Key Points
- The top ultramarathon runners include both current stars and all-time greats, with some variation based on distance and terrain.
- Research suggests Kilian Jornet, Jim Walmsley, Courtney Dauwalter, Camille Herron, and Aleksandr Sorokin are among the most prominent, known for world records and major race wins.
- It seems likely that achievements in events like UTMB, Western States, and IAU championships define “top” status, but opinions may differ.
Overview
Ultramarathons are races longer than the standard 26.2-mile marathon, often spanning 50 km, 100 km, 100 miles, or even multi-day events. The top runners excel in road, trail, and mountain races, with achievements measured by world records, championship wins, and course records. These athletes demonstrate exceptional endurance and mental fortitude, inspiring runners worldwide.
Top Runners by Category
Below is a list of top ultramarathon runners, categorized by gender, with key accomplishments:
Men:
- Kilian Jornet (Spain): Four-time UTMB winner, fastest known ascents of Mont Blanc and Everest, victories in Western States 100.
- Jim Walmsley (USA): Three Western States 100 wins, 2023 UTMB course record, multiple Ultrarunner of the Year awards.
- Aleksandr Sorokin (Lithuania): Holds world records in 6-hour, 12-hour, 24-hour, 100 km, and 100-mile events, two-time IAU 24 Hour World Champion.
- Jumpei Yamaguchi (Japan): Winner of the 2024 IAU 100 km World Championships.
- Aurélien Dunand-Pallaz (France): Winner of the 2023 Trail World Championships 80k.
Women:
- Courtney Dauwalter (USA): First to win Western States, Hardrock, and UTMB in 2023, multiple course records.
- Camille Herron (USA): Holds world records in 100-mile, 50-mile, 24-hour, and 12-hour races, four-time International Ultrarunner of the Year.
- Floriane Hot (France): Defended her title at the 2024 IAU 100 km World Championships.
- Blandine L’Hirondel (France): Winner of the 2023 Trail World Championships 80k.
- Jasmin Paris (Great Britain): First woman to complete Barkley Marathons with five loops in 2024, record holder in Montane Spine Race.
This list highlights current performers and legends, reflecting the diversity of ultramarathon achievements. An unexpected detail is the significant impact of trail and mountain races, like UTMB, on defining top status, beyond just road records.
Survey Note: Comprehensive Analysis of Top Ultramarathon Runners
Ultramarathons, defined as races exceeding the standard marathon distance of 26.2 miles, encompass a wide range of distances and terrains, including 50 km, 100 km, 100 miles, and multi-day events. The identification of “top ultramarathon runners” involves considering current performance, historical significance, and achievements across road, trail, and mountain races. This analysis draws from various sources, including world records, championship results, and expert lists, to provide a thorough overview.
Methodology and Sources
The evaluation began by interpreting “top” as encompassing both elite current performers and all-time greats, given the lack of specification in the query. Initial exploration involved web searches for lists of top ultramarathon runners, focusing on reputable sources like Ultra X, Marathon Handbook, and the International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU) records. Further investigation included championship results for IAU 50 km, 100 km, 24-hour, and Trail World Championships, as well as historical records from Wikipedia and Complex.com. The analysis considered recent performances up to March 1, 2025, ensuring relevance to current standings.
Current Top Performers
Recent championship results highlight several standout athletes:
- IAU 100 km World Championships 2024 (December 7, 2024, Bengaluru, India): Jumpei Yamaguchi (Japan) won the men’s race in 6:12:17, and Floriane Hot (France) won the women’s race in 7:08:43, defending her title from 2022 2024 IAU 100k World Championships Results: Jumpei Yamaguchi and Floriane Hot Win Gold – iRunFar.
- IAU 50 km World Championships 2023 (November 5, 2023, Hyderabad, India): Chakib Latrache (Spain) won the men’s race in 2:48:20, and Carla Molinaro (Great Britain) won the women’s race in 3:18:23 Final results for 2023 IAU 50 km World Championships – IAU.
- IAU 24 Hour World Championship 2023 (December 2-3, 2023, Taipei, Taiwan): Aleksandr Sorokin (Lithuania) won the men’s race, covering over 300 km for the third time, setting a new record (subject to ratification), and Miho Nakata (Japan) won the women’s race with 270.363 km, also a new record 2023 IAU 24H World Championships Final Results – IAU.
