If you’ve already completed a few marathons and want to challenge yourself, even more, it may be time to tackle an ultramarathon. More people than ever are taking on extra-long distances, with a 345 percent increase in participants since 1996.
The great thing about ultramarathons is that they give runners a reason to travel to beautiful places worldwide, as there are official courses found on different continents.. South America has a relatively small number of races, but these are among the most difficult. So, If you really want to test yourself, this could be the place to go.
Prepare in Advance
Before you even think about taking part in an ultramarathon away from your home soil, you need to spend months preparing. It would be wise to learn Spanish online before you go, as that should cover every country outside of Brazil, and it’s now easier than ever if you follow ten essential steps. This is because sometimes you may need to ask people for help or directions and, if you can’t converse in the jargon, you will get lost.
As you may expect, you’ll need to be incredibly fit to have a chance of thriving in or even completing an ultramarathon. Anyone can get to the correct levels, though, and inspirational stories like Dave Clark’s journey can be enough to give you a lift.
Where are the Best Ultramarathon Courses in South America?
One of the most extreme ultramarathons in the world can be found in Chile. The Atacama Crossing is a grueling seven-day race that covers 250 kilometers of harsh desert landscape.. This is known as the driest place on earth, and temperatures can soar to 40 degrees Celsius in the daytime. With an entry cost of $2300, this one is for serious runners only.
Another one of the toughest races on the planet is the Jungle Ultra in Peru. It’s a five-day event covering 230 kilometers in the Manu National Park, deep in the Amazon Rainforest. This area has been untouched by humans and, the path isn’t well-trodden. So only the most intrepid explorers should sign up for this $2750 event.
There are a couple of more accessible routes that you could explore in Latin America, and they come in at a cheaper cost as well. The Chicamocha Canyon Race in Colombia only costs $95 to enter and covers 160 kilometers of the rugged landscape. In Chile, the Ultra Fiord costs $380 and covers 136 kilometers over two days.. The main difficulty of this one is the varied terrain.
Competing in an ultramarathon is the ultimate achievement, but it’s also going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for most people.. Therefore, it’s wise to choose a route carefully and make sure it’s one that’s going to live long in your memory. Some of these South American trails offer the perfect combination of fantastic scenery with challenging terrain.
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