The Best Ultra Marathons In The World 2020: Ultimate Ultra Bucket List
We look at the best and most beautiful ultramarathons from around the world today. The ultimate bucket list of hardest ultra marathon races for all abilities.
Best Ultra Marathons in the World: 2026 Guide
At a Glance: The Top 10 Ultra Marathons in the World for 2026
|
Rank |
Race |
Location |
Distance |
Dates |
|
10 |
Ultra-Trail Cape Town |
South Africa |
100km |
November 2026 |
|
9 |
The Jungle Ultra |
Peru |
230km |
June 2026 |
|
8 |
Ultra X Scotland |
Scotland |
110km or 50km |
May 2026 |
|
7 |
Tor des Géants |
Italy |
330km |
September 2026 |
|
6 |
Western States |
USA |
160km |
June 2026 |
|
5 |
Everest Trail Race |
Nepal |
170km |
November 2026 |
|
4 |
Ultra X Tanzania |
Tanzania |
220km |
February 2026 |
|
3 |
Marathon des Sables |
Morocco |
250km |
April 2026 |
|
2 |
Ultra X Sahara |
Morocco |
250km |
March 2026 |
|
1 |
Ultra X South Africa: The Max |
South Africa |
330km+ |
October 2026 |
What is the best ultramarathon in the world?
The best ultramarathon in the world for 2026 is Ultra X South Africa: The MAX, a 330km+ multi-stage race through the Western Cape that defines the pinnacle of endurance. Other top-tier global races include the legendary Marathon des Sables for desert survival and Tor des Géants for extreme alpine elevation.
2026 Global Ultra Marathon Guide
The greatest ultramarathons in the world are defined by how deeply they test human resilience through terrain, climate, and community. In 2026, the sport has evolved toward more immersive endurance challenges that demand total commitment in the planet’s harshest environments.
Whether you are looking for the hardest ultramarathon in the world to test your limits or seeking your first multi-stage adventure, this list features the most prestigious events currently open for registration.
These ‘Top 10 Ultra Marathons in the World’ are not simply hard, they are transformative; demanding adaptability, humility, and total commitment in some of the harshest environments on the planet. Read on for the full list.
10) Ultra-Trail Cape Town
Ultra-Trail Cape Town has become one of the most visually striking ultras in the globalcalendar. The route winds across Table Mountain and the Cape Peninsula, blendingtechnical trail running with dramatic coastal exposure. Every section requires concentration,as steep climbs and rocky descents punish lapses in focus.
Beyond the physical challenge, the race is elevated by its setting. Cape Town’s vibrantatmosphere and strong trail-running culture create an electric race week, making it aperfect blend of elite competition and unforgettable scenery.
Distance: 100km
Dates: November 2026
Positives: Iconic scenery, world-class trails, strong international field
Negatives: Highly technical terrain throughout
9) The Jungle Ultra
The Jungle Ultra is endurance stripped back to survival. Deep in the Amazon rainforest,runners face relentless humidity, dense vegetation, and river crossings that slow progress toa crawl. Every stage feels earned rather than raced.
This is an event where strategy often dissolves. Adaptability and mental resilience becomemore important than pace, as competitors move through one of the most biodiverse andhostile environments on Earth.
Distance: 230km (5 days)
Dates: June 2026
Positives: Unique jungle environment, extreme challenge
Negatives: Oppressive humidity and constant discomfort
8) Ultra X Scotland
Ultra X Scotland is Scotland’s biggest ultramarathon, set in the dramatic Scottish Highlandsand centred around Inverness, delivering an exceptional blend of scale, scenery, andatmosphere. With six race distances ranging from 12km to 110km, including single andmulti-stage options, the event is fully supported with well-stocked aid stations approximatelyevery 10km and camping included for multi-stage participants. Free entry for under-23s and a welcoming, festival-style race hub make Ultra X Scotland one of the most inclusive andprofessionally run ultramarathons in Europe.
Distance: 110km (single or multi stage) or 50km (1 day)
Dates: May 2026
Positives: Scenic, historic route with flexible distances
Negatives: Weather can change rapidly
7) Tor Des Geants
Tor des Géants is one of Europe’s most fearsome endurance challenges. Circling Italy’sAosta Valley, runners tackle colossal elevation gain, technical alpine terrain, and severesleep deprivation over several days.
