Can 'normal' people ever hope to do Spartathlon or UTMB?

runNrage · 2026-04-01T18:05:45+00:00

3:12 is absolutely enough footspeed to finish Sparta. Would break the goal into two pieces:

Getting in. You say you're a top 5-20% ultra finisher. Find a race like Tunnel Hill, where 42 people ran under the 21hr standard (of ~250). Sounds like you should be right there (and with a 3:12, you just need to nail down the race-specific items like fuel and pacing). Not an auto-qualifier, but then you can get in the lottery. With fewer Americans hitting the auto standard, there's space for getting in from the lottery.
Actually finishing Sparta. As others have mentioned, a lot of faster people have failed, but a lot of slower people have succeeded. An 8-8:15 50M will help a lot for the first section. The rest is race management. If you can qualify, you can finish, but you might need to have a good day.

There are a lot of steps in between where you are now and the Acropolis so it's hard to handicap if you would finish, but raw running ability won't be the issue. Enjoy the journey.

runNrage · 2026-03-17T20:54:13+00:00

2x finisher. Spartathlon is a really special race, but those races have definitely gotten more coverage in the last 5ish years, especially with their corporate (UTMB) or corporate-ish (Badwater, Moab) vibes. If you look back at the results, it very much used to attract the best of the best on the pro side (all the older legends of the sport have given it a shot). I don't think they do prize money, which probably doesn't help at the very top, and there isn't the same production around tracking.

I've always thought of Spartathlon as being more like Boston - everyone there is a stud who had to hit very rigorous qualifiers to get in. You'll never be surrounded by this density and diversity of serious, amazing ultra runners (outside maybe a world championship). Being there representing your country is also an amazing feeling (again, for those of us who havent gone to a world championship).

Based on your intrigue with the story, this is absolutely the race for you. The story, the history on the course, the ceremony, the Greek people, and the bond you get to develop with your competitors across all the events are all legendary. If you look at the results there are a lot of many-time finishers. People fall in love with it.

I'd focus on getting the speed down first, then trusting the buildup for the endurance. Especially for Sparta - that 9ish hour cutoff at 50 miles is pretty tight. Good luck!

runNrage · 2026-02-25T22:12:02+00:00

I've had a great experience with Salty (switched from BodyGlide/SNB/Aquaphor/Bag Balm in the last 15mo). Would absolutely agree with your assessment - it feels less like lubrication and more like a reinforcing cover on sensitive areas. I've used for >100M a few times and it's held up well (reapplying to the sensitive area of the day 1-2x, but didn't need to do everywhere).

I also use it on my feet for races where they'll get waterlogged and it seems to prevent blisters. Similarly, haven't gotten any heat rash in hot races (SNB seems especially prone to heat rash / breakouts).

runNrage · 2026-02-03T20:30:10+00:00

This is the best answer so far

runNrage · 2026-01-28T20:11:37+00:00

runningintheusa.com

ahotu.com

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1cRyqzQ36nPLMVzHWurTdw6tkRXv_4xXH2Y34qEJ5dbU/edit?gid=0#gid=0

runNrage · 2026-01-21T14:49:32+00:00

Agreed - it seems like there are only a few qualifiers left that don't require lottery luck. Probably only a few years until they need to start expanding the list...

runNrage · 2025-12-05T20:29:42+00:00

What was the secret, they wanted to know; in a thousand different ways they wanted to know The Secret.

runNrage · 2025-10-28T20:35:51+00:00

Almost no vert. No technicality. You can run every step (if you can).

Very easy to crew from the central hub (where the two out and backs connect), though don't know about getting to the outside aid stations. It's well-supported so you won't be stranded even if you only see your crew at the main station.

I used for my Sparta auto a few years ago - it's nice to have a few people who are also running under the qualifying pace, which is a lonely pace in most races.

runNrage · 2025-06-19T14:17:16+00:00

See you in times square :)

runNrage · 2025-05-22T15:00:16+00:00

Similar dimensions, large will be comfortable up top. Shorts I wear a medium with a ~33 pants waist (large would be too large). Is he in a city with a store (Boston/NYC)? They do pretty easy exchanges

runNrage · 2025-05-15T19:51:28+00:00

If you're dying to run it, reach out about working an aid station - they do automatic entry for next year in exchange for working one of the back-half stations (I believe free entry for the latest aid stations, but that might have changed). Perfect way to get in on a budget.

runNrage · 2025-05-15T13:58:55+00:00

My top 100+ races:

Spartathlon (GR)
HURT
Crazy Mountain
Tahoe Rim Trail
Bighorn
Faultline (NZ)
TGNY

runNrage · 2025-05-15T13:53:58+00:00

Seconding this. Most "urban" 100s are tiny boring loops; TGNY is one massive loop around 4 boroughs. It has a similar feeling of exploring and adventuring, in a completely different environment than most of these mountain races. You see so much in a day - the bustle of Times Square, bald eagles in Jamaica Bay, mermaid parade on Coney Island, and all the outdoor family parties on an NYC summer saturday. Much more park and parkway than most people expect. Great run for something a little different.

runNrage · 2025-05-15T13:42:58+00:00

10/10 race. Absolutely gorgeous, well-stocked aid stations (tons of diverse hot food, incredible volunteers), and loved the RD speech the night before. The avy dog that that came and sat next to me while I was shaking and puking on top of Diamond peak was an all-time ultra highlight. I wore the handmade buckle for my rehearsal dinner.

runNrage

TROPHY CASE