Beyond 26.2, Ultra Marathons

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Ultra marathons? Are you crazy? While training for my first marathon in Chicago in 2007, I would often read about or draw inspiration from people who ran ultra marathons.

Since I had yet to finish 26.2 miles... 30, 50, 100 miles was terrifying. However, since finishing my first marathon in 2007 and now about to compete in my second marathon in Phoenix... I've been wondering about possibly going BEYOND 26.2 miles.

In fact, I've since signed up to help TCC Adventures' Race Director and Event Founder Tim Holmstrom promote his upcoming ultra marathons.

Who knows what I might do... but definitely going to give this a lot of thought! What about you? Will you be running any ultra marathons in 2010?

Here's a bit more info about what they're doing... I definitely recommend checking it out and seriously thinking about taking the next challenge in running... the ultra marathon!

The marathon has long been the distance for which people have measured themselves to become runners. TCC Adventures applauds these runners who have trained for months to cross the finish line and calls out to them with a new challenge, a new arena and a new distance.

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The Coastal Challenge—Going Beyond 26.2  Not rated yet
**Appeared on RunNow.com and Competitor.com

The Coastal Challenge—Going Beyond 26.2

A six-day ultra-marathon adventure race covering 200 kilometers ...

Great Ultras in Colorado  Not rated yet
Great Ultras in Colorado Run Rabbit Run in Steamboat. Ascent descent, high altitude mountain trail running....50 miles in September.

Also a new ultra ...

From adventuring through 200 kilometers of exotic and wild Costa Rican mountainous regions and rugged coastline to island hopping through Bocas Del Toro, Panama, marathoners will no doubt be transformed into ultra-runners. For runners looking to touch the sky, the TCC Bolivia – Inca Run in September 2010 will have runners trekking trails and dirt paths within the Cordillera Real in elevations of 2,800 to 5,100 meters during one of the most challenging races in the southern hemisphere.

“We strive for cultural interaction by going deeper into the heart of a country and by offering glimpses of a more traditional way of life,” said Holmstrom.

ULTRA MARATHONS MORE THAN A FOOT RACE
With a commitment to giving back, TCC Adventures has implemented successful community service projects into several races as a way to say thanks to the communities they partner with at each event. This approach provides a uniquely authentic race within the backdrop of an adventure for racers seeking a challenge and a way to give back to the communities they trek through.

In the upcoming Route of Fire expedition race in Costa Rica on January 31 to February 6, 2010, TCC Adventures will contribute to the community by way of donations to the Red Cross, the Nature Conservancy and dance troupes that are preserving local cultural dances.

Last year at the Island Run held in Panama, TCC Adventures contributed with economic contributions to the local villages they visited, in an effort to help preserve the native cultural performances as well offering competitors an opportunity of running a stage with members of an indigenous tribe from the village at Salt Creek.

Expanding its efforts, TCC Adventures is taking a more hands on and meaningful approach for its TCC Boliva – Inca Run to be held in September 2010. TCC Adventures staff and competitors will have a chance to donate their time to work alongside local craftsmen by assisting with building repairs and renovations in a town or village near the host town of Copacabana.

“We feel partnering directly with the communities we’re running through will be more effective and meaningful to competitors while having a longer-lasting positive impact on the community” said Holmstrom.

NEW 2010 RACE SCHEDULE – EXPLORE NEW WORLDS
With five uniquely authentic races set within the backdrop of an adventure in 2010, TCC Adventure’s lineup of events are like a stepping stone program, from less strenuous runs to extremely strenuous runs, distances and terrain. From the wild and exotic Costa Rican mountainous regions and rugged coastline to running alongside indigenous runners of Bolivia, TCC Adventures features one of the most challenging race lineups for 2010.

XX minus Y: Surf & Run – January 19-23, 2010
Experience Costa Rica from a perspective few others have enjoyed, in the company of others who seek adventure, fitness and cultural experiences. An event for adventurous women that features surfing and racing through trails of a tropical rain forest, each day will be full of competition on the trails, action on the waves and then relaxation back in coastal towns like Quepos. Be warned, this is no remote spa getaway. Interested participants can register and find out more information at www.surfandrun.com.

The Coastal Challenge (Route of Fire) – January 31 – February 6, 2010
Runners from around the world cover approximately 200 kilometers of exotic and wild Costa Rican mountainous regions and rugged coastline. For six days, runners embrace the spirit of adventure, discovery and camaraderie within a long distance running competition while navigating wide river crossings, rainforests, jungles, windswept highlands, beaches and rock outcroppings. It is an expedition run of epic proportions introducing competitors to the hospitality of the local Tico culture while pushing the limits of their will and endurance. Interested participants can register and find out more information at www.thecoastalchallenge.com.

TCC Panama / Island Run – April 15-18, 2010
This four-day event gives runners a full day of relaxation in the colonial town of Bocas before heading off for three straight days of island hopping on a remote and tranquil archipelago. With daily distances between 15 and 25 kilometers, competitors – who can register in individual or pairs categories – will have ample opportunity to venture off on their own after each stage to explore the islands or join staff on daily-guided excursions. Registration will be capped at 60 competitors to maintain a small and intimate atmosphere while minimizing the race’s environmental impact. Interested participants can register and find out more information at www.tccislandrun.com.

TCC Bolivia / Inca Run – September 8-15, 2010
The longest chain of mountains on the planet lies along the western edge of South America like an immense dragon – its tail falling into the freezing Antarctic Ocean, its head breathing fire 5,000 miles north.

The Andes, home to the highest points outside the Himalayas, are remarkable not only for their volcanoes and their jagged peaks, the spines of the dragon's back; the niches they shelter are a world of extremes and hidden secrets. Interested participants can register and find out more information at www.incarun.com.

Going to take the leap for ultra marathons? Let me know!

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