For most people, the thought of running a hundred miles sounds absolutely ludicrous. For others of us, it is something we'd love to aspire to. This video is for the second group of people. It features Brendan Leonard of Semi-Rad fame as he prepares for, and eventually takes part in, the 102.9-mile (165 km) Run Rabbit Run ultra in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. For anyone who has ever dreamed of becoming an ultra-runner, this video is both eye opening and inspiring at the same time.
Showing posts with label Ultramarathon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ultramarathon. Show all posts
Video: Meet the Canyon Runner
With this video, we travel to the Canyon de Chelly National Monument in Arizona where we meet Shaun Martin, an athletic director at a local school. He also happens to be an endurance athlete who organized an ultramarathon in the Canyon, which is a spectacular location to for outdoor athletes to push themselves to the limit. It also happens to be the only way for visitors to explore the national monument on their own without a Navajo guide.
Video: The Mirnivator - The True Story of a Not-So-Typical Trail Runner
Meet Mirna Valerio a dedicated runner who will break all of your stereotypes of what a runner should be. In this video, brought to us by REI, we meet Mirna and learn about what motives her to get out an run. But she doesn't just go for casual jogs around the neighborhood. She is an endurance athlete who competes in long distance events, pushing herself to her own physical and mental limits. What makes her different than the other ultra-runners out there? She just so happens to have a body type that isn't typical for runners, and for that she often catches a lot of flack. In fact, the video opens with a stunningly rude and demeaning email she received from someone calling her out as a fraud. But that is just the kind of fuel that gets her going. If you watch one video today, make it this one.
Video: Ultrarunning - The Pleasure and the Pain
"If you're going to be an ultrarunner you need to embrace suffering." So says 65-year old ultrarunner Errol "The Rocket" Jones, the subject of this excellent video from REI. In the 5-minute clip we get to meet Errol, learn about his philosophy of running, and watch him as he trains on the spectacular Bay Area Ridge Trail near San Francisco. Over the years, he has picked up quite a bit of wisdom about the sport, and it can serve as inspiration for the rest of us, even if we're running more modest distances. This is a story of perseverance and persistence, which can see you through just about any challenge in life.
Video: The Richtersveld Transfrontier Wildrun in South Africa and Namibia
The Richtersveld Transfrontier Wildrun is a five-day long, stage race that takes place in a remote region of South Africa each year. The 2016 edition of the race actually crossed the border into Namibia as well, covering some 200 km (124 miles) along a course that was both incredibly difficult and beautiful at the same time. American ultrarunner Nikki Kimball used the race as a tune-up for the Western States, which is another race that is legendary for its level of difficulty. In this video, you'll get a chance to see what the Richtersveld is all about, as we go out onto the course with runners who are pushing themselves to cross some of the toughest terrain imaginable.
Video: Trail Fighter - From Mixed Martial Arts to Ultrarunning
The subject of this video is a man named Kyle Dietz, who was once a professional mixed martial arts fighter, but has now transitioned into becoming an ultrarunner instead. The clip gives us insights into what drives Kyle as he trains for the RUT50k, an ultramarathon held in Big Sky, Montana. As he prepares you get a sense that the same traits that helped him succeed in the ring – dedication, determination, and focus – will also prove valuable in his new endeavor as well. Beautifully shot, and compelling to watch, this is a fantastic short film for anyone looking for inspiration.
Thanks to the Gear Junkie for sharing.
Trail Fighter Official Video from Fitsok on Vimeo.
Thanks to the Gear Junkie for sharing.
Video: More Than A Race - An Ultramarathon in Hong Kong
When people think about Hong Kong, the first image that generally comes to mind is a giant city with more than 7 million inhabitants. But, it turns out that city also happens to be surrounded by some amazing trails that often offer simultaneously views of that modern metropolis, and in impressive amount of wilderness located just outside. Each year, those trails play host to the Vibram Hong Kong 100, an ultra-distance trail running race. The video below is a short documentary about that race, and some of the things that make it so special. Get comfortable for this 34+ minute film, it is worth the watch.
More Than A Race from Lloyd Belcher Visuals on Vimeo.
Video: Training For One Of The Hardest Races In The World - The Iditarod Trail Invitational
The Iditarod Trail Invitational is quite possibly the hardest race in the world. It features athletes who run, ski, and mountain bike along the same 1000-mile (1600 km) long trail that the famous sled dog race follows on its way from Anchorage to Nome. The IDI takes place in the dead of winter as well, which adds just another challenge to this tough ultra-endurance event. Many try to complete it each year, few succeed.
