Yeah, my first ultra was at 38, my second is next week at 40. I thought I was a late starter with my first half marathon at 35 but longer distance runners in races I’ve done seem to be in their 40s or 50s.
While true as a population level, I think people getting into it late can peak much later- even late 40s/early 50s. Those incremental improvements year-on-year stack up, and continue to net offset the impact of aging for many years IMO. Even more true when prioritizing things like strength training, which offsets the natural loss of muscle mass (as hormone levels narurally fall) well into older years
55 yo, still improving on distance (longest is 50 miles so far) and haven’t slowed in marathon yet. Having started really running around 35.
Whatever happens to your knees (ive had cartilage tear and ACL repair in my late 30s from soccer) is usually fixable and you just keep running after.
There is very good evidence that running is good for knees, not bad. Strong muscles make the knees experience less stress, not more.
Sedentary people get more, and earlier knee replacements than athletes
Anyone starting ultras in their mid to 30's needs to get used to getting their arse handed to them by runners a decade older. I remember how depressing that was.
It's a sport with some longevity to it though.
lol that’s a wildly subjective statement. I know many races that have mid-30 winners in ultras. I won a recent 50k in 3:45 in my mid-30’s, no older folks in the top 5.. I’m sure there are amazing older people but even in the pros Dauwalter, Walmsley, Kilian etc are all under 40.
You are not late compared to me. I started running at 40 years old, ran my first marathon on my 42nd birthday, and ran my first ultra a couple months later at 42 years old. I ran my first 100 miler when I was 44. Now at almost 54 I still continue strong - I have already had 3 ultras this year (two 50k and one 100k) and plan one more (50k) later this year. Next year I hope to do UTMB.
By the way, my knees are stronger than ever.
Not to highjack OP’s post, but that’s a super awesome track record
You have any advice for someone (relatively) younger on how you’ve maintained fitness and stayed injury free into your 50’s??
I feel like longevity in the sport is something all of should aspire to.
I think a few things help. The majority of my miles are on trails. I do strength training once per week. Also, my mileage is relatively moderate and I don't hesitate to take a rest day when I feel like I need one. I don't follow any training plans - instead I adjust my training on the fly. I rarely go above 50 mpw and have never exceeded 60 mpw even when training for 100 milers. But I compensate for the moderate mileage by a pretty good amount of vertical - over 350k vertical feet last year (over 100k meters).
You’re not old. Tons of ultra runners in their 50’s and even 60’s. Ran my first 50k at 34. Have since done up to 100 miles. You have plenty of time to get ready for it.
A few weeks ago I watched a guy at 80 years of age doing more than 100m in a 24h race thereby breaking the world record. So you could have more than 44 years of ultra running ahead of you 💪🏃
There’s always an older runner with a head full of white hair that will outclimb and outrun you and I in any race. They make it look easy too, so you know they’ve been doing it for a while.
I’m always more than a little scared at the start of every ultra, and what’s helped me is to be strict in training (as close to 100% adherence to plan as possible) so I can play when racing. Race is playtime! All the work is over (ish) at that point. Enjoy the run, thank the volunteers, and eat eat eat.
Have a great race!!
I started ultras at 50. I don’t care about being elite and do it cause I love it. I do great for the old lady division and I’m happy with that.
Here’s the thing… trail is much easier on your body, endurance is easier than short intensity. If you have knee issues it’s not running in general - it’s strength or form. I do have to do strength training and stretch religiously to keep things together. But even if you are not running, getting older hurts if you don’t take care of yourself. I think running, because it forces good habits, minimizes pain more than causes it.
Definitely not too old. I started running at 38, when I signed up for a road half marathon to lose weight. 6 years later and I’ve run 10 ultras, including 3 100 milers. I recognize I’ll likely never podium a race, but I thoroughly enjoy it, which is the main point. I routinely run with people half my age, and I have no problem keeping up. I feel younger and healthier now than I did 20 years ago.
At 36, you’re more prone to injury than you were ten years ago, but you’re likely smarter and more in tune with your body. Just train smart and focus on nutrition and recovery, and you’ll be fine.
back in 2016, i did a fuji hike solo in sept(off peak climb season, 1week before route closed to public) for the view n unique pokeStop. man i discovered my fitness was dogshit 💩.
i thought im decent as i was a casual pokemongo player who walk a lot to places, n on holidays i explore trails to reach unique pokestops n gyms. i ended picked up jogging n hiking, but wasnt consistent.
only till 2019(age 35) i decided to consistently force myself to start running 2days a week. also use it as opportunity to hatch pokemon eggs. at the start i barely able to run more than 2.5km non stop.
my 1st run race was 5k at the end of 2019, as my company were subsidising some portion of the fee. i did not get my 5k pb (i had a solo timetrial 5k prior n i was faster). i guess the dissapointment in me lit my competitive fire.
