glacial periods. In this respect, Ireland and Britain are considered part of Europe, Greenland is part of North America (although politically part of Europe), and the Caribbean Islands are part of North America.
5. There are some islands and island groups, that are not considered part of any continent, geographically speaking. Madagascar, New Zealand, Hawaii and French Polynesia are among them. Oceania is the collective name for the lands of the Pacific Ocean, including Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia, but Oceania itself is not a continent: Australia is the only part of Oceania that is considered one of the seven continents.
6. For the avoidance of doubt, the South Shetland Islands, including its northernmost King George Island, and the Falkland Islands are not considered part of the continent of Antarctica. They are not located within the Antarctic Circle, they are not located on Antarctica’s continental landmass, they are not part of Antarctica’s geographic continental shelf, and they are not located on Antarctica’s tectonic plate. Moreover, the entire Antarctic continent is considered to be located on the Antarctic Plate (see National Geographic) but the South Shetland Islands, for example, are located on the distinct Shetland Plate. These islands are also separated from the Antarctic peninsula and continent by the deep Bransfield Strait and exhibit a completely diferent climate and terrain for marathoners than mainland Antarctica. Hence, although these islands are sometimes broadly referred to as being part of the Antarctic region, they are not part of the continent. 7. Members should exemplify the spirit of adventure marathon running.”
Source: Ice Marathon
6. North Pole Marathon
But hey, if penguins aren’t your style and you’re more of a polar bear guy/gal, there’s always the North Pole Marathon.
The North Pole Marathon is run over the classic 42.195km (26.2 miles ) marathon distance. The race encompasses an individual competiton, with male and female divisions, and a team competition for teams of three or more. There is also an option to run a half marathon.
Source: North Pole Marathon
7. Pike’s Peak Marathon
Scale Pike’s Peak marathon has its participants running at altitudes so high, trees won’t even grow there. Funny thing about trees though, they need air to survive. Oh wait, so do we. This marathon is considered one of the toughest in the bald eagled. red white and blue, apple pie eating U S of A! By the way! For some additional fun, massive lightening and hail storms can and will most likely occur without notice.
“The Pikes Peak Ascent® and Pikes Peak Marathon® will redefine what you call running. Sure, they start out like a lot of races on Any Street, USA. But your first left turn will have you turning in the direction of up! During the next 10 miles, as you gain almost 6,000 vertical feet, your legs, lungs, heart and mind will be worn to a ragged nothingness. But it won’t be until the next three miles, with still over 2,000’ of vertical to go, that you will realize where the Marathon got its moniker—America’s Ultimate Challenge."
Source: Pikes Peak Marathon
There’s a reason trees don’t bother growing above 12,000’ on Pikes Peak. They can’t! Makes one wonder if trees are smarter than runners. Above treeline most runners take 30 minutes or more, some much more, just to cover a mile. What little air remains can’t satisfy the endless stream of zombies hoping only to survive their next step. It’s a death march right out of a scene from Dawn of the Dead. Adding insult to injury it might start to snow!
