19 Hardest Races in the World Where Finishing Is Already a Win

People have always been fascinated with going further, faster, and pushing the limits of what their bodies can achieve. Endurance competitions do just that, showcasing the incredible strength and perseverance of the human spirit.

Most of us will only ever watch from the sidelines, impressed by those who have the tenacity to stand at the start line of an ultra-marathon or get ready for an arctic swim.

These 19 crazy long and hardest races in the world are some of the most epic journeys through some of the most demanding environments on Earth. From relentless desert trails to freezing mountain paths, each event tests what it truly means to endure.

1. Vendée Globe, Global

• Endurance sailing race

The Vendée Globe is often hailed as one of the most challenging solo endurance races in the world. This non-stop, unassisted sailing competition requires participants to circumnavigate the globe, covering over 24,000 nautical miles.

Starting and ending in Les Sables-d’Olonne, France, sailors face brutal weather conditions, turbulent seas, and the isolation of being alone for months on end. The race tests physical and mental resilience, as competitors must manage their boats through treacherous waters, handle sleep deprivation and the unforgiving elements.

Established in 1989, the Vendée Globe has become a prestigious event in the sailing world, drawing top sailors who push the limits of human endurance and maritime skill. It’s often referred to as the “Everest of the Seas” for a reason.

Weather routing makes a big difference in finishing times. Benefiting from ideal conditions, the 2024 winner shattered the world record, finishing in an astonishing 64 days, 19 hours, 22 minutes, and 49 seconds—over 9 days faster than the previous record.

2. Tour de France, France

• Multi-stage cycling race

The Tour de France is one of the most famous and grueling cycling races in the world. Held annually, it takes place over three weeks and spans more than 2,000 miles of challenging terrain through France and sometimes neighboring countries. Riders must complete 21 stages that vary from steep mountain climbs to flat sprints, time trials, and punishing mountain climbs in the Alps and Pyrenees.  

The race has been held annually since 1903 and attracts elite cyclists from around the world. It’s known for its intense climbs, such as the notorious Alpe d’Huez with its 21 hairpin turns. Riders must also navigate through unpredictable weather conditions and often face crashes due to tight corners and high speeds.

Winning the yellow jersey, awarded to the overall leader, is the dream of every professional cyclist and a pinnacle of achievement in the sport.

3. Dakar Rally, Various Locations

• Off-road endurance rally raid

The Dakar Rally is one of the toughest and most renowned off-road endurance competitions in the world. Originally held in Africa, with its inaugural race in 1979 from Paris to Dakar, it has since moved to Saudi Arabia in recent years.

This multi-stage rally covers thousands of miles across harsh terrains, including deserts, dunes, rocky paths, and vast plains. Participants take on these challenges in a variety of vehicles, such as cars, motorcycles, trucks, quads, and even utility terrain vehicles (UTVs).  

Past rallies have been held in the Andes Mountains, the Sahara Desert, and even through Siberia. The 2018 course covered 5,000 miles, with competitors facing extreme temperatures, rough terrain, and long days of driving.

4. Marathon des Sables, Morocco

• Footrace across the Sahara Desert

The Marathon des Sables is considered the “toughest footrace on Earth”. This ultramarathon covers 156 miles over six days, with runners carrying all their supplies, including food and a sleeping bag, in backpacks.

Held in the Sahara Desert of Morocco, participants must battle extreme heat during the day and freezing temperatures at night as they traverse through sand dunes, rocky terrain, and salt flats. They also face challenges such as dehydration, blisters, and fatigue.

First held in 1986 with only 23 competitors, this event has grown significantly in popularity and now attracts more than 1,000 runners from around the world each year.

5. Jungle Marathon, Brazil

• Footrace through the Amazon rainforest

Held deep in the Brazilian Amazon, this race sees participants endure extreme humidity and constant rainfall. Participants must navigate their way through 142 miles of dense jungle, swamps, and rivers over six days while carrying all their supplies.

The course is known for its tough terrain, unpredictable weather conditions, and abundant wildlife. Insects thrive, and competitors often wake up with fresh bites each day. Navigation can be challenging, with minimal signage and a canopy that blocks the sun. Everyone sleeps in camps or hammocks that feel primitive in the jungle environment.

First held in 2003, this race has gained popularity among ultra-runners looking to push themselves to the limit in one of the most challenging environments on Earth.

