Begin your journey
Start Here
Understand the options, choose a race, then prepare for that format. You can go straight to the step you need.
Start with the distances: our ultramarathon distance guide and miles-to-kilometers chart explains 50K, 50 miles, 100K, 100 miles, and how timed events differ.
Three Steps to Your First Event
Understand the formats
Compare continuous clocks, daily stages, and hourly backyard starts.
Choose your first race
Match terrain, rules, support, and withdrawal options to your experience.
Prepare for your chosen format
Choose a training framework, work through a rehearsal, and build your pacing and crew plan.
All Foundation Guides
What Is Multiday Running?
Learn what multiday running includes, how timed, stage, backyard, and 200-mile events differ, and which sleep, nutrition, and logistics demands matter.
Types of Multiday Events: Formats, Rules, and First-Race Fit
Compare timed races, stage races, backyard ultras, and continuous-distance events by rules, rest, terrain, support, and planning demands.
24-Hour Races Explained: How Full-Day Ultras Work
A practical guide to 24-hour running races: how the format works, what can change across a day, and what to compare before entering.
48-Hour Races Explained: Format, Sleep, and Safety
How 48-hour races work: rules, how far runners go (2025 field medians of 161–201 km), a 160 km first target, sleep budgets, fueling and safety.
6-Day Races Explained: Format, Sleep, and Self-Care
How six-day races work: how far runners go (2025 medians of 328–523 km), a 400 km first target, daily splits, 2–4 hours of sleep a night and foot care.
Backyard Ultras Explained: Rules, Records, and Safety
Learn backyard ultra rules, distance math, current records, sleep and safety considerations, race dynamics, and how to choose a first event.
How to Choose Your First Multiday Race
A practical decision guide for choosing your first 24-hour, 48-hour, backyard, stage race, 200-mile, or 6-day ultramarathon.
24-Hour vs 48-Hour vs 6-Day Race: Which Format Fits You?
A side-by-side comparison of 24-hour, 48-hour, and 6-day races, including pacing, sleep, training, crew needs, and first-race suitability.
Ready to Start Training?
Once you understand the formats, it's time to prepare. Head to the Training Hub for plans, guides, and practical advice.
Explore Training Guides →