For Andy Jones-Wilkins, 26-mile marathons are short races.

The Hailey-based school administrator is one of a handful of runners in south-central Idaho who compete in ultramarathons - trail races that are often 50 or 100 miles.

The routes are often in mountains and involve thousands of feet of climbing. Experienced runners can complete 100 miles in less than 24 hours. They start before dawn and run almost constantly through the race, subsisting on energy gels, half sandwiches and lots of water.

Jones-Wilkins, 42, ran his first race in 1996. Since then, he has competed in 24 hundred-mile races and more than 60 shorter races and is now sponsored by Patagonia. Most of his races are in the West, which is the hub of ultramarathon running, Jones-Wilkins said. He runs about 10 races a year, and up to 100 miles in a week while training for them.

Sounds crazy? It's not, Jones-Wilkins said. The sport helps him connect with his body and environment, and isn't saturated with athletes looking for fame.

"Out there, you're running for 17 hours, you're all by yourself," he said.

Jon Wheelwright of Twin Falls, 29, started ultramarathon running three years ago while living in Utah. He was training for a normal marathon when a friend turned him on to the idea, he said. Since then, he has participated in about 14 races, recently placing 11th in a 100-miler.

The challenge draws Wheelwright to the sport.

"In a good 50-mile race or a good 100-mile race, it's almost like living your life in one day," Wheelwright said. "You've got incredible highs and incredible lows and once you get done with it, you wouldn't trade it for anything."

But the sport isn't without its dangers. Ultramarathon runners are subject to foot injuries, dehydration and muscle cramps, Jones-Wilkins said. Because the races take place on mountain trails, competitors sometimes fall, Wheelwright added.

Andrew Mix, physical therapist at Lifestyles Therapy and Wellness Center in Twin Falls, said ultramarathon runners can avoid injury with proper training.

"Our bodies are made to withstand a lot," Mix said. With the right information, ultramarathoners are no more subject to injury than someone improperly shoveling their sidewalk or typing on a computer, he said.

Wheelwright, who also works as a physical therapist, said ultramarathons on dirt trails are easier on his joints than shorter marathons on pavement.

The risks are worth it for Jones-Wilkins.

"It's so simple with your shoes and the mountains," he said. "There's something almost primal about just being out there and running."

Melissa Davlin may be reached at 208-735-3234 or melissa.davlin@lee.net.