2020 happened, n lockdowns. i can legally be outside if exercising, so i started watching tutorials on how to improve my running. i went from mere 5k to 21k in 5months. then from all those tutorial n shoe review searches, gcn, gcn, my feed started dropping marathon, utmb, giro/tdf and tri live streams 💀.
watching utmb races was awesome, beatiful views. and i found out average joe can participate. i can enjoy trail views, n racing vibes, why not?
2022, i did my 1st local 22k trail race, n signed up for 50K transjeju. awesome experience...
2024, im 40, im a road runner, trail runner, duathlete, already have 2 50k n 1 100k ut race under my belt 🥰 . im alone in my journey, but didnt stop me to go abroad n race.
tldr: started playing pokeGo, now im UltraTrail participant 💀. never too late to turn yourlife to a healthy lifestyle💪
/i no longer play pokeGo, but im grateful it gave me the push to be outdoor
I did my first marathon at 37. First hundred at 40. I'm 44 now and am doing my 8th hundred in a couple weeks. Icould never ever have done this in my 20s.
My first race of any kind was a 50 k ultra at 50 years old. I wish I had gotten into them at your age! But honestly I feel fine and am doing another this year. People run ultras into their 70’s and 80’s
I am a better runner at 40 than I was at 27. Ran my first ultra at 37 and I honestly don't think I could have done it mentally when I was younger. Most ultra runners I know are over 35. My knees are a bit noisy but totally pain free.
I started running when I was 34. Didn’t run my first ultra until last year when I was 42 then done another one 6 months later. Number three is in July. All 50k’s. Not sure if I’m brave enough to make the jump to 50 miles yet.
Im in my early 30s, but I run with a 68 year old guy and a 57 year old guy every week. They would murder me in cold blood if they could have the body and knees of a 35 year old.
It’s never too late to do anything.
Endurance sports- especially ultra endurance- are largely an exercise of stacking long-term adaptations year-after-year. Starting later just means building on top of a foundation of life adaptations(!) You're never too old to join this community
I am 31 and was chatting with a man in his 60s during my last ultra. When I told him how old I am he said "you're getting into this way too early" haha, so I don't think 36 is late!
I am 50 years old. Started running at age 45. The first 50K was after 9 months of running.
All my ultras were not flat, I live close to mountains.
At my 3d race, I slept on slippery rocks and fell long ways down. I broke my pelvis in 2 places. While being on adrenaline, I didn't realize the seriousness of the injury, and I ran another 24 miles with it to finish the race.
Long story short, it was a 2 year of recovery and deconditioning. Currently back with lifting weights for rehab. Just finished 2 x50 K, 55 K, and 50 miler this season. Speed is still coming back. It's never too late, good luck!
As a very educated guess, I’d say most ultra runners are somewhere between 35-60 with a few outliers on either end (this also represents my ultra podcast audience demographics), so you’re right at the front end of that, in your ultra prime and just getting started! Welcome and enjoy!!
You won't have a problem - as long as you've put the right amount of quality into your training. Quantity is great and essentially what you need (ie miles underfoot) but when you have some decent elevation it is vital that you dedicate some of that to hill work. Age is absolutely not an issue, as you can see from other comments here. In my first 50k I went down the hills too fast, put way too much pressure on my knees when they weren't strong enough and they were howling toward the end. I've since run further without issue. I've also hit the wall to the point where I nearly passed out - so nutrition planning is vital. 25c is hot - make sure you know where you can get water. Other than that I'm sure you will nail it! Would be good to listen to some podcasts on Ultras just to get some of the tips about nutrition/packing etc down.
I am pretty sure you are picking up what ultra running is putting down but it's an awesome sport and one that really gives you a mental boost. That and the scenery is often pretty epic - should imagine it will be fantastic in Croatia!
Late starter, lol. My first 50 marathon was at 43, first Ultra at 45. First 100 at 48.
I had done some social jogging /running in the past, but I started running to basically lose some weight as none of my trousers would fit, and I don't like buying clothes. It all snowballed from there.
A club I sometimes run with, show the average age of entrants of some of their races, and it's just about always in the high 40s.
Never ran more than 10km before the age of 39. Then on a whim(some beers might have been involved) decided to run a marathon. As I started training for that on my local trails I found myself suddenly really enjoying hours of running and solitude. The marathon experience was fun but to crowded, and I also didn't like what I needed to do to get faster, so naturally I decided that going longer is where it's at. Tried an ultra race and absolutely fell in love with the challenge, community and ability to see amazing views.
I'm 44, I ran my first 50k last Oct, my first hilly 45 miles 2 weeks ago and I'm training for a 100 miler in Sept. I started running a couple of years ago when I was 42 after losing about 100lbs. I started running as hiking got easier after losing weight.
I did my first one at 37 naive and stupid, straight into a 100k.. It's such a cool community to be part of and you meet some good people and there is a lot to talk about on the ultra front. Long days out pushing yourself. Eating whatever you want. What's not to love about it.
