The 10 Best Ultramarathons and Trail Races in the World in 2027
By Kory White · Updated Oct 2026 · 5 min read
Direct answer
UTMB Mont-Blanc is the best ultramarathon in the world, with Western States 100 at #2 and Hardrock 100 at #3. The ranking weighs each race’s stature and difficulty, using the distance, climb and entry rules the organizers publish. Where an organizer has not released its 2027 date, the page says so.
Friday, 25 June 2027, 23:00 start in Cortina d’Ampezzo (festival 23-27 June)
Dolomites scenery with a night start
Pick by what you want
Best overall
UTMB Mont-Blanc
Best 100-mile classic
Western States 100
Best for altitude
Leadville Trail 100 Run
Best desert stage race
Marathon des Sables
Best first 100
Javelina Jundred
The ranking
1
UTMB Mont-Blanc
Answrs VerdictThe 100M final of the UTMB World Series, finishing in Chamonix.
Race date: Usually late August; the 2027 date is not out yet (2026 edition: Friday 28 August 2026)Distance: 174 kmElevation gain: 9,700 m+Time limit: 45 hours 30 minutesEntry: Lottery: at least 1 Running Stone plus a valid UTMB Index (100K or 100M); 2027 registration conditions are listed as coming soon
UTMB Mont-Blanc runs 174 km with 9,700 m+ of climb, starting and finishing in Chamonix, with a 45 hours 30 minutes limit. Entry is by lottery and needs at least 1 Running Stone and a valid UTMB Index. The 2027 date is not out yet.
Go ifThe race most trail runners dream of finishing
Skip ifYou have no Running Stones or UTMB Index yet
Why #1 over #2: It is the 100M final of the UTMB World Series, where Western States 100 is entered through its own lottery.
2
Western States 100
Answrs VerdictThe original 100-mile trail race, from Olympic Valley to Auburn.
Race date: June 26-27, 2027Distance: 100.2 miles from Olympic Valley to Auburn, CaliforniaElevation: Climbs more than 18,000 feet and descends nearly 23,000 feetEntry: Finish a listed qualifying race, then enter the lottery (application November 1-21, drawing December 5)Qualifying window: The 2027 qualifier had to be run from Monday November 3, 2025 through Sunday November 8, 2026
Western States 100 runs 100.2 miles from Olympic Valley to Auburn, climbing more than 18,000 feet and descending nearly 23,000 feet. It takes place June 26-27, 2027, and you must finish a listed qualifier before entering the lottery.
Go ifThe world’s oldest 100-mile trail race
Skip ifYou have not run a listed qualifier
Why #2 over #3: It is the world’s oldest 100-mile trail race, where Hardrock 100 is a mountain loop.
3
Hardrock 100
Photo: John Fowler from Placitas, NM, USA / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictA counterclockwise San Juan Mountains loop that starts and finishes in Silverton.
Race date: July 9, 2027, 6:00 a.m. start in Silverton, Colorado (event runs July 9-11)Distance: 100 miles with 33,441 feet of climbHigh point: 14,048 feet at Handies PeakEntry: Complete a Hardrock qualifier, then enter the lottery; the 2027 lottery draw is Saturday December 5, 2026 and registration is closed
Hardrock 100 starts at 6:00 a.m. on July 9, 2027 in Silverton, Colorado. It covers 100 miles with 33,441 feet of climb and a high point of 14,048 feet at Handies Peak. The lottery draw is December 5, 2026.
Go ifRunners who want the most mountainous 100 on the list
Skip ifYou have not finished a Hardrock qualifier
Why #3 over #4: Its 33,441 feet of climb is more than the 15,000 feet of Leadville.
4
Leadville Trail 100 Run
Answrs VerdictThe Race Across the Sky, first held in 1983.
Race date: August 21, 2027Distance: 100 miles, out and back from Leadville, ColoradoElevation: Over 15,000 feet of elevation gain; peak of 12,500 feet at Hope PassEntry: Lottery open December 1-15, 2026 (results January 6, 2027), or earn an entry at a Leadville qualifierPrice: 2027 pricing not published yet (2026 price: $495)
Leadville Trail 100 Run is on August 21, 2027, an out-and-back from Leadville with over 15,000 feet of gain and a 12,500-foot peak at Hope Pass. The lottery is open December 1-15, 2026, with results January 6, 2027.
Go ifA high-altitude 100 with a lottery entry
Skip ifThin air above 12,000 feet worries you
Why #4 over #5: It offers a published lottery window and qualifier route, where Comrades requires a verified result.
5
Comrades Marathon
Photo: Upjav / CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictSouth Africa’s 100th-year road ultra from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.
Race date: Sunday, 13 June 2027Distance: Approximately 90 km, a down run from Pietermaritzburg to DurbanTime limit: 12 hours from the gun startEntry: Qualify by 3 May 2027 with a verified race result, such as a marathon in under 5 hours (4:59:59)Status: Entries for 2027 are officially closed; the ballot is complete
Comrades Marathon is on Sunday, 13 June 2027, a down run of approximately 90 km from Pietermaritzburg to Durban, with a 12-hour limit. Entries for 2027 are officially closed.
Go ifA road ultra with a huge crowd and a hard 12-hour clock
Skip ifYou want a trail race
Why #5 over #6: It is a road race with a 12-hour limit, where Marathon des Sables takes about 250 km over 6 stages.
