Endurance Events that Inspire

Organized endurance events give us the platform to go far beyond what we thought was possible. In this article, I look at three different endurance events across running, road biking and, mountain biking. I also revisit the exciting world of Fastest Known Times where ordinary people are achieving extraordinary things.

Vol State 500k

Race Across America

The Tour Divide

Fastest Known Times

Endurance Events: Vol State 500k

Running has a plethora of organized endurance events on road and trail but the Vol State 500k is notably different than all the rest. At the helm is the eccentric “Laz” or “Lazarus Lake” who even has a Wikipedia Page dedicated to him.

The distance alone is daunting and more than most ultra marathons of 100 miles or even 200+ miles. It’s not the distance though that makes this one of the most unique endurance events in the world. On Laz’s website, aptly named “vacation without a car,” he hits the nail on the head when he describes the Vol State as:

“A journey, an adventure, and an exploration of inner space”

Here’s why this race can be thought of as a spiritual undertaking:

• It takes place in July in the sweltering heat and humidity of the Southern U.S.
• It is 314 miles or 500 km on foot
• For the semi-seekers, you can have crew follow you along the route
• For full-seekers, you are 100% on your own
• The race runs non-stop. You decide if and when you sleep
• There are no aid stations
• You must navigate your way alongside highways and backroads of Missouri, Kentucky and, Georgia
• Average finish times are between four and ten days

Wondering what the best energy food is for endurance events?

Cycling Challenges: Determination and Ambition Required

Cycling challenges on both roads and trails are events that require both determination and ambition to complete. These next two challenges take you on incredible journeys through the most scenic parts of America and Canada.

Endurance Events: Race Across America

When it comes to endurance events, road racing can take you to some of the most majestic spaces on this planet. The Race Across America is a preeminent road racing event that winds its way through deserts, over mountain ranges and, across some of the longest rivers in the U.S.

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Race Across America takes racers through the Mojave Desert.
Photo Credit: Will Truettner on Unsplash

Here’s what makes this road race one of the toughest bike races in the world:

• Close to 3,000 miles or 4,800 km
• You can ride solo or as part of a relay team
• Unlike Tour de France that races in stages each day, this event is non-stop
• Fastest racers complete in just over a week
• This event is transcontinental running from California to Maryland
• Three major mountain ranges crossed are: Sierra, Rocky and, Appalachian
• The four longest rivers crossed are Colorado, Mississippi, Missouri and, Ohio
• Passes through Mojave and Sonoran deserts
• Race takes place in June each year

Ever thought of looking to adventure movies for your next thrill seeking pursuit?

Endurance Events: The Tour Divide

Mountain biking has its endurance events with one of the most daunting being the Tour Divide. Bikers crisscross the Continental Divide, starting in Canada and finishing at the U.S./Mexico border. If you’re crazy enough to enter this nearly three-week challenge, the best part is the FREE entry fee.

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The Continental Divide

Here’s what makes the Tour Divide an incredible endurance event:

• Over 200,000 feet of elevation gain and loss
• Start in Banff, Alberta and, ends in Antelope Wells, New Mexico
• 2,475 miles or 4,418 km
• The ONLY option is for self-supported travel (i.e. no relay teams!)
• Non-stop, no checkpoints
• Takes on average of three weeks to complete
• While you can start at the official kick-off day/time in Banff, Alberta, you are also welcome to start at any time during the summer months

“Exist outside your comfort zone”

The Tour Divide Website

Fastest Known Times

The exciting world of Fastest Known Times (FKT) really picked up momentum during the pandemic. With all organized events shut down for various periods, many athletes turned to attempting Fastest Known Times as these are self-directed events. The premise of FKT is exploring the best routes in the world.

WHAT ARE THEY? WHO DID THEM? HOW FAST?

https://fastestknowntime.com

Over the years FKTs have become incredibly competitive. For example, the Bruce Trail which runs nearly 900 km in Ontario, Canada has had a new record posted several times over the past 11 years.

FEMALE		MALE
Karen Holland	8 days 22 hrs 51 min	Elias Kibreab	8 days 16 hrs 55 min
Chantal Demers	12 days 15 hrs 14 min	Kip Arlidge	9 days 3 hrs 27 min
Virginia Gringas	13 days 6 hrs 28 min	John Harrison Pockler	9 days 17 hrs 2 min
		Adam Burnett	9 days 21 hrs 14 min
		Jim Willett	10 days 13 hrs 57 min
		Cody Gilles	12 days 7 hrs 39 min

Looking for hiking challenges to attempt FKT? See my article Hiking Challenges: NE U.S. & Ontario.

Fastest Known Times: Who to Watch

An exciting adventure to watch among Fastest Known Times is the Rocky Grand Slam attempt by American Jason Hardrath. Jason, a school teacher by day has already done one hundred of the tallest peaks in fifty days, twenty-three hours. Now he’s chasing the FKT to climb all of Colorado’s 14,000 footers, Wyoming’s 13,000 footers and, Montana’s 12,000 footers. You can follow his journey on Instagram – jasonhardrath. Like many amazing endurance athletes, he’s inspiring and humble! From his Instagram account:

I didn’t become a teacher or climb mountains for fame or attention or bragging rights, it’s about those ah-ha breakthrough moments where we see the world and ourselves more clearly. It’s about creating those for others.

Jason Hardrath

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