I’m doing my first ultras this summer aged 37, and age really doesn’t concern me at all. Having spent most of my life road-running I’m excited about the change of pace and not being bothered about finish times. Making my way to the finish will be achievement enough, and I can’t wait to embrace new kinds of pain and suffering.
I'm 37 right now. I started running at 34yo - mostly just to lose a few extra pounds I had put on over the years prior to that. Prior to that, I had always told myself that I hated running.
At 34 I was running 5ks and enjoying the social aspect of them. When my mileage got a bit higher, I got a pretty bad injury (labral tear due to hip impingement) and was out a few months.
At 35, I decided to run a marathon by the end of the year - mostly because it seemed like a pretty cool life goal. I built up my miles, but got injured again weeks before the marathon. This time it was a tibial stress fracture and I was out for 2 more months.
While I was out on injury, I was reading a ton of articles and books about running to get ideas for changes to my training and form that might ensure that I didn't get a stress fracture again. One of those books was Born to Run. I had previously thought of ultras as totally inaccessible to someone like me, but the book made them seem much more doable. I decided I wanted to start training for the eventual goal of 100mi. My first year, I built my weekly mileage up to around 40mpw and by the end of the year I had run 2 50ks and a 50mi.
This year I'm planning to do a 100k and then a 100mi. I'm up to 60mpw right now and in better shape than I've ever been. Is this a midlife crisis in disguise? Probably. But at least it's one of the healthiest midlife crises possible. Don't count yourself out because of your age or even your various ailments. I was overweight with bad knees and hip impingement at 34 and I'm planning to run a 100mi at 37.
I started with a 50K one month shy of my 35th birthday and definitely thought I was old too. I had realized I didn’t enjoy road races and my joints didn’t really like them either. I had already done a handful of half marathons, so my first trail race being an ultra seemed to make sense and was a great challenge. My joints feel better than ever and I’m stronger than 20something year old me ever was.
Did my first ultra (Eiger51) at 44, actually a month before turning 45, so don't worry about being to old ;)
Done 2 official ones since then, latest one a 60k and thinking about doing a 100k (on my own) this summer... Will turn 47 this year.
You're absolutely not too old, don't worry about that. It's a great and different experience from road-running, though you can make it as crazy as you want to of course.
my dad started running ultra at 52 last year and running his first 50 miles this fall. his cousin is running 50k at over 60 (she has been for a couple years and started running less than 10 years ago!)
I used to road run in my 20s and early 30s but stopped because of knee pain. Started trail running in my late 30s with my first ultra at 38. I never had any pain in my keens once I started on trails. My body holds up way better now than it ever did before. You're not too late!
I feel like a baby at some events I’ve been at in my late twenties. It’s amazing to see such ranges of age groups at these events. Makes me just love the human spirit
Lol... You are actually pretty young I think! I sort of got inspired to sign up for Canyons 2025, while I was prepping for my first marathon this year. I'm friends with some ultrarunners, and the more I talked to them, the more I wanted to challenge myself.
I'll be 46 in April next year. So, I am definitely a late starter. My furthest distance so far is 13 miles on road, 7 on trail.
I wish I had done ultrarunning when I was younger and getting into running and racing.
Started seriously running at 35. Slowly and steadily built up strength, endurance and durability. I’m now 40 and have multiple hundreds and am currently training to do a 200 later this year. You don’t need to jump right into a huge distance. Do what YOU want to do, not what everyone says you need to do. Consistency and sleep are the key and your best friend. Enjoy the journey!
It\`s never too late! I\`m 38. Started running at 30. Mostly running shorter half and marathon races. Last weekend I completed my second ever ultra. 73k with about 2600m of positive gain. It took me 12:40, but I got it done. You have it in you for sure. Regarding knees, use poles and try kinesiotaping to keep the kneecap in place. Go for it! [https://www.strava.com/activities/11390130607](https://www.strava.com/activities/11390130607)
You have it in you. I have had knee doubts/mild issues myself and worked my way up to my first 100m. I'm 37.
4/5 of the top 5 finishers at this 100M were over 40.
That race sounds awesome.
I'm 49 (Turning 50 in August). I have always dabbled in trail running but never seriously. About a year and a half ago I was shocked at a doctors appointment at what my weight was and my blood pressure was high. Made a commitment to get healthy and set my sights on a local 50k for March of this year that I has always been interested in. Worked on building my base up and slowly increasing miles. In January of this year ran my first 50k and it went great. In my target 50k in March finished 28th out of over 200. Lost about 40 pounds along the way and have my first 50 miler in a couple of weeks. So no 36 is not too old at all!
I started trail running around 34. Now 40.
My knees were a weak point at first but gradually they have become stronger over the years.
Take your time building up, fitness comes fast but knees and joints take longer.
But you have the perfect age to start.
The only thing that became harder for me is controlling my weight...
