What's the Hardest Race?

What is the hardest race that someone can run?

There are a few picks, but it's safe to say there is no shortage of miserable races.

Badwater 135

"Covering 135 miles (217km) non-stop from Death Valley to Mt. Whitney, CA, the Badwater® 135 is the most demanding and extreme running race offered anywhere on the planet. The start line is at Badwater Basin, Death Valley, which marks the lowest elevation in North America at 280’ (85m) below sea level. The race finishes at Whitney Portal at 8,300’ (2530m), which is the trailhead to the Mt. Whitney summit, the highest point in the contiguous United States. The Badwater 135 course covers three mountain ranges for a total of 14,600’ (4450m) of cumulative vertical ascent and 6,100’ (1859m) of cumulative descent. Competitors travel through places or landmarks with names like Mushroom Rock, Furnace Creek, Salt Creek, Devil’s Cornfield, Devil’s Golf Course, Stovepipe Wells, Panamint Springs, Keeler, Alabama Hills, and Lone Pine." -Badwater

The Western States 100 Mile Run

"The Western States ® 100-Mile Endurance Run is the world’s oldest 100-mile trail race. Starting in Squaw Valley, California near the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics and ending 100.2 miles later in Auburn, California, Western States, in the decades since its inception in 1974, has come to represent one of the ultimate endurance tests in the world.

Following the historic Western States Trail, runners climb more than 18,000 feet and descend nearly 23,000 feet before they reach the finish line at Placer High School in Auburn. In the miles between Squaw Valley and Auburn, runners experience the majestic high country beauty of Emigrant Pass and the Granite Chief Wilderness, the crucible of the canyons of the California gold country, a memorable crossing of the ice-cold waters of the main stem of the Middle Fork of the American River, and, during the latter stages, the historic reddish-brown-colored trails that led gold-seeking prospectors and homesteading pilgrims alike to the welcoming arms of Auburn."- Western States

The Barkley Marathons

"The Barkley course was designed by Gary "Lazarus Lake" Cantrell. His idea for the race was inspired upon hearing about the 1977 escape of James Earl Ray, the assassin of Martin Luther King, Jr, from nearby Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary. Ray covered only 8 miles (13 km) after running 55 hours in the woods. Cantrell said to himself, "I could do at least 100 miles", mocking Ray's low mileage. Thus, the Barkley Marathons was born. Cantrell named the race for his longtime neighbor and running companion, Barry Barkley. Entering the Barkley is a little different than entering most ultramarathons.  With only 35-40 slots available each year, and literally hundreds of applicants, the demand far exceeds the supply. The application fee is $1.60 and is non-refundable (in case it is not obvious, we are in this for the money). For alumni (any of the 14 runners who have completed the Barkley) the entry fee is a pack of regular camel filter cigarettes."-Barkley Marathon

Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race

"Athletes are able to test themselves in a format, unlike any other ultra-marathon event. In order to meet their goal of 3100 miles in 52 days, they must log an average of 59.6 miles per day. The runners begin at 6 am and run for extended periods throughout the day, taking breaks as needed. If they want to, they can continue as late as 12 midnight when the course closes for the night." This race is around a city block in Queens-3100 Transcendence

Marathon des Sables

 "A six-day, 251 km (156 mi) ultramarathon, which is approximately the distance of six regular marathons. The longest single stage (2009) is 91 km (57 mi) long.
This multiday race is held every year in southern Morocco, in the Sahara Desert. It has been called the toughest foot race on Earth. The first event of the Marathon started in 1986." Marathon des Sables

6633 Arctic Ultra 

"The non-stop self-sufficient foot race is over a distance of either 120 miles or 350 miles, with both races crossing the line of the Arctic Circle.
The 120 mile race finishes at the First Nations Hamlet of Fort McPherson, whilst the longer 350 mile race continues to the banks of the Arctic Ocean at Tuktoyaktuk." -6633 Ultra

Ultra Trail Du Mount Blanc

"The Tour du Mont Blanc through France, Italy and Switzerland. It has a distance of approximately 166 kilometres (103 mi), and a total elevation gain of around 9,600 m. It is widely regarded as one of the most difficult foot races in the world, and one of the largest with more than 2,000 starters. It is one race during a week-long festival based around Chamonix in France. The combined participation in all of the events over the week is approaching 10,000 runners. The races have strict entry requirements which include accumulating enough race points through qualifier races in the previous two years.

While the best runners complete the loop in slightly more than 20 hours, most runners take 30 to 45 hours to reach the finish line. There is no prize money awarded." -Ultra-Trail_du_Mont-Blanc

Why would you want to run any of these? I'm not too sure, but there are plenty of people willing to test themselves and their resilience over some of the most grueling conditions imaginable.

Tom Slattery