The 7 Ultimate Achievements In Endurance Running
Below are brief descriptions of some of the greatest accomplishments in endurance running. Even if you've never run a mile in your life you have to respect these athletes for their achievements.
-
Three men ran 4,000 miles across the Sahara desert in 111 days. Charlie Engle, Ray Zahab, and Kevin Lin ran the equivalent of two marathons a day for 100 days to become the first modern runners to cross the Sahara Desert's grueling 4,000 miles. They were stricken with tendinitis, severe diarrhea, and knee injuries all while running through the intense heat and wind, often without a paved road in sight. Temperatures varied from over 100°F during the day to below freezing at night. Typical day: up at 4:00am, run until lunch, eat, run until 9:30pm. Then get up and do it again... for 111 days. -
Xu Zhenjun ran a 3:43 marathon - backwards. In a world where 99% of people never finish a marathon in their lifetimes and of those who do, 90% don't run under 4 hours, Xu Zhenjun of China managed both, in reverse. I thought Zhenjun was a rare person who ran backwards for fun, but it turns out there are a bunch of people who prefer to run backwards. Timothy "Bud" Badyna, the father of backwards running (pictured right), has also completed a sub-4 marathon backwards and a 10K in 45:37. -
Mark Covert has run at least one mile every day since July 23, 1968. In the decades since he started the streak, Covert has covered more than 136,000 miles. At his competitive peak, he ran more than 150 miles a week and was one of the top road racers in the country, finishing seventh in the 1972 Olympic trials marathon. He still averages eight miles a day. Sure, on some days his running may only consist of 9 or 10 minutes, but did you read how long? Since 1968. Covert has said:
"I've trained through illness and injury, run plenty of times when I shouldn't have. I ran on the days my parents passed away and I've run when every one of my four kids was born. I still look forward to running every day, although the trees go by more slowly now."
Covert is now the Cross Country Coach for Antelope Valley College (he knows a little about running). I guarantee his runners have trouble finding excuses to miss practice.
-
7 Days, 7 Continents, 7 Marathons. Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Dr. Michael Stroud went seven for seven during a grueling week of marathon running and transcontinental travel. The pair ran seven marathons in seven days on seven continents from October 26 - November 2, 2003. The men ran in Chile, the Falkland Islands, Sydney, Singapore, London, and Cairo before completing their marathon of marathons by running the New York City Marathon. Besides battling the exhaustion that any marathon runner faces, Fiennes and Stround also had to battle jet lag and dramatic changes in temperature and humidity during each race. The feat was especially impressive for Fiennes, who suffered a heart attack just four months earlier. -
Ethiopia's Haile Gebrselassie's marathon world record. Haile Gebrselassie ran a marathon in 2 hours, 4 minutes, and 36 seconds in 2007, crushing the old world record by nearly 30 seconds. These days marathon winners are consistently throwing down times like 2 hours and 6 minutes. It's so common, I think we have forgotten exactly how fast it is. That is keeping a 4 minute, 48 second-per-mile pace for 26.2 straight miles! For a non-runner, it may be difficult to comprehend just how remarkable this feat is. Very few people in the world can even keep that pace for 1 mile. -
Finishing Badwater (anyone). Plain and simple, Badwater is the toughest endurance run in the word. Each year, approximately 70 people attempt to run 135 miles from Bad Water, Death Valley to the portals of Mt. Whitney. In case you're not familiar with Badwater or Mt. Whitney, Badwater is the lowest place in the Western Hemisphere and Mt. Whitney is the highest point in the contiguous United States. Basically you're running from the lowest place in the U.S. to the highest. In addition to the 13,000 feet worth of ascent, there are the 130°F (55°C) temperatures to deal with. Participants are forced to run on the white lines on the side of the road to keep the soles of their shoes from melting and a heat suit to keep them from frying in the sun. The winner from the last two years has finished in the 24-25 hour range but the average finish time is in the 35 hour range. My first question was "How in the world does someone train for this type of event?" Luckily for me they have a training guide on the Badwater homepage. Here are a few examples of training recommendations I picked off the site:
(1) - HEAT is the main nemesis, acclimate your body NOW!! Start using a sauna on your EXPOSED body. Do not wear any protective clothing.
