industrystatistics2026
The State of Multiday Running in 2026
North American ultra finishes hit 152,502 in 2025, backyard ultras operate in 80+ countries, and the gender gap continues to narrow. Here's where multiday running stands.
Multiday running continues its steady growth trajectory. Key numbers from 2025:
| Metric | 2024 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| North American ultra finishes | 147,054 | 152,502 | +3.7% |
| Women's participation | 30.8% | 31.5% | +0.7pp |
| Countries with backyard ultras | 75+ | 80+ | +6.7% |
| BUA-sanctioned events | ~350 | ~400 | +14.3% |
Backyard ultras remain the fastest-growing format. The backyard ultra formatnow represents approximately 3% of all ultra events worldwide. The men's world record moved to 119 loops (798 km) by Phil Gore.
Gender gap continues narrowing. At distances beyond 195 miles, women frequently outpace men. The 100 km gender pace differential is just 0.5%. Read more in our introduction to multiday running.