Choose the race before the plan
Multiday Race Formats
A 24-hour track race, a backyard ultra, a desert stage race, a 100-mile trail race, and a 200-mile mountain crossing do not reward the same plan. Pick a format to connect its rules with the most relevant training, strategy, nutrition, gear, answers, tools, and races.
Compare Eight Race Types
Event counts update daily; editorial paths reviewed August 10, 2026.
24-Hour Races
A fixed-time race where the clock runs for one full day and every completed lap or measured distance counts.
- Scoring
- Distance completed in 24 hours
- Typical course
- Measured track or short loop
48-Hour Races
A two-day fixed-time race where sleep, recovery choices, and the second night become central parts of the plan.
- Scoring
- Distance completed in 48 hours
- Typical course
- Short loop with repeated support access
6-Day Races
A 144-hour fixed-time event where sustainable routines and recovery choices matter across nearly a full week.
- Scoring
- Distance completed in 144 hours
- Typical course
- Short loop with trackside support
Backyard Ultras
A last-person-standing format built around one 6.7056 km loop every hour, on the hour, until only one finisher remains.
- Loop
- 6.7056 km / 4.1667 miles
- Start
- Every hour, on the hour
Stage Races
A multiday event split into daily stages, with defined starts and finishes plus an overnight camp, hotel, or support base.
- Scoring
- Usually cumulative stage time
- Overnight
- Camp, bivouac, hotel, or event base
100-Mile Ultramarathons
A fixed-distance ultramarathon where terrain, cutoff structure, night running, aid access, and crew rules can matter as much as the 100-mile label.
- Distance
- 100 miles / approximately 160.9 km
- Scoring
- Complete the marked course inside its cutoffs
200+ Mile Races
A continuous fixed-distance ultramarathon where route, terrain, sleep, aid access, and a multi-day cutoff shape the race.
- Scoring
- Finish the fixed course within cutoff
- Clock
- Usually continuous across several days
Fixed-Distance Multiday Races
A broad family of continuous races where the finish line is fixed but the distance, duration, terrain, and support model vary widely.
- Scoring
- Complete the stated distance within cutoff
- Course
- Road, trail, mountain, loop, or point-to-point