I came across this event, the Windstopper TrailRun WorldMasters, in which mountain runners, trail runners, marathon runners, and ultra runners will come together for a 3 day competition with each day’s event being a race of varying distances and difficulty.  The 3 day race will cover a total of 57 Kilometers (it’s being held in Dortmund, Germany hence kilometers).  This event brought up a question, ‘What type of runners are the fittest athletes?’  Sure we are all serious runners, but most runners prefer one type of running over the others.  For me, I prefer Trail Running.  Why?  Because I’m so extreme.

So how can you judge these types of runners against each other?  What is the one standard race that is an equal playing field.  I’m not sure, but The Windstopper TrailRun WorldMasters is attempting to do it with a 4.5 kilometer (2.79617 miles) sprint race on Friday.  Then a long distance run of 34 kilometers (21.1266 miles) with a vertical distance of 710 meters on Saturday.  Ending with a final stage on Sunday of 19.9 kilometers (12.3652 miles) with a vertical distance of 315 meters.  These varying distances make the playing field somewhat even.  Let’s analyze how each type of runner may react to find out who the most fit runners are!

Mountain Runners: This group may be very well suited for this competition because of the vertical climbs in the last two stages of the race.  Also, Germany may attract a lot more Mountain Runners because of the sports popularity in Europe so the event may get some very elite Mountain Runners.  However, the sprint on Friday is going to very tough for these runners.  They are used to grinding it out up a mountain, walking when necessary; however, mountain runners do have the leg strength needed to run fast in shorter distances.  Look for Mountain Runners to do very well overall in this competition.

Trail Runners: Trail Running is such a broad and diverse sport that it will do well in this competition of varying distances and terrain.  Trail Runners must have the ability to run any distance for competition from 5Ks to Marathon distances.  With the distances of this competition mirroring those of what a typical Trail Runner may see in a season gives them a great chance in the finishing very high overall.  Likewise, all of the races in this competition will be on trails which will obviously be in Trail Runners’ favor.  One concern for Trail Runners is that over three days their bodies may get tired.  Often trail runners are not able to run on trails everyday so they must mix in some road running.  The wear and tear from running over rugged terrain for three days straight as well as two back to back longer races could prove exhausting for trail runners; however, the half marathon distance on the last day is definitely something that most Trail Runners would be able to push through if exhausted.

Marathon Runners: While these runners tend to be in overall great shape they run predominantly on the road.  Running on trails and over large amounts of elevation is not what they are trained for.  Also, the competitive aspect of trail running and road racing are quite different which will hurt Marathon runners in this competition.  With only one race being close to the marathon distance, I don’t expect Marathon Runners to fair very well against the rest of the competition overall.

Ultra Runners: Ultra Runners will do great over the three day period because of their endurance; however, but they will not have the speed to compete with the leaders of any of the events.  They will not do well in the first day sprint as their body has not been trained for this distance.  The second day marathon distance will obviously favor marathon runners and is still too short of a run for these endurance athletes.  Lastly, on the third day they will not have a fast enough pace for the half marathon.  Sorry Ultra Runners, but you just aren’t fast enough.

If I were a betting man, which I am, I would bet on an elite Trail Runner to win this competition.  Trail Running are so utility.  They can do everything well.

I know, you want running to be free, creative, and without limits; but I’m sorry, everything needs to be categorized.  Below are some running categories with explanations.  I know I left out a couple of running categories like “cross-country” or maybe “ultra” running but I write this blog everyday, I need to save some material for later.  Can I get a doggy bag for cross-country and ultra running?  Thanks…and some extra bread please.

Trail Running: The grand daddy of them all.  Well, at least the most universal of all of the running categories.  The only criteria for a run to be considered trail running is that it is not on a paved surface.  Trail running can be done on grass, rock, sand, gravel, snow, or water.  Whatever you want, just preferably no pavement.  It can be done on singletrack, double-track, or in a field.  Distances can vary from a 5K to 100 miles.  Typically trail runs are distance runs.  Sprinting on gravel isn’t really that fun.  The main focus on trail running is getting back to nature and leaving the paved jungle you live and run in.  Trail Running is beautiful and needs to be celebrated.  Join me in celebrating trail running on Aug 22, National Trail Running Day.

Mountain Running: Categorized by its steep ascents or descents; like on a mountain.  While many trail runs contain steep ascents and descents, mountain running can be done on paved surfaces as well as trails.  The official authority on Mountain Running is the World Mountain Running Association.  From their website they say that mountain running was developed from a need for humans to continue what they have been made to do, run over steep terrain to hunt and gather.  There it is, Running is the oldest profession.  Sorry real estate geeks.  

Fell Running: Fell running begun in the 19th century and took place in community games.  The sport grew with top athletes becoming famous for their Fell Running prowess.  The sport eventually attracted bookmakers and gambling.  I wonder if you can bet on running races in Las Vegas?  I’m sure you can but I’ve never seen it.  The official organization is the fell runners association.  The difference between Fell Running and the other running categories is that it overlaps with orienteering.  Runners are given checkpoints to run to but the course they take is up to them unlike a trail or mountain race.  Fell Running race courses have categories, probably because there is no specific “course map,” in distance:  Long-more than 12 miles, Medium-6-11 miles, and Short-less than 6 miles.  I’m not sure what category a distance of 11.5 miles would fall in.  They also have categories for the ascents, Category A-at least 250 ft. with no more than 20% of the route on the road, Category B-at least 125 ft. with no more than 30% on the road, and Category C-at least 100 ft. with no more than 40% on the road.  See, it’s cool to categorize your running!

So next time you go for a trail run, mountain run, or fell run make sure you accuratley call it what it is.  Or just say you’re going for a run.  Even a caveman can understand that.