[{"slug":"utmb-chamonix","name":"UTMB","full_name":"Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc","country":"France","country_code":"FR","region":"Chamonix, Haute-Savoie (loop through France, Italy, Switzerland)","first_edition_year":2003,"distance_km":171,"elevation_gain_m":10000,"time_limit_h":46.5,"avg_finish_h":38,"terrain":"Alpine single-track and jeep road looping the Mont-Blanc massif with sustained climbs of 800-1400 m and technical rocky descents. Weather ranges from 30 C valleys to sub-zero snow on the high cols. Night sections above 2400 m are the norm for all but the elite.","difficulty_race_adjusted":{"score":5,"justification":"Cumulative elevation, altitude, sleep deprivation and weather volatility put UTMB at the top of the mainstream 100-mile scale."},"qualifying_requirements":["Valid ITRA Performance Index and completion of UTMB Index qualifiers within the last 24 months","Running Stones earned at UTMB World Series events (typically 4+ for the 100M)","Signed medical certificate less than 12 months old"],"entry_process":"Weighted lottery held each January among Running-Stones holders. Registration fee ~380 EUR plus mandatory UTMB World Series index. Charity bibs and elite invites bypass the lottery.","historical_winners_recent":[{"year":2024,"gender":"M","name":"Vincent Bouillard","finish_time":"19:54:23"},{"year":2024,"gender":"F","name":"Katie Schide","finish_time":"22:09:31"},{"year":2023,"gender":"M","name":"Jim Walmsley","finish_time":"19:37:43"},{"year":2023,"gender":"F","name":"Courtney Dauwalter","finish_time":"23:29:14"},{"year":2022,"gender":"M","name":"Kilian Jornet","finish_time":"19:49:30"},{"year":2022,"gender":"F","name":"Katie Schide","finish_time":"23:15:12"}],"key_gpx_features":["Early climb to Col de Voza and Croix du Bonhomme separates fresh legs from over-eager starts","Grand Col Ferret (2537 m) marks the entry to Switzerland and the psychological midpoint","Final Tete aux Vents / La Flegere ridge before the runnable descent to Chamonix"],"pain_points":[{"issue":"Bag-check and mandatory-kit lines eat 2+ hours the day before the start","source":"https://www.reddit.com/r/ultrarunning/comments/1eyx8pn/utmb_2024_race_report/"},{"issue":"Aid stations at Courmayeur and Champex-Lac get overwhelmed; runners wait 20-40 min for hot food","source":"https://www.reddit.com/r/ultrarunning/comments/wwvqz2/utmb_2022_thoughts_from_a_finisher/"},{"issue":"Weather reroutes (2010, 2012, 2023) can invalidate months of course-specific pacing plans","source":"https://www.irunfar.com/2023-utmb-results"}],"training_hooks":["UTMB-specific fueling plan tuned for 30-40 h effort with two overnight sections","Elevation-adjusted pace splits pre-loaded per aid station with cut-off buffer countdown","Mandatory-kit checklist + Chamonix logistics timeline (bag drop, shuttle, headlamp swap)"],"related_races":["Hardrock 100","Tor des Geants"],"sport":"trail","lat":45.9237,"lng":6.8694,"date":"2027-08-27","reg_status":"notify_me","source":"utmb","series":"UTMB World Series","cover_image_url":"https://source.unsplash.com/800x400/?utmb,mont-blanc,ultra","stones":4,"ws_category":"ws100M","theme_color":"#33502f","short_name":"UTMB 100M","register_url":"https://utmb.world/utmb","id":15556},{"slug":"zegama-aizkorri","name":"Zegama","full_name":"Zegama-Aizkorri Maratoia","country":"Spain","country_code":"ES","region":"Basque Country, Gipuzkoa","first_edition_year":2002,"distance_km":42.195,"elevation_gain_m":2736,"time_limit_h":8,"avg_finish_h":6,"terrain":"Steep grassy ridges, limestone karst and muddy forest single-track through the Aizkorri-Aratz natural park. Weather is almost always wet: fog, mud and slick rock are near-guaranteed. Short but relentlessly vertical.","difficulty_race_adjusted":{"score":4,"justification":"Marathon distance but 65 m/km climb rate on slick Basque terrain makes race-pace far harder than a 100k on gentler ground."