{"slug": "i-ran-an-ultra-marathon-across-one-of-the-most-remote-inhabited-places-on-earth", "title": "I ran an ultra-marathon across one of the most remote inhabited places on Earth", "summary": "Rat Race, a UK adventure company, staged the first ultra-marathon on Easter Island, one of the most remote inhabited places on Earth. The event included a 50km race and several days of hiking, allowing 39 runners to explore the island's iconic moai statues and volcanic landscapes.", "body_md": "A wild horse trots alongside me while a giant stone moai, carved centuries ago, lies face-down in the fudge-textured earth just metres away.\n\nThis is not your average running route.\n\nThen again, this isn’t your average race.\n\nDesigned by UK adventure company Rat Race, I am in the thick of what is believed to be the first ultra-marathon ever staged on [Easter](https://metro.co.uk/tag/easter/) Island – one of the most remote inhabited places on Earth.\n\nAn estimated 7,750 people call it home, according to [latest census data](https://worldpopulationreview.com/regions/easter-island), almost exclusively in the coastal town of Hanga Roa, where daily life revolves heavily around community, church, family and the ocean.\n\n### Ask Metro\n\n*Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications.*\n\n## Best of Metro Deals\n\nGet exclusive discounts with [Metro Deals](https://www.metro-deals.co.uk/deals/london) – save on getaways and spa days. Powered by Wowcher\n\n**Bannatyne Spa**: Spa day for two with treatments, lunch & prosecco — save up to 57% off.\n\n**Mystery Escape**: Hotel stay with return flights from as low as £92pp — save on worldwide holiday packages.\n\n**Beach Retreat (Lanzarote)**: 4* Lanzarote beach holiday with flights — save up to 58%.\n\nMore than 3,500km from mainland [Chile](https://metro.co.uk/tag/chile/), the tiny volcanic island, known locally as Rapa Nui, is famous for its mysterious moai statues, believed to have been created somewhere between the 13th and 16th centuries.\n\nAround 1,000 of the giant stone figures are scattered across the landscape, some weighing more than 70 tonnes and standing almost 10 metres tall.\n\nFor the next week, they provide the backdrop to one of the most extraordinary running adventures I’ve ever experienced.\n\nRat Race specialises in taking runners to spectacular corners of the globe, with locations ranging from Iceland to Mongolia, but this feels like something else entirely.\n\nAlongside the race itself, the itinerary includes three days of hiking and trail running to explore the island before tackling the main 50km ultra-marathon and rounding things off with a couple more days of adventure.\n\nAfter landing at what must be one of the world’s smallest international airports, all 39 runners check into the same hotel.\n\nThe group is wonderfully eclectic. Some have completed multiple 100-mile ultras, while others, like me, are stepping into the unknown.\n\nThe youngest is 28, the oldest approaching 70, and everyone seems equally excited to discover one of the world’s most isolated islands.\n\nThe days leading up to the race are every bit as memorable as the event itself.\n\nRather than simply flying in and running, we spend three days exploring the island on foot, gradually piecing together its remarkable history.\n\nOne morning takes us along a spectacular 16km coastal trail past ancient caves, ceremonial sites and crumbling archaeological remains before finishing at Anakena Beach.\n\nWith its swaying palm trees, white sand and turquoise water, it’s hard to believe this idyllic stretch of coastline belongs to the same island that’s famous for mysterious stone statues.\n\nAnother day, we visit Puna Pau, the quarry where many of the moai’s distinctive red topknots were carved, before continuing to Ahu Akivi, where seven moai stand gazing towards the Pacific.\n\nBut it’s Rano Kau that steals the show.\n\nStanding on the rim of the vast volcanic crater, I look down over a freshwater lake ringed by lush vegetation while the endless Pacific glitters beyond. It’s one of those places that makes everyone fall silent.\n\nBy the time we head back towards Hanga Roa – the island’s main town – following the coastline and skirting the island’s tiny airport, it feels as though we’ve explored an open-air museum. More importantly, the island no longer feels unfamiliar.\n\nSo when race morning arrives, setting off at 7am feels less like the start of a competition and more like the grand finale to an unforgettable week of adventure.\n\nAs dawn breaks, we gather at the start line, count down together and set off across one of the world’s most extraordinary landscapes.\n\nI’d completed a marathon before, but never 50km.\n\nThankfully, Rat Race splits the course into four stages with well-stocked aid stations, making the challenge feel far less intimidating than I’d imagined.\n\nNot that it’s easy.\n\nOne climb takes us to Maunga Terevaka, the island’s highest point, while another section leaves runners scratching their heads as GPS watches struggle to find the correct route.\n\nMine eventually dies altogether, as does my roommate Steph’s and we end up joining forces with fellow runner Doug to get through the final miles.