Chuckanut 50K: This mountain ultra includes 5,000 feet of climbing among the Chuckanut Mountain Ridge in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Not only does this March race come highly recommended, but the race also encourages participants to give back to their communities. Part of the entry requirement is to complete at least 4 hours of service work (trail work or volunteering at a race) or to make a donation to a trail organization.

Anchor Down Ultra: Known as “the smallest state’s longest race,” the Anchor Down Ultra is a time-based ultramarathon event in Bristol, RI. It includes a 6-hour, 12-hour, 24-hour, and 100-mile race (the latter is built into the 24-hour race). Runners loop around a 2.45-mile course, passing beautiful waterfront scenery during this challenging (but beginner-friendly) August event.

Not for the faint of heart, runners are subjected to 18,000 feet of climbing and 23,000 feet of descending to reach the finish line. It’s a legendary event that any experienced ultramarathoner would love to experience-but keep in mind, it’s a lottery-based entry system.

Western States Endurance Run: This is the world’s oldest 100-mile trail race, taking place in June each year in California.

If you have any questions about what should be included in your nutrition plan, or how to get enough calories for the high-intensity training you're doing, speak to a registered dietitian. To maintain the energy you need to complete the long runs, optimal nutrition is necessary.

Pacing: While many runners have an idea of a comfortable pace on a flat road, trails are a different experience. Trails vary in their difficulty and elevation. A mile that normally takes you 10 minutes on the road may take several extra minutes on the trail. Because of this, many ultramarathon training plans may include a combination of time-based runs and distance-based runs in order to keep you training well without frustration over pace.

Terrain: Since most ultramarathons are run on trails, it’s wise to structure your training plan with a lot of trail running experience.

There are two key differences to consider when training for an ultramarathon compared to a standard marathon road race:

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