},"qualifying_requirements":["No qualifying performance required, but entry is by lottery only","Federation license or one-day insurance mandatory","Medical certificate less than 12 months old (Spanish federation standard)"],"entry_process":"Public lottery in late January with ~500 open bibs against 15 000+ applicants. Entry fee ~55 EUR. Elite and sponsor invitations fill the remaining slots.","historical_winners_recent":[{"year":2024,"gender":"M","name":"Remi Bonnet","finish_time":"3:53:23"},{"year":2024,"gender":"F","name":"Sophia Laukli","finish_time":"4:29:04"},{"year":2023,"gender":"M","name":"Stian Angermund","finish_time":"3:56:44"},{"year":2023,"gender":"F","name":"Nienke Brinkman","finish_time":"4:29:34"},{"year":2022,"gender":"M","name":"Kilian Jornet","finish_time":"3:56:46"},{"year":2022,"gender":"F","name":"Maude Mathys","finish_time":"4:29:00"}],"key_gpx_features":["Sancti Spiritu climb around km 8 is the first selective ascent with legendary crowd corridor","Aizkorri summit (1528 m) at ~km 22 is the high point and turn toward the technical descent","Final descent into Zegama is a runnable but leg-shredding drop the crowd tunnels through"],"pain_points":[{"issue":"Lottery odds under 5% mean most applicants never race it","source":"https://www.reddit.com/r/trailrunning/comments/1amv7zk/zegama_2024_lottery/"},{"issue":"Weather almost guarantees mud that destroys race-day shoe choice and pace plans","source":"https://www.irunfar.com/2023-zegama-aizkorri-marathon-results"},{"issue":"Village of Zegama has limited lodging; runners commute 30-60 min from San Sebastian","source":"https://www.reddit.com/r/trailrunning/comments/13mfr4o/zegama_logistics_tips/"}],"training_hooks":["Vertical-K style repeats prescribed on 25-40% grades to mimic Sancti Spiritu","Wet-rock descent drills and shoe-lug recommendations tuned for Basque limestone","San Sebastian to Zegama race-morning logistics plan and crowd hotspots"],"related_races":["Sierre-Zinal","Trofeo Kima"],"sport":"trail","lat":43.0808,"lng":-2.2989,"date":"2026-05-24","reg_status":"notify_me","source":"utmb","series":"World Series","cover_image_url":"https://source.unsplash.com/800x400/?basque,mountain,trail","theme_color":"#6a8f5e","short_name":"Zegama","register_url":"https://zegama-aizkorri.com","id":8383},{"slug":"marathon-des-sables","name":"MDS","full_name":"Marathon des Sables","country":"Morocco","country_code":"MA","region":"Sahara Desert, southern Morocco","first_edition_year":1986,"distance_km":250,"elevation_gain_m":2500,"time_limit_h":null,"avg_finish_h":null,"terrain":"Six-stage self-sufficient race across dunes, dry lake beds (chotts), rocky jebels and hardpack. Daytime highs regularly exceed 45 C, nights drop below 10 C. Runners carry all food and gear for the week; only water and tents are provided.","difficulty_race_adjusted":{"score":5,"justification":"Stage-race format plus self-sufficiency, extreme heat and a 80+ km long stage make it a top-tier survival event rather than a running race."},"qualifying_requirements":["Medical certificate + resting ECG less than 30 days before start","Mandatory kit: sleeping bag, cooker, 2000 kcal/day food, anti-venom pump, signaling mirror","Minimum age 18 with parental waiver up to 20"],"entry_process":"Open registration on a first-come basis, typically 24 months in advance. Package cost roughly 3400-4200 EUR including flights from Europe, tent and race entry.","historical_winners_recent":[{"year":2024,"gender":"M","name":"Mohamed El Morabity","finish_time":"18:53:00"},{"year":2024,"gender":"F","name":"Aziza El Amrany","finish_time":"23:15:00"},{"year":2023,"gender":"M","name":"Mohamed El Morabity","finish_time":"19:03:00"},{"year":2023,"gender":"F","name":"Maryline Nakache","finish_time":"23:24:00"},{"year":2022,"gender":"M","name":"Rachid El Morabity","finish_time":"18:56:00"}],"key_gpx_features":["Stage 