The Best Ultramarathon Runners In The World | Ultra
Inspiration pour l'ultra-marathon : Nous répertorions les meilleurs coureurs d'ultra marathon au monde, tels que Kilian Jornet, Courtney Dauwalter, Jasmin Paris et bien d'autres.
The Best Ultramarathon Runners in the World
At Ultra X, we want to make the sport of ultramarathon running more accessible. We are all about the first-timers, the committed hikers, and the cut-off fighters. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t all admire, and be inspired by, the very best ultramarathon runners in the world.
When new athletes enter the sport, one of the first questions they ask is: who are the best ultra marathon runners? This article takes you through the most decorated,
famous ultra runners and quite simply the best ultra marathoners the sport has ever seen.
Wherever you are on your ultramarathon journey, remember this: every one of these athletes started somewhere. Their stories remind us that resilience, curiosity, and persistence matter far more than pace. We hope their journeys inspire you to lace up your trainers and get out onto the trails.
The Best Ultra-Marathon Runners in the World: Legends of Endurance
As of 2026, these athletes stand as the sport’s most influential figures.
The Top Ultra Marathon Runners: Men’s Division
Kilian Jornet – Spain
When debating the greatest ultramarathon runners of all time, Kilian Jornet is often the first name mentioned. His dominance in ultra-running began in the early 2010s and fundamentally reshaped how mountain races were approached. In 2011, he won Western States 100 in just his mid-20s, announcing his arrival on the global ultra stage. Over the following decade, Jornet captured UTMB titles in 2011, 2017, and 2018, while also securing three consecutive Hardrock 100 victories from 2014 to 2016. By the early 2020s, his focus expanded beyond racing into alpine projects and record-setting ascents, yet his competitive legacy remains unmatched in mountainous ultra-distance running.
Jim Walmsley – American
Jim Walmsley became a defining figure in American ultra-running during the late 2010s. His fearless front-running style changed the tactical landscape of 100-mile racing. After several dramatic attempts, he claimed his first Western States 100 victory in 2018, then returned in 2019 to shatter the course record in 14:09:28. Walmsley continued to dominate Western States into the early 2020s and reached a career milestone in 2023 when he became the first American man to win UTMB in France. By 2025, he is widely regarded as one of the most complete ultra-runners ever produced in the United States.
Francois D’haene
François D’Haene’s career spans more than a decade at the top of the sport. He first won UTMB in 2012, then returned for victories in 2014, 2017, and 2021, proving his longevity against multiple generations of competitors. His Hardrock 100 victory in 2021 further cemented his reputation as one of the most technically skilled and strategically patient runners in mountain ultras. By the mid-2020s, D’Haene is celebrated as a master of pacing and consistency in the world’s toughest races.
Zach Bitter
While trail racing often steals the spotlight, Zach Bitter quietly built one of the most impressive ultra-running résumés on the road. In 2019, he ran 100 miles in 11:19:13, setting a world record that redefined human efficiency over extreme distances. His mastery of even pacing and metabolic control continued into the 2020s, culminating
in a 12-hour world record performance in 2023. By 2025, Bitter’s influence extends beyond racing, as he remains a leading voice in endurance nutrition and training science.
The Top Ultra Marathon Runners: Women’s Division
Courtney Dauwalter
Courtney Dauwalter’s rise to dominance began in the late 2010s, but it was her performances in the early 2020s that transformed the sport. After winning Western States in 2018 and 2019, she delivered one of the most extraordinary seasons in ultra-running history in 2023, claiming victories at Western States, Hardrock 100, and UTMB within the same year. Her ability to outperform elite men while maintaining a calm, almost playful racing demeanour has made her the defining ultra-runner of her generation as of 2025.
Katie Schide
Katie Schide represents the modern era of ultra-running, where scientific training meets fearless racing. After steadily rising through the international trail scene in the late 2010s, she reached the pinnacle in 2022 by winning UTMB. Her trajectory continued upward when she captured Western States 100 in 2024, confirming her status as one of the strongest female ultra-runners in the world. By 2025, Schide is widely respected for her analytical approach and relentless strength in long mountain races.
Ann Trason
Long before ultra-running gained mainstream attention, Ann Trason set a standard that still resonates today. Between 1989 and 2003, she won Western States 100 an astonishing fourteen times, often finishing ahead of nearly all male competitors. Throughout the 1990s, her performances challenged outdated assumptions about women’s endurance capabilities. Even in 2025, Trason’s dominance remains one of the most remarkable chapters in endurance sports history.
Camille Herron
Camille Herron carved out a unique place in ultra-running through record-breaking performances rather than traditional race wins. Beginning in 2017, she rewrote the record books in the 100-mile distance, then continued into the 2020s with world records in 24-hour and multi-day events. Her 24-hour world record in 2023 further solidified her reputation as one of the greatest endurance athletes of all time. By 2025, Herron is equally known for her advocacy for women’s recognition in ultra-running history.
As of 2026, the best ultra marathon runners in the world share more than just impressive résumés. These top ultra runners embody patience, resilience, and a willingness to explore physical and mental limits few ever reach. You don’t have to be a world-record holder to discover what you are capable of. We hope their journeys inspire you to lace up your trainers! [INSERT LINK: Explore our upcoming Ultra X events and start your own legendary journey today]
