Why do they do it? Long-term follow-up on the motivation to run in ultrarunners: findings of the ultrarunners longitudinal TRAcking (ULTRA) study.

Participants in the ULTRA Study completed surveys in 2014 and again in 2024 to assess long-term changes in motivation to run (Motivations of Marathoners Scale) and perception of success (Perception of Success Questionnaire). Of the 534 ultramarathon runners, 270 were still participating in ultramarathons at 10-year followup. Motivation declined across nearly all dimensions over 10 years, including personal goal achievement, competition, recognition, affiliation, psychological coping, life meaning, and self-esteem (all p<0.001). Health orientation showed no significant change (p = 0.084). Participants had higher task (p<0.001) and ego (p = 0.002) scores (indicating weaker orientation) supporting the concept that after 10 years, ultramarathon runners care less about getting better (task) and less about beating others (ego). Overall, the results indicate a high level of discontinuation of the sport and a relative prioritization of health-related concerns as all other motivations declined over time.