6. Self-Transcendence 3,100-Mile Race, New York

• Multi-week footrace around a city block

Held in Queens, New York, the Self-Transcendence 3,100-Mile Race is regarded as one of the world’s toughest and longest footraces. Participants run a distance that would take them from New York to Los Angeles and back, covering roughly 5 million steps over 52 days.

Here’s the kicker, the entire course is a half-mile loop around Thomas A. Edison High School in Jamaica Hills. Competitors must complete this loop over 100 times per day to reach the required daily distance of at least 60 miles.

They face extreme physical challenges such as blisters and muscle fatigue while battling mental barriers and boredom from running the same route repeatedly.

7. Badwater Ultramarathon, USA

• Footrace from Death Valley to Mount Whitney

Known as one of the hottest races on Earth, the Badwater Ultramarathon is a 135-mile race that starts in Death Valley, California and ends at the portal to Mount Whitney.

Temperatures can exceed 120°F, melting soles on the asphalt. The course also includes elevation gains of over 14,000 feet, from below sea level in Death Valley to over 8,300 feet at Mount Whitney Portal.

Runners must carry their equipment and supplies or have a support crew accompanying them along the way.

8. Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, France, Italy, Switzerland

• Mountain trail running race

The Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) is one of the most prestigious and challenging mountain trail races in the world. Starting in Chamonix, France, runners must complete a 104-mile loop through Switzerland and Italy before finishing back in Chamonix.

Participants must navigate steep ascents and descents on technical terrain, including snow-covered mountain passes and rocky trails. They also face unpredictable weather conditions, such as high winds and intense storms that can create dangerous situations.

The race has strict time limits, with the fastest completing the course in just over 20 hours. Many participants do not finish due to exhaustion or injury.

9. Volvo Ocean Race, Global

• Round-the-world yacht race

The Volvo Ocean Race is a grueling round-the-world yacht race that takes place every three years. Teams of professional sailors set off from Europe and navigate through a series of stopovers, covering over 45,000 nautical miles.

Teams spend about nine months at sea, divided into multiple legs. It demands expert sailing, as each boat battles storms and doldrums. Crews shift sails day and night, often racing on just a few hours of sleep.

10. Race Across America, USA

• Coast-to-coast cycling race

Considered the ultimate endurance race for cyclists, the Race Across America (RAAM) is a 3,000-mile journey from the west coast to the east coast of the United States. Cyclists have just 7 to 12 days to finish, with minimal breaks for rest.

The route typically starts in California and ends in Maryland. The terrain varies across mountains, deserts, and plains, with temperatures ranging from freezing to over 100°F.

Participants face sleep deprivation and exhaustion as they push their bodies to the limit, often cycling over 400 miles per day. Nutrition is key, and riders consume thousands of calories daily.

11. Trans-Siberian Extreme, Russia

• Ultra-endurance cycling race

The Trans-Siberian Extreme is a 5,700-mile cycling race that spans the entire width of Russia, from Moscow to Vladivostok. The route takes riders through eight time zones and terrain from mountains and plains.

This race leads riders across the country in stages over 25 days. Daily segments can exceed 250 miles.

Summer temps can surprise riders with sweltering days and chilly nights. Sleep is often short, and riders recharge in small hotels or support vehicles.

12. Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, Alaska, USA

• 1,000-mile sled dog race

The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is an annual event in Alaska, USA, and covers over 1,000 miles of harsh terrain. This event takes place each March and can last anywhere from 8 to 15 days, weather permitting. The race follows the historic Iditarod Trail used for travel and supply routes a historic mail route from Anchorage to Nome.

Teams consist of one musher (dog sled driver) and a team of dogs who must work together to navigate through snow-covered forests, mountains, and frozen rivers. T

Snowmobiles and planes follow the race to monitor safety. Temperatures can drop far below zero, and whiteouts reduce visibility to almost nothing. Dogs rest and refuel at checkpoints, while the musher quickly warms up in a sleeping bag or cabin.

13. Le Mans 24 Hours, France

• Endurance car racing event

The Le Mans 24 Hours is the ultimate test of speed, endurance, and skill for sports car racing teams. Held annually in France since 1923, drivers must complete as many laps as possible within 24 hours on a circuit that combines public roads with a dedicated track.

