Run the Everest Marathon
If running an 'ordinary' marathon is too easy for you, then take yourself to the 5,184m high start line of the Everest Marathon, at Gorak Shep in Nepal. The 16th edition of the 'world's highest marathon' will be held in November 2017, and although predominantly downhill, takes you over rough mountain trails as you run the requisite 42km to the finish in the Sherpa town of Namche Bazaar. Note - road marathon experience is not sufficient on its own.
Paddle from Devizes to London
Who'd have thought that any event starting in sleepy Wilshire could be so tough? But the Devizes Westminster International Canoe Marathon is the longest nonstop canoe race in the world, where competitors paddle up to 30 hours non-stop, 200 kilometres through the night. The cut off is dictated by the turning of the tide on the Thames - so miss that and you who't just miss the Westminster Bridge finish but you won't finish at all.
Cycle up Mont Ventoux three times
The local French club who organises this race up the 'giant of Provence' calls itself 'the mad men of Ventoux' for good reason. This barren, wind-swept and sun-baked extinct volcano subjects riders to a merciless exposure, with winds at the treeless summit often reaching 100kmh. This event makes you cycle up all three of its ascents in one day, clocking up a leg-bending 4,443m of ascent in just 68km.
Iditarod Trail Invitational
Run in the depth of the Alaskan winter, a week before and along the same 'route' as the legendary husky race, the Iditarod Trail Invitational is one of the most extreme bike, foot, or ski races on the planet. With no official route, minimal support allowed and the emphasis on self-reliance, the 350-mile race takes competitors from Knik, over the Alaska Range, to McGrath in the interior. Finish the race (most don't) and you qualify for the 1,000-mile race the year after...
Marathon des Sables
So, you can run six marathons in six days? But could you do it in 48 C, across energy-sapping, shifting sand? If you wan to find out then you need to sign up to the infamous annual MdS in the Sahara. The rules state you have to carry food, clothes and your sleeping bag and bivouac with seven other runners each night. A camel is walked at the back of the field, and if he overtakes you you're out. Although runners cover 251km in total, daily stages vary from 21km to 82km.
Run, ride and paddle Scotland Coast-to-Coast
You get to combine our three favourite means of transport on this British Isles epic adventure race, as you run, cycle and paddle across the wilds of Scotland. If you can see through the sweat you'll take in views of Loch Ness and the Great Glen, Ben Nevis and Glen Coe. Taking place on 10 and 11 September, you can race solo or as a pair across the 105 miles, and with 1,000 other ratracers, you'll have plenty of like-minded company.