3 or 4 is the queen stage, typically 80-90 km with a night-into-day cutoff","Erg Chebbi dune field is the iconic dune section, usually a middle stage","Solidarity charity stage on day 6 is a low-key finish before the transfer to Ouarzazate"],"pain_points":[{"issue":"Feet destruction: blisters and toenail loss are near-universal by stage 3","source":"https://www.reddit.com/r/ultrarunning/comments/12kf9py/mds_2023_feet_report/"},{"issue":"Food-weight vs calorie tradeoff leaves most runners in a 1500 kcal daily deficit","source":"https://www.marathontalk.com/mds-nutrition-episode-687/"},{"issue":"Tent-mate randomness and sleep quality are the biggest morale factor, not the running","source":"https://www.reddit.com/r/ultrarunning/comments/y6f2n2/mds_tent_life_reality/"}],"training_hooks":["Sub-1kg-per-day self-sufficient meal builder targeting 2200-2500 kcal from freeze-dried plus fat bombs","Heat-acclimation protocol (sauna or overdress) with 10-14 day taper into desert temps","Pack-weight audit checklist (target under 6.5 kg dry) with per-item gram tracking"],"related_races":["Grand to Grand Ultra","Racing the Planet 4 Deserts"],"sport":"trail","lat":31.2001,"lng":-4.4128,"date":"2027-04-11","reg_status":"open","source":"aims","cover_image_url":"https://source.unsplash.com/800x400/?desert,sahara,marathon","theme_color":"#c2410c","register_url":"https://marathondessables.com","id":29795},{"slug":"barkley-marathons","name":"Barkley","full_name":"The Barkley Marathons","country":"United States","country_code":"US","region":"Frozen Head State Park, Tennessee","first_edition_year":1986,"distance_km":160,"elevation_gain_m":18000,"time_limit_h":60,"avg_finish_h":null,"terrain":"Five off-trail loops through Tennessee ridge-and-hollow terrain thick with briars, deadfall and steep unmarked bushwhacks (Rat Jaw, Little Hell, Meth Lab Hill). No course markings. Runners navigate by map and compass to find books hidden on the course and tear out their bib number's page as proof.","difficulty_race_adjusted":{"score":5,"justification":"Under 20 finishers in 40+ years. Navigation, sleep deprivation, briars and secret start make it uniquely selective vs any distance-based grade."},"qualifying_requirements":["Write an essay: 'Why I should be allowed to run the Barkley'","Selection is at race director Lazarus Lake's sole discretion","First-time entrants pay the 'human sacrifice' fee and bring a license plate from their home state or country"],"entry_process":"No public application form. Applicants email an address that is never published. Around 40 runners selected annually. Entry fee is 1.60 USD plus quirky offerings (shirt, socks, license plate).","historical_winners_recent":[{"year":2024,"gender":"M","name":"Jasmin Paris","finish_time":"59:58:21","note":"First woman finisher; classified as F"},{"year":2024,"gender":"F","name":"Jasmin Paris","finish_time":"59:58:21"},{"year":2023,"gender":"M","name":"Aurelien Sanchez","finish_time":"58:23:12"},{"year":2023,"gender":"M","name":"John Kelly","finish_time":"59:23:39"},{"year":2023,"gender":"M","name":"Karel Sabbe","finish_time":"59:53:33"}],"key_gpx_features":["Five ~20-mile loops (alternating direction each loop; loop 5 direction is runner's choice)","9-13 books hidden on-course each year; runners must return the correct page for their bib number","12h fun-run cutoff at 3 loops; full 60h cutoff for a 5-loop finish"],"pain_points":[{"issue":"No published entry process; most applicants never hear back and don't know why","source":"https://www.reddit.com/r/ultrarunning/comments/1baxs01/barkley_entry_reality/"},{"issue":"Navigation errors compound with sleep deprivation; loop 3 quits dominate the DNF stats","source":"https://www.irunfar.com/2023-barkley-marathons-results"},{"issue":"Course changes yearly; recon data from prior finishers is only partially