Top 10 Best Ultra Runners Of All Time (The GOATs)

Last Updated: February 9, 2023

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Ultra running is a sport that requires a high level of physical and mental endurance, as well as a deep passion for running.

Some of the best ultra runners in the world include Kilian Jornet, Jim Walmsley, Camille Herron, Dylan Bowman, Rob Krar, Zach Miller, Anton Krupicka, Courtney Dauwalter, Scott Jurek, and Karl Meltzer.

These athletes have achieved remarkable success in ultra-running, winning many of the most prestigious races and setting multiple records.

They are known for their strength, determination, and ability to push their limits in some of the toughest and most challenging races in the world.

They are considered as some of the most elite and accomplished ultra runners in the sport. And without further ado, here is the list of the best ultra runners of all time as rated by TheUltimatePrimate.com

10. Kilian Jornet

Kilian Jornet is a Spanish professional mountain runner and ski mountaineer who has made a significant impact in the sports world. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest endurance athletes of all time, having won numerous races and set several records in mountain running and ski mountaineering.

Jornet has won the Skyrunner World Series several times, the UTMB race, and the Sierre-Zinal race. He has also set several speed records on famous mountain peaks such as Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Denali, and Aconcagua, and is the first person to run up and down Mount Everest twice in a week without supplemental oxygen.

Jornet is also known for his dedication to environmental conservation. He is a strong advocate for the protection of mountain environments and has been involved in several initiatives to raise awareness about the impacts of human activity on mountain ecosystems.

His humble and approachable demeanor makes him a true inspiration to many.

9. Jim Walmsley

Jim Walmsley is an American ultrarunner and trail runner known for his exceptional speed and endurance in long-distance races. He was born on November 11, 1988, in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Walmsley has won numerous ultramarathons, including the Lake Sonoma 50-mile race and the Western States 100-mile Endurance Run, one of the oldest and most prestigious ultramarathons in the world.

In addition to his ultramarathon wins, Walmsley holds several records in the sport, including the fastest known time (FKT) on the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim route and the FKT on the Pacific Crest Trail.

He is also known for his aggressive racing style and relentless pace, which has earned him a reputation as one of the top ultrarunners in the world.

8. Camille Herron

Camille Herron is an American ultrarunner and marathon runner who has achieved numerous feats in the sports world. She was born on December 8, 1982, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Herron is a multiple-time national champion in ultrarunning and has won numerous races, including the Western States 100-mile Endurance Run, the IAU 100k World Championships, and the Comrades Marathon.

In addition to her victories in ultrarunning, Herron holds several world records, including the world record for the fastest 100-mile time on a track and the world best for the 24-hour distance. She is also a talented marathon runner and has competed in several major marathons, including the New York City Marathon and the Boston Marathon.

Camille Herron is known for her dedication to training and her positive attitude. She is a motivational speaker and has been featured in numerous magazines, podcasts, and television shows. She is also an ambassador for several running and outdoor gear brands. I

7. Dylan Bowman

Dylan Bowman is an American ultrarunner and trail runner who has made a significant impact in the sports world. He was born on June 6, 1987, in Mill Valley, California. Bowman is a multiple-time national champion in ultrarunning and has won several prestigious races, including the Western States 100-mile Endurance Run and the Lake Sonoma 50-mile race.

In addition to his victories in ultrarunning, Bowman is also known for his versatility and ability to perform well in a variety of terrain and conditions. He has won races on both roads and trails and has competed in races across the globe, from the United States to Europe to Asia.

6. Rob Krar

Rob Krar is a Canadian ultra runner who is known for his consistency and his ability to race well in a variety of conditions. He is a two-time winner of the Western States 100 and has also won the Leadville Trail 100 and the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB).

5. Zach Miller

Zach Miller is an American ultra runner who has competed in a wide range of races, from short-distance trail races to multi-day stage races. He is a two-time winner of the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) and has also won the Western States 100, the Leadville Trail 100, and the Hardrock 100.

4. Anton Krupicka

Anton Krupicka is an American ultra runner who is known for his minimalist approach to the sport. He has won the Leadville Trail 100 and the Transvulcania Ultramarathon, and has also set the speed record for the Nolan’s 14, a traverse of 14 of the highest peaks in Colorado.

3. Courtney Dauwalter

Courtney Dauwalter is an American ultra runner known for her exceptional endurance and ability to win a wide range of races, from short-distance trail races to multi-day stage races. She is a multiple winner in many of the most prestigious ultra-marathon races in the world, such as the Moab 240, the Desert Solstice, the Lake Sonoma 50 and the Ultra Race of Champions (UROC).

She also set the record for the most miles run by a woman in 24 hours and the fastest supported time for the Western States 100. She is considered as one of the top female ultra runners and is known for her strength, determination, and competitive spirit.

2. Scott Jurek

Scott Jurek is an American ultrarunner and trail runner who has made a significant impact in the sports world. He was born on July 12, 1973, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Jurek is widely regarded as one of the greatest ultrarunners of all time, having won numerous races and set several records in the sport.

Some of his most notable achievements include winning the Western States 100-mile Endurance Run seven times, the Badwater Ultramarathon, and the Hardrock 100-mile Endurance Run.

In addition to his victories in ultrarunning, Jurek is also known for his dedication to healthy living and environmental conservation.

He is a vegan and has been a vocal advocate for plant-based diets, and he has been involved in several initiatives to raise awareness about the impacts of human activity on the environment.

Jurek is also a motivational speaker and has been featured in numerous magazines, podcasts, and television shows.

1. Karl Meltzer

Karl Meltzer “The Speedgoat” is an American ultrarunner and trail runner who has made a significant impact in the sports world. He was born on January 19, 1966, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Meltzer is widely regarded as one of the greatest ultrarunners of all time, having won numerous races and set several records in the sport.

Some of his most notable achievements include winning the Western States 100-mile Endurance Run, the Leadville Trail 100-mile race, and the Appalachian Trail FKT (Fastest Known Time).

In addition to his victories in ultrarunning, Meltzer is also known for his engaging personality and love for the sport. He is a charismatic figure in the ultrarunning community and is known for his humorous and lighthearted approach to racing.

Meltzer is also a motivational speaker and has been featured in numerous magazines, podcasts, and television shows.

Karl Meltzer is known for his hardworking and dedicated approach to training and racing. He is a motivational speaker and has been featured in numerous magazines, podcasts, and television shows.

Conclusion

In conclusion, ultra running is a sport that requires a high level of physical and mental endurance, as well as a deep passion for running. Throughout the history of the sport, there have been many ultra runners who have achieved remarkable success and have pushed the limits of what is possible.

These athletes are known for their strength, determination, and ability to compete in some of the toughest and most challenging races in the world. They have won many of the most prestigious races, set multiple records, and have become legends in the ultra-running community.

Their achievements serve as an inspiration to all those who love running and want to push themselves to their limits. They are considered as some of the best ultra runners of all time.

If you’re interested in an amazing story about ultra running, you should read the one on David Goggins.

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