Transvulcania, Spain - Encompassing a distance of 47 mi (76 km) and run in May on La Palma in the Canary Islands, this epic challenge over razor-sharp volcanic rock tests strength and stamina in equal measure. Runners negotiate over 6,561 ft (2,000 m) of ascent, but the real killer is the bone-jarring descent. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC 2.0)

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Comrades Marathon, South Africa - The world’s largest ultra-marathon, this 56-mi (90-km) feat of endurance takes place over 12 hours, with five colossal hills to contend with. It takes place in May out of Durban or Pietermaritzburg.

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Endurancelife Coastal Trail Series, England - Run from October to May, these coastal runs include the South Devon Ultra, a 35-mi (56-km) dash from Beesands village through an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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Snowdonia Marathon, Wales - The road surrounding the highest mountain in Wales provides the route for this scenic challenge, which takes place in October. The 26-mi (42-km) undulating route does include some tricky trail running though. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0)

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GODZone Adventure Race, New Zealand - Do you laugh in the face of adversity? Is fear your friend? Then this monster is for you. Set over trail, river, road, and mountain, the "GODZone" is 852 mi (530 km) of unforgiving terrain. Competitors hike, trek, mountain bike, and kayak through a spectacularly diverse environment, the location of which changes annually. GODZone is always run in February.

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Transalpine Run, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy -

The 'Sound of Music' meets 'Mission Impossible' in this eight-day, 186-m (300-km) trail-blazer. Besides being super fit, competitors require a high degree of technical aptitude: the route snakes over mountains as high as 9,842 ft (3,000 m), and you’ll often find yourself running through cloud cover. The run takes place annually in September.

(Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, France, Italy, Switzerland -

Regarded as one of Europe’s mightiest running challenges, the 105-mi (170-km) Mont-Blanc race takes place in August in a typical Alpine environment—a mixture of rain, snow, and sun. Beginning in Chamonix, the route stretches through three countries and 10 strenuous climbs along the way.

(Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

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The Dragon's Back Race, Wales -

It doesn’t get much tougher than this! A daunting 180 mi (290 km) in length, the Dragon’s Back Race is considered one of the most challenging mountain races in the world. There are no defined trails— runners follow the spines of Wales' most famous mountain ranges. The five-day competition is run every two years in June.

(Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

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Strongman Run, Netherlands -

One of Europe’s most popular obstacle courses, this 15-mi (24-km) challenge takes place throughout the year at various venues across the continent. If you’re up for tackling hurdles, deep mud pits, dark brooding water holes, ice-filled ponds, and climbing nets, this crazy event is for you! It reaches the Dutch town of Hellendoorn in September.

(Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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The UK Wife Carrying Race, England - Yes, you read right! There is a race run by husbands every March near Dorking. Wives are hoisted over strong shoulders during a 1,246-ft (380-m) dash, some of it uphill. Expect fits of giggles and threats of divorce along the way.

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Spartan Race, Dubai - Guaranteed to haul you out of your comfort zone, this challenging obstacle course sees competitors running through mud and water, climbing hills and mountains, crawling under barbed wire, and jumping fire. Spartan is a worldwide initiative, and several races are organized throughout the year.

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Lavaredo Ultra Trail, Italy - Run in June, this is a visual treat, set as it is in the beautiful Dolomites. Marked out at a distance of 74 mi (119 km), and with 19,192 ft (5,850 m) of ascent, the trail takes runners near the Tre Cime di Lavaredo (pictured), three awesome peaks that straddle the South Tyrol and Belluno borders. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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Le Marathon du Médoc, France -

Wine, oysters, cheese, steak, and even champagne are among the treats offered up to runners as they commute along the 26-mi (42-km) course, with some opting to run in fancy dress. The fun takes place every September.

(Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 2.0)

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Jungle Ultra, Peru -

At an altitude of 10,500 ft (3,200 m), exploring the Andean Cloud Forest in Manu National Park catches the breath of the very fittest. So imagine running through it! Completing the 142-mi (230-km) Jungle Ultra requires zip-lining across gorges, navigating more than 75 river crossings, and clambering up cliffs. It takes place in June.

(Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

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Kilian's Classik, France - Setting off from Font-Romeu in the Pyrenees, runners tackling this picturesque mountain trail race never run below 5,577 ft (1,700 m). In fact, they sometimes touch a giddy 8,467 ft (2,581 m). The race takes place in July.

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Braemar Gathering Hill Race, Scotland - Enter this Highland fell race and you’ll enjoy a royal sendoff—Queen Elizabeth II watches over the start of this annual 3.5-mi (5.6-km) challenge, which is part of the cultural festival program. Held in September and set in the scenic Cairngorms, this is the oldest hill race in the world.

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ÖTILLÖ swimrun, Sweden - This 75-km (46-mi) challenge begins on the island of Sandhamn and includes a 6-mi (10-km) swim in a wetsuit and sodden training shoes. The race takes place in September, when water temperatures begin to dip. The destination is Utö, in the stunning Stockholm Archipelago.

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The Beast, England - Run in September at Corfe Castle, Dorset. Good for beginners, this 13-mi (21-km) track of trail and grass meanders over plenty of hills, and is fairly tough in places. The 1,000-year-old castle provides a wonderful backdrop. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC 2.0)

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The Gherkin Challenge, England - One of London’s most iconic buildings, the 590-ft (180-m) Gherkin stands as a gleaming, architectural wonder. It’s also the venue for this brutal tower run, where the insanely fit leap up almost vertical staircases to the 38th floor, the idea being to leave behind 1,037 steps in the shortest time. It destroys legs every September.

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Sani Stagger Endurance Race, South Africa - Located high up in the Natal-Drakensburg Mountains, the Sani Pass (pictured) is considered one of the most dangerous roads in Africa. And it’s along this steep, zigzagging highway that runners truly "stagger" to complete the grueling 26-mi (41-km) route, which includes 5,249 ft (1,600 m) of ascent. This race is run in November. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY 2.0)

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Ecotrail de Paris, France - Held in March from the suburb of St Quentin-en-Yvelines, the "Ecotrail" snakes 49 mi (80 km) back into Paris and past some of the city’s most iconic buildings and landmarks. The race ends after dark near a sparkling Eiffel Tower. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-ND 2.0)

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Cayman Islands Marathon, Cayman Islands - Held in December, this is one of Grand Cayman's biggest annual events. The 26-mi (42-km) two-loop course begins in the capital, George Town, and is, for the most part, foot-friendly flat.

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New York City Marathon, USA - This is the biggest marathon in the world, with the 26-mi (42-km) course taking in the five boroughs of Staten Island, The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan. It steps out in November.

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Queenstown International Marathon, New Zealand -

A trail marathon set in and around Queenstown, on South Island, runners are treated to spectacular scenery as they follow the 26-mi (42-km) course surrounded by mountains and lakes. It takes place in November, which is the beginning of summer in the Southern Hemisphere. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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Madeira Island Ultra Trail, Portugal - The Portuguese island of Madeira provides a scenically dramatic venue for this 71 mi (115 km) full traverse of what’s poetically described as the "Pearl of the Atlantic." The island’s stunning coastline and soaring, mist-clad mountains add to the sense of occasion. The run takes place in April, with part of the course tackled at night. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

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Paris Marathon, France - The Champs-Elysées and the iconic Arc de Triomphe mark the beginning of the 26-mi (42-km) route, which snakes through the French capital. The marathon is held every April. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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Marathon des Sables, Morocco -

Running in the Sahara Desert? You gotta be kidding! Even in April, when this blister-inducing ultra-run takes place, the heat is on. Besides an ocean of sand, competitors have to cope with razor-sharp rock and the threat of dehydration before they complete the arduous 155 mi (250 km) course.

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London Marathon, England -

Established in 1981, this is one of the world's most popular street marathons. Run every April, the 26-mi (42-km) course takes competitors past numerous well-known landmarks, including the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace.

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The roughest running races in the world

Run these if you dare

19/11/20 | StarsInsider

LIFESTYLE Running

Running is a pastime enjoyed by many. But while a jog in the park is enough for some, there are others who happily test the very limits of their physical and mental endurance by embarking on punishing leg-screaming, blister-inducing ultra trails in remote corners of the world.

If you're one of those people who revel in adversity and drink adrenaline for breakfast, you'll be turned on big time by this list of some of the world's most arduous running races. Click on!