The Black Mountain Monster is a great option, with a scenic 5K loop and vibrant tent village at the start of each lap.” Umstead 100-Mile Endurance Run “Because you can push only as far as you want to, and because the courses are typically controlled loops, it’s easy to lock in your stride and hit your desired distance. “Timed ultramarathons are an easy, unintimidating way for new ultrarunners to attempt a new distance,” Hay says. An upside to looped courses is that they allow support crews to set up camp with a stockpile of everything the runner wants-and then some.

Not sure just how far you can go? Try a timed ultra like North Carolina’s Black Mountain Monster 6-, 12-, or 24-Hour Race (May), where runners cover as much or as little ground as they want to attempt on a looped course. “ The Marin Ultra Challenge (March) in Sausalito, California, offers a 50-mile distance on many of the same trails as the North Face 50, but with a slightly cheaper entry fee and not all of the hype.” Black Mountain Monster “I love hype-just not for my first ultra,” Gates says. Bonus: They’re usually a bargain compared to their big-name counterparts. A smaller race allows for more one-on-one attention from race directors and volunteers. Though ultrarunners tend to be a pretty chill bunch, large races can be overwhelming and intimidating, especially for a new runner with lots of questions. Ricky Gates, Professional Athlete, Transcontinental Finisherįor your first ultra, a laid-back vibe will go a long way toward keeping nerves at bay, says Gates.

We asked experienced ultrarunners to share their favorite beginner-friendly races-the ones that will prevent you from never wanting to toe the start line again. But that doesn’t mean your first ultra-distance race has to be a total sufferfest.

Even on flat courses with soft trails, the body and mind take a beating while running 50 kilometers or more. There are no two ways about it: Your first ultramarathon is going to be tough.

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