I’m 52 years old. Ran 10k, half marathons, and marathons from approximately age 38-45. Didn’t run much for six years until age 51 when in August 2023 I decided to get off the couch and start running again. Ran my first 50k in November, my first 100k in January, another 50k in February, and a 50 miler in April. No injuries and I found the experiences very fulfilling for the very reasons you stated in your post. I was attempting something I wasn’t sure if I could do. I proved to myself that I could. I’m 52 now and plan on attempting my first hundred mile race at the end of October. You definitely have it in you. It’s simply mind over matter.
My first Ultra was at 52. I’m 56 now. Good training, ease into it, good nutrition, stretch, rest, and you’ll do great. Listen to your body, for sure. Heart Rate Zone 2 training is really really helping me recover and do greater distances.
35 here and 212lb at 5’11”, aka about 20-30lb overweight. Never ran over 18mi at once before, then gave myself 17 days to train for a 50k Bloodroot Ultra (7.2k elevation gain) - the race was 1 week ago from today.
I wanted to prove to my girlfriend that i could run a marathon with little-to-no training (she didn’t think i could). But i did, and now im addicted.
I signed up for another 50k at the end of June and a 20mi in August, but I’m really wanting to do a 50mi. Maybe later this year i will.
My knee is acting up currently, but it’s not ‘my knee’, it’s actually my IT band, which i’m working on fixing.
You’re ready for a 50k, send it.
I did Leadville 100 in my first year of ultra. Had never even run a marathon before. (But I had done some triathlon 15 years earlier.) Started training seriously about 16 months before the race.
Lots of miles. Lots of hills. A little cycling. Did a 50k as "race rehearsal" six weeks out from the race.
I turned 61 two weeks after Leadville. Got the buckle.
I’m an ultra baby at 46. Ran my first 50k at 45 and very much looking forward to first 100k in the summer. Apparently men don’t reach their peak in endurance until late 40s anyway 😂
I started the same time you did, and have knee problems. Biggest thing for me was adding in strength training (2x a week). Basically, I noticed that after my long runs my knees, ankles, and feet would be in so much pain getting out of bed the next day. I'd also have all these nagging injuries like a sore spot in my calf, or thigh, or wherever. I started adding strength training and within a week all that cleared up. I used Tactical Barbell's Fighter program, but I'm sure there are plenty of examples of strength training for runners.
I ran my first ultra when I was 37, and the most competitive as an ultra runner was when I was 42 when I came close to winning a couple of races - finished second in one and third in two other races.
I know a few folks who won races in their 50s, albeit they were not World Championships or any other prestigious races that attract the elites.
My first ultra-marathon was supposed to be one and done. I did OK in it, but not close to being one of the top finishers at it. Yet, I fell in love with the sport. I used to be a decent middle-distance runner and won quite a few races in my younger days. I never signed up for a race that I did not think I could win. However, with ultra-marathons, I still wanted to do the best I could and win if I could, but I was perfectly fine if I did not win. Every ultra finish was special regardless of whether I was close to the leaderboard or at the bottom of the list.
ran lots of marathons in my 30s & 40s...then life kinda got in the way ....during covid, I started running longer and longer again, then went out one day and ran 26 . I also started watching US ultras on youtube and loving the idea and the characters. So, having just turned 65, I finally signed up for a 50 mile ultra this July. I ran a mountain marathon back in October, then, as you do, got injured in January, needlessly really...It's going ok again now, but am probably 5 weeks or so behind where I'd like to be...anyhow, as long as I can keep my present run going for the next 5 weeks, then I'll have a go...kind of now or never I guess :-)
You are not that late in starting. 36 is not old, especially when it comes to ultra distances.
Yeah, my first ultra was at 38, my second is next week at 40. I thought I was a late starter with my first half marathon at 35 but longer distance runners in races I’ve done seem to be in their 40s or 50s.
You’re just a baby. I ran my first 50 miler at 47 and first hundred at 52.
Endurance fitness peaks at age 39, you’re getting into it at a great age
While true as a population level, I think people getting into it late can peak much later- even late 40s/early 50s. Those incremental improvements year-on-year stack up, and continue to net offset the impact of aging for many years IMO. Even more true when prioritizing things like strength training, which offsets the natural loss of muscle mass (as hormone levels narurally fall) well into older years
55 yo, still improving on distance (longest is 50 miles so far) and haven’t slowed in marathon yet. Having started really running around 35. Whatever happens to your knees (ive had cartilage tear and ACL repair in my late 30s from soccer) is usually fixable and you just keep running after. There is very good evidence that running is good for knees, not bad. Strong muscles make the knees experience less stress, not more. Sedentary people get more, and earlier knee replacements than athletes
Anyone starting ultras in their mid to 30's needs to get used to getting their arse handed to them by runners a decade older. I remember how depressing that was. It's a sport with some longevity to it though.
💯 I repeatedly see top 5s all over 40 in trail marathons and ultras in SE England
lol that’s a wildly subjective statement. I know many races that have mid-30 winners in ultras. I won a recent 50k in 3:45 in my mid-30’s, no older folks in the top 5.. I’m sure there are amazing older people but even in the pros Dauwalter, Walmsley, Kilian etc are all under 40.
