Live tracking for ultra marathons

For live ultramarathon tracking, try these:

• Ultramarathon Database — directory of major ultras with links to live tracking and results.
• UTMB Live — live maps and race information for UTMB events.
• UltraLive — live leaderboards and results for many timed and distance ultras.
• Race-specific tracker — many races use their own tracking page or an app such as RaceJoy; the race’s official website is usually the best place to find the right link. RaceJoy tracking depends on the event offering it and the runner enabling phone tracking. (ultramarathondatabase.com)

Tell me the race name (and year, if you know it), and I can find its live tracker.

Here are the main options for following ultras live, grouped by what they do.

Official race trackers
Most big events run their own GPS tracking. Examples from this year include the Ring O' Fire and Firelighter ultras, both on Open Tracking's platform, and the UTMB's HOKA Kodiak Ultra Marathons page. For Transvulcania, iRunFar's live blog pointed to the race organization's own live tracking and video streams. Check the race website first, since it's usually the most accurate source.

Aggregator sites for many races

• UltraRunTrack tracks many of the hardest ultras. It says it reads the official splits and puts every runner on the course, mile by mile for races without GPS units, such as Badwater, Hardrock, and Western States. It also has an archive of past races and emails you when tracking opens for a race you choose.
• ultralive.net offers free runner tracking for any ultra distance race, mostly trail races in the US. Its updates depend on volunteers. Its FAQ says that real time is not possible for a race unless all runners wore GPS trackers.
• UltraLive (live.ultramarathon.se) provides real-time results, team standings, and race updates for ultras worldwide.

Trail-race apps

• LiveTrail lets you follow your runners live, with a notification every time they cross a checkpoint. It also shows live rankings and course maps, and it works offline.

Race-day planning and crew apps

• Race Ultra covers planning and tracking. Checkpoint arrival times update in real time as the race unfolds, and your crew sees the same live view.
• UltraPlanRun (iPhone and Android) builds a plan from a GPX file. Its Pro "Crew Live Link" lets send your crew one link by WhatsApp or text, so they don't need an app.

Tips

• Expect delays between updates. Aggregators based on splits show your location only at checkpoints, not continuously.
• Coverage is patchy in remote areas, where most races are in remote areas with little to no cellular coverage.
• If you're following a specific race, tell me its name and date and I can look for its tracking page.

Live tracking in ultramarathons typically falls into one of three categories, ranging from professional race-organized systems to personal solutions you can use for your own safety or for your crew.

Because many ultras take place in remote areas with poor cellular coverage, "real-time" tracking is often more complex than it appears. Here is a breakdown of how to approach it.

1. Official Race Tracking (Best for Spectators & Crew)

Most major or well-organized ultramarathons provide their own tracking. You should always check the race website first.

• How it works: These systems often use "split timing". Runners pass over timing mats at aid stations, which automatically update their progress on a live leaderboard.
• Non-Real-Time: In many remote races, volunteers record bib numbers manually at checkpoints and radio them to a central station where they are entered into the system. This means there may be a delay between the runner passing a point and appearing on the map.
• Common Platforms: Keep an eye out for apps like LiveTrail, RTRT.me, RaceJoy, or race-specific dashboards.

2. Personal GPS Tracking (Best for Safety & Remote Crews)

If you are running a race without official tracking, or if you want to ensure your crew can find you in areas without cell service, you need independent hardware.

• Satellite Communicators (e.g., Garmin inReach): These are the gold standard for remote races. They transmit your position via satellite rather than cellular networks, making them reliable even in deep wilderness. They drop "pins" at set intervals (e.g., every 10 minutes) on a web map your crew can monitor.
• Dedicated GPS Trackers (e.g., SPOT trackers): Often used in extreme endurance events, these are small, rugged devices designed purely for tracking and sometimes sending distress signals.
• DIY Solutions: For shorter races with better coverage, some runners use their own phone with apps like Strava Beacon (which shares your live location with selected contacts).

3. Tips for Success

• Don't rely on phone apps in deep wilderness: If the race is in a remote area, do not assume your phone's GPS tracking (like Strava or Google Maps) will work consistently, as it requires a data connection to update your location for others.
• Ask for the "Race Plan": Many advanced tracking platforms (like LiveTrail or Track3D) allow you to view the course map, elevation profiles, and upcoming aid stations. Knowing these details helps your crew predict where and when to meet you.
• Check the "Favorites" Feature: Many race apps allow spectators to mark a runner as a "favorite" to receive automated notifications whenever that runner passes a timing checkpoint.

Summary for your next race:

1. Check the race website for a link to their official "Live Tracking" or "Results" page.
2. If none exists, and you want to be tracked, invest in a satellite device like a Garmin inReach if you are heading into remote terrain.
3. For standard trail races with cell coverage, Strava Beacon or the race's official app is usually sufficient.

For live tracking of an ultramarathon, start with the race organizer’s official event page or app—many events use a dedicated tracking service, and the options vary by race.

Useful places to check:

• UTMB World Series races: UTMB Live offers runner tracking, rankings, and results for UTMB events. Search by runner name or bib number. ²
• A broader race calendar: Ultramarathon Database lists live and upcoming races and links to tracking when available. ⁶
• Ultras with live timing and leaderboards: UltraLive provides results, splits, and race analysis for covered events. ¹⁵
• Some races use event-specific apps or timing services: for example, Grossglockner Ultra-Trail offers tracking through its official app and Datasport Live. ⁸⁹

One caveat: “live tracking” doesn’t always mean a runner’s GPS position is updating continuously. Some races show checkpoint or timing-mat updates instead; the race’s tracking page should explain what data it provides. ¹¹

If you share the race name and year, I can point you to its tracking page.