In the Long Run

Regular old marathons might seem like a little jog in the park after you’ve read about these super races.

Courtney Dauwalter is a champion ultra-marathoner. Where does she get her motivation to run such extreme races?

People from all over the world come to northern India for the Ladakh Marathon, which is made up of multiple races of varying lengths. The Khardung La Challenge is the hardest of them all. At almost 45 miles long and climbing to 17,618 feet above sea level, it is the world’s highest ultramarathon.

Some people call them the “reality shows” of the Great Depression. Dancing couples had to stay upright and keep their feet moving for as long as possible… which could go on for days or even weeks! Audiences were fascinated by the incredible endurance of the dancers and they couldn’t wait to see who would last the longest.

Humans aren’t the only ones with incredible endurance. How far do you think a bird can fly without stopping? A hundred miles? Perhaps 500 miles? Let’s meet a bird that flew for 7,500 miles and 11 days without landing! All the way from Alaska to New Zealand.

What is something you think you could do longer than anyone else you know? Jump rope? Balance on one foot? Hold a funny look on your face? Time to put together a contest. Make a flyer that advertises your endurance competition. Be sure to explain how the rules work and make it sound fun so your family will want to participate.

Time for your own endurance test. For how long can you do jumping jacks? Could you do them for one minute without stopping? Try that first. Now, how about three minutes? Use a stopwatch to test yourself. Remember, the goal is not to hurry. Keep a steady pace and if you feel yourself struggling or slowing down, it is okay to stop. If you can make it three minutes, you are doing pretty well. Challenge your parents, too! For some instructions, click here.