Coverage brought to you by
Salomon – Designed for Freedom
Coverage brought to you by
Suunto – Conquer New Territory
World's Toughest Endurance Challenges
December 3, 2012, 1:10 am / Categories: Adventure Racing, Adventure, Running
From the Badwater Ultra-marathon in Death Valley, Calif., to the frigid South Pole Race in Antarctica, a new book from VeloPress, “The World’s Toughest Endurance Challenges,” profiles the most extreme events in the U.S. and to far points across the world.
Authors Richard Hoad and Paul Moore culled this bucket list from interviews and research with top endurance athletes. New this fall, the 208-page book is full color and costs $29.95 at VeloPress.com.
In all, 50 events are profiled. They include a few that members of our staff at GearJunkie have had the privilege (and severe pain!) of participating in, including the Patagonian Expedition Race, the Arrowhead 135, and the Adventure Racing World Series.
The full list is below. What races have you done? Which are on your list, and what’s missing from the chosen events?
Comment on this article, and also buy this book if you have plans or want to motivate yourself to a serious challenge somewhere far-flung and epic around the globe.
“The World’s Toughest Endurance Challenges”
Adventure Races and Triathlons
Norseman | Enduroman Arch to Arc | Ultraman World Championships | The Red Bull X-Alps | Coast to Coast New Zealand | Patagonian Expedition Race | Ö Till Ö | Adventure Racing World Series
Bike Races
Race Across America | Furnace Creek 508 | La Ruta de Los Conquistadores | La Haute Route | Race Around Ireland | Iron Bike | Cape Epic | Tour d’Afrique | Yak Attack | Crocodile Trophy
Winter Sports
Arrowhead 135 | Iditarod | Yukon Arctic Ultra | Yukon Quest | 6633 Extreme Winter Ultra Marathon | The Extreme World Races South Pole Race
Marathons/Ultras
Trans Europe Footrace | Al Andalus Ultimate Trail Race | The Mountainman | Spartathlon | Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon | Comrades Marathon | 4 Deserts | Great Wall Marathon | Leadville 100 | Western States 100 | 24-Hour Track Race | Badwater Ultramarathon | Self Transcendance 3100 Mile Race | Jungle Marathon | Marathon des Sables
Swims/Boating/Other
English Channel Swim | Cadiz Freedom Swim | Catalina Channel Swim | Manhattan Island Marathon Swim | Freediving | Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race | Dusi Canoe Marathon | Woodvale Challenge | Volvo Ocean Race | Vendée Globe | Tevis Cup Ride
—This article excerpts from “The World’s Toughest Endurance Challenges” by Richard Hoad and Paul Moore, available at VeloPress.com.
Ironman. Uh, okay.
Maybe try Trans Iowa
The guy says “Where’s Ironman?” and rather than answering his question, you idiots start with the snide remarks. In reality, dolts, the Ultraman World Championships listed above are held in Kona, HI (whaddya know, the same place as the Ironman World Championships) and basically consists of two Ironmans split up over three days. So, I don’t think the guy’s question is all that far off. But, you guys are so above a question like that. Morons.
- Weekly E-Newsletter
Sign up for our e-news for a weekly update on new gear, adventure travel, and prize giveaways.
- Latest Articles
- Winners! 'Ragnar Trail' Sweepstakes with Salomon
- 'Pro-Level' Air Attack Helmet Put to Test
- Stomping Grounds: Photo Shoot and Shoe Test in 'Urban Outdoors'
- 'Golden Axe' award at GoPro Mountain Games
- Video: Three Weeks of Pristine Climbing in Greenland (in three minutes)
- Glacier Trek, Waterfalls, 'Blue Lagoon' highlights of Iceland Trip
- Seeking 'Mountain Bike Action' in photo contest with The North Face
- Up and Down the World's Highest Mountain in 36 Hours (that's the goal)
- 12yr.-old Kids kayak off waterfalls, Beat Adults in Comps
- Call from Anywhere. SPOT launches Satellite Phone for Outdoors
- Popular Articles
- Workout Wear
- 'Ragnar Trail' Sweepstakes Winners
- 'Fat Bike' Trend: Overrated or For Real?
- Stomping Grounds: Photo Shoot and Shoe Test in 'Urban Outdoors'
- Survival Gear: 10 Items To Survive
- World's 10 Most Dangerous Mountains
- Fat Bike trend Dead? Walmart sells 'Beast' bike for $199
- Giro 'Pro-Level' Air Attack Helmet Put to Test
- Climber makes couch out of old rope (and 9 other odd uses)
- Camping Gear Reviews | Gear Reviews
- Glacier Trek, Waterfalls, 'Blue Lagoon' highlights of Iceland Trip
- Call from Anywhere. SPOT launches Satellite Phone for Outdoors
- First Look: Suunto 'Ambit 2' for multisport market
- Chimney Stove: Boil Water with Sticks and Grass
- 10 Rules: Running with your Dog
- Video: Three Weeks of Pristine Climbing in Greenland (in three minutes)
- 50 Miles in Flip-Flops? Luna sells sandals to ultra-running market
- 'Pro-Level' Air Attack Helmet Put to Test
- Speed Racer: Giro Bike Helmet Reduces Drag, Slices through Air
- Up and Down the World's Highest Mountain in 36 Hours (that's the goal)
- Friends of Gear Junkie
- Monopoint Media
- The Goat
- Alpinist
- Adventure Blog
- YogaSlackers
- Checkpoint Tracker
- Outdoorzy
- Get Outdoors
- Gear Flogger
- Feed The Habit
- Gear.com
- Adventure Journal
- SuperTopo
- Trailspace
- Outside Online
- iRunFar.com
- UpADowna
- About Adventure Travel
- Cold Splinters
- UpNorthica
- Sender Films
- Venture There
- Wend Magazine
- No Boundaries
- Breathe Magazine
- Elevation Outdoors
- Rock and Ice Magazine
- Trail Runner Magazine
- REI Blog
















Try the <a href=“http://watertribe.org/fl-ultimate-challenge/”>Florida Ultimate Challenge</a> a 1000 mile race circumnavigating Florida… in kayaks, canoes, and small sailboats. Me? I stick to the Everglades Challenge, 300 miles or so from Clearwater to Key Largo (it’s the first leg of the Ultimate, and plenty tough enough!)