Running is one of the most natural forms of movement, but some athletes take it to truly extreme boundaries.ย From covering incredible distances to running days and nights without sleep, they transform running into a real test of the human spirit.
In this article, we will tell you about 10 mind-blowing running records that demonstrate the incredible extremes of physical and mental endurance.
1. 1,000 miles in 11 daysย
Yiannis Kouros is known for his amazing endurance and achievements in ultramarathons. Among his many records, one of the most impressive stands outโrunning 1,000 miles (1,609 km) in 10 days, 10 hours, 30 minutes and 36 seconds.
This achievement, set in 1988, remains unbeaten to this day and is considered one of the greatestย demonstrations of human ability.
The 1,000-mile race took place in New York City in May 1988 and was organized by the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team, famous for its ultra-long distances. Kouros raced against the toughest ultramarathon runners worldwide. From day one, he proved his endurance was unmatched.
To understand how extreme this race was, you need to imagine the physical and mental state of the athlete. Runners taking part in such tests face pain, dehydration, lack of sleep, and the constant risk of injury. However, Kouros had the ability to overcome all of it.
More than 35 years after this event, no one has come close to Kouros’s record. The most talented ultramarathoners admit that his result is almost unattainable.ย
2. TSP Soloโan ultramarathon without rules
The Speed Project (TSP) is an extreme ultramarathon where participants cover approximately 340 miles (547 km) from Los Angeles to Las Vegas.
Unlike the team format, TSP Solo is an entirely individual challenge. Runners must cover the distance alone, with no set route and minimal support.
Among men, in 2022 Anthony Castro completed the race in 83 hours and 56 minutes, setting a new record.
Among women, in 2021 Lucy Scholz became the first woman to finish TSP Solo, running 340 miles in 4 days, 2 hours, and 23 minutes.
TSP Solo demands incredible physical and mental endurance. Runners face scorching desert heat, freezing nights, extreme fatigue, and complete isolation over hundreds of miles. This race is a true test of human limits.
Related:ย 6 Mental Tricks to Push Through Tough Runs
3. A week-long treadmill run
Serbian-Slovak ultrarunner Michal ล uฤพa began 2025 with an extraordinary achievementโsetting a new world record for the longest distance ever run on a treadmill in seven days.ย
Inside a physical therapy clinic in Bratislava, Slovakia, ล uฤพa ran 526 miles (846.52 km) in six days and seven hours, breaking the previous record of 524.4 miles (843.94 km) set by U.K. runner Jamie McDonald in 2019. He secured the title with 17 hours to spare.
ล uฤพa, who kept an average pace of 17 minutes per mile, completed the record in one roomโoverlooking sports jerseys, exercise balls, and recovery toolsโproving that world-class endurance doesnโt need a track or open trail.
This Guinness World Record is currently pending official verification, but one thing is certain: ล uฤพa has gone further on a treadmill than any human before him.
4. The longest time spent running without stopping
One of the most impressive feats in long-distance running was achieved by Dean Karnazes. In 2005, he ran 350 miles (560 km) without sleep in 80 hours and 44 minutes.
During this run, Karnazes did not stop to rest or sleep, taking only short breaks for food and hydration. He ran through more than three days and three nights, overcoming pain and fatigue.
His race is well-known, but recording records in this category is tough. This is because different rules apply. For example, short breaks for food or changing shoes may or may not count. Still, this feat remains one of the most extreme examples of human endurance.
5. 100 half marathons in 100 daysย
Sandeep Singh, from New Delhi, India, completed an incredible challenge in 2019. He ran 100 half marathons in 100 consecutive days to raise awareness about the severe air pollution problem in his country.
He began his run on November 1, 2018, and finished on February 8, 2019, covering over 2,110 km (1,311 miles). Along the way, he faced tough conditions: high pollution levels and a demanding work schedule at Accenture.
Other remarkable athletes have also taken on similar challenges.
Kate Jayden, from the UK, ran 100 full marathons in 100 consecutive days, covering 2,620 miles (4,216 km)โthe symbolic distance from Aleppo, Syria to the UKโto raise awareness and funds for refugees.
Trish Eksteen, a runner from South Africa, became the record holder for the most consecutive official half marathons completed by a woman. She successfully ran 100 half marathons in 100 days, each one in under two hours.
Brett Farago, an Australian runner, also completed his challenge of 100 half marathons in 100 days, raising money and awareness for dementia research. On the final day, he topped it all off with a 100 km ultramarathon, finishing his journey with an unforgettable effort.
6. 111 days in the Sahara desertย
In 2007, three ultramarathonersโCharlie Engle, Ray Zahab, and Kevin Linโran across the Sahara Desert. This journey was unprecedented.
