Ultrarunning History

156: The Second English Astley Belt Race – 1879

In April 1879 a six-day foot race was held in London, England, where 13 ultrarunning world records were broken by George Hazael and Blower Brown.

155: The 2024 Barkley Marathons

The 2024 Barkley Marathons in Tennessee surprised everyone. There were five finishers, including Jasmin Paris (UK) who was the first woman finisher ever.

154: The American Championship Belt – 1879

The American Championship Belt Six-Day Race was held in April 1879 in Madison Square Garden with 40 entrants, running around a track for six days.

153: The 3rd Astley Belt Six-Day Race (1879)

The Third Astley Belt six-day race was held in Madison Square Garden in 1879 and was the most impactful ultramarathon in the history of the sport.

152: Classic Ultramarathon Beginnings

Classic Ultramarathons Beginnings is a fascinating new book. It includes the history of some of the oldest and classic ultramarathons

151: Around the World on Foot: Three Stories

The “around the world on foot” craze of the 1890s included educated men. Three stories: Three German Barons, a French doctor, and eight professional Americans

150: Around the World on Foot: The Paper Suits

In the late 1890s, hundreds of people attempted to walk around the world on foot, motivated by wagers like Phileas Fogg in Jules Verne's novel. One strange tradition evolved to start in a paper suit.

149: Encore – Across the Years

Across the Years ultramarathon held in Arizona is one of the oldest fixed-time races in the world. It was started in 1983 by founder Harold Sieglaff

148: Ultramarathons on Christmas Day 1879

In 1879, the featured Christmas Day sports event was ultrarunning. That day, at least four ultramarathons were taking place including one on a ship

147: Gary Cantrell (Lazarus Lake) – Before the Barkley

Gary Cantrell (a.k.a. Lazarus Lake) created the Barkley Marathons. He was once a talented runner. Learn his background leading up to the birth of the Barkley.