9 ultra marathons with the most elevation gain
What is the hardest ultra-marathon?
I’ve seen this question banded around a lot recently but for starters there are so many factors that go into making an ultra-marathon ‘tough’. Whether that’s steep ascents and descents, gnarly terrain, unforgiving temperatures, or crazy long distances.
Any one of a combination of these factors can make your experience of an ultra-marathon wildly different to the runner next to you. But one thing I know for certain is being at the mercy of mother nature in the mountains where the weather is unpredictable and constantly changing is a type 2 kind of fun.
If you’re reading this my guess is you’ve already had a taste of what it’s like running in the mountains. Maybe you’ve recently crossed a finish line with more elevation than you’d typically bag on your Sunday long run. It’s left you feeling like at some point you’d like to try an event where you did need poles. Or maybe you’ve already dipped your toes in the water, and it’s left you wanting to explore more of what you’re capable of.
Either way I know the mountains have left you with a heavy heart and even bigger dreams of what’s in store for 2024. You’re not done yet; this is only the beginning of what’s possible.
Let’s look at 9 ultra-marathons with the most elevation gain.
1. Hardrock Hundred Mile Endurance Run
The Hardrock Hundred Mile Endurance Run is an ultramarathon 100.5 miles (161.7 km) in length, with 33,000 feet (10,000 m) of climbing at an average elevation of over 11,000 feet (3,400 m).
The run starts and ends in Colorado, crossing thirteen major passes above 12,000 feet (3,700 m), with the highest point on the course being the 14,048 feet summit of Handies Peak.
The race is dedicated to the memory of the miners who settled in the area and who built the mining trails on which much of the race is run.
2. UTMB®
The Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc is a single-stage mountain ultramarathon, first held in 2003, that follows the route of the Tour du Mont Blanc through Franc, Italy and Switzerland. It takes place once a year either on the last weekend in August or the first weekend of September.
It is widely regarded as one of the most difficult foot races in the world, and one of the largest with more than 2,500 starters. It is one of several races during a week-long festival based around Chamonix in France and have strict entry and qualification requirements attained by accumulating race points and running stones over the previous two-year period.
Want to run the UTMB? Here’s how to qualify.
3. Ultra X Mexico
Ultra X Mexico is a multi-stage ultra marathon that takes place over five days in the Copper Canyons of Chihuahua in November each year.
The Copper Canyons is a group of six distinct canyons, formed by the six rivers that drain the western Sierra Madre. The region is known for its wild, remote, and mountainous terrain, with trails that climb from 500 m to 2,500 m above sea level.
Participants will also compete against members of a mythic and legendary ultra running tribe. When the New Spanish arrived in the Copper Canyons in the 17th century, they named the indigenous locals “Tarahumara”, derived from the word Raramuri, meaning “those who run fast”. Participants will soon discover why.
4. Val d’Aran by UTMB®
Val d’Aran by UTMB®, the new trail-running event in the heart of the Pyrenees.
In this second edition in 2022, Val d’Aran by UTMB® has the honor of being a UTMB® World Series Major, the European final of the circuit. In this way, runners who manage to complete their corresponding distances will double the chances of obtaining a place in the draw to participate in the UTMB® World Series Finals 2023, the three emblematic distances of UTMB® Mont-Blanc (OCC® 50K, CCC® 100K, and UTMB® 100M).
Air, fire, earth and water; you will find yourself immersed in all these elements as you run around the valley. 161km with 10,200 metres of ascent is what is waiting for you in this spectacular race.
5. Ultra Tour Monte Rosa
Wild spaces, 4000m mountains in every direction, and quiet trails. It’s a tough route, high and technical in many places – and prior mountain running experiences is needed, the more the better!
This beautiful route in the format of a stage race is a great experience. You can enjoy the views across meadows and mountains in daylight and dine and socialise with the competitors in afternoons and evenings. There is a mix of great athletes running for the day’s podium alongside those looking simply to challenge themselves. The UTMR stage event is an immensely fun way to race the UTMR route.
6. Montane Dragon’s Back Race®
The Dragon's Back Race is a multi-day running race from Conwy Castle to Cardiff Castle, a legendary ultra running journey down the spine of Wales.
Inspired by that of the 1992 race, in which the inaugural Dragons tackled Wales’s uniquely wild, trackless, and remote mountainous terrain. Today, it is considered to be the toughest mountain race in the world
7. Tor des Géants®
Tor des Géants is an endurance trail race which takes place in Aosta Valley, Italy, in September. It is the first and only race to combine long distance with the individual style of runners: the organisation does not impose any compulsory stages, and the winner will be the runner who completes the race in the shortest time, making his or her own decisions on when and how long to stop for rest and refreshment.
The Tor des Géants® is the first race of this kind to cover an entire region, running along its spectacular paths at the foot of the highest Four-Thousanders in the Alps and through the Gran Paradiso Natural Park and the Mont Avic Regional Park.
8. The Costal Challenge
The TCC is a multi-day 'ultra-marathon' or 'ultra' run in six days over a course of between 150 and 156 (250km) miles. You’ll test your physical strength in order to success in the heavy tropical forest and beach weather.
Competitors camp overnight in their own tents, which are transported from stage to stage. The course is set along Costa Rica’s tropical Pacific coastline but weaves at times into the Talamancas, a coastal mountain range in the Southwest corner of the country. You’ll finish near the border of Panama in a serene fishing village that until recently was only accessible by boat.
Competitors camp overnight in their own tents, which are transported from stage to stage and the actual routes and formats change every year. You may struggle to explain to people why you would want to do this!
9. Trail Verbier St-Bernard by UTMB®
A new trail race series, Verbier-St-Bernard started in 2008, and has proven itself to be a popular new addition to the Swiss trail running circuit. One of the most amazing trail in the Alps, it’s very technical with splendid viewpoints on several 4000m peaks.
The start is at 22.00 from Verbier, the first ascent leads you to La Pierre Avoi and then downhill to Sembrancher. From there the route wanders through a number of small mountain villages to Champex, then moves on towards the Cabane d’Orny which marks the highest point of the race (2826m), among the glaciers. The race continues, passing through La Fouly, the Lacs de Fenêtre, the legendary Col du Grand St-Bernard, the Col des Chevaux and the Col de Mille. Watch out for the famous 1200m wall before crossing the finish line in Verbier.
Which one will you choose? Maybe there’s something i’ve missed? Leave me a comment below if you’re tempted by any of these events or drop me a message on social media.
Have a big crazy goal lined up for 2024?
Are you starting to think about what’s in store for next year now that you’re counting down the days until your event this summer.
I can’t believe we’re already half way through the year. Because we’re only half way through the year there is still so much more you can achieve.
If this is you, I would love to chat. Book your free discovery call now and find out more about how I can help you with 1:1 run coaching.