Best Ultramarathons for Beginners
For personalized assistance in finding a race that suits you, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. You can email me at ultrarunningdestinations@gmail.com. I'm here to help you find the perfect race for your needs. - Luke
As an experienced ultramarathon runner with over 100 races under my belt, and having run ultramarathons all over the world, I can confidently say that the best ultramarathons for beginners are the ones that are close to home. Logistically, it's much easier to train and prepare for a race when it's in your own backyard. It’s also most likely that your training will have prepared you since you won’t have to deal with the unexpected effects of elevation or climate. Plus, you won't have to worry about travel, time zone changes, and finding accommodations.
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When I first started my journey in ultramarathons, I progressed from running 5ks to eventually tackling a 100 miler. It was a gradual process, and I found that starting with shorter distances and working my way up was the key to success. That's why I highly recommend the Another Dam 50k in Englewood, Ohio for beginner ultramarathoners in the Ohio valley area. This race is a manageable distance for first-timers, and it's in the Buckeye State, making it an easily accessible race for those living in Ohio.
There are three key aspects of the Another Dam 50k you should look for in your first ultramarathon:
Elevation Gain - I’d recommend looking for races with less than 3000 feet / 914 meters of total elevation gain in a 50k. This factor really depends on how well you can train for hills, so if you are light on your hill training, look for a first ultramarathon with half this elevation.
Runnability - This one is a little harder to find out about, but it's where reading other people’s race reports comes in. A lot of ultramarathons sites have a section for race reports. These race reports are first-hand accounts from other runners about their experience, and is where I go to look to understand how good the footing was, identify if there are tricky sections, and also how much fun they had!
Temperature - I once DNF’ed at a race where the heat index was over 100 degrees / 37 Celsius. I hope this wasn’t the first ultramarathon for anyone there that day! Mild temperatures in the 60s / 16 Celsius are much more ideal. From what I’ve seen at races, dehydration and cramps are some of the top reasons for people to not finish, so finding a race where the temperature is more moderate is a key decision. Heavy sweating is something you need to train for, so tailor your ultra to your ability to train in similar conditions.
If you're not in Ohio, or if the Another Dam 50k doesn't appeal to you, there are plenty of other options out there. A couple of great resources for finding ultramarathons in your area are:
USA: RunningInTheUSA.com
Europe and Elsewhere: Ahoutu.com
Both sites let you search by city, state / country. You can immerse yourself just by exploring dates that work in your schedule and races that are close to home. Take your time to explore the race websites, read the race reports, and find something that fits your interest so you are highly motivated.
When searching for a race, I recommend looking for one with less than 3000 feet / 914 meters of elevation, as steep inclines and declines can be a challenge for new ultramarathoners. You'll want to look for a race that takes place on dirt roads, gravel, or runnable trails. These surfaces are more forgiving on the body than pavement, which can be hard on the joints over long distances.
There is one additional aspect of the trail that depends on your own psyche. This aspect is whether the trail is a point to point, out and back, single loop, or multiple loop trail. My preference is a point-to-point trail since there is only one way to go. However, I also know people that really enjoy the multiple loop courses since they get to see their race support on each loop. Think about what is best for you on your first ultra and the course choice might reduce your anxiety because you either a) know you won’t be tempted to stop or b) you get to see your race support on each loop.
In conclusion, the best ultramarathon for beginners is one that is close to home, has a manageable distance, runnable terrain, climate that you’ve trained in, and has a route that fits your psyche. The Another Dam 50k in Englewood, Ohio fits this bill for many people in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky, but there are plenty of other options out there if you do your own research.
By engaging in thorough training and adequate preparation, you'll be equipped to successfully complete your inaugural ultramarathon! For valuable training insights, I recommend perusing my article How to train for an ultramarathon. To further fuel your motivation, delve into the book Ultrarunning Europe which is brimming with inspiring stories that showcase the limitless possibilities awaiting you on the trail.
For more tips on finding an ultramarathon and training for it, check out:
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