Beyond a footrace: Ultramarathon as a liminoid performance

This study aims to explore the experience of becoming an ultramarathoner and the codes of ultramarathon culture in Turkey through the lenses of symbolic and interpretive anthropology and performance studies. It identifies the meaning, value, and significance of ultramarathons for runners, and presents an ethnographic description of ultramarathon racing. The anthropological fieldwork was conducted from April 2018 to March 2022, employing in-person and online interviews, and participant observations at İznik Ultra Marathon, Salomon Cappadocia Ultra-Trail and Uludağ Premium Ultra Trail organizations. In total 28 in-depth interviews were conducted with 22 ultramarathoners (13 men and 9 women), ranging in age from 34 to 60 years old, from İstanbul, Ankara, İzmir, Adana and Eskişehir. The results have shown that running ultramarathons is far beyond a pass time activity for recreational runners. It is an integral element of their identity and a lifestyle choice for them. Ultrarunning is an additional social space in their lives outside of the home and work environments. It gives ultrarunners a breathing space away from crowded city life, providing them with uninterrupted space for thinking and contemplation in nature. It turns into a vehicle for pushing their limits and seeing what they are truly capable of. It allows them to thrive physically, mentally, and spiritually, ultimately reinforcing their adherence to the neoliberal structure. The present study also revealed insights into the dynamics of ultramarathon races and the cultural norms, values and characteristics of the ultramarathon community.