(2) - ENDURANCE is very slow to develop. Set a target of being able to WALK, ONLY, at 20-30 minute per mile pace, NON STOP (NO SLEEP) for 24-30 hours. Do not exceed this pace, nor train in this way more than once a week.
Pass.
-
Dean Karnaze ran 350 miles non-stop. "The Relay" is a 200-mile, 12 person relay race. Not only did Dean Karnaze run this race by himself, he ran an extra 150 miles from his home to the starting point. Karnaze ran 80 hours straight and burned an estimated 40,000 Calories to cover the 350 miles. I couldn't even stay away that long, yet he kept a good pace the whole way. Karnaze has also has finished the Western 100 ten times, the Badwater four times, and most recently he ran 50 marathons in 50 consecutive days in all 50 United States.
December 28, 2007
2:26 PM
Well I can run a mile in 4 minutes and 48 seconds, but I am in high school and train a lot to do that.
December 28, 2007
3:31 PM
Dudes,
1 – Obviously 7 days 7 marathons, on 7 continents isn’t that difficult if 2 old men can do it…seems more like a rich, retired thing…plus I where is the Antarctica run?…i guess the Faulklands is Antarctica?…seems like S. America.
2 – the only reason people run backwards is cuz they can’t be competitive forward, but have giant egos and need to be seen.
3 – 2:04.whatever is good, but where is the drug testing on these mo fockers…you mean none of these guys are on epo or more?
4 – just because Mark Covert has issues doesn’t make him worth being called special
December 28, 2007
2:15 PM
Pretty cool list one name that I think should be added is Terry Fox. He ran a marathon every day dying of cancer and on one leg (his other leg was artificial). He tried to run across Canada but sucomb to his disease.
http://www.terryfoxrun.org
December 28, 2007
2:16 PM
I think you’ve overlooked a very important collection of runners:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/10/sports/othersports/10marathon.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
December 28, 2007
2:37 PM
I think Lisa Smith-Batchen’s Badwater Double in 2006 should qualify for this list: running Badwater, then summiting Mt. Whitney, and then running back to the start. Here’s an article:
http://www.dreamchaserevents.com/lisasmithbatchen/badwtr_artcl_nantucket.htm
December 28, 2007
3:27 PM
Regarding the two gentlemen who ran seven marathons on seven continents…wouldn’t that be only six continents? They ran in Chile (South America), the Falkland Islands (South America), Sydney (Australia), Singapore (Asia), London (Europe), Cairo (Afirca), and New York City (North America). I guess the Falkland Islands are considered to be close to Antarctica, but that’s REALLY stretching it (especially considering that mainland Chile and Argentina are actually farther south than the Falkland Islands).
Still, this was a great article that highlights some truly astonishing physical feats.
December 28, 2007
3:46 PM
Rather male biased. Surely if the current male record is worth a mention then what Paula Radcliffe has done for the female time is equally worthy?
December 28, 2007
5:36 PM
jimbo jizzle Said:
“3 – 2:04.whatever is good, but where is the drug testing on these mo fockers…you mean none of these guys are on epo or more?”
Are you ignorant, or just completely stupid? They drug test the money finishers of every major track or marathon race immediately afterward, and they’re especially vigilant after any world records. Haile has a star-studded running career spanning more than a decade and over 20 world bests, and he has been tested hundreds of times with zero failings. I know that it seems unlikely to you that someone could succeed at this level through anything but hard work and talent, and maybe that says something about your own personal approach to bending the rules and cheating.
December 28, 2007
5:51 PM
Drug testing. Hahaha. Worked well with Marion Jones, huh?
Just because they test clean does not mean the are clan.
December 29, 2007
10:27 AM
Many people will never attain the feats mentioned
However it Is an Inspiration to try and improve your own personal health & lifestyle.
I was over 200 lbs and starting running at 63 yrs old.I Overcame the ridicules and jokes from fellow
runners in my 1st 5 k and persevered to 8 and 10k
Now at 185 lbs and dropping have set my sights on aattaining 165 lbs and eventually 150 lbs. I am especially proud that I am eradicating my diabetes
have maintained a healthy vegan diet.
December 31, 2007
9:13 AM
Obviously many of the people making comments have never tried running a marathon.
