Distance - This, of course, is the most obvious difference between the two. Marathons are 26.2 miles and ultramarathons any distance that is greater than 26.2. For example, 31 miles, 50 miles or 100 miles. There are other distances, but those are the most popular. There are also timed events: 12 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, and even multi day-races. Some are run on roads, some on trails, and some (mainly timed events) on a track. Elevation - The elevation gain is the kicker when it comes to most ultramarathons since most ultramarathons are trail runs. This results in significatnt elevation gain. This plays games on your legs as well as with your head as you have to be ready to conquer the hills. How, you might ask? Well you conquer them by walking. If you are planning on winning the race, of course, then you probably are not walking the ascents, but for the average ultramarathoner you are walking virtually every ascent and running every descent.
Training - Ultramarathon training slows the pace, and extends the mileage and time on your feet. You're not going to spend most of your waking hours running. That's because prepping for a 50-miler is much like marathon training, but with fewer and slower intervals, and somewhat longer (and slower) long runs spiced with walking breaks. The core element is the long run "sandwich": back-to-back long, slowish runs on successive days (likely Saturday and Sunday) bookended by two days of total rest. Some speed work is still needed or you might get too slow with all those slow runs.
Time - Because of the elevation gain and the forced walking in order to conserve your energy your average pace slows drastically. This results in a finish time much longer than the marathon. A huge difference, and a lot of time spent with yourself and only yourself.
Hydration/Nutrition - In the marathon there are aid stations spread around 1 or 2 miles, which gives the runner plenty of opportunity to make sure that there are plenty of fluids being drank. In an ultramarathon it is you and the trail with aid stations few and far between, may be 6 miles away sometimes. This leaves you with at least one 20oz. water bottle and very possibly two, either handheld or on a hip pack. Because of the length of time you are out there and the energy exerted you drink a ton more fluids than you would during a marathon. Additionally, you need to consume quite a bit more during the race. In a marathon you can get by with a few Gu's if you want or even subsisting only on sports drinks and water. Not so with the ultramarathons, which entails packing some energy bars and other forms to consume a large quantity of calories.
Aid Stations - As mentioned above, the aid stations are few and far in between. Additionally, when you get to the aid stations you have a whole array of food (such as M&Ms, chips, potatoes and salt, pretzels and so on) that you can eat while some volunteers fill your water bottle. With the marathon there is no food and oftentimes the sports drink is watered down to make it spread further (which doesn't absorb as well) and maybe, if you are lucky, you'll get some Gu packets or something. The water is handed to you in little cups.
Runners - Marathons, of course, draw a much larger crowd. This makes for your 26.2 miles to be ran almost entirely with someone either around you, in front of you or behind you in sight. The ultramarathon is usually no more than 100 runners, oftentimes maxing out at 50. Since the race is so long the runners tend to spread out and you can go for hours without coming in contact with another runner, although you can usually see them way off in the distance in front of you or behind you.Course - Marathons are oftentimes run on street with volunteers spread out throughout the whole race guiding you. Ultramarathons are usually trail runs which means you have to keep a vigilant eye out for the fluttering ribbons warning you of a turn coming up. It is easy to get lost and lose an hour or two and log in some extra bonus miles.
This is pretty much all....wanna run one?
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