"Every time I sign up for an ultra, I look forward to the struggle... That is what drives us." [13]
These races are often called "fueling contests disguised as running races." Runners must manage complex nutrition (often real food rather than gels), gear transitions, and "low points" where the mind wants to quit [3, 17]. Ultras
In many regions, Ultras are powerful political actors. They have played roles in revolutions (e.g., Egypt’s Arab Spring) and often represent marginalized social groups [20, 21, 27]. "Every time I sign up for an ultra,
While often associated with hooliganism or violence in the media, many groups act as surrogate families, offering a sense of belonging in atomized societies [16, 23]. They have played roles in revolutions (e
The 2025/2026 documentary film " ULTRAS " by Ragnhild Ekner provides an insider's look at these communities across Sweden, Italy, and Indonesia, focusing on their collective identity over individual recognition [5, 23, 25]. Ultramarathons: Testing Human Limits