Running News Daily

Ultra Runners Attempt Record on 870-Mile Himalaya Trail

Ryan Sandes and his running partner, Ryno Griesel, find themselves ahead of the current fastest known time on the Great Himalaya Trail. On Feb. 28, the duo set off to best Andrew Porter’s 28-day FKT on the Great Himalaya Trail (GHT). The trail presents a Cannonball Run of sorts through an amalgam of various trails connecting the upper (GHT High) and middle (GHT Cultural) routes. According to the pair’s live tracker, they are 84 km ahead pace at the 209-hour mark. At this moment, Sandes and Griesel are 421 km into the 1,400-km attempt (about 261 of 870 miles). They will only stay in local lodges and inns. And according to production company Wandering Fever‘s documentation of the attempt, Sandes and Griesel will be “completely dependent on [the Nepali people] for food and shelter.” This has to be one of the toughest ultras. (03/13/2018) Views: 2,615 ⚡AMP
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Only 32 people have finished the Arctic Ultra Race Ever

Romanian endurance athlete Tibi Useriu has “a commanding lead” in this year’s Arctic Ultra, one of the toughest ultra-marathons in the world. Useriu won the Arctic Ultra in 2016 and 2017 and is now the only Romanian still competing in the race, after Avram Iancu, Polgar Levente, and Florentina Iofcea all had to drop out. “As this report is written, Tibi Useriu, previous champion and all round legend, has a commanding lead on the ice road having passed through Mid Peel River check point and well on his way to Aklavik." The race takes place in extremely harsh conditions, at temperatures ranging between -50 and -30 degrees Celsius. Throughout the nine editions of the race, only 32 participants made it to the finish line. The race started on March 9 in Yukon. It will end at Tuktoyaktuk, on the banks of the Arctic Ocean (03/12/2018) Views: 2,089 ⚡AMP
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Ovarian cancer survivor Going to run the Toughest Foot Race on the Planet

Heather Hawkins will run in the 2018 Marathon Des Sables – known as the world’s toughest foot race – to raise money and awareness for Ovarian Cancer Australia. The gruelling physical and mental 10-day test across 250 kilometres of the Sahara begins on April 8. Even getting to the start will be quite the journey for a woman who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer 11 years ago. “I had surgery within 10 days,” she says. “The gynaecological surgeon … removed an 18-centimetre tumour and I had a full hysterectomy.” Afterwards, Ms Hawkins chose a non-invasive surveillance program over chemotherapy. She also embarked on a fitness regime, she signed up the four-kilometre Mother’s Day Classic. And more events, each longer than the last, and now she is going to run 250k. (02/23/2018) Views: 1,577 ⚡AMP
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New Zealand's first Ultra staged Run starts on Sunday

The Alps 2 Ocean Ultra (New Zealand's first ultra-staged race) will see 130 runners from 15 countries on the start line looking towards a finish in Oamaru seven days later after covering 316-kilometres following the off road Alps 2 Ocean cycle trail for much of the journey. Race director Mike Sandri says, "This run will not be easy and you will be pushed to your limit. You will get tired, sore, hungry and may even get the odd blister - all those things that go with ultra-stage running. But at the same time, I guarantee when you get back home and have recovered, you will have loved it and most importantly have met some amazing people." (02/22/2018) Views: 1,744 ⚡AMP
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His Doctor Calls Him a Diabectic Superhero after running 223 Miles

Crossing the finish line of a 223-mile relay race as a solo runner is quite an accomplishment very few athletes achieve in a lifetime. Add Type 1 diabetes to the mix, and it seems like a feat nearly impossible. Nearly. Don Muchow (56) completed Texas' Capital to Coast Relay, spanning from Austin to Corpus Christi, in October as a solo participant. Muchow said he was attracted to running because "It was cheap and easy to do, and there were not that many ways to do it wrong," he said. His doctor calls him a "mutant diabetic superhero." In the last 12 months in addition to relay he ran solo, he also did a full Ironman and a 100 mile ultra marathon. (02/17/2018) Views: 2,263 ⚡AMP
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This race can quickly turn into a struggle for survival

“One of the most challenging experiences on the planet is the Iditarod Trail Invitational 1000-Mile Alaska Foot Race,” says Race directors Bill and Kathi Merchant. This years’s race starts Feb 25 from Knik Lake Alaska, The race can quickly turn from a race into a struggle for survival. Weather and trail conditions change rapidly, requiring participants to undergo an application process. It’s a grueling, punishing race through the interior of Alaska and some of the roughest terrain in the western hemisphere where winds can gust at 120 mph and temperatures can drop to -50 or below. Only 11 can say they have finish this 1000 mile race. (02/15/2018) Views: 1,969 ⚡AMP
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After Running a Marathon on Seven Continents...they still had one more to do