Completion is a test of patience and discipline rather than speed. Managing fatigue,nutrition, and mental clarity is critical, making this one of the purest expressions ofmountain ultrarunning.
Distance: 330km
Dates: September 2026
Positives: Extreme elevation, legendary difficulty
Negatives: Enormous time-on-feet and recovery demands
6) Western States Endurance Run
Western States is the cornerstone of modern ultrarunning. From the Sierra Nevada to Auburn, the course blends historic trails with punishing heat and relentless forward motion.
Every mile carries decades of legacy. Despite newer races pushing greater extremes, Western States remains one of the most prestigious finishes in the sport. Its belt buckle is still one of endurance running’s most coveted symbols.
Distance: 160km
Dates: June 2026
Positives: Historic prestige, iconic finishers buckle
Negatives: Single-stage format allows no recovery
5) Everest Trail Race
Set high in the Himalayas, the Everest Trail Race combines altitude with sustained distance. Competitors climb and descend through remote mountain villages, often racing above 4,000 metres where oxygen scarcity changes everything.
This is as much an expedition as a race. The altitude, isolation, and cultural immersion create a challenge that is both physically and mentally profound.
Distance: 170km (6 days)
Dates: November 2026
Positives: High-altitude adventure and cultural depth
Negatives: Significant altitude-related risk
4) Ultra X Tanzania
Ultra X Tanzania is a five-day multi-stage ultra set in the rarely travelled backcountry of northern Tanzania around Mount Kilimanjaro, showcasing the very best of Africa. The route blends savannah, forest, wildlife-filled lakes, and climbs on the world’s tallest free-standing mountain, creating constant variety and challenge. It attracts a truly international field, turning the race into a shared journey through one of the planet’s most iconic landscapes.
Ultra X Tanzania welcomes runners, walkers, and everyone in between, with many participants walking a large portion of the course, making it an inclusive yet unforgettable endurance experience.
Distance: 220km (5 days)
Dates: February 2026
Positives: Cultural immersion, diverse landscapes
Negatives: Remote logistics add complexity
3) Marathon Des Sables
Marathon des Sables is the original desert ultra and remains one of the toughest races on Earth. Crossing the Sahara on foot while carrying supplies forces runners into complete self- reliance under extreme heat.
More than a race, it is an internal reckoning. The isolation, exhaustion, and exposure strip competitors back to their core, making finishing a deeply personal achievement.
Distance: 250km (6 days)
Dates: April 2026
Positives: Legendary status, globally recognised
Negatives: Extreme heat and full self-sufficiency
2) Ultra X Sahara
Ultra X Sahara takes place in the remote and awe-inspiring Chegaga region of the Moroccan Sahara, deep in the south of the country. Vast sand dunes, rocky plateaus, and endless desert horizons create a raw and unforgiving landscape that tests endurance, resilience, and mental strength.
The race unfolds over five stages and 220km, with demanding elevation profiles, extreme temperatures, and constantly changing terrain underfoot. Designed as a serious desert challenge, it pushes participants beyond their comfort zones while remaining accessible to a wide range of abilities. Ultra X Sahara welcomes runners, walkers, and everyone in between, with many participants walking large portions of the course. It is a powerful, inclusive desert adventure and an unforgettable introduction to multi-stage ultrarunning.
Distance: 250km (5 stages)
Dates: March 2026
Positives: Iconic desert setting with strong support
Negatives: Heat and exposure remain relentless
1) Ultra X South Africa: The MAX
Ultra X South Africa ‘The MAX’ is the pinnacle of the Ultra X series, designed for runners who have outgrown Half and Full Distance races and are ready for the ultimate challenge.
Set in the wild Western Cape, the route showcases South Africa at its most raw, from fertile valleys and vineyards to remote gorges, towering mountain ranges, and the sculpted sandstone of the Cederberg.
Across six stages and 330km, runners tackle constantly changing terrain, including flowing singletrack, long exposed stages, and steep, resilience-testing climbs. Each night is spent in exclusive wild camps beneath star-filled skies, where stories are shared around the campfire and the true #theultraxperience comes alive. This is not just a race, but a full immersion into extreme endurance, natural beauty, and cultural warmth.
Distance: 330km+
Dates: October 2026
Positives: One of the longest and toughest races in the world
Negatives: Only suitable for highly experienced ultrarunners
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