ultramarathon

American

[uhl-truh-mar-uh-thon, -thuhn] / ˌʌl trəˈmær əˌθɒn, -θən /

noun

any footrace of 50 or more miles.

Etymology

Origin of ultramarathon

First recorded in 1975–80; ultra- + marathon

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And after competing in the Sydney Marathon this August, he’ll run a 100-mile ultramarathon in Arizona in October.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

Earlier research found that ultramarathon runners often experience a breakdown of healthy red blood cells during races, which can potentially lead to anemia.

From Science Daily • Feb. 21, 2026

The Prince of Wales has offered his "huge congratulations" to Kevin Sinfield as he closes in on finishing his latest ultramarathon challenge, raising money for motor neurone disease treatment and research.

From BBC • Dec. 6, 2025

In his new memoir, “Everything You Want Is on the Other Side of Hard,” runner Ken Rideout relives a physically grueling 2023 ultramarathon in the Gobi Desert.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 1, 2025

It had been an incredible, symbolic day for our family and I hoped for the country, but it was also a kind of ultramarathon.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023