With seven marathons on seven continents in seven years already behind them, Stephen and Eleanor Pienaar are ready to become the first South Africans to compete in the North Pole Marathon. They started training for the Marathon which takes place on moving sea ice and considered one of the toughest marathons in the world, in September last year. “We will be running on sea ice, which will be more extreme than the Antarctic Ice Marathon,” says Eleanor. “Russian soldiers will parachute out of a plane and secure the perimeter to make sure no polar bears wander onto the course. We will be running a four-kilometre lap 10 times. We have to be in a contained area because of the polar bears and the sea ice, that can crack underfoot. It will be completely different to the Antarctic Ice Marathon. We will be running in temperatures of minus 40 to 30 degrees.” The North Pole Marathon will be run on April 9 this year, they will be starting their trek to the North Pole on April 1. (02/13/2018) Views: 2,034 ⚡AMP
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This six day stage Race covering 236k finishes in a small and serene fishing village

The Coastal Challenge in Costa Rica kicked off Sunday and will run through Friday. The run covers a demanding 236km over six days. The course boasts a total elevation gain of more than 34,000 feet – with the race finish near the border of Panama in a small and serene fishing village that until recently was only accessible by boat. Known locally as the ‘Rainforest Run, the course runs along Costa Rica’s lush and tropical Pacific coastline. Weaving in and out of the Talamancas – a coastal mountain range spread across the southwest corner of the country. (02/13/2018) Views: 1,817 ⚡AMP
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Run It Fast is about pushing yourself and limits beyond anything you have ever done before

RunItFast post cool running photos regularly on Twitter. So cool that we just needed to learn more about them. RunItFast.com is a compilation of some of the most elite and experienced runners in the world. Run It Fast is a way of life and is subjective according to every runner. Run It Fast is about pushing yourself and limits beyond anything you’ve ever done before. For some that will mean running a single mile while for others it will be finishing their first marathon or ultra marathon. The inspiration and creator of this club is Joshua Holmes. He has run 205 marathons/ultras including forty 100 milers. On Friday Joshua posted on FB: The prestigious Badwater 135 mile ultra marathon invites were announced late this morning and it includes 13 Run It Fast club members of the 100 person field from around the world. (02/12/2018) Views: 2,172 ⚡AMP
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When we arrived in Miami It was like we were coming home from a war

The recent World Marathon Challenge presented a new kind of barrier for the veteran endurance athlete and Boston Marathon director, Dave McGillivray. Despite the enormous amount of training, Dave’s concerns were many. There was his age (63), his health (heart disease), his lingering injuries (back, knee), weather, meals, sleep deprivation, and much more. All of that came into play, he said...“The first marathon was the highlight of the trip,” he said. “Why would I ever go to Antarctica? Yet, here I was at the end of the earth, running a marathon.” While McGillivray believed he was prepared physically, the mental part was the bigger challenge. Most the marathons (seven in total in seven days) were run in places where the natives went about their days unaware of the “challenge” taking place...They got the opposite reception at the Miami International Airport. The runners’ families and friends met them with balloons and flowers. “It was like we were coming home from a war,” he said. “The only problem was we weren’t done yet. We had one more marathon left.” Dave was the 11th male finisher overall and averaged 4:37:59. (02/10/2018) Views: 2,361 ⚡AMP
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This race is considered the Coldest Ultramarathon on the Planet

The Yukon Arctic Ultra conditions sound like that of a frozen tundra nightmare in what could be the Canadian equivalent of the Barkley Marathons. Race director Robert Pollhammer posted on Facebook on Thursday that South African Jethro De Decker was the lone runner to make it to the finish line of the 300-miler (483K). Temperatures were at or below -40 for almost the entire week that the race went on. “It was a tough year, Many of the participants of the 300-miler, were taken off course and treated for frostbite and/or hypothermia at the hospital," says Robert. For sure this is the Coldest Ultramarathon... (02/08/2018) Views: 1,880 ⚡AMP
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Sichel’s Returning to Run world’s longest certified footrace

