Ultrarunning surges as more runners tackle extreme distances

Ultrarunning distances of 50 and 100 kilometres are more popular than ever in Denmark and abroad, DR reports. Most races are selling out, according to Bjarni Rom Jensen, Denmark’s national ultrarunning coach.

One of the runners taking on the challenge is Anne Kirkeby Larsen from Tjørring near Herning. Last weekend, she completed a 100-kilometre run around Ringkøbing Fjord.

For Larsen, ultrarunning began as a New Year’s resolution to make her training more structured. She soon became fascinated by how far she could run and set her sights on 100 kilometres.

Runners are not only attempting longer distances; they are also becoming better at completing them. The Ringkøbing Fjord race was sold out, and organisers had never seen so many participants finish the 60- and 100-kilometre races, Jensen said.

Jensen said most ultrarunners are not primarily competing to win. Instead, many want to challenge themselves physically and mentally. He said the sport had seen an explosive increase over the past three or four years in people wanting to test themselves with a long run.

Larsen said the long runs had improved her endurance and given her more energy in everyday life. They had also helped her shift focus when things felt frustrating or difficult, she said.

She completed the 100-kilometre route with her running partner, Maria Bækgaard Jakobsen, in 13 hours, 16 minutes and 59 seconds. Larsen said she was considering running the distance again, while her next goal was to complete an official marathon.