20 Best Ultra Running Books

Christopher McDougall travels to Mexico's Copper Canyons to investigate the Tarahumara's long-distance running traditions. His account brings together runners, training experiments and research on endurance as an unusual race between local athletes and visiting Americans takes shape.

Dean Karnazes recounts extreme running adventures through Death Valley, Antarctica, and mountain terrain, describing the bodily demands and solitary intensity of ultrarunning. His memoir also examines how he balances this consuming pursuit with work and family life.

Scott Jurek recounts his journey from a Midwestern childhood to elite ultramarathon racing and a vegan diet. Stories of competition and personal change accompany running advice and plant-based recipes, connecting endurance training with his evolving approach to food.

Rich Roll recounts rebuilding his life and fitness in middle age after struggles with alcoholism and inactivity. His transition toward plant-based eating and endurance competition connects demanding athletic experiences with reflections on recovery, determination, and changing long-established habits.

Hal Koerner presents training plans and practical guidance for ultramarathons from 50K to 100 miles. Topics include equipment, fueling, trail technique, weather, crews, pacing support, and mental preparation for the demands of race day.

Adharanand Finn investigates the growing appeal of ultrarunning by attempting its challenges himself. Races in deserts and mountains, encounters with other runners, and preparation for the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc expose the sport’s physical demands and psychological attractions.

Steve House, Scott Johnston and Kilian Jornet explain endurance training for mountain running and ski mountaineering. Physiology, training principles and athlete experiences help readers understand how to develop capacity for sustained efforts on steep and demanding terrain.

Bryon Powell introduces aspiring ultrarunners to the preparation and demands of racing beyond marathon distance. The guide discusses training and competition across a range of ultra distances, offering a practical framework for approaching longer runs.

Neal Jamison brings together personal accounts of ultramarathon running from experienced competitors and everyday participants. The stories explore physical difficulty, mental challenges and the motivations behind running extreme distances, offering varied perspectives on life within the sport.

Deena Kastor and Michelle Hamilton recount the runner's development from a talented but exhausted young competitor to an elite marathoner. Training and racing stories explore how coaching, positive thinking, and deliberate mental habits changed her approach to competition.

Scott and Jenny Jurek recount his attempt to set a speed record on the Appalachian Trail. Running north from Georgia toward Maine, he confronts injury, fatigue, hunger, and self-doubt while Jenny, friends, and strangers support the demanding journey.

Cory Reese recounts his experiences of ultramarathons from the back of the pack. Humor and personal stories explore the difficulties, friendships and rewards of long-distance running, presenting an everyday runner’s view of a sport often associated with exceptional athletes.

Kilian Jornet recounts his experiences in ultrarunning and mountain racing, sharing the passion behind his demanding pursuits. His memoir combines the drama of competition with personal reflections on rugged trails, mountain landscapes, and life in sport.

Ian Corless presents notable ultra, trail and skyrunning races through photography and accounts of their landscapes and challenges. The book explores the appeal of demanding events around the world, showing how terrain and setting shape the experience of running.

Krissy Moehl guides runners preparing for a first ultramarathon, with customizable plans spanning 50K to 100-mile events. The updated edition combines training guidance with reflective activities and space for recording progress, helping readers organize preparation around their own goals.

Emelie Forsberg shares her experiences of skyrunning and life in the mountains. Training ideas, yoga, strength exercises, food, and reflections on injury recovery accompany her discussion of maintaining motivation and balance as a professional athlete.

Jason Koop explains how ultrarunners can organize training around the demands of their events. The second edition develops a coaching framework for improving performance, connecting endurance science with preparation, race decisions and the practical needs of everyday and elite athletes.

Adharanand Finn moves his family to Iten, Kenya, to investigate the country’s extraordinary distance runners and train alongside them. Encounters with athletes and their daily routines lead him toward his own first marathon across the Kenyan plains.

Anna McNuff recounts running New Zealand's Te Araroa Trail alone, carrying her belongings through forests, mountains, beaches, and river crossings. Encounters with local people and reflections on self-belief shape this account of a long-distance adventure.

Jennifer Pharr Davis explores endurance through her Appalachian Trail record attempt and the guidance of fellow athletes and mentors. Personal experiences accompany an examination of training methods, perseverance, and habits that sustain long-distance efforts.