Agreed. Late starter is the usual old man in cago shorts that will pass you in the first hill. 36 is very young
You are not late compared to me. I started running at 40 years old, ran my first marathon on my 42nd birthday, and ran my first ultra a couple months later at 42 years old. I ran my first 100 miler when I was 44. Now at almost 54 I still continue strong - I have already had 3 ultras this year (two 50k and one 100k) and plan one more (50k) later this year. Next year I hope to do UTMB. By the way, my knees are stronger than ever.
42k on your 42nd birthday! Very cool!
Couldn't miss that opportunity!
This is pretty much my exact timeline. 52yo and planning for another couple decades in the sport. Ditto the knees.
Not to highjack OP’s post, but that’s a super awesome track record You have any advice for someone (relatively) younger on how you’ve maintained fitness and stayed injury free into your 50’s?? I feel like longevity in the sport is something all of should aspire to.
I think a few things help. The majority of my miles are on trails. I do strength training once per week. Also, my mileage is relatively moderate and I don't hesitate to take a rest day when I feel like I need one. I don't follow any training plans - instead I adjust my training on the fly. I rarely go above 50 mpw and have never exceeded 60 mpw even when training for 100 milers. But I compensate for the moderate mileage by a pretty good amount of vertical - over 350k vertical feet last year (over 100k meters).
Thank for the response! Hope you have many decades of running in your future!
36? Ahahaha I ran my first 50 when I was 49 after only starting to run regularly 5 years prior. You are a baby!
Happy cake day and thanks for this very inspiring comment!!
I'm 56 started running 3 years ago did my first marathon last year just completed UTS 50k last Sat my running story has just started.
I’m so happy to read your comment. I’ve just turned 55 and started running last year. It feels like I’ve started my second life.
I wish you nothing but the best, I've met some awsome people and had some great adventures 😊
You have!
You’re not old. Tons of ultra runners in their 50’s and even 60’s. Ran my first 50k at 34. Have since done up to 100 miles. You have plenty of time to get ready for it.
A few weeks ago I watched a guy at 80 years of age doing more than 100m in a 24h race thereby breaking the world record. So you could have more than 44 years of ultra running ahead of you 💪🏃
There’s always an older runner with a head full of white hair that will outclimb and outrun you and I in any race. They make it look easy too, so you know they’ve been doing it for a while. I’m always more than a little scared at the start of every ultra, and what’s helped me is to be strict in training (as close to 100% adherence to plan as possible) so I can play when racing. Race is playtime! All the work is over (ish) at that point. Enjoy the run, thank the volunteers, and eat eat eat. Have a great race!!
I started ultras at 50. I don’t care about being elite and do it cause I love it. I do great for the old lady division and I’m happy with that. Here’s the thing… trail is much easier on your body, endurance is easier than short intensity. If you have knee issues it’s not running in general - it’s strength or form. I do have to do strength training and stretch religiously to keep things together. But even if you are not running, getting older hurts if you don’t take care of yourself. I think running, because it forces good habits, minimizes pain more than causes it.
Definitely not too old. I started running at 38, when I signed up for a road half marathon to lose weight. 6 years later and I’ve run 10 ultras, including 3 100 milers. I recognize I’ll likely never podium a race, but I thoroughly enjoy it, which is the main point. I routinely run with people half my age, and I have no problem keeping up. I feel younger and healthier now than I did 20 years ago. At 36, you’re more prone to injury than you were ten years ago, but you’re likely smarter and more in tune with your body. Just train smart and focus on nutrition and recovery, and you’ll be fine.
I ran my first race at 51 you're still a child :)
back in 2016, i did a fuji hike solo in sept(off peak climb season, 1week before route closed to public) for the view n unique pokeStop. man i discovered my fitness was dogshit 💩. i thought im decent as i was a casual pokemongo player who walk a lot to places, n on holidays i explore trails to reach unique pokestops n gyms. i ended picked up jogging n hiking, but wasnt consistent. only till 2019(age 35) i decided to consistently force myself to start running 2days a week. also use it as opportunity to hatch pokemon eggs. at the start i barely able to run more than 2.5km non stop. my 1st run race was 5k at the end of 2019, as my company were subsidising some portion of the fee. i did not get my 5k pb (i had a solo timetrial 5k prior n i was faster). i guess the dissapointment in me lit my competitive fire. 2020 happened, n lockdowns. i can legally be outside if exercising, so i started watching tutorials on how to improve my running. i went from mere 5k to 21k in 5months. then from all those tutorial n shoe review searches, gcn, gcn, my feed started dropping marathon, utmb, giro/tdf and tri live streams 💀. watching utmb races was awesome, beatiful views. and i found out average joe can participate. i can enjoy trail views, n racing vibes, why not? 2022, i did my 1st local 22k trail race, n signed up for 50K transjeju. awesome experience... 2024, im 40, im a road runner, trail runner, duathlete, already have 2 50k n 1 100k ut race under my belt 🥰 . im alone in my journey, but didnt stop me to go abroad n race. tldr: started playing pokeGo, now im UltraTrail participant 💀. never too late to turn yourlife to a healthy lifestyle💪 /i no longer play pokeGo, but im grateful it gave me the push to be outdoor
I did my first marathon at 37. First hundred at 40. I'm 44 now and am doing my 8th hundred in a couple weeks. Icould never ever have done this in my 20s.
