My Thoughts: The 10 Best Ultramarathons and Trail Races in the World (2027)

You know, after 25 years of optimizing conversion funnels, I’ve learned that the toughest sell isn’t a $5,000 SaaS tool—it’s convincing a runner to voluntarily climb 10,000 meters over 171 kilometers for the privilege of paying €350. But that’s exactly the pitch I had to make when my buddy Dave, a mid-pack marathoner, came to me with a wild idea: he wanted to run the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) in 2027.

Setup: Dave was a classic "I’ll just sign up" type. He’d run a few local halves and thought ultramarathons were just longer versions of the same thing. I sat him down and pulled up the numbers.

UTMB: roughly 171 km loop around Mont Blanc, 10,000 m of climbing, entry fee near €350, and a points-and-lottery system that makes a bib the sport's biggest prize. For comparison, the Leadville Trail 100, which I called the Best Value at roughly $315–$365, is one of America’s most storied high-altitude races, but even that requires a lottery.

I told him, "You’re not buying a ticket; you’re earning a golden key." Prices for these races range from about $150 for 50 km events to over $1,500 for multi-day stage deals. Every race on my list is a real, currently-run ultramarathon, ranked on prestige, terrain, atmosphere, and the experience of toeing the line.

Turn: I walked him through my top 10, keeping every fact and number intact. "For the Best Overall," I said, "it’s UTMB. Starts and finishes in Chamonix, France, circling Mont Blanc through France, Italy, and Switzerland.

Most finishers take 30–46 hours, through two nights in the mountains. Winning times sit near 19–20 hours for elite men and women. It climbs and descends a marathon's worth of vertical several times over, crossing high cols where weather can turn from warm sun to snow within an hour.

The midnight send-off with thousands of spectators and the 'Conquest of Paradise' anthem? That’s the most emotional start in sport."

Then I hit him with the others. Western States 100: the world's oldest 100-mile trail race, run from Olympic Valley to Auburn, California, every June. Entry about $525, lottery famously hard.

The June heat in the American River canyons can top 38°C, and the river crossing at Rucky Chucky is iconic. Hardrock 100: loops through Colorado's San Juan Mountains with about 10,000 m of climbing at an average elevation above 3,350 m. Entry about $235, but lottery odds among the worst.

The thin air, scree fields, and high point above Handies Peak at over 4,260 m make it arguably the hardest 100 in North America. Leadville Trail 100: crosses Colorado's Rockies out and back over Hope Pass, never dropping below 9,200 ft (2,800 m), with a 30-hour cutoff and a famous big belt buckle for sub-25-hour finishers.

Entry runs about $315–$365, and its lottery is more attainable than Western States or Hardrock. That’s why I call it Best Value—few races offer this much history and altitude challenge at a more reachable price and entry.

Comrades Marathon in South Africa: an 87–90 km road ultra between Durban and Pietermaritzburg, alternating "up" and "down" directions each year since 1921. Entry around R1,200–R2,000 (roughly $65–$110) plus a qualifying marathon time. Strict 12-hour cutoff, roaring roadside crowds.

Marathon des Sables: a self-supported 250 km stage race across the Moroccan Sahara over about six days, where runners carry their own food and gear. Entry roughly €3,000–€4,500 including logistics. UTMB World Series Events (CCC, OCC, and beyond): entry varies from about €100–€300 by event and distance, with companion races like the CCC (101 km) and OCC (56 km) offering shorter routes on the same legendary trails.

Tor des Géants in Italy's Aosta Valley: roughly 330 km single-stage mountain ultra with about 24,000 m of climbing, run continuously with a 150-hour cutoff. Entry about €800–€900. Badwater 135: runs 135 miles from Death Valley's Badwater Basin at 86 m below sea level to the Mount Whitney portal, in July heat that can top 49°C.

Entry about $1,500 and invitation-only. Javelina Jundred in Arizona's McDowell Sonoran Preserve: a looped 100-mile desert race, entry about $250–$300, flat and fast, a reliable Western States qualifier.

Payoff: Dave’s eyes glazed over. "So… What do I actually pick?" I gave him the bottom line, keeping every detail. "Building toward UTMB?

You need Running Stones from UTMB World Series qualifiers plus a lottery slot; plan two or more years ahead. Chasing a buckle in the US? Western States, Hardrock, and Leadville are the marquee hundreds; Javelina is the friendliest first attempt.

Want a mass-participation ultra? Comrades offers crowds and a festive road course rather than remote mountains. Prefer self-supported adventure?

Marathon des Sables and other stage races test logistics and survival, not just running. Altitude tolerance matters: Leadville, Hardrock, and Hope Pass demand acclimatization; sea-level runners should arrive early. On a budget?

Leadville and Javelina cost far less than Badwater ($1,500) or Marathon des Sables (€3,000+)."

He nodded slowly. "Okay. I’ll start with Javelina.

Maybe Leadville next year." I smiled. He got it. He understood that the most coveted ultramarathon to chase is UTMB, our Best Overall, but the smartest path starts with value and reality.

For the ultimate ultramarathon, UTMB is the Best Overall, combining Alpine scenery, depth of field, and global prestige, while the Leadville Trail 100 is the Best Value, offering a storied high-altitude hundred at a friendlier price and a more reachable lottery. Build your qualifiers, train for the terrain, and apply early.

*Every great race starts with a first step—and a smarter strategy. Want more conversion stories like this? Tune into PULSE or join the CRO Syndicate. The finish line is just the beginning.*

*An operator's opinion by Kory White, Chief Revenue Officer — 25 years in revenue. More at PULSE · CRO Syndicate*