Running up mountains and down mountains, through a torrential downpour and by the light of the moon, non-runners might question why people would sacrifice their time, their safety and their sanity to run more than 42 kilometres in one go.
For some it’s the challenge and feeling of achievement, for others like Christine Rawlins it’s also about having fun.
She finished the Canadian Death Race – a 125-kilometre trek through the Rocky Mountains of Grande Cache – in 21 hours, 24 minutes and 14 seconds earlier this month.
What makes an ultramarathon different from other foot races is that it’s longer than a traditional marathon of 42 kilometres or 26 miles. Ultramarathons are typically timed events, where runners strive to cover the greatest possible distance in a specific time period.
Several ultramarathons are held in Alberta each year, from the 100-kilometre Blackfoot Ultra in May to the Grizzly and Iron Horse ultras in October.
In order to cover such vast distances, ultramarathon runners will typically cover both road and trail systems – navigating through rocky terrain, high elevations, mud and streams while all the while battling the elements.
For Rawlins, a seasoned ultramarathoner, the second leg of the death race – The Flood & Grande Mountain Slugfest – was the most trying.
“We were caught in a thunderstorm on the top of a mountain and there was torrential hail … some people ended up with bruising,” said the personal trainer and manager of the Sturgeon Valley Athletic Club.
With only 24 hours to finish the race, competitors strapped headlamps to their heads and ran through the night.
For Graham Glennie, a St. Albert running enthusiast and physiotherapist who finished ninth overall in the competition at 15 hours, the 27 kilometres of steep hill during the second leg was the most technically challenging.
“In doing a race like that, it’s about getting your legs to handle uphill (as well as) the downhill, which really beats them up.”
Aside from the fitness aspect, what is also appealing for many ultramarathon runners is how unique it is compared to road running. The terrain of trail running constantly changes, as does the scenery and the pace.
Trail running can be good for the body – putting less stress on the joints that may be aggravated from running on hard surfaces such as asphalt – as well as freeing for the mind.
“It’s a combination of two things that I love – running and also the mountains,” stated Rawlins. “It’s like being a kid again – when you’re running through the mud and the puddles and through streams and jumping over logs. It’s just a lot of fun.”