Legendary ultra veteran William Sichel has accepted an invitation to return to New York this June 17th for the 22nd staging of the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3,100 mile, officially recognised as the world’s longest certified footrace. Described by the New York Times as the 'Mount Everest of ultramarathons', competitors must average 60 miles a day, every day in order to complete the distance inside the strict 52-day time limit. Sichel became the oldest ever finisher of the event in 2014 when completing the distance in just over 50 days 15 hours, an average of over 427 miles a week for the duration. (02/06/2018) Views: 2,145 ⚡AMP
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America's Becca Pizzi is the Women's World Marathon Challenge Champion

Becca Pizzi (USA) wins women’s race in Miami and overall women's title in the World Marathon Challenge. It’s her second time winning! Her time today in Miami was 3:51:21. Becca says on her blog, "Running is in my DNA. My Dad is a runner and inspired me to start running when I was a six years old. I ran my first race when I was seven. I have never stopped, competing through college and running 45 marathons, including 15 Boston Marathons, and in 25 USA states." She is the only runner in the world who has won this event two times. (02/05/2018) Views: 1,973 ⚡AMP
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Ireland's Gary Thornton is not new to Extreme Racing

Ireland's Gary Thornton wins in Miami and takes the outright World Marathon Challenge title! He won all seven marathons. Gary is not new to extreme running events. In 2016 he won the Antarctic Ice Marathon and in 2014 he battled the altitude and blistering heat to win the Volcano Marathon just to name two. Gary is a teacher and a 2:17 marathoner, He has won the Irish 10,000m track championships on two occasions. His best 10k on the track is 29:00 and he has broken 14 minutes for 5k. (02/05/2018) Views: 1,959 ⚡AMP
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Five marathons completed in Five Days...Two to go!

Becca Pizzi (USA) and Gary Thornton (IRL) continue to dominate the World Marathon Challenge on day five in Lisbon. Both winning by big margins. Becca’s winning time was 3:59:28 and Gary’s 3:19:28. Next stop South America. Boston Marathon director Dave McGillivary finished 12th in 4:42:52. (02/03/2018) Views: 1,708 ⚡AMP
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Gary Thornton has won three marathons with four to go by Monday

Galway City Harriers Athlete Gary Thornton has won three marathons in three days at the World Marathon Challenge which sees competitors run seven marathons in seven days around the world. Gary won the Antarctic Intercontinental Marathon in a time of 2.58.39 followed by Capetown Africa the next day in a time of 3:06.55 and Perth Australia the following day in 2:59:55. The fourth marathon is today in Dubai. (02/02/2018) Views: 2,002 ⚡AMP
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American’s Becca Pizzi wins the First Marathon - Six to Go by Feb 5

American's Becca Pizzi was the overall winner of the 2016 World Marathon Challenge. Today she won the Antarctic Intercontinental Marathon (the first of seven) in a time of 4:06:45. In second was Renee DeMarsh(USA) 4.28.10, third Gulzhamal DeFelice (RUS/USA)4.38.03, fourth Meghan Newcomer (USA) 4.41:14, and fifth Cara Nelson (USA) 4:50:15. For men, Gary Thornton (IRL) won in a time of 2.58.39 today. Gary ran an amazing sub 3 hour time. Second was Jason Cousins (GBR) 3.44.56, third Scott Coey (AUS) 3.52.47 and in fourth Joshua Cohen (USA) 3.55.05. (01/30/2018) Views: 1,908 ⚡AMP
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Michael Wardian World Marathon Challenge Record Might Be Unbeatable

Michael Wardian is an American marathoner and ultra-marathon. He is not running the World Marathon Challenge this year but his record he set in 2017 is going to be hard for anyone to beat. He averaged 2:45:57 for each of the seven marathons. Additionally he ran the fastest ever time (2:31:09 average) for all the Abbott World Marathon Majors (Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York). He holds the world record for the fastest marathon on an indoor 200-meter track and so many more records. Michael is one astounding runner... (01/29/2018) Views: 1,721 ⚡AMP
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4th Annual World Marathon Challenge Starts January 30

The World Marathon Challenge is a logistical and physical challenge to run seven marathons on seven continents in seven days. Competitors must run the standard 42.2 km marathon distance in Antarctica, Africa, Australia, Asia, Europe, South America and North America within seven days. The clock starts when the first marathon begins in Antarctica January 30. Fastest Average Marathon Times: (Men) Michael Wardian (USA) 2:45:57 (Women) Becca Pizzi (USA) 3:55:11. Wardian's 19:21:36 is the world best. (01/16/2018) Views: 1,871 ⚡AMP
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