Cars race at speeds over 200 mph while navigating through corners, chicanes, and long straights. Driver rotations happen every few hours to manage exhaustion.

In addition to physical demands on the drivers, mechanics must also work tirelessly to keep the cars running smoothly throughout the entire race. The winning team is determined by who covers the most distance in 24 hours.

14. Tour Divide, USA/Canada

• Ultra-distance mountain bike race

The Tour Divide is a self-supported mountain bike race that follows the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route from Banff in Canada to the U.S.-Mexico border.. The 2,745-mile route takes riders through the rugged Rocky Mountains and covers over 200,000 feet of elevation gain.

The race is self-supported, so cyclists carry food, camping gear, and spare parts or find them along the way at small towns and ranches. Riders face challenges such as rough terrain, unpredictable weather, wildlife encounters, and mental exhaustion from riding alone for days on end.

Completion of this race can take anywhere from two weeks to a few months, with only a handful of people finishing in less than 15 days.

15. Patagonian Expedition Race, Chile

• Multi-discipline adventure race

The Patagonian Expedition Race is an extreme multi-discipline event, covering 600 kilometers (372 miles) in the remote wilderness of Southern Chile. Teams of four must navigate through a variety of outdoor activities such as trekking, sea kayaking, mountain biking, and packrafting through wild Patagonian terrain.

The event typically runs 10 to 12 days, and routes vary each year. Glaciers, fjords, and dense forests block easy passage. Navigation is crucial because GPS devices are often restricted or heavily regulated. They must also carry all necessary equipment and supplies for the entire race on their backs or bikes.

Only a few teams finish each year due to the physical demands and unpredictable nature of this rugged expedition-style race.

16. Yukon Arctic Ultra, Canada

• Winter ultra-marathon

The Yukon Arctic Ultra is considered one of the toughest races on Earth. This 300-mile ultra-marathon takes place in the winter along the historic Yukon Quest Trail, a route used for dog sledding between Whitehorse and Dawson City.

You can choose to run, bike, or ski through sub-zero temperatures and extreme conditions such as deep snow, windchill, and limited daylight hours. They must also pull all necessary gear in a sled behind them.

This race has multiple checkpoints with basic supplies but no outside assistance is allowed. The average finishing time is around 8 to 10 days, with some participants taking up to two weeks to complete the journey.

17. La Ultra – The High, India

• High-altitude ultramarathon

La Ultra – The High is a 135-mile punishing ultramarathon that takes place in the Indian Himalayas of Ladakh, reaching altitudes of over 17,000 feet. This race is known as one of the hardest races in the world due to its extreme altitude and unpredictable weather conditions.

Elevations go even higher than Mount Everest base camp while facing risks such as altitude sickness, hypothermia, and snowstorms. Even with training, altitude sickness sometimes ends a runner’s race. They carry all their gear along with them and rely on checkpoints for basic supplies.

Completion of this race can take anywhere from 50 hours to several days, with only a handful of elite athletes finishing in under 60 hours.

18. Norseman Xtreme Triathlon, Norway

• Triathlon with cold-water swim, mountain cycling, and a high-altitude run

The Norseman Xtreme Triathlon is considered one of the toughest triathlons in the world. This race takes place in Norway, starting with a cold-water swim in Eidfjord before cycling over mountain passes and climbing up to Gaustatoppen at an altitude of 4,500 feet.

After reaching the top, athletes run a marathon distance to the finish line. The water temperature for the swim can be as low as 12°C (53°F), and temperatures on the mountain can drop below freezing.

Participants must also carry all their gear along with them and rely on designated aid stations for food and water. Only about 200 participants are allowed to compete each year.

19. Barkley Marathons, USA

• Ultramarathon through dense Tennessee wilderness

Held in Frozen Head State Park, the Barkley Marathon is an oddball 100-mile ultramarathon that covers five loops totaling over 100 miles. The race begins with race founder Lazarus Lake lighting a cigarette to signal the start, and runners must navigate through five unmarked loops within 60 hours.

Each loop has its own set of challenges, and all must carry all their necessary supplies with them. Runners rely on a map and compass because the course isn’t marked. Pages ripped from books hidden along the route prove you completed each loop.

Since the inception of the race in 1986, only about 15 people have ever completed it, earning the title of “Barkley Finisher.” Many consider this to be one of the most difficult races in the world due to its low completion rate and challenging terrain.