7 marathons in 7 days would be hugely difficult. On 7 continents is unbelievable. I’ve run 5 marathons, and there’s no way I could run two in a week, let alone 7 in 7 days. Put jet lag into the equation and not many people could dream of doing it.
May 25, 2008
5:39 AM
The guy who said that if two old men could do it, it couldn’t be that hard.. Go and google Ranulph Fiennes. That man is an absolute machine. All of these feats are just amazing.
July 3, 2008
3:36 PM
And Jimbo wonders why he doesn’t have any friends…
August 3, 2008
1:28 PM
Mark Covert’s record is amazing but isn’t as good as Ron Hill who boosts a consecutive running every day record since 1964 and over 150,000 miles
December 15, 2008
10:06 PM
If you found running the Sahara fascinating, you will most probabaly wish to follow this run beginning Nov 2009:
The Sahara Solo; the first ever attempt to run across the Sahara solo.
Crossing the Sahara North-South: 40 Marathons in 40 Days:
http://www.26×40.com
December 20, 2008
6:51 PM
I think that anyone posting comments about the fact that they should be drug tested or that the drug tests aren’t surefire need to just take a step back and realize that drug s or not, try to do even one of the things on the damn list with or without drugs! You’re so quick to discount their achievements because of the possibility of drugs and forget to realize how f$#(&ing fast and how difficult these feats are. So get a life, and go run, with or without drugs. When we see an article about you doing some crazy ass race, then you can talk. Best of luck breaking a 2:04 marathon even on a bicycle.
January 10, 2009
5:53 AM
Very awesome acomplishments by all, each one special and incredible-bravo to you all! I will add to the list, Linda McFadden’s running and completing Badwater 135 miles and then continuing on the John Muir Trail 211 miles, ( including to Mt Whitney and finishing in Yosemite Valley) making Linda the first women to acheive this feat! I can verify Linda’s noble acomplishment– being that I ran with her. Note it was one of the heaviest snow packs in years in the Sierra’s.
JR
February 20, 2009
3:42 PM
how did #7 not die when he finished? I would like to know how he trains for something like that
June 24, 2009
7:41 AM
In response to the queries about the seven marathons in seven days on seven continents, one fo the major factors taht they had to overcome was the logistical nightmares of getting to each run, especially the Antarctic leg. Whilst they were waiting to fly to the Antarctic there were major weather problems and they had to substitute the British base for all Antartic missions (the Falklands) for that leg of the journey. They also didn’t make the the run in Chile, running instead in Patagonia (where they were waiting for the flight to the Antarctic.)
Although its technically not seven continents, its as close as they could get whilst still making the deadline for the New York marathon finish. It’s a remarkable acheivement for both men, especially as Ranuplh Fiennes had to deal with a double heart bypass surgery in the build up to the event.
October 27, 2009
5:33 PM
jumbo jizzle: you have obviously never run a marathon before. Once you do, I am sure you will reconsider your statement.
December 17, 2009
8:26 AM
Ref the bloke who said about its easy…. I take i ur an armchair runner who justs looks at good running kity on the computer buy it and then run about a mile. Endurance is a very hard thing to progress on and these men who ran 7 marathons in 7 days is endurance after the first marathon lactic asid would have built up thyen to go sit on a plane for 7/8/9 hours get off then run another marthon for 7 days is awsome i think you should get out off the house and start running i bet ur a fat sweaty man who just dosnt have a clue about endurance events well done to all those who have been running keep at it and remember walking is the first stage of quiting
February 7, 2010
7:03 PM
Anyone who doubts Sir Ranulph’s chops in any way…not only did he run 7 marathons in 7 days (who cares on how many continents!), not only did he reach both the North and South Poles on the surface (first person to accomplish that), not only did he cross Antarctica on foot (in 95 days), not only did he climb Mt. Everest at the age of 65 (oldest person to do so)…but when he suffered frostbite on the fingers of his left hand on an Arctic excursion and was fed up waiting for months for the tissue to regenerate before proceeding to have the fingertips surgically amputated as he was instructed to…he hacked them off himself in his garden shed!!!!!!! If that’s what constitutes an ‘old man’…respect, Sir!!