The hardest races in the world

While running is not as popular as football around the world, it’s safe to say that it has millions of fans. What people like the most about these races is how challenging they are.

Running is one of the hardest sports, as you are out there on your own for the most part. While some short distance races are easy for some to compete in, there are races all over the world that are a true test of strength and endurance even for the most talented and experienced runners.

Some courses will test runners’ resolve and skills with cold terrains, and others will take them to treacherous mountain ranges. Here are some of the hardest races to participate in around the world.

Betting on the hardest races in the world

If you don’t want to take part in it the following challenges — and we wouldn’t suggest doing so, unless you are properly trained — you can bet on the Iditarod Trail Invitational or other races and watch the journey on your devices.

You’ll find plenty of valuable odds at the best sports betting sites and enjoy the action day-by-day. Do some research on the top betting favorites and place your bets. By the time it’s over, you may be counting your money, rather than aches and pains.

Iditarod Trail Invitational

Set in one of the most unhospitable places on Earth, Alaska, the Iditarod race is an invitational challenge for the strongest athletes who bike, run or ski 350 miles. As one can expect, temperatures and challenging terrain make this arguably the most hellish race.

Overnight, temperatures can drop to -40 degrees Fahrenheit (-40 Celsius). On top of that, it’s one of the longest races too, regularly stretching to 30 days. Surviving in that weather is tough without races, and running to complete the challenge is true hell on Earth.

All competitors must pull a sled loaded with equipment all the way to the finish line. It adds even more value to the races in terms of excitement, making it the hardest race to take part in around the world. That’s why it’s an invitational.

The Spine

The Spine is a single-stage race that takes places across the Pennine Way every January. It stretches across 268 miles with very bad weather.

The Pennine Way’s combined ascent exceeds the height of Mount Everest, making it arguably the most challenging National Trail in England.

It’s a legendary race that even the strongest runners and athletes are afraid of. The goal for the entrants is to never stop while moving to the finish line. The clock’s always ticking and time is working against you, testing your every step to (hopefully) a successful finish. 

Hong Kong 4 Trails

A race that’s not sanctioned, the Hong Kong 4 Trails is extremely difficult and dangerous. It involves four treacherous trails — MacLehose, Wilson, Hong Kong and Lantau Trails — totaling 298 kilometers and 14,500 meters of accumulative elevation.

This race doesn’t get the attention it surely should, but athletes love testing their skills in it.

The last stage is the Lantau Trail, where a runner finishes by kissing a postbox. There are two cutoffs: runners who reach the end in under 60 hours, are deemed finishers; those who kiss the box in under 72 hours are called survivors.

In order to reach the postbox, runners must take a ferry. Often a runner’s fate of being a finisher or survivor is determined by which ferry they take for Lantau. The last ferry departs at 3 a.m, and the next one is not until 6:10 or 7 a.m.

Not only is a top fitness level required, but so is a clear mind and mental sharpness to finish these races.