useful","source":"https://www.reddit.com/r/ultrarunning/comments/12r0kli/what_a_barkley_veteran_taught_me/"}],"training_hooks":["Off-trail navigation drills with map/compass sessions and briar-country long runs","Sleep-deprivation pacing model calibrated for 55-60h effort with micro-nap windows","Frozen Head-specific gear list (canvas pants, gaiters, briar-proof gloves) and camp logistics"],"related_races":["Big Dog's Backyard Ultra","Cocodona 250"],"sport":"trail","lat":36.46,"lng":-84.6941,"date":"2027-04-01","reg_status":"closed","source":"utmb","cover_image_url":"https://source.unsplash.com/800x400/?tennessee,forest,ultra","theme_color":"#33502f","register_url":"#","id":22678},{"slug":"ironman-70-3-nice","name":"IRONMAN 70.3 Nice","full_name":"IRONMAN 70.3 France Nice","country":"France","country_code":"FR","region":"Nice, Côte d’Azur","sport":"tri","lat":43.7102,"lng":7.262,"date":"2026-06-28","distance_km":113,"elevation_gain_m":1200,"reg_status":"open","source":"ironman","series":"IRONMAN 70.3","distance":"1.9/90/21.1","cover_image_url":"https://source.unsplash.com/800x400/?nice,triathlon,ironman","theme_color":"#1f3a6e","register_url":"https://www.ironman.com/im703-nice","first_edition_year":2005,"id":64977},{"slug":"ironman-lanzarote","name":"IRONMAN Lanzarote","full_name":"IRONMAN Lanzarote","country":"Spain","country_code":"ES","region":"Puerto del Carmen","sport":"tri","lat":28.9226,"lng":-13.664,"date":"2027-05-22","distance_km":226,"elevation_gain_m":2551,"reg_status":"open","source":"ironman","series":"IRONMAN","distance":"3.8/180/42.2","cover_image_url":"https://source.unsplash.com/800x400/?lanzarote,volcano,cycling","theme_color":"#1f3a6e","register_url":"https://www.ironman.com/im-lanzarote","id":93968},{"slug":"utmb-mont-blanc","name":"UTMB Mont-Blanc","full_name":"UTMB — Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc","country":"France","country_code":"FR","region":"Chamonix","sport":"trail","lat":45.9237,"lng":6.8694,"date":"2026-08-28","distance_km":171,"elevation_gain_m":10000,"reg_status":"notify_me","source":"utmb","series":"UTMB","cover_image_url":"https://source.unsplash.com/800x400/?chamonix,mont-blanc,alps","theme_color":"#33502f","id":13335},{"slug":"lavaredo-utc100m","name":"Lavaredo Ultra Trail 120K","country":"Italy","country_code":"IT","region":"Cortina d’Ampezzo, Dolomites","sport":"trail","lat":46.5399,"lng":12.1373,"date":"2026-06-21","distance_km":120,"elevation_gain_m":5800,"reg_status":"open","source":"utmb","series":"UTMB World Series","cover_image_url":"https://source.unsplash.com/800x400/?dolomites,cortina,trail","theme_color":"#33502f","register_url":"https://ultratrail.it","id":41806},{"slug":"berlin-marathon","name":"BMW Berlin Marathon","country":"Germany","country_code":"DE","region":"Berlin","sport":"marathon","lat":52.5163,"lng":13.3777,"date":"2026-09-27","distance_km":42.195,"elevation_gain_m":73,"reg_status":"notify_me","source":"aims","series":"Abbott WMM","cover_image_url":"https://source.unsplash.com/800x400/?berlin,marathon,brandenburg","theme_color":"#c2410c","register_url":"https://www.bmw-berlin-marathon.com","id":18743},{"slug":"valencia-marathon","name":"Valencia Marathon","full_name":"Marathon Valencia Trinidad Alfonso","country":"Spain","country_code":"ES","region":"Valencia","sport":"marathon","lat":39.4699,"lng":-0.3763,"date":"2026-12-06","distance_km":42.195,"elevation_gain_m":50,"reg_status":"open","source":"aims","series":"AIMS","cover_image_url":"https://source.unsplash.com/800x400/?valencia,marathon,mediterranean","theme_color":"#d97706","register_url":"https://www.valenciaciudaddelrunning.com","id":51301},{"slug":"boston-marathon","name":"Boston Marathon","country":"United States","country_code":"US","region":"Boston, MA","sport":"marathon","lat":42.3601,"lng":-71.0589,"date":"2027-04-20","distance_km":42.195,"elevation_gain_m":245,"reg_status":"notify_me","source":"aims","series":"Abbott