Running a marathon has become a common thing for individuals who can do it every week. There are some serious runners who go just one step ahead and challenge themselves for a tougher course. Ultramarathon running is one such event that has successfully attracted participants from various professions.
The only thing needed to be successful in such kind of event is a ridiculous amount of training; gear and race registration cost money and fighting against forces of nature, which can take the toll on person body. Today we look at Ultramarathon races that can be challenging, cruel and unforgivable.
Uttarkashi 135
This running event takes place between the scenic mountain route from Rishikesh to Uttarkashi. It is considered as one of the more challenging mountain trail races covering 34,000 feet of uphill and downhill stretches.
The race begins from Rishikesh passes through Himalayan villages Parallel to Ganga river before coming to an end in the town of Uttarkashi. The race is staged during peak monsoon and runners have to cross multiple raging streams. While running the distance of 220km in this competition runners are advised to have mandatory crew support.
Run the Rann
This marathon is one of the most unique among other events as the runners will see a mixed combination of off-trail trekking, bushwalking, GPS navigation and exposure to the heat with no shade on 161 km stretch of Rann.
Apart from being unique, this marathon is India’s toughest desert trail which goes around the ruins of Dholavira in Gujarat, one of the largest and most advanced metropolises of 5000-year-old Indus Valley Civilisation. Apart from the 161km run, this race also gives options of 101 km and 51 km run to give you a taste of hell.
Himalayan Crossing
This event is a nonstop 338 KM run that needs to be finished in a total time 72 hours with two-time cut-off sections for the safety of runners. While a personal crew is advised for the race, the main reason behind designing the race is to test your skill and endurance above 12000 ft and difficult terrain.
La Ultra- The High
One of the cruel and dangerous races among the rest of the above mentioned. The race is staged in the cold desert of Ladakh and is 333 km long foot race that takes runners through World’s highest mountain passes above 17,500 ft.
IWhat makes the race more challenging is that the runner will be running with 50 per cent less Oxygen levels. The temperature can fluctuate between 40 degrees heat and -10 degrees Celsius below freezing in a matter of hours. The high altitude can also pose serious health risks. In the past 8 years, 123 runners from 23 different countries have participated and 72 have finished.
