Understanding the psychology of generalizations
Running in the Sahara Desert? You gotta be kidding! Even in April, when this blister-inducing ultra-run takes place, the heat is on. Besides an ocean of sand, competitors have to cope with razor-sharp rock and the threat of dehydration before they complete the arduous 155 mi (250 km) course.
Established in 1981, this is one of the world's most popular street marathons. Run every April, the 26-mi (42-km) course takes competitors past numerous well-known landmarks, including the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace.
See also: The world's most extreme marathons.
Wine, oysters, cheese, steak, and even champagne are among the treats offered up to runners as they commute along the 26-mi (42-km) course, with some opting to run in fancy dress. The fun takes place every September.
One of Europe’s most popular obstacle courses, this 15-mi (24-km) challenge takes place throughout the year at various venues across the continent. If you’re up for tackling hurdles, deep mud pits, dark brooding water holes, ice-filled ponds, and climbing nets, this crazy event is for you! It reaches the Dutch town of Hellendoorn in September.
The Champs-Elysées and the iconic Arc de Triomphe mark the beginning of the 26-mi (42-km) route, which snakes through the French capital. The marathon is held every April.
Regarded as one of Europe’s mightiest running challenges, the 105-mi (170-km) Mont-Blanc race takes place in August in a typical Alpine environment—a mixture of rain, snow, and sun. Beginning in Chamonix, the route stretches through three countries and 10 strenuous climbs along the way.
The road surrounding the highest mountain in Wales provides the route for this scenic challenge, which takes place in October. The 26-mi (42-km) undulating route does include some tricky trail running though.
A trail marathon set in and around Queenstown, on South Island, runners are treated to spectacular scenery as they follow the 26-mi (42-km) course surrounded by mountains and lakes. It takes place in November, which is the beginning of summer in the Southern Hemisphere.
Encompassing a distance of 47 mi (76 km) and run in May on La Palma in the Canary Islands, this epic challenge over razor-sharp volcanic rock tests strength and stamina in equal measure. Runners negotiate over 6,561 ft (2,000 m) of ascent, but the real killer is the bone-jarring descent.
Run from October to May, these coastal runs include the South Devon Ultra, a 35-mi (56-km) dash from Beesands village through an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
It doesn’t get much tougher than this! A daunting 180 mi (290 km) in length, the Dragon’s Back Race is considered one of the most challenging mountain races in the world. There are no defined trails— runners follow the spines of Wales' most famous mountain ranges. The five-day competition is run every two years in June.
Run in September at Corfe Castle, Dorset. Good for beginners, this 13-mi (21-km) track of trail and grass meanders over plenty of hills, and is fairly tough in places. The 1,000-year-old castle provides a wonderful backdrop.
Run in June, this is a visual treat, set as it is in the beautiful Dolomites. Marked out at a distance of 74 mi (119 km), and with 19,192 ft (5,850 m) of ascent, the trail takes runners near the Tre Cime di Lavaredo (pictured), three awesome peaks that straddle the South Tyrol and Belluno borders.
Running is a pastime enjoyed by many. But while a jog in the park is enough for some, there are others who happily test the very limits of their physical and mental endurance by embarking on punishing leg-screaming, blister-inducing ultra trails in remote corners of the world.
If you're one of those people who revel in adversity and drink adrenaline for breakfast, you'll be turned on big time by this list of some of the world's most arduous running races. Click on!
The roughest running races in the world
Run these if you dare!
LIFESTYLE Race
Running is a pastime enjoyed by many. But while a jog in the park is enough for some, there are others who happily test the very limits of their physical and mental endurance by embarking on punishing leg-screaming, blister-inducing ultra trails in remote corners of the world.
If you're one of those people who revel in adversity and drink adrenaline for breakfast, you'll be turned on big time by this list of some of the world's most arduous running races. Click on!