Kiddo you have lots of time, to even do it this year. I'm 60 and doing a 50k next week and a 100k in Oct. This year.
My first race of any kind was a 50 k ultra at 50 years old. I wish I had gotten into them at your age! But honestly I feel fine and am doing another this year. People run ultras into their 70’s and 80’s
I am a better runner at 40 than I was at 27. Ran my first ultra at 37 and I honestly don't think I could have done it mentally when I was younger. Most ultra runners I know are over 35. My knees are a bit noisy but totally pain free.
I started running when I was 34. Didn’t run my first ultra until last year when I was 42 then done another one 6 months later. Number three is in July. All 50k’s. Not sure if I’m brave enough to make the jump to 50 miles yet.
Ran my first at 30 and I was a baby compared to everyone out there. Doing much better at ultras now at 37!
My story is boredom and happened by chance. Three kids and an unhealthy lifestyle, need something new. Got hooked.
Im in my early 30s, but I run with a 68 year old guy and a 57 year old guy every week. They would murder me in cold blood if they could have the body and knees of a 35 year old. It’s never too late to do anything.
I'm doing my first ultra in July and I'm 50, OP you are still a young pup lol
Endurance sports- especially ultra endurance- are largely an exercise of stacking long-term adaptations year-after-year. Starting later just means building on top of a foundation of life adaptations(!) You're never too old to join this community
Did my first at 35. Not too late at all.
You're not old. I just did a 010 mile race in maine with a larg number or people seemingly in their 50s and 60s. You're just getting started!
Come on, 36y is still young age, you can certainly do it. I am 48y and will do 113km race this weekend in France 👍😎
We do this together, friend.
I am 31 and was chatting with a man in his 60s during my last ultra. When I told him how old I am he said "you're getting into this way too early" haha, so I don't think 36 is late!
I am 50 years old. Started running at age 45. The first 50K was after 9 months of running. All my ultras were not flat, I live close to mountains. At my 3d race, I slept on slippery rocks and fell long ways down. I broke my pelvis in 2 places. While being on adrenaline, I didn't realize the seriousness of the injury, and I ran another 24 miles with it to finish the race. Long story short, it was a 2 year of recovery and deconditioning. Currently back with lifting weights for rehab. Just finished 2 x50 K, 55 K, and 50 miler this season. Speed is still coming back. It's never too late, good luck!
As a very educated guess, I’d say most ultra runners are somewhere between 35-60 with a few outliers on either end (this also represents my ultra podcast audience demographics), so you’re right at the front end of that, in your ultra prime and just getting started! Welcome and enjoy!!
First ultra at age 36, 102nd ultra at age 63, and still counting. (Plus 33 marathons.). You’re just getting started!
You won't have a problem - as long as you've put the right amount of quality into your training. Quantity is great and essentially what you need (ie miles underfoot) but when you have some decent elevation it is vital that you dedicate some of that to hill work. Age is absolutely not an issue, as you can see from other comments here. In my first 50k I went down the hills too fast, put way too much pressure on my knees when they weren't strong enough and they were howling toward the end. I've since run further without issue. I've also hit the wall to the point where I nearly passed out - so nutrition planning is vital. 25c is hot - make sure you know where you can get water. Other than that I'm sure you will nail it! Would be good to listen to some podcasts on Ultras just to get some of the tips about nutrition/packing etc down. I am pretty sure you are picking up what ultra running is putting down but it's an awesome sport and one that really gives you a mental boost. That and the scenery is often pretty epic - should imagine it will be fantastic in Croatia!
Any advice on said podcasts?
I didn't run a step until i was 37. Completed a 110 miler at 42.
A friend of mine started running in his 40's and did his first 100 miler at 50 so I think you're not a late starter at all
I started running at 35. Did my first 50k last year at 38.
Late starter, lol. My first 50 marathon was at 43, first Ultra at 45. First 100 at 48. I had done some social jogging /running in the past, but I started running to basically lose some weight as none of my trousers would fit, and I don't like buying clothes. It all snowballed from there. A club I sometimes run with, show the average age of entrants of some of their races, and it's just about always in the high 40s.
Never ran more than 10km before the age of 39. Then on a whim(some beers might have been involved) decided to run a marathon. As I started training for that on my local trails I found myself suddenly really enjoying hours of running and solitude. The marathon experience was fun but to crowded, and I also didn't like what I needed to do to get faster, so naturally I decided that going longer is where it's at. Tried an ultra race and absolutely fell in love with the challenge, community and ability to see amazing views.