6
Marathon des Sables
Answrs VerdictRun in the Sahara since 1986.
Race date: April 2 to April 12, 2027 (41st edition, the MDS Legendary)Distance: Approximately 250 km over 6 stagesFormat: Self-sufficiency in the Sahara Desert, MoroccoEntry: All 2027 MDS Legendary offers are fully booked; a waiting list is open
Marathon des Sables covers approximately 250 km over 6 stages in the Sahara, in self-sufficiency, from April 2 to April 12, 2027. All 2027 offers are fully booked, and a waiting list is open.
Go ifA multi-stage desert race carrying your own kit
Skip ifYou need a spot guaranteed for 2027
Why #6 over #7: It is the only multi-stage desert race here, where Badwater 135 is one non-stop run.
7
Badwater 135
Photo: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Brandon Rogers / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictBilled by its organizer as the 135-Mile World Championship.
Race date: July 19-21, 2027Distance: 135 miles (217 km) from Death Valley to Mt. Whitney, CaliforniaClimb: 14,600 feet of cumulative vertical ascentEntry: Invitational: apply online January 2-20, 2027; up to 100 runners startQualifying: Finish the 2026 Badwater 135 and a 50-mile ultra, or finish at least four ultras of 100 miles or longer
Badwater 135 runs 135 miles (217 km) from Death Valley to Mt. Whitney with 14,600 feet of cumulative ascent on July 19-21, 2027. It is invitational: applications run January 2-20, 2027.
Go ifHeat running in Death Valley
Skip ifYou do not meet the qualifying standard
Why #7 over #8: Its entry is an invitation, where Tor des Géants uses race bibs earned at TORX eXperience races.
8
Tor des Géants
Photo: F.cadioli / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictA non-stop trek in the Valle d’Aosta with a 150-hour limit.
Race date: Usually mid-September; the 2027 date is not out yet (2026 edition: 13 to 19 September 2026)Distance: 330 km with 24000 D+Time limit: 150 hours, start and finish in Courmayeur, ItalyEntry: PAX race bibs earned by finishing a TORX eXperience race, then pre-registration and selection
Tor des Géants covers 330 km with 24000 D+ from Courmayeur with a 150-hour limit. The 2027 date is not out yet; the 2026 edition ran 13 to 19 September.
Go ifA multi-day mountain odyssey around the Aosta Valley
Skip ifYou prefer a one-day race
Why #8 over #9: It is the longest race here, where Javelina Jundred is 100 miles in five loops.
9
Javelina Jundred
Answrs VerdictThe costumed 100-mile party in McDowell Mountain Regional Park.
Race date: Late October or early November; the 2027 date is not out yet (2026 edition: October 31-November 1, 2026)Distance: 100 miles in five loops: one 22.3-mile loop and four 19.45-mile loopsElevation: +6,296 feet for the 100 Mile courseTime limit: 30 hoursEntry: Registration opens January 1 on UltraSignup; $525 for the 100 Mile, with a first-come, first-served waitlist if it sells out
Javelina Jundred is 100 miles in five loops with +6,296 feet of climb and a 30-hour limit near Fountain Hills, Arizona. Registration opens January 1 on UltraSignup at $525 for the 100 Mile.
Go ifA looped, costume-friendly first 100 near Fountain Hills, Arizona
Skip ifYou want big mountains
Why #9 over #10: Its loops and 30-hour limit suit a first 100 better than the 5,800 m+ of Lavaredo.
10
Lavaredo Ultra Trail
Answrs VerdictA night start in Cortina and a sunrise at the Tre Cime di Lavaredo.
Race date: Friday, 25 June 2027, 23:00 start in Cortina d’Ampezzo (festival 23-27 June)Distance: 120 kmElevation gain: 5,800 m+Time limit: 30 hoursEntry: Lottery with a UTMB Index (100K or 100M) and a fee of 320,31 €; pre-registration was 7-14 September 2026
Lavaredo Ultra Trail 120K starts at 23:00 on Friday, 25 June 2027 in Cortina d’Ampezzo and covers 120 km with 5,800 m+ in a 30-hour limit. Entry is by lottery with a UTMB Index (100K or 100M).
Go ifDolomites scenery with a night start
Skip ifYou missed the 2027 lottery
How we ranked these
We ranked races on stature and difficulty, using the distance, climb and time limit each organizer publishes. Dates are given only where the organizer has published 2027; otherwise the page says the 2027 date is not out yet and shows the usual month or the latest edition. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
How do I get into UTMB?
UTMB entry is by lottery: you need at least 1 Running Stone and a valid UTMB Index in the 100K or 100M category. The 2027 registration conditions are listed as coming soon.
How do I get into Western States 100?
Finish a listed qualifying race, then enter the lottery. The 2027 lottery application ran November 1-21 with the drawing on December 5.
Can anyone enter Badwater 135?
No. It is invitational: applicants must meet a qualifying standard, such as finishing at least four ultras of 100 miles or longer, and up to 100 runners start.
Which race on this list is the longest?
Tor des Géants is the longest at 330 km with 24000 D+ and a 150-hour time limit, starting and finishing in Courmayeur.
Race distance as the organizer publishes it in kilometers (km) at a glance
Comrades Marathon90 km
Lavaredo Ultra Trail120 km
UTMB Mont-Blanc174 km
Badwater 135217 km
Marathon des Sables250 km
Tor des Géants330 km
Race distance as the organizer publishes it in kilometers (km), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
