A Beginner’s Guide to Choosing Your First Ultramarathon

Mountainous, alpine, destination, local? Loop, out-and-back, Backyard? As a beginner ultrarunner how do you choose which ultramarathon should be your first? Let’s look at some of the key elements that should play a part in which ultramarathon works for you.

Timing

The first consideration about which ultramarathon you want to commit to should probably factor in timing as one of the primary considerations. With registrations for some of the most popular ultras filling up within days or even hours of opening, it’s not simply a case of picking one and signing up.

 If you’ve seen or been to an ultra that you think you’d like to commit to, find out when registrations open. It’s usually 8-9 months before the event. Most ultramarathons are run around the same time of year every year and their websites have all the details of when registrations open for the next event.

 If you’ve just missed out on registrations, sign up for the wait list and get on the socials for that event as people are often selling spots. Be careful here, scammers love to hijack keen runners desperate for that spot so only buy through bona fide channels.

 As a beginner, you might find the uncertainty of not having a guaranteed place difficult to manage while training, so I would always advise having your race entry bought before committing mentally. The big events come round every year so this just gives you longer to get your body in good shape for a solid training block.

Registration

When you’re reading the registration page, look closely to make sure you can fulfil the registration criteria. Some of the bigger events require you have proof you’ve previously run a certain distance within a certain time before, which would probably rule you out. Save that one for later.

Distance

While it’s true you want to challenge yourself in your first ultra you don’t want to make the challenge unattainable. You want a manageable distance which is why the 50k distance is a great place to start. It’s officially an ultra because it’s over a marathon distance and distances longer than 50k really require you to have a decent few years of experience to be to tackle them with some degree of confidence.

 The other option is a Backyard ultra. These allow you to pretty much set your own distance as you run a lap of a course every hour for as many hours as you can keep going. They can be a good way to test your endurance before your first ultra as you have the benefit of being able to pull out at any time and have crew there to help you at every loop. The course terrain usually isn’t too challenging either.

 A Backyard isn’t for everyone though. If you’re the sort of person who needs a finish line, like me, or don’t like the thought of the monotony of running the same loop for hours on end, save a Backyard for when you fancy a different challenge.

Elevation

Elevation gain should be a real consideration for your first ultramarathon. Keeping the total elevation gain below 1500 metres can be a good metric for a beginner. This should provide you with some rolling sections, maybe even some steeper parts too, but not be so formidable that it’s going to challenge you to make any cut off times.

 Some ultras have a net elevation loss. This doesn’t mean there won’t be ascents but over the span of the course, you’re going downhill more than you’re going up. While this sounds like a great idea, in practice it can be brutal, if not race ending, on your quads and knees.

 Look at the website of an ultra you’re considering. They should provide an elevation profile for the course so you can check out where the steep sections are, and the overall net elevation loss or gain.

Time of year

You want to avoid extremes of temperatures for your first ultra. Battling the elements adds another layer of complication and stress to something that already has the potential to be quite anxiety-inducing. Picking a race during a particularly hot or cold time of year could be a quick way to your first DNF as well.

 Hot temps can lead someone who isn’t used to being out running for extended periods of time (and even people who are) to become dehydrated, suffer from cramps and become unable to handle their fluid and electrolyte intake. Cold or wet conditions can be more than just a miserable sufferfest as again, having a handle on your carb intake (you need more carbs when it’s cold) can be a process you’re not used to managing. Being cold over long periods of time can lead to hyperthermia and real danger.

 Picking a race where there’s a good chance of moderate temperatures is a good way to go. Of course, you can’t always rely on the weather to deliver on race day, but try and swing the odds in your favour.

Runnability

This can be quite a subjective metric. When I talk about runnability I mean a combination of sections where, as a beginner or older athlete, you can run some sections at a comfortable pace, hike some steeper sections and there’s an undulating terrain that provides some variation in ascents and descents.

 Runnability can also encompass how many aid stations there are, giving you confidence that there isn’t too long between being able to top up flasks or grab some snacks. What’s the scenery like? Is it a point-to-point, out-and-back or loop course? Are significant sections on runnable trails or are there technical sections or big chunks of road? These things can all add, or detract, from the overall enjoyment of a race.

Location

Picking an ultramarathon that’s close to home offers one key advantage, and that is you have a lot more opportunity to train on course. Even if you only manage two or three outings that cover sections of your course, it’s time well spent. It’ll give you a good understanding of parts of the course that might present challenges on race day and just add a dash of confidence in that you know what to expect.

 A race that’s relatively nearby can also cut down travel time to and from your event and costs associated with accommodation.

 If you do decide to pick an ultra that’s further away, make sure you read all you can on the course so your training can mimic the course profile as much as possible. A destination race takes a lot more planning so be aware of travel, accommodation, crew or friends coming with you, even places to eat, way in advance.

Conclusion

You want your first ultramarathon to memorable, achievable, challenging, enjoyable and fun. Spend some doing your research before you commit the bucks on a registration. Think about how you run and when and where you feel most comfortable and try and apply that to which ultra you choose. Pick a race that plays to your strengths and gives you the best chance of having not just a great day on race day, but an educational and enjoyable training block too.