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Summit County is getting a new ultramarathon trail running event — the Summit 200

https://www.summitdaily.com/news/summit ... amarathon/

I will find no satisfaction in this life with anything less than holding the fkt.

A co-worker recently completed the Cocodona 250, running 250 miles with 40K AEG from Black Canyon City to Flagstaff via Prescott and Sedona in 109 hours. I had no idea there were enough ultrarunners out there to make events like this common, but a little research showed, for example, that just in CA there are nearly 100 ultra events scheduled between now and the end of 2024. Who are these people?

toddak wrote:Who are these people?

Clark Kent, Peter Parker, and Bruce Wayne come to mind.

“People” may not be the correct term.

I haven't competed in 6ish years but spend 15 years doing ultras, including multiple 100 milers, and there are a whole bunch of us and races. While I don't compete anymore, I still follow as my wife does. Ultras, anything over the marathon length with 50k and 50 mile being the most common, are everywhere; hundreds of races, thousands of runners. It's not exactly a big leap to go from a marathon to a 50k and getting to 50 mile from that is easier than people may think when you're already running marathons somewhat regularly.

There are only 25ish 200+ mile events in the country that I'm aware of, though. I think we're probably still under 500 people finishing across that, but maybe the last 2 years has pushed that number a fair bit higher. DNFs are a lot more common at this distance, though, and it's not crazy to take 1 before you have an event where you actually finish. It's growing pretty quickly though as just 5 years ago, there were half the number of races over 200.

@xsproutx
It would seem reasonable that the growth of the 100 mile distance would eventually lead to some more interest in 200s. However, I think a better indicator of the future growth of the sport would probably be the number of 50k finishers year-over-year. Number of events isn't always telling either, as events can range from just a few dozen participants to a few thousand.

I think we're probably still under 500 people finishing across that

Cocodona alone had 200 finishers this year, so I'd guess the number of 200 mile finishers per year is now in the thousands.

ShatteredArm wrote:better indicator of the future growth of the sport would probably be the number of 50k finishers year-over-year

100% agree with that as the 50k/50 mile are the much more common and "stretch goals" for marathoners. 200 is an interesting one, too, when you look at the completion data/times. Many/half are averaging just 2mph overall.

Also right on the finishing numbers; just looking at the bigfoot 200 there were also ~140 finishers. I was basing my numbers on something I've seen previously and then extrapolating but that's clearly wrong. Also just tried to find something that would give a closer number and found this, which seems very very off.... although if you look at individual events, the numbers seem correct. Maybe I just don't know how to navigate it.
https://ultrarunning.com/calendar/stats ... stance=118

@xsproutx
There's definitely something wrong with their data, as it had 81 finishes as of April, but only 231 after May. Cocodona alone had 202. Possibly they're only including races that are advertised as exactly 200 miles, and not all 200+.

I’m holding out for the ultra-mega 1000 mile with the complimentary knee replacement surgery option.

@PrestonSands
The only real test is the ultimate race with no actual mileage end. Competitors go until there are no more people competing. The winner is the person to finish who does not require dialysis from their Rhabdomyolysis, or the last competitor to still be able to move under their own power. However, at 1000 miles, assuming a 2 mph pace as mentioned above, that is 500 hours, so almost 3 weeks of "race". Therefore, the real test is as they say, mental, because a true race of ultimate endurance is to have no sleep breaks and therefore after nearly 3 weeks (assuming one can get beyond a week) of no sleep, the competitor who isn't insane is the winner.

@Jim_H
Basically the first book Stephen King wrote (under a pseudonym originally): The Long Walk. Solid read.

@PrestonSands
There is a 3,100 mile race in NYC. 5,649 laps around a single block. No free knee replacement, though.