Here are 11 extreme fitness challenges that are more likely to land you in the ER than on the podium.
Marathon des Sables
Even if you are a marathon runner, this one is still a challenge. Marathon des Sables involves running six marathons in six days in the Sahara Desert.
It is more than tough on the body, with sandstorms and unbearable heat to fight with.
Contestants risk dehydration, heatstroke, blisters and death.
The Barkley Marathons
Only a few people have ever finished this race. The course changes every year and participants have to find the hidden checkpoints in the Tennessee woods.
If anything, it’s more of a wild goose chase than a race and comes with a side of potential injury.
CrossFit Games
CrossFit Games are the Olympics for CrossFit enthusiasts as they push athletes to their limits with a mix of high-intensity workouts.
You’re constantly at risk of injuries from overexertion and rhabdomyolysis, where your muscles break down to the point of kidney damage.
The Death Race
The name says it all.
This race is designed to break you (mentally and physically) as it involves up to 70 hours of unpredictable challenges in Vermont.
These include chopping wood for hours & solving complex puzzles. You won’t find a more challenging endurance test out there.
Everest Base Camp Race
Racing to the Everest Base Camp sounds like an adventurer’s dream, until you factor in the high altitude & freezing temperatures.
You’re constantly at risk of altitude sickness & hypothermia which makes the whole thing less appealing.
Ironman Triathlon
The Ironman Triathlon involves a 2.4-mile swim & 112-mile bike ride, then a marathon run to cap it off.
It takes a whole day to complete and many athletes suffer from dehydration, injuries and heatstroke.
The Arctic Ultra
This race goes through the Yukon in -40 degree weather; athletes have to run for 430 miles through it all.
Such extreme cold often causes frostbite & hypothermia, not to mention the mental challenge of dealing with the isolation of it all.
Worse still, you need to pull a sled full of supplies the entire time.
The Jungle Marathon
Running an ultra-marathon in the Amazon Rainforest is as dangerous as it sounds.
The Jungle Marathon throws everything at you: extreme humidity, unpredictable weather and yes, even wildlife. There’s also the risk of tropical diseases to worry about.
The Norseman Xtreme Triathlon
Norway’s Norseman Xtreme Triathlon starts with a jump from a ferry into icy fjord waters for a swim, followed by a bike ride & then a marathon that ends with a mountain climb.
The cold water & sudden changes in elevation are quite brutal on the body. This is certainly not one for the beginners.
The Spartathlon
Following in the footsteps of the ancient messenger Pheidippides, the Spartathlon is a 153-mile race from Athens to Sparta.
Runners have to finish within 36 hours and battle many things along the way; including heat & the hills.
While the race may be historically important, the physical toll of it makes things a little less appealing.
The Iditarod Trail Invitational
If running, biking or skiing up to 1000 miles across Alaska in the middle of winter sounds like your idea of fun, then you should try the Iditarod Trail Invitational.
You’ll face blizzards and extreme cold along the way; maybe even some wildlife, too. Sure, it’s an amazing challenge but the risks are quite extreme.