\n\nThe scenery makes every aching step worthwhile.\n\nWild horses graze beside ancient archaeological sites. Giant moai appear unexpectedly across rolling hills. Volcanoes rise from emerald-green grasslands while the Pacific stretches endlessly towards the horizon.\n\nThen, with around 5km remaining, the heavens open. Roads through Hanga Roa transform into rivers of reddish-brown water as the volcanic clay dissolves into something resembling hot chocolate.\n\nNine hours after setting off, I cross the finish line soaked, exhausted but grinning.\n\nIt was hard to comprehend the distance I had covered.\n\nLike other endurance challenges I’ve taken on, including mountaineering, the experience reinforced just how important mental resilience is.\n\nThroughout the day, I found myself constantly giving myself little pep talks, breaking the route into manageable sections and focusing only on putting one foot in front of the other.\n\nBy the final stretch, my feet were pleading with me to stop.\n\nThankfully, I escaped without blisters, but they felt heavy and every muscle in my legs ached from hours of alternating between power walking and occasional bursts of jogging.\n\nCrossing the finish line brought an overwhelming sense of relief and achievement, making every aching step worthwhile.\n\nThere was little time to rest after the race. We rounded off our trip with a hike around Ahu Tongariki, the largest ceremonial platform on Easter Island, before climbing to the summit of Poike, the island’s second-highest volcano.\n\nBut once the race was over and the other runners had departed, I checked into the luxurious Explora Rapa Nui for a well-earned recovery.\n\nThe all-inclusive lodge blends seamlessly into the island’s rugged landscape thanks to its organic architecture and offers guided hikes, cycling excursions and immersive cultural experiences.\n\nAfter covering 100km on foot, I happily gave those a miss, instead spending a couple of days unwinding in the spa, hopping between the hot tub, hut-spaed sauna and outdoor pool to soothe my weary legs.\n\nThe lodge’s fresh, organic menu also proved the perfect fuel for recovery after days of pushing my body to its limits.\n\nThe moai-shaped medal is a special souvenir.\n\nBut it’s the island I’ll remember.\n\n## The essentials\n\n**Getting there**\n\nFly from [London](https://metro.co.uk/tag/london/) to Santiago via [Paris](https://metro.co.uk/tag/paris/) with [British Airways](https://metro.co.uk/tag/british-airways/) and Air [France](https://metro.co.uk/tag/france/), then connect to Easter Island (Rapa Nui) with LATAM.\n\nThe flight from Santiago takes around five-and-a-half hours.\n\nIf you’re breaking up the journey, the Holiday Inn Santiago Airport sits directly opposite the terminal, making it an easy overnight stop.\n\n**Where to stay**\n\nAfter crossing the finish line, treat yourself to a stay at [Explora Rapa Nui](https://www.explora.com/explora-lodge-easter-island-new/).\n\nThe all-inclusive lodge blends seamlessly into the island’s landscape and includes guided hikes, bike rides and cultural experiences, along with a spa, sauna and outdoor pool to help soothe tired legs.\n\n#### Our Top Shopping Picks\n\nSafari park near London is offering tickets and a safari experience from £60 for two\n\nBest carry-on suitcase for overpackers? This North Face bag gets my vote\n\nBest anti-chafing products for summer 2026 – stay sweat-free in the heat\n\nWuka launches the UK’s first period-proof swimwear for heavy flows\n\nInside the £119 spa day with treatments and afternoon tea near Liverpool\n\nMORE: [The best carry-on bags that fit Ryanair and easyJet cabin rules](https://metro.co.uk/2026/07/04/best-carry-on-bags-fit-ryanair-easyjet-cabin-rules-just-5-99-28988930/?ico=more_text_links)\n\nMORE: [The World Cup made Cape Verde go viral – but what’s the tiny island nation all about?](https://metro.co.uk/2026/07/03/world-cup-made-cape-verde-go-viral-tiny-island-nation-29028486/?ico=more_text_links)\n\nMORE: [A ‘secret’ garden hides in one of London’s most beautiful areas — and it’s £8.50 to enter](https://metro.co.uk/2026/07/03/a-secret-garden-hides-one-londons-beautiful-areas-8-50-enter-28985777/?ico=more_text_links)", "url": "https://wpnews.pro/news/i-ran-an-ultra-marathon-across-one-of-the-most-remote-inhabited-places-on-earth", "canonical_source": "https://metro.co.uk/2026/07/04/ran-ultra-marathon-across-one-remote-inhabited-places-earth-28970316/", "published_at": "2026-07-04 08:00:00+00:00", "updated_at": "2026-07-04 08:22:19.295605+00:00", "lang": "en", "topics": ["ai-tools"], "entities": ["Rat Race", "Easter Island", "Rapa Nui", "Hanga Roa", "Anakena Beach", "Puna Pau", "Ahu Akivi", "Rano Kau"], "alternates": {"html": "https://wpnews.pro/news/i-ran-an-ultra-marathon-across-one-of-the-most-remote-inhabited-places-on-earth", "markdown": "https://wpnews.pro/news/i-ran-an-ultra-marathon-across-one-of-the-most-remote-inhabited-places-on-earth.md", "text": "https://wpnews.pro/news/i-ran-an-ultra-marathon-across-one-of-the-most-remote-inhabited-places-on-earth.txt", "jsonld": "https://wpnews.pro/news/i-ran-an-ultra-marathon-across-one-of-the-most-remote-inhabited-places-on-earth.jsonld"}}