- Trail World Championships 2023 (Innsbruck-Stubai, Austria): The 80k race, part of the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships, saw Aurélien Dunand-Pallaz (France) and Blandine L’Hirondel (France) as winners, with the course adjusted to 87 km due to snow, featuring 6,500 meters of climbing 2023 Trail World Championships 80k Results: Victories All Around for France – iRunFar. The 40k race was won by Stian Angermund (Norway) and Clémentine Geoffray (France) 2023 Trail World Championships 40k Results: France’s Geoffray Wins Late, Norway’s Angermund Repeats – iRunFar.
World Record Holders
IAU world records as of January 2025 provide insight into top performers across distances:
| Category | Event | Record/Distance | Athlete | Date | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 100 km | 6:05:35 | Aleksandr Sorokin (LTU) | 14 May 2023 | Vilnius, Lithuania |
| Men | 100 miles | 10:51:39 | Aleksandr Sorokin (LTU) | 7 January 2022 | Tel Aviv, Israel |
| Men | 24 hours | 319.614 km | Aleksandr Sorokin (LTU) | 17 Sep 2022 | Verona, Italy |
| Women | 100 miles | 12:42:40 | Camille Herron (USA) | 11 Nov 2017 | Vienna, IL, US |
| Women | 24 hours | 270.363 km | Miho Nakata (JPN) | 2 Dec 2023 | Taipei, Taiwan |
| Women | 48 hours | 435.336 km | Camille Herron (USA) | 24-26 Mar 2023 | Bruce, Australia |
This table, sourced from Ultramarathon – Wikipedia, underscores Sorokin and Herron’s dominance in multiple categories.
Historical and All-Time Greats
Historical figures also shape the “top” list, with sources like Complex.com (2012) highlighting:
| Rank | Name | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scott Jurek | Seven-time Western States 100 winner, records at Hardrock 100 and Badwater, vegan diet advocate. |
| 3 | Yiannis Kouros | Holds 100-mile world record since 1984, all distance/time records over 100 miles/24 hours. |
| 6 | Cliff Young | Won Sydney to Melbourne Ultramarathon at 61, ran without sleeping, gave prize money away. |
These athletes, while less active recently, remain influential, with Jurek’s last major attempt in 2021 for the Appalachian Trail record Scott Jurek Is Attempting an FKT on the AT, Again – Outside Online.
Expert Lists and Community Opinions
Additional lists from Ultra X and Marathon Handbook provide contemporary insights:
- Ultra X lists include Kilian Jornet, Jim Walmsley, Francois D’Haene, Courtney Dauwalter, Camille Herron, Ryan Sandes, Jasmin Paris, and Yiannis Kouros, with detailed achievements The Best Ultramarathon Runners In The World — Ultra X.
- Marathon Handbook ranks Courtney Dauwalter, Kilian Jornet, Jim Walmsley, Camille Herron, Tom Evans, Aurélien Dunand-Pallaz, Katie Schide, and Jasmin Paris, focusing on 2023 performances 8 Of The Best Ultramarathon Runners In The World Today – Marathon Handbook.
Reddit discussions, such as on r/Ultramarathon, mention Dean Karnazes, Courtney Dauwalter, Ann Trason, Kilian Jornet, and Camille Herron, reflecting community views on fastest runners r/Ultramarathon on Reddit: who is the fastest ultra runner?.
Synthesis and Final List
Given the diversity, the top ultramarathon runners include both current stars and legends, with a focus on recent achievements for relevance as of March 1, 2025. The final list, balancing championship wins, world records, and expert recognition, is:
- Men: Kilian Jornet, Jim Walmsley, Aleksandr Sorokin, Jumpei Yamaguchi, Aurélien Dunand-Pallaz.
- Women: Courtney Dauwalter, Camille Herron, Floriane Hot, Blandine L’Hirondel, Clémentine Geoffray, Jasmin Paris.
This list reflects a mix of road, trail, and mountain ultramarathon excellence, with an unexpected emphasis on trail races like UTMB and Trail World Championships shaping top status, beyond traditional road records.