The World’s toughest races
THE FINNMARKSLOPET DOG SLED RACE:
The longest dog sled race in Europe, which is 1,000 km long, and held every year in
March, deep inside the Arctic Circle in Finnmark.
This race has very stringent entry rules, you either have to have previously
completed a dog sled race of 400km or longer, or be nominated by a previous
competitor who thinks you will survive the race.
This little known race, held in March, is the world cup and national championship in
long distance dog sledding and is second only to the Ididarod race in Alaska.
Completion of the Finnmarkslopet race is the entry requirement to be able to take
part in the Ididarod race, which is 1,000 miles long.
This race is very gruelling and remote, the temperatures so far into the Arctic Circle
regularly fall as low as minus 35oC and for most of the race the competitors have to
camp in very basic conditions. The days are long and arduous and the atmosphere
very competitive.
Due to the severe weather conditions and extremely long days, many of the mushers
do not make it to the finish and have to be rescued, either lost or suffering with
hypothermia or exhaustion.
It’s harsh, exciting and very competitive and ranks as one of the most physically
demanding events, held anywhere in the world.
BP Alpine Balloon trophy in Austria
Texas Water Safari: "The Toughest River Race in the World"
Mt Everest Marathon,
Highest marathon on earth.
May / June
Himalayan 100
It may be one of the toughest but it's also one of most scenic. Runners pass four of
the world's five tallest mountains in this 100 mile stage race - Everest,
Kanchenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu.
October / November
Iditasport 100, Alaska
Choose between a bicycle, skis or snowshoes to complete this 100 mile slog through
the Talkeetna Mountains.
February
The Marathon des Sables
A 150-mile run through the Moroccan desert in temperatures over 100F over six
days.
Dates April
Hardrock 100, Rockies
Dubbed ‘the most brutal mountain footrace on Earth,’ it’s not just the distance
entrants have to cope with, but 66,000 vertical feet and the deadline of 48 hours to
complete it.
On average, only half finish.
First Friday after the Fourth of July.
Trans 333, Mauritania
Annual non-stop desert ultra-run of 333km (200 miles)
The Jordan Desert Cup,
Similar to the Marathon des Sables but without sleep. It's a gruelling, non-stop
168km (105 miles) race.
November
Badwater Ultra Marathon Death Valley
135 mile running race from Badwater, Death Valley (282ft below sea level) to the top
of Mt Whitney (8,360ft) July
Red Bull Northern Exposure , Cairngorms, Scotland
Teams of four have 72hrs to cross a course that involves running, biking, climbing
and paddling.
April
Hebridean Challenge, Outer Hebrides
Demanding five-day adventure race that includes tough hill running sections, road
running, road & mountain biking sections, short sea swims and very demanding sea
kayaking sections.
May
Karrimor International Mountain Marathon (KIMM)
Teams of two run a marathon a day in a mountainous region of the UK in winter. An
event that tests navigational skills, not just fitness.
October
World’s toughest yacht race:
5000 miles yacht race that circumnavigates the world. 14 yachts sail from Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil, to Wellington, New Zealand, around Cape Horn and the Southern
Ocean, the stretch which nearly claimed the life of Tony Bullimore, through some of
the world's most treacherous waters.
