What is the record for the longest human non stop run?

Answer 1

All marathons are 26 miles plus 385 yards (42.195 Km) in length and most serious distance runners complete them without stopping, although they may slow down to grab a beverage along the route. Elite runners train to pick up and drink from a cup without breaking stride.

In the early Olympic events the distance wasn't fixed, just a convenient distance of about 25 miles. This made year-to-year record times impossible to fairly track. In the 1920 Olympics the marathon was 26.56 miles long, the longest distance for an Olympic marathon. From 1924 onward the distance has been 26 miles plus 385 yards which was the distance of the 1908 London Olympics and it has been fixed at that distance since 1924.

Many people mistakenly use the word "Marathon" to mean a footrace or a long footrace. This is not correct. The term "Marathon" actually refers to a footrace of the fixed distance 26 miles and 385 yards.

Answer 2

Canadian runner Al Howie apparently set a record in 1987 for the longest "continual" run, completing 580 kilometers in 1422 laps around the University of Victoria's Centennial Stadium in 104.5 hours. His speed averaged just 5.6 km/hour.

Ultra-marathons (50/100 km, 50/100 miles) include slowing and even breaks, because human muscles are limited in constant use. Some runners are capable of 200 to 250 km (or slightly more) within a 24-hour period.

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Since 2004, Guinness World Records has changed its approach in relation to the types of records it recognises. They made the following reply in June 2004.

"Thank you for your enquiry concerning the non-stop walking record.

Unfortunately, we have to inform you that the record you were originally proposing to attempt, has now been rested and that is why we sent details of the 24 hour record. A rested record means that no one can attempt that particular record and become a new record holder, these are records that we no longer wish to pursue. Please note that the 24 hour record is now the only record of interest to us. If you still wish to make an attempt at this record, you may do so using the guidelines which we sent to you."

Answer 3

The current record for the longest non-stop run by a human is 350 miles within 86 hours, achieved by Dean Karnazes in 2005.