Running Ultras at High Altitude - Page 1

As if running ultra distances were not difficult enough, some races are held at altitudes high enough to affect the physiology of even the fittest of athletes.

These include the Leadville 100 mile trail race, run at elevations between 10,000 and 12,600 feet and the Himalayan 100 which has an altitude gain of 10,000 feet to 12,000 feet on the first day of the event.

The maximum performance at any altitude is directly related to the maximum amount of oxygen that the body can assimilate and deliver to working muscles.
This value is known as VO2 max.