Toughest race in the world - Triathlon

Ironman

01/10/2003 at 10:45

There are so many races now that claim to be the toughest in the World. The MDS most notably claiming to be the toughest footrace in the World. But having just seen that thread for the Yukon Artic race, that looks completly bonkers.

Are there any other races out there that push even this?

Here's a selection of some that I've seen:

RAAM - Race across America on a bike, with strict time limits
Deca-Ironman - 10xIronman
Yukon - 300 mile footrace through the Artic
MDS - Stage race through Sahara desert
Trans Europe Footrace - Footrace from Lisbon to Moscow
Eco Challenge/Raid Galois (sp?) - Multiday adventure racing
Enduroman - Arch to Arc - Run to Dover, swim the channel, cycle to Paris

Which is the toughest, and are there more?

Caspar Kennerdale

01/10/2003 at 11:02

Trans 555 this year for elite competitors

555k across Niger I believe

For non elite there is always the trans 333

ed_m (a.k.a. ultra bunny)

01/10/2003 at 12:08

ooh.. trans europe sounds fun

THE YORKSHIRE RUNNING MAN

01/10/2003 at 14:05

there,s always the 1300 mile sri chimnoy race in america, 130 mile badwater race through death valley, spartak ultra in greece, there's the jungle ultra in brazil thats just been on, check out eventrate, nearer home there's the 145 mile grand union canal race and also the new 175 mile marathon of britain, don't think that just because they are here in england they are any easier, the marathon of britain saw temperatures reaching 100, hot enough to match any desert run,

WildWill..... pirate

pirate

01/10/2003 at 14:12

Has anyone ever said "You're all mad"

:o)

Ironman

01/10/2003 at 14:14

Sure those in England are tough, but surely there are tougher!

The Sri Chimnoy race is 3100 miles round less than a one mile circuit isn't it?

The (Original) Boy Wonder

01/10/2003 at 14:14

Bath's Hilly 10 presumably doesn't count!

01/10/2003 at 14:47

[curls up in corner, wondering if just the mention of such lunatic projects might be enough finally to induce exhausted sleep]

THE YORKSHIRE RUNNING MAN

01/10/2003 at 14:52

the beauty of any ultra is that probably 99% of them are do-able, by that i mean that if you put in the correct training and decide how you want to do in the race , whether you want to compete or are just happy to finish then that will dictate if it is a hard race or not, i have actually raced the mds and found it very hard, another year i went out for a holiday and found it very enjoyable, thats why races in this country can be equally as tough. as you say the 3100 mile sri chimnoy would be very tough, but why? after all you are only going around in circles on a flat track and it doesn't matter whether it is in the artic or usa. we are probably equal in europe to some of the most varied terrain there is, including the weather.

Caspar Kennerdale

01/10/2003 at 15:33

I suppose there is a romance about being in a remote part of the world you have never been to before. And like with most things you dont appreciate what is on your own back door.

The MOB looks interesting and is on the agenda but probably not next year as I want to do the Grand Union Race and an Ironman in the summer but havent worked it out yet.

I agree that the UK terrain can be some of the most challening out there.

Anyone who has trained in Brecon or Snowdonia, Lake Districty or Peak District will testify.

What event are you doing next TYRM?

fat buddha

01/10/2003 at 16:10

straightjacket anyone???

THE YORKSHIRE RUNNING MAN

01/10/2003 at 16:11

i am trying to give my wallet a rest next year to try and keep the bank manager happy then hopefully back in full flow the year after, what i have got lined up for definate so far is:
30k bay to bay in cape town in january

Rome marathon in march

160 mile england coast to coast for charity in april

mauritius half marathon in may

probably back to marathon of britain in august, the coffers should just about stretch to it

another crack at the 48 hour treadmill record in oct or nov
in 2005 going back to cape town for the two oceans
145 grand union
commrades marathon
then whatever i can slip in between (or afford, mores to the point!!)

THE YORKSHIRE RUNNING MAN

01/10/2003 at 16:21

forgot to mention these are on the adjenda for the future before i get too old,
badwater
himalayen 100
the new jungle ultra
spartak ( if i ever get myself really fit again)
lands end to john o groats,
all i need to do is win the lottery then i can do a forest gump

David Bennett 2

01/10/2003 at 16:24

How about the round world swim?... Solo... Bet that's a challenge.

Races are as tough as the person who finishes 1st makes it.

djb

THE YORKSHIRE RUNNING MAN

01/10/2003 at 16:33

this is very true, though the beauty of the ultra, apart from the select few, is the joy of actually completing the event, generaly everyone is competing in their own race to get to the fininsh line

Dr Nic Twinks

01/10/2003 at 17:13

David, what would you do about those annoying bits of land in between?!

Caspar Kennerdale

01/10/2003 at 18:02

you could swim underneath them nic

WildWill..... pirate

pirate

01/10/2003 at 18:24

I've been toying with the idea of running the length of Haidrians Wall over a few days some time

01/10/2003 at 19:27

'some time' is good.

I make plans for 'some time' quite a lot.

:o)

Little fat Welshman

01/10/2003 at 21:11

TYRM Am I right in thinking you hold the 48 hour treadmill record at something like 146 miles. I gather an American has set a stupid distance for the 24 hour record - and I think Rory still holds the 7 day record.

Going back to the original message - the toughest in my opinion of organised races has got to be either the Spartathlon - not because of the distance but because of the time constraints put upon the athletes - this year the entry was about 270 (correct me if I am wrong) and only about 80 or so finished the 156 miles within the 36 hour time limit.
Another toughy is the Iditasport Impossible (now know as the Invitational) from Knik in Alaska to Nome - 1100 miles throught frozen wilderness predominately unsupported. If the weather is against you it is impossible. fastest time is by an Italian (Roberto Giadano) who did it 2 years ago in 21 day (I think)