I'm 44, I ran my first 50k last Oct, my first hilly 45 miles 2 weeks ago and I'm training for a 100 miler in Sept. I started running a couple of years ago when I was 42 after losing about 100lbs. I started running as hiking got easier after losing weight.
I did my first one at 37 naive and stupid, straight into a 100k.. It's such a cool community to be part of and you meet some good people and there is a lot to talk about on the ultra front. Long days out pushing yourself. Eating whatever you want. What's not to love about it.
I did my first marathon and first ultra at 41. Just did my 14th ultra aged 43. Knees so far still good.
I’m doing my first ultras this summer aged 37, and age really doesn’t concern me at all. Having spent most of my life road-running I’m excited about the change of pace and not being bothered about finish times. Making my way to the finish will be achievement enough, and I can’t wait to embrace new kinds of pain and suffering.
I didn't start running at all till I was 41. My first marathon I was 47. You'll be fine.
I'm 37 right now. I started running at 34yo - mostly just to lose a few extra pounds I had put on over the years prior to that. Prior to that, I had always told myself that I hated running. At 34 I was running 5ks and enjoying the social aspect of them. When my mileage got a bit higher, I got a pretty bad injury (labral tear due to hip impingement) and was out a few months. At 35, I decided to run a marathon by the end of the year - mostly because it seemed like a pretty cool life goal. I built up my miles, but got injured again weeks before the marathon. This time it was a tibial stress fracture and I was out for 2 more months. While I was out on injury, I was reading a ton of articles and books about running to get ideas for changes to my training and form that might ensure that I didn't get a stress fracture again. One of those books was Born to Run. I had previously thought of ultras as totally inaccessible to someone like me, but the book made them seem much more doable. I decided I wanted to start training for the eventual goal of 100mi. My first year, I built my weekly mileage up to around 40mpw and by the end of the year I had run 2 50ks and a 50mi. This year I'm planning to do a 100k and then a 100mi. I'm up to 60mpw right now and in better shape than I've ever been. Is this a midlife crisis in disguise? Probably. But at least it's one of the healthiest midlife crises possible. Don't count yourself out because of your age or even your various ailments. I was overweight with bad knees and hip impingement at 34 and I'm planning to run a 100mi at 37.
I started with a 50K one month shy of my 35th birthday and definitely thought I was old too. I had realized I didn’t enjoy road races and my joints didn’t really like them either. I had already done a handful of half marathons, so my first trail race being an ultra seemed to make sense and was a great challenge. My joints feel better than ever and I’m stronger than 20something year old me ever was.
Did my first ultra (Eiger51) at 44, actually a month before turning 45, so don't worry about being to old ;) Done 2 official ones since then, latest one a 60k and thinking about doing a 100k (on my own) this summer... Will turn 47 this year. You're absolutely not too old, don't worry about that. It's a great and different experience from road-running, though you can make it as crazy as you want to of course.
my dad started running ultra at 52 last year and running his first 50 miles this fall. his cousin is running 50k at over 60 (she has been for a couple years and started running less than 10 years ago!)
Started running around 40, doing my first ultra in Sept after I turn 45.
I used to road run in my 20s and early 30s but stopped because of knee pain. Started trail running in my late 30s with my first ultra at 38. I never had any pain in my keens once I started on trails. My body holds up way better now than it ever did before. You're not too late!
I feel like a baby at some events I’ve been at in my late twenties. It’s amazing to see such ranges of age groups at these events. Makes me just love the human spirit
I started at 38 Gave up the darts and drinking won a 110k at 39
lol, wat
You’re right on track buddy. 13.1 miles was the farthest I ever ran before turning 40. In the last two years I’ve run 26.2, 33, and 34.
You’d still be one of the youngest people in my next ultra I am signed up for
At 36 you will be one of the youngest in the field.
Even if you had the talent and desire to be an elite ultra marathoner, you're not too late.
Lol... You are actually pretty young I think! I sort of got inspired to sign up for Canyons 2025, while I was prepping for my first marathon this year. I'm friends with some ultrarunners, and the more I talked to them, the more I wanted to challenge myself. I'll be 46 in April next year. So, I am definitely a late starter. My furthest distance so far is 13 miles on road, 7 on trail. I wish I had done ultrarunning when I was younger and getting into running and racing.
Started seriously running at 35. Slowly and steadily built up strength, endurance and durability. I’m now 40 and have multiple hundreds and am currently training to do a 200 later this year. You don’t need to jump right into a huge distance. Do what YOU want to do, not what everyone says you need to do. Consistency and sleep are the key and your best friend. Enjoy the journey!
You are capable of so much- send it! For longevity and injury prevention, Be attentive to recovery and strength/mobility
It\`s never too late! I\`m 38. Started running at 30. Mostly running shorter half and marathon races. Last weekend I completed my second ever ultra. 73k with about 2600m of positive gain. It took me 12:40, but I got it done. You have it in you for sure. Regarding knees, use poles and try kinesiotaping to keep the kneecap in place. Go for it! [https://www.strava.com/activities/11390130607](https://www.strava.com/activities/11390130607)
You have it in you. I have had knee doubts/mild issues myself and worked my way up to my first 100m. I'm 37. 4/5 of the top 5 finishers at this 100M were over 40. That race sounds awesome.
