As mentioned in chapter 3, an ultra-marathon is defined as any race longer than the standard marathon of 26.2 miles. The most popular “ultra” events are the 50k (31 miles), the 50 mile, the double marathon (52.4 miles), the 100k (62 miles) and the 100 mile. Longer yet are the extreme ultras, such as the Badwater competition held annually in Death Valley, California. This race is labeled as the “World’s Toughest Footrace” – 135 miles across the hottest place on earth in July, when the average daytime temperature is 117 degrees with highs as much as 130 degrees. With a starting location of 282 feet below sea level, it finishes at the portal of Mount Whitney at 8,360 feet above sea level.