Their goal was to raise awareness of water shortages in Africa and to show the limits of human endurance.
- Distance: About 4,300 miles (6,920 km).
- Duration: 111 days of continuous running.
- Route: The race passed through six African countries: Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Libya, and Egypt.
- They reached the Red Sea on February 20, 2007.
During their journey, the runners faced extreme conditions: high daytime temperatures, cold nights, and sandstorms. The daily mileage was about 60-70 km (37-43 miles), with no days off. Providing water, food, and medical support in remote desert areas was a grueling challenge.
Their journey was documented in the 2007 film Running the Sahara, directed by James Moll and narrated by Matt Damon.
Related:ย 35 Must-Watch Running Documentaries
7. The longest marathon everย
There are many amazing stories in the world of sports, but one of them is truly unique. Japanese runner Shizo Kanakuri holds the record for the longest marathon ever. He finished it 54 years, 8 months, 6 days, 5 hours, 32 minutes, and 20 seconds after starting.
In 1912, Kanakuri was one of the first Japanese athletes to go to the Olympic Games in Stockholm. The journey to Sweden took 18 days and involved a grueling passage through Siberia. In such conditions, he arrived weakened, and on the day of the marathon, the heat in Stockholm reached 90ยฐF (32ยฐC).
During the race, Kanakuri felt sick. To protect his health, he left the route. He stayed with locals who fed him and helped him recover. Yet, he did not notify the organizers and left for Japan.
Swedish officials thought he was missing from the marathon list for over 50 years.
In 1967, a Swedish TV company found Kanakuri. They invited him to Stockholm to complete the marathon, marking 54 years since his last participation. At the age of 75, he crossed the finish line, setting a record for the longest race in history.
8. 24-hour running record
24-hour running is a tough ultramarathon. Athletes try to cover the most distance possible in 24 hours without stopping. These races are held on closed tracks or stadiums, requiring not only phenomenal physical fitness but also colossal willpower.
Lithuanian ultramarathon runner Aleksandr Sorokin set a world record: he ran 198.599 miles (319.614 km) in 24 hours. He reached this amazing result on September 17โ18, 2022, at the IAU European Championships in Verona, Italy. To make it possible, Sorokin maintained an average pace of 4:30 min/km (7:15 min/mile) throughout the entire distance.
Japanese runner Miho Nakada holds the women’s world record for the fastest time in 24 hours, covering 167.996 miles (270.363 km). She set the record on December 1, 2023, at the IAU World Championships in Taipei, Taiwan.ย
9. Self-transcendence 3100-mile race: nearly 5000 km in 52 days
The Self-Transcendence 3100-Mile Race is the longest certified footrace in the world, with runners covering 3,100 miles (4,989 km) over 52 days. To finish on time, runners must cover approximately 60 miles (96 km) per day, making it one of the most challenging endurance events in the world.
In 2015, Ashprihanal Aalto set a record by running 3,100 miles in 40 days, 9 hours, and 6 minutes.
In 2023, Tsai Wen-ya completed the race in 45 days, 12 hours, and 28 minutes, becoming the fastest woman in the race’s history.
The race takes place in New York City, on a closed loop of 883 meters (0.5488 miles) in the borough of Jamaica, Queens. Participants run from 6 a.m. until midnight, planning their own meals and short rest breaks. The race lasts almost two months, pushing runners to their physical and mental limits.
Founded in 1996 by Sri Chinmoy, the race is inspired by the idea of self-transcendence. It is not just an ultramarathon, but a spiritual journey that challenges the boundaries of human potential.
10. The longest Backyard Ultra in history
In the world of ultramarathons, Backyard Ultra is one of the most extreme races, where the winner is not the fastest, but the most resilient. In this format, participants run 4.167 miles (6.706 km) every hour, starting a new lap at the beginning of each hour. The race continues until only one finisher remains.
Every hour, participants start a new lap, and so onโuntil the last one.
Rest is possible only in the time remaining after the lap.ย For example, if a runner completes a lap in 50 minutes, he has 10 minutes to recover, eat, and sleep before the next start.
There is only one finishโthe last remaining participant must run another lap alone, otherwise the race does not count.
In 2024, Merijn Geerts, Ivo Steyaert, and Frank Gilens (Belgium) ran 110 laps (738 km / 458 miles) in 4 days and 14 hours in a team eventโthe longest Backyard Ultra in history.
The female world record is 87 laps (583 km / 362.5 miles) set by Meg Eckert in 2024.
All these runners have already become legends. Each of their stories is a testament to the power of perseverance, determination, and the human spirit. They inspire us to chase bold goals, overcome obstacles, and keep moving forwardโeven when it gets tough.
By Lena Sage