WMM","cover_image_url":"https://source.unsplash.com/800x400/?boston,marathon,heartbreak","theme_color":"#c2410c","register_url":"https://www.baa.org","id":15452},{"slug":"nyc-marathon","name":"TCS New York City Marathon","country":"United States","country_code":"US","region":"New York, NY","sport":"marathon","lat":40.7128,"lng":-74.006,"date":"2026-11-01","distance_km":42.195,"elevation_gain_m":200,"reg_status":"notify_me","source":"aims","series":"Abbott WMM","cover_image_url":"https://source.unsplash.com/800x400/?new-york,manhattan,marathon","theme_color":"#c2410c","register_url":"https://www.nyrr.org/tcsnycmarathon","id":81328},{"slug":"london-marathon","name":"TCS London Marathon","country":"United Kingdom","country_code":"UK","region":"London","sport":"marathon","lat":51.5074,"lng":-0.1278,"date":"2027-04-25","distance_km":42.195,"elevation_gain_m":73,"reg_status":"notify_me","source":"aims","series":"Abbott WMM","cover_image_url":"https://source.unsplash.com/800x400/?london,tower-bridge,marathon","theme_color":"#c2410c","register_url":"https://www.tcslondonmarathon.com","id":5662},{"slug":"tokyo-marathon","name":"Tokyo Marathon","country":"Japan","country_code":"JP","region":"Tokyo","sport":"marathon","lat":35.6762,"lng":139.6503,"date":"2027-03-07","distance_km":42.195,"elevation_gain_m":115,"reg_status":"notify_me","source":"aims","series":"Abbott WMM","cover_image_url":"https://source.unsplash.com/800x400/?tokyo,marathon,shibuya","theme_color":"#c2410c","register_url":"https://www.marathon.tokyo","id":93943},{"slug":"chicago-marathon","name":"Bank of America Chicago Marathon","country":"United States","country_code":"US","region":"Chicago, IL","sport":"marathon","lat":41.8781,"lng":-87.6298,"date":"2026-10-11","distance_km":42.195,"elevation_gain_m":38,"reg_status":"notify_me","source":"aims","series":"Abbott WMM","cover_image_url":"https://source.unsplash.com/800x400/?chicago,marathon,lakeshore","theme_color":"#c2410c","register_url":"https://www.chicagomarathon.com","id":83535},{"slug":"ironman-world-championship-kona","name":"IRONMAN World Championship — Kona","country":"United States","country_code":"US","region":"Kailua-Kona, Hawaii","sport":"tri","lat":19.6389,"lng":-155.9969,"date":"2026-10-11","distance_km":226,"elevation_gain_m":1600,"reg_status":"closed","source":"ironman","series":"IRONMAN World Championship","distance":"3.8/180/42.2","cover_image_url":"https://source.unsplash.com/800x400/?hawaii,kona,ironman","theme_color":"#1f3a6e","register_url":"https://www.ironman.com/im-world-championship","id":31327},{"slug":"t100-ibiza","name":"T100 Ibiza","country":"Spain","country_code":"ES","region":"Ibiza","sport":"tri","lat":38.9067,"lng":1.4206,"date":"2026-05-03","distance_km":100,"elevation_gain_m":800,"reg_status":"open","source":"world","series":"T100","distance":"2/80/18","cover_image_url":"https://source.unsplash.com/800x400/?ibiza,triathlon,mediterranean","theme_color":"#0f5a6b","register_url":"https://www.t100triathlon.com","id":70369},{"slug":"challenge-roth","name":"Challenge Roth","country":"Germany","country_code":"DE","region":"Roth, Bavaria","sport":"tri","lat":49.2453,"lng":11.0917,"date":"2026-07-04","distance_km":226,"elevation_gain_m":1250,"reg_status":"sold_out","source":"world","series":"Challenge Family","distance":"3.8/180/42.2","cover_image_url":"https://source.unsplash.com/800x400/?roth,germany,triathlon","theme_color":"#1f3a6e","id":78609},{"slug":"comrades-marathon","name":"Comrades Marathon","country":"South Africa","country_code":"ZA","region":"Pietermaritzburg → Durban","sport":"marathon","lat":-29.6188,"lng":30.3928,"date":"2026-06-13","distance_km":89,"elevation_gain_m":1400,"reg_status":"notify_me","source":"aims","series":"AIMS","cover_image_url":"https://source.unsplash.com/800x400/?south-africa,comrades,run","theme_color":"#c2410c","register_url":"https://www.comrades.com","id":15092}]