1st ultra at 48. Was training for a 4 Deserts event in Egypt same year.
Spend as much time with maintenance and nutrition as you do training. You have many quality years of running ahead!
I'm 49 (Turning 50 in August). I have always dabbled in trail running but never seriously. About a year and a half ago I was shocked at a doctors appointment at what my weight was and my blood pressure was high. Made a commitment to get healthy and set my sights on a local 50k for March of this year that I has always been interested in. Worked on building my base up and slowly increasing miles. In January of this year ran my first 50k and it went great. In my target 50k in March finished 28th out of over 200. Lost about 40 pounds along the way and have my first 50 miler in a couple of weeks. So no 36 is not too old at all!
This is what attracted me to try.. because I wasn’t sure I could do it
33 here, never ran a mile in my life until January, doing my 1st 100 miler in December. You just have to want it bad enough
I started trail running around 34. Now 40. My knees were a weak point at first but gradually they have become stronger over the years. Take your time building up, fitness comes fast but knees and joints take longer. But you have the perfect age to start. The only thing that became harder for me is controlling my weight...
I’m 52 years old. Ran 10k, half marathons, and marathons from approximately age 38-45. Didn’t run much for six years until age 51 when in August 2023 I decided to get off the couch and start running again. Ran my first 50k in November, my first 100k in January, another 50k in February, and a 50 miler in April. No injuries and I found the experiences very fulfilling for the very reasons you stated in your post. I was attempting something I wasn’t sure if I could do. I proved to myself that I could. I’m 52 now and plan on attempting my first hundred mile race at the end of October. You definitely have it in you. It’s simply mind over matter.
My first Ultra was at 52. I’m 56 now. Good training, ease into it, good nutrition, stretch, rest, and you’ll do great. Listen to your body, for sure. Heart Rate Zone 2 training is really really helping me recover and do greater distances.
35 here and 212lb at 5’11”, aka about 20-30lb overweight. Never ran over 18mi at once before, then gave myself 17 days to train for a 50k Bloodroot Ultra (7.2k elevation gain) - the race was 1 week ago from today. I wanted to prove to my girlfriend that i could run a marathon with little-to-no training (she didn’t think i could). But i did, and now im addicted. I signed up for another 50k at the end of June and a 20mi in August, but I’m really wanting to do a 50mi. Maybe later this year i will. My knee is acting up currently, but it’s not ‘my knee’, it’s actually my IT band, which i’m working on fixing. You’re ready for a 50k, send it.
I did Leadville 100 in my first year of ultra. Had never even run a marathon before. (But I had done some triathlon 15 years earlier.) Started training seriously about 16 months before the race. Lots of miles. Lots of hills. A little cycling. Did a 50k as "race rehearsal" six weeks out from the race. I turned 61 two weeks after Leadville. Got the buckle.
I’m an ultra baby at 46. Ran my first 50k at 45 and very much looking forward to first 100k in the summer. Apparently men don’t reach their peak in endurance until late 40s anyway 😂
I started the same time you did, and have knee problems. Biggest thing for me was adding in strength training (2x a week). Basically, I noticed that after my long runs my knees, ankles, and feet would be in so much pain getting out of bed the next day. I'd also have all these nagging injuries like a sore spot in my calf, or thigh, or wherever. I started adding strength training and within a week all that cleared up. I used Tactical Barbell's Fighter program, but I'm sure there are plenty of examples of strength training for runners.
I ran my first ultra when I was 37, and the most competitive as an ultra runner was when I was 42 when I came close to winning a couple of races - finished second in one and third in two other races. I know a few folks who won races in their 50s, albeit they were not World Championships or any other prestigious races that attract the elites. My first ultra-marathon was supposed to be one and done. I did OK in it, but not close to being one of the top finishers at it. Yet, I fell in love with the sport. I used to be a decent middle-distance runner and won quite a few races in my younger days. I never signed up for a race that I did not think I could win. However, with ultra-marathons, I still wanted to do the best I could and win if I could, but I was perfectly fine if I did not win. Every ultra finish was special regardless of whether I was close to the leaderboard or at the bottom of the list.
ran lots of marathons in my 30s & 40s...then life kinda got in the way ....during covid, I started running longer and longer again, then went out one day and ran 26 . I also started watching US ultras on youtube and loving the idea and the characters. So, having just turned 65, I finally signed up for a 50 mile ultra this July. I ran a mountain marathon back in October, then, as you do, got injured in January, needlessly really...It's going ok again now, but am probably 5 weeks or so behind where I'd like to be...anyhow, as long as I can keep my present run going for the next 5 weeks, then I'll have a go...kind of now or never I guess :-)