Just how do you train for such an event? Check out the video below, which comes our way via EpicTV, and marks the start of a new series entitled Sport & Survival.
Just how do you train for such an event? Check out the video below, which comes our way via EpicTV, and marks the start of a new series entitled Sport & Survival.
Run The Planet Seeks Producers And Funding
Way back in February I shared an early look at an ambitious and potentially awesome new television show called Run The Planet. The premise of the show is that New Zealand ultra-running legend Lisa Tamati would take Australian ultra-running newbie Chris Ord under her wing and show him the ropes of long distance running. The two would then visit some of the most iconic places on Earth and run across them.
At the time of that story, Lisa and Chris were preparing to run a famous route across Australia that was followed by an indigenous stockman named Hezekiel Malbunka back in 1922 in order to deliver a telegram. The route is more than 125km (77.6 miles) in length and runs through some of the hottest environments on the continent. The two runners took on that very route and as a result we now have a pilot video of what the show would be all about. You can watch that video below and judge for yourself.
Lisa and Chris a now hoping to take the show into full production and as such they're hoping to connect with some partners and television networks who may be interested in helping get Run The Planet off the ground. For those interested, full details, including production notes, are available at RunThePlanetTV.com.
Judging from what I've seen in the video here, this looks like it would be a fantastic show. If you don't think running across remote landscapes can be a compelling television show, just watch the fourteen and a half minute screener below. Excellent work by all involved.
At the time of that story, Lisa and Chris were preparing to run a famous route across Australia that was followed by an indigenous stockman named Hezekiel Malbunka back in 1922 in order to deliver a telegram. The route is more than 125km (77.6 miles) in length and runs through some of the hottest environments on the continent. The two runners took on that very route and as a result we now have a pilot video of what the show would be all about. You can watch that video below and judge for yourself.
Lisa and Chris a now hoping to take the show into full production and as such they're hoping to connect with some partners and television networks who may be interested in helping get Run The Planet off the ground. For those interested, full details, including production notes, are available at RunThePlanetTV.com.
Judging from what I've seen in the video here, this looks like it would be a fantastic show. If you don't think running across remote landscapes can be a compelling television show, just watch the fourteen and a half minute screener below. Excellent work by all involved.
Ultrarunners Seriously Injured In Australian Brushfire
The event, which is put on by Racing The Planet, took place in the northern region of Western Australia and featured a course 100km (62 miles) in length. The Kimberley Plateau is well known for its remote and rugged terrain, featuring steep canyon walls and twisting gorges. Dry weather conditions likely helped contribute to the fire.
The four athletes who became trapped by the flames were forced to try to out run them as they quickly engulfed the small gorge they were traversing at the time. As a result, Sanderson and Pitt have suffered burns to 60-80% of their bodies, and both are listed in critical condition in Darwin hospital. Hull and Van Der Merwe escaped with 10-20% of their bodies burned, and while their conditions are not as dire, they remain in the hospital as well.
Such a sad story, and lets hope the two ladies pull through. Living in Austin, Texas, I have an understanding about how bad these wildfires can be at the moment. They spark up unexpectedly and spread very quickly, bringing a lot of destruction in their wake.
Keep your fingers crossed for these athletes.
Jornet, Hawker Win North Face Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc
As I mentioned last Friday, this weekend was the annual North Face Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc, one of the toughest ultra-marathons in the world. Late Friday, 2300 competitors set out on the 166km (103 miles) course, which circles Mount Blanc, the tallest peak in western Europe, and crosses through Italy, Switzerland, and France in the process. It is a truly spectacular trail with plenty of wonderful scenery and tough challenges.
The race got off to a rocky start when storms delayed the event for more than five hours, and once it was underway, it turned into one of the most challenge UTMB's ever. Rock slides forced the course to be extended to 169km, while rain and snow tested the competitors at every turn. In the end though, it didn't seem to matter, as Kilian Jornet came in first, crossing the finish line in a record time of 20 hours, 36 minutes, 43 seconds. Lizzy Hawker would take first place for the ladies, coming home in 25 hours, 2 minutes even.
So what's it like to run the Ultra Trail do Mont Blanc? Check out the beautiful video below to see for yourself. It is both inspiring and exhausting at the same time. Wow!
