Ultrarunning History
Latest Episodes
157: The Fourth Astley Belt Six-Day Race – 1879
The 4th Astley Belt six-day race was held on June 16, 1879, in the Agricultural Hall, in London England. The six-day world record was broken in a surprise win.
156: The Second English Astley Belt Race – 1879
In April 1879 a six-day foot race was held in London, England, where 13 ultrarunning world records were broken by George Hazael and Blower Brown.
155: The 2024 Barkley Marathons
The 2024 Barkley Marathons in Tennessee surprised everyone. There were five finishers, including Jasmin Paris (UK) who was the first woman finisher ever.
154: The American Championship Belt – 1879
The American Championship Belt Six-Day Race was held in April 1879 in Madison Square Garden with 40 entrants, running around a track for six days.
153: The 3rd Astley Belt Six-Day Race (1879)
The Third Astley Belt six-day race was held in Madison Square Garden in 1879 and was the most impactful ultramarathon in the history of the sport.
152: Classic Ultramarathon Beginnings
Classic Ultramarathons Beginnings is a fascinating new book. It includes the history of some of the oldest and classic ultramarathons
151: Around the World on Foot: Three Stories
The around the world on foot craze of the 1890s included educated men. Three stories: Three German Barons, a French doctor, and eight professional Americans
150: Around the World on Foot: The Paper Suits
In the late 1890s, hundreds of people attempted to walk around the world on foot, motivated by wagers like Phileas Fogg in Jules Verne's novel. One strange tradition evolved to start in a paper suit.
149: Encore – Across the Years
Across the Years ultramarathon held in Arizona is one of the oldest fixed-time races in the world. It was started in 1983 by founder Harold Sieglaff
148: Ultramarathons on Christmas Day 1879
In 1879, the featured Christmas Day sports event was ultrarunning. That day, at least four ultramarathons were taking place including one on a ship