Obviously, what interests us today is not really the kilometers you, reader or reader, are able to travel during your Sunday morning running session, but rather to know what the maximum distance possible for a human being. Some runners already push their limits during ultramarathons which far exceed the classic 42.195 kilometers route, but could they go further?
An article in the Live Science online magazine has asked itself the question and we are now able to give you the start of an answer. First of all, it is essential to define what is meant by “stop”. In October 2023, the American ultramarathonian Harvey Lewis, for example, set a world record by traveling 724.248 kilometers for 108 hours (!), During an event called “Backyard Ultra” in Tennessee. The principle of this racing format is quite simple: the committed sportsmen must travel a loop (generally 6.7 kilometers) in an hour -long time and the competition stops when there is only one standing in the process of trotting.
Under these conditions, the ultra backyard runners stop only for a few minutes, generally for biological reasons (toilet breaks), to redo their laces or snack a little. Not long enough to recover so, but a break remains a break. The first obstacle to a race constantly is linked to our natural needs.
Questioned by Live Science, Guillaume Millet, Physiologist of Sport at the Jean-Monnet University of Saint-Etienne, however explains that humans have many peculiarities and skills for endurance sports: our big gluteal muscles, our capacity to store elastic energy in our muscles and tendons, but also our solid ligaments of the neck or our capacity to regulate our bodily temperature. All this offers us the opportunity to run for a long time. Very long.
The mind, the key to success?
For Daniel Lieberman, biologist of evolution at Harvard University (Massachusetts), the main limiting factor for a runner is actually mental: “We have developed an extraordinary ability to push ourselves to achieve all kinds of exceptional things. You have to want it. I therefore think that the most important factor that limits human endurance is mental. ”
If mental strength plays an undeniable role in the desire to continue a physical effort, obviously should not be overlooked the risk of injury or, more simply, the need for rest and sleep. So don’t start to venture into a (ultra) marathon if you have never run in your life, even if you are very motivated. You and your body could (quickly) regret it.
Athletes who are fully embarking on running must follow intensive training to prevent injuries and accustom their body for effort. Before crossing the United States on foot, Jenny Hoffman, physicist at Harvard University and Ultramarathon’s runner, traveled 322 kilometers per week to develop her endurance during long sessions, but also her bone solidity, in order to endure the repeated impacts on the bitumen.
Each year, the number of people who register for an ultramarathon continues to grow. Between 1996 and 2020, the participation rate in these long races increased by… 1,676%. Do you want to beat the 724 kilometers of Harvey Lewis? You will have to get there today.