New Ultramarathon Announced For 2011 In Louisiana
A new ultramarathon, dubbed the Rouge-Orleans, is scheduled to take place in March of 2011, with ultrarunners and relay teams running a 126.2 mile course from Baton Rouge to Audubon Park in New Orleans. Best of all, the event takes place during the Mardi Gras weekend, earning it the slogan of "Come to run, stay to party!"
The entire route of the race, which takes place from March 4-6, 2011, will be run along the Mississippi River levee, which means it will meander along side the waterway, passing by sugarcane plantations, old farms, and swamps in the process. During the 100+ mile run, the course barely touches any roads at all, which means the runners won't have to deal with traffic on their epic footrace down the river.
Registration information can be found by clicking here with options to run the ultra as a single athlete or as part of a relay team of 2 or 3 people. The race will begin in a wave start format, with the faster runners to the front. There will also be a mandatory 40 hour cut-off time for the finish of the race. That cut-off will be strictly enforced, after all, you wouldn't want to miss out.
It looks like this is going to be a great event for next year, mixing a challenging ultra with a fun weekend in the Big Easy. The weather in March is expected to be comfortable and in the 70's temperature wise, and with the schedule of the race, it should make for a great tune up for the Western States or the Badwater. If you ever needed motivation to keep training during the winter months, here it is!
The entire route of the race, which takes place from March 4-6, 2011, will be run along the Mississippi River levee, which means it will meander along side the waterway, passing by sugarcane plantations, old farms, and swamps in the process. During the 100+ mile run, the course barely touches any roads at all, which means the runners won't have to deal with traffic on their epic footrace down the river.
Registration information can be found by clicking here with options to run the ultra as a single athlete or as part of a relay team of 2 or 3 people. The race will begin in a wave start format, with the faster runners to the front. There will also be a mandatory 40 hour cut-off time for the finish of the race. That cut-off will be strictly enforced, after all, you wouldn't want to miss out.
It looks like this is going to be a great event for next year, mixing a challenging ultra with a fun weekend in the Big Easy. The weather in March is expected to be comfortable and in the 70's temperature wise, and with the schedule of the race, it should make for a great tune up for the Western States or the Badwater. If you ever needed motivation to keep training during the winter months, here it is!
Pole to Pole: Ultra-athlete Running From North to South Pole
According to this article, Farmer will begin at 90ºN and head south into Canada, then proceed down the West Coast of the U.S. and into Mexico, before continuing through Central and South America. Eventually, he'll end up in Ushuaia, Argentina, where he'll be airlifted to Patriot Hills on the Antarctic continent, where he'll then complete the last leg of the journey, ending at 90ºS. When he's finished, the Aussie will have run through 14 countries and three continents. He estimates he'll wear through 40 pairs of shoes and 300 pairs of socks in the process.
As if the goal of running from one pole to another wasn't grand enough, Farmer has even loftier designs for his run. He hopes to raise $100 million for the Red Cross along the way to aid efforts for clean water and sanitation programs around the world. He also intends to address the United Nations after he has completed his mission as well.
You can read more about the journey and follow along with Pat on his website, which as of this writing is down for maintenance and updates. I'm sure it'll have all kinds of info once it is up and running properly however.
Enter the Vibram Grip Your World Sweepstakes
Yesterday we had Teva giving away some great gear, today it's Vibram with a sweepstakes to send someone on a trip to Chamonix, France.
To enter the Grip Your World Sweepstakes, you simply have to go to GripYourWorld.com, Vibram's new website for outdoor enthusiasts, and upload a photo of yourself taking part in some outdoor activity. You can share a story about your adventure if you'd like to give it some context too, but that isn't required to enter the contest. The sweepstakes will run through June 18th, at which time a grand prize winner will be selected at random.
That lucky winner will be sent off on a trip for two to Chamonix, France, one of the great adventure location in the Alps, to attend the North Face's Tour du Mont Blanc, an annual ultra-marathon that covers 166km (103 miles) around Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Western Europe. The travel package includes roundtrip airfare to Switzerland, ground transportation via train to Chamonix, three nights accommodations, and VIP passes to the event.
Twenty second place winners will receive a pair of Vibram FiveFingers footwear.
The contest is only open to residents of the U.S. and Canada. Good luck!
Runner Attempts Solo, Unsupported Crossing of the U.S.
