Ultramarathon runners: nature or nurture?

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Human Physiology
• Endurance Sports

Background:

• Ultramarathon running, events exceeding 42.195 km, is growing in popularity.
• The majority of ultramarathon finishers (~80%) are men, typically around 45 years old.
• Peak performance ages for ultramarathoners are 30-49 for men and 30-54 for women.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the profile of ultramarathon runners compared to marathon runners.
• To identify differences in training volume, running pace, and prior race experience.
• To highlight areas for future research, including male ultramarathoner motivations and origins.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of ultramarathoners and marathon runners.
• Examination of training habits, including weekly mileage and running pace.
• Review of race completion history, focusing on marathon and ultramarathon experience.

Main Results:

• Ultramarathoners possess extensive running experience (7.6 ± 6.3 years) and complete more training kilometers than marathoners.
• Despite higher training volume, ultramarathoners train at a slower pace compared to marathoners.
• Ultramarathoners typically have completed more marathons than marathoners, though recreational marathoners show faster personal-best marathon times.

Conclusions:

• Ultramarathoners are experienced runners with distinct training strategies compared to marathoners.
• Key unanswered questions remain regarding the motivations of male ultramarathoners and their geographical origins.
• Future research should explore the role of marathon preparation in ultramarathon success and investigate male runner motivations.