NTR De kennis van nu: Geboren renners

Ultramarathons are a scientific goldmine, as they allow researchers to examine people who are willing to push themselves to the extreme. One of the scientific mysteries: why are women so good at extremely long-distance marathons? Women regularly win, even against male competitors. Host Elisabeth van Nimwegen witnessed the pinnacle of ultramarathons: the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB), a 171-kilometre race at an elevation of more than 10,000 metres through the mountains of France, Italy and Switzerland.

Most participants cross the finish line within two days, leaving very little time to rest, eat or change. At most, they get a short nap. They don’t run for the prize money (which is modest) and they know they’re going to suffer. So why do they do it?