Long distance endurance runner Abe Clark is attempting to make a solo and unsupported run across the United States, covering 2860 miles in 136 days without a support vehicle following along. Like a number of other adventures we've seen in recent months, he's making this epic run in an effort to raise awareness for the growing global need for clean drinking water. Abe is also concentrating his fund raising efforts for the Living Water International organization.
Abe has already been out on the road for more than month, having started in Oceanside, California. He is now on his 33rd day, and has run all the way to Bloomfield, New Mexico. He's been keeping a running tally of his daily destinations on his blog, recording his mileage and keeping us informed of what his experiences were like out on the road that day. On his "light" days, Abe is running 10-15 miles, but most days it is more like 25-40, depending on location and conditions.
If successful in his run, Abe will become the 12th person to run coast-to-coast across the U.S. His route is meant to take him through the American Southwest, and then eventually into the Heartland before proceeding on to the East Coast. At the moment, he has the entire schedule mapped out, just in case you want to see if he's coming through your neighborhood. But the website also notes that he is 2+ days ahead of schedule at the moment. If the original schedule holds up, Abe plans to be in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and touch the Atlantic Ocean, by June 30th of this year.
Good luck on the rest of your journey Abe, and thank to Josh for sending this my way!
World Run II Update: The End of Africa
A few weeks back I posted a story about the World Run II, a long distance endurance run like nothing I've ever seen before. The event is the brainchild of Danish ultrarunner Jesper Olsen, who is about to become the first person to ever run the length of Africa, north to south, as he finishes the first half of an amazing long distance odyssey on foot.
On Saturday, March 13, Jesper will be running into Cape Point, South Africa, which will mark the end of the first stage of World Run II, which began back on July 1st of 2008, when he set off from the northernmost tip of Norway, and started running south. Now, 20 months, and nearly 21,250 kilometers later, he's about to set some very impressive firsts. In addition to becoming the first person to run across Africa, north to south, he'll also become the first person to run from the most northerly point in Europe, to the southernmost tip of Africa, and he'll be the first to complete two documented runs of more than 20,000km, having finished his first during World Run I back in 2005, which went for more than 26,000km.
Upon reaching Cape Point, Jesper will then take a few months off to rest and recover before beginning the second stage of World Run II. That stage will begin in Punta Arenas, Chile, and will see him running north this time, covering the length of South America, up through Central America, into Mexico, and the U.S. before ending in Mt. Pearl, Newfoundland, Canada. When he's done, Jesper will have covered more than 40,000km, through all kinds of terrain and weather conditions.
I just wanted to take the opportunity to salute Jesper and what he's accomplished so far. While he still has a long way to go before he finishes World Run II, it is very impressive what he has accomplished so far. What an amazing expedition this has been through Africa, and what a great way to see the world – on your own two feet!
Update: It seems my original information was off just a bit. Jesper will now be arriving in Cape Point on Monday, not Saturday. We can afford him a little extra time to take in the sights though considering how far he has just run, right?
Endurance Runner Set To Run 50 Miles In 50 States
I've written about endurance athlete Lisa Smith-Batchen in the past, most notably when she was taking on Death Valley both on foot and bike a few years back. That was an 810 mile odyssey that involved the Badwater Ultra and the Furnace Creek 508. Now, she's about to embark on another long distance event that will wrack up even more mileage.
On April 19th, Lisa will kick off the Running Hope Through America event, which will see her covering 50 miles in all 50 states over a period of 62 days. She'll get things started in Trenton, New Jersey and proceed from there, finishing up in Jackson Hole, Wyoming on June 19th.
As usual, Lisa isn't just running because she loves to run, although she obviously does love it. She'll be running to raise awareness and funds for a variety of charities, such as the Orphan Foundation of America, the Caring House Project, Aids Orphans Rising. Lisa is also part of the Dream Chasers Foundation, a group of dedicated endurance athletes who work together to channel their considerable energies towards helping charitable organizations.
While two athletes have completed 50 marathons in 50 states (Dean Karnazes being one of them), no one has ever gone for 50 miles in all 50 states. Lisa is hoping to become the first, and judging by her past performance, i wouldn't bet against. her. Good luck Lisa!
22nd Annual Rhodes Trail Run Accepting Applications
The 2010 Rhodes Trail Run may still be several months off, but those interested in running the iconic long distance off road race in South Africa may want to get their entries in soon. Personal invitations for the event went out last week, and slots are already being filled for this amazing race that should be on the radar of any endurance runner.
The race is scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 3rd, beginning and ending in the hamlet of Rhodes, South Africa. Covering a distance of 52km (28 miles), the course will wind its way through remote and challenging terrain that would put any trail runner to the test in the best of conditions. But the Rhodes Trail Run is rarely held under the "best of conditions". Weather is a frequent threat during the event, with high winds, icy trails, and snow a possibility throughout.
If the weather wasn't enough of a challenge however, runners will have to consider the altitude as well. The race begins at 1800m (5905 feet) and goes as high as 2680m (8793 feet), with the average altitude sitting at about 2560m (8399 ft). That's some serious altitude gain over the course of the run, and athletes should be prepared to deal with that as they go. To help ensure that runners are ready, the organizers of the event have put together some training tips that may come in handy.
So? Who wants to go to South Africa this summer to compete in a really tough, but amazing race? And I say "summer" because I live in the Northern Hemisphere. From the looks of the conditions on the course during the event, it would be anything but "summer" while we're running. Seems like a very cool race if any of you endurance athletes are looking for a new challenge.
Aconcagua Speed Run Expedition Begins
A few weeks back I posted a story about North Face athlete Diane Van Deren as she was preparing to head off to South America to take on Argentina's Aconcagua, the highest mountain on the continent. But unlike most climbers making a bid on the mountain, Diane's goal was to complete the initial climb as a warm-up, then make a speed attempt on the mountain, running to the summit for a second time.
The latest update on the expedition, posted to the Never Stop Exploring Blog, indicates that as of two days ago, the team was finished with their acclimatization process and would begin their actual assault on the summit yesterday, with an eye on reaching the top on Friday, provided the weather holds. They don't expect to make any more dispatches until after they've returned to BC, which could be late on Friday night or Saturday morning.
After that, the second phase of the expedition will get underway, in which Diane, along with guide Willie Benegas, will move 20 miles down the road from base camp, and begin a long run back to BC, and all the way back up the mountain. They expect the journey to take roughly 95 hours to complete, and they're doing it as part of a medical study, conducted by the Mayo Clinic, on how altitude effects performance. The Clinic is also posting updates on the expedition on their blog as well.
Most people would come off of Aconcagua, which stands 22,841 feet in height, and be exhausted. These ultra-fit athletes are using it as a warm-up for a bigger test. Crazy.
The 7-in-7 Challenge: Hiking New Zealand's Great Walks in a Week!
National Geographic Adventure tipped me off to this story earlier today when they posted it to their Adventure Blog. It seems that New Zealander Malcolm Law, an adventurer and ultrarunner, will attempt to complete seven of the country's "Great Walks" in just seven days, in an effort to raise money for Leukemia research. If all goes as planned, he'll cover 223 miles over the course of a very busy week.
Law covers the basics of his plan on his 7-in-7 website, which begins with the very apt tag line "It's going to hurt!". The challenge will get underway on November 29th, when he'll take on the Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk, a 26.5 mile trail that typically takes 3-4 days to complete. From there, it is on to the Tongariro Northern Circuit, which is 25.4 miles of mountain trail, before moving on to the Abel Tasman Coast Track (32.2 miles), the Heaphy Track (48.7 miles), Routeburn Track (20 miles), the Milford Track (33.2 miles), and finally ending at the 37.3 mile Kepler Challenge, a mountain run that is a yearly competition in Kiwi-land.
In order to accomplish his goal, Malcolm will be assisted by a team of support crew, that will help arrange rides to and from each of the daily routes, as they are spread out in different parts of New Zealand. Each day he'll also be joined by a fresh group of support runners that will help pace him as he goes. If successful, Law's website says that this will be the equivalent of running 9 off road marathons, while climbing Mt. Cook twice, in just seven days time.
In all, New Zealand has nine great walks, and the seven that Malcolm will attempt all fall on the mainland. The other two include the Rakiura Track, a 22.3 mile trek through Stewart Island, and the Whanganui Journey, which is a 90 mile kayaking route, and not a "great walk" at all.
For more information on the 7-in-7 Challenge, head over to the official website, where you'll find a bio of Malcolm, who is 49 by the way. You'll also find info on his support runners and ground crew, as well as ways that you can get involved with the challenge too by either joining him on the trail or donating to the cause.
Good luck Malcolm!