Alexander Sorokin: The Ultra Running Legend Who Broke the Impossible
- Kenya Camp Admin
- 5 days ago
- 12 min read
Updated: 40 minutes ago
In the world of endurance sports, certain athletes transcend the boundaries of what we believe humanly possible. Alexander Sorokin, the Lithuanian ultra-distance runner, sits firmly in this rare category of athletic excellence. For those unfamiliar with Sorokin, he has become a living legend in the ultra-running community, amassing an incredible seven world records across various ultra distances including the 100K, 160K, 12 hours, and 24 hours. What makes Sorokin's accomplishments truly astonishing isn't just that he broke these records—he utterly demolished them.
To put his abilities into perspective, Sorokin's personal best in the 100K is an astounding six hours and five minutes. That translates to a pace faster than 3 minutes and 40 seconds per kilometer—sustained for over 62 miles. For most runners, maintaining this pace for even a 5K would be challenging. Sorokin maintains it for twenty times that distance.
As a multiple-time world champion who frequently trains in Kenya, Sorokin represents the pinnacle of human endurance. His journey, training philosophy, and mental approach offer valuable insights not just for runners but for anyone seeking to understand the limits of human potential and how to push beyond them.
Early Life and Introduction to Ultra Running
From Recreational Runner to Ultra Distance Competitor
Unlike many elite athletes who show prodigious talent from childhood, Sorokin's entry into running came relatively late. He only began running seriously in 2013, initially focusing on half marathons and marathons. His marathon personal best of 2:24 is impressive for most recreational runners but falls well short of elite marathon standards, which might explain why Sorokin quickly realized his true potential lay elsewhere.
"I can't be good in half marathon or marathon because I'm too slow," Sorokin candidly admits. This honest self-assessment led him to search for something different—a challenge that could provide motivation and meaning to his running journey.
The Pivot Point: Finding His True Calling
The turning point in Sorokin's athletic career came when he stumbled upon an advertisement for a 100-kilometer race while walking in a park in his hometown. Rather than being intimidated by the distance, Sorokin saw it as an opportunity—a perfect motivation to continue his running journey.
"I said to myself, it'll be my motivation. I try to finish that 100 kilometers," Sorokin recalls.
That first ultra-marathon was brutal. Like many first-time ultra runners, Sorokin could barely walk normally for the first week or two following the race. Everything hurt—muscles, joints, everything. But beneath the physical pain, something profound had happened. He had discovered his athletic purpose.
"Maybe that time I fell in love with this sport," he says, reflecting on that pivotal moment. "I just like to run slow but long."
This statement perfectly encapsulates Sorokin's initial approach to the sport—not as a record-breaker or world champion, but simply as someone who enjoyed the particular challenge that ultra distances offered. It wasn't until years later that he would begin to realize his exceptional talent.
Event | Time Result | Place | Meeting | Date |
100 km (road) | 6:05:35 | Vilnius, Lithuania | World's Fastest Run | 14 May 2023 |
100 miles (track) | 11:14:56+ | Ashford, United Kingdom | Centurion Running Track 100 Mile | 24 April 2021 |
100 miles (road) | 10:51:39+ | Tel Aviv, Israel | Spartanion Race | 6 January 2022 |
98.496 km | Ashford, United Kingdom | Centurion Running Track 100 Mile | 24 April 2021 | |
12 hour run (track) | 170.309 km | Ashford, United Kingdom | Centurion Running Track 100 Mile | 24 April 2021 |
12 hour run (road) | 177.410 km | Tel Aviv, Israel | Spartanion Race | 7 January 2022 |
24 hour run (road) | 319.614 km | Verona, Italy | 18 September 2022 |
Record-Breaking Performances That Defined His Career
The Astonishing 24-Hour World Record
When asked about the achievement he's most proud of, Sorokin doesn't hesitate: "Actually, my main is the 24 hours." This makes perfect sense considering the historic nature of his accomplishment in this event.
For years, the 24-hour world record stood at 303 kilometers (188.3 miles), set by the legendary Yiannis Kouros in 1996. For a quarter-century, this mark seemed untouchable, a testament to what many considered the absolute limit of human endurance.
"Until 2020, I don't understand. How can I imagine it? Can I do it?" Sorokin admits, revealing the mental barrier the record represented even to him.
Then came the COVID-19 pandemic, which became an unexpected catalyst for Sorokin's athletic career. When his workplace closed due to lockdown restrictions, Sorokin suddenly found himself with the time to train like a professional athlete—running became his full-time job. The results were immediate and dramatic.
"When the pandemic came, my job was closed and I became like a pro runner because I don't have to do anything, just run. And my results grew up," he explains.
With this newfound training time, Sorokin began to see exponential improvements in his performances. In 2021, he achieved what many thought impossible, breaking Kouros's 24-hour world record. For Sorokin, this wasn't just another achievement—it was the "wow effect," as he calls it, the crowning work of his athletic life.
Conquering the Spartathlon and Other Major Achievements
While Sorokin clearly excels in track events where he runs laps, he has also proven his versatility by winning the historic Spartathlon—one of the most challenging road ultramarathons in the world. The race covers 246 kilometers (153 miles) from Athens to Sparta, following in the footsteps of the ancient Greek messenger Pheidippides.
Unlike the controlled environment of track events, the Spartathlon presents unique challenges: hills, changing terrain, and a point-to-point format that doesn't allow for the strategic placement of supplies. For someone who typically specializes in track ultras, this victory demonstrates remarkable adaptability.
"Spartathlon is from point A to point B... It was an experience for me," Sorokin shares. "Those races have pluses and minuses. Pluses because you see everything, it's nature. Everything is good. When you run loops, the same views, so it's boring.
He makes an interesting observation about the trade-offs between loop courses and point-to-point races. While loop courses allow for convenience in terms of nutrition and equipment access, they can become monotonous. Conversely, point-to-point races offer constantly changing scenery but present logistical challenges.
Breaking Down His Remarkable Pace Statistics
Perhaps the most mind-bending aspect of Sorokin's performances is his pacing. During his record-breaking 100K, he maintained an average pace of approximately 3:38 per kilometer—for over six hours. This is faster than most recreational runners could maintain for even a 5K race.
Even more impressively, when training at altitude in Kenya, Sorokin casually mentions running 40 kilometers at 4:00 per kilometer pace—as an everyday training run. And this isn't just a one-off occurrence. On his first day arriving in Kenya, at high altitude and in hilly terrain, he knocked out a 40-kilometer run when most visitors would be acclimating with easy jogging.
These performances highlight a crucial aspect of ultra running that Sorokin understands intuitively: the importance of adaptability. "Your body can adapt," he explains. "Just adapt for this. Of course, you can't run 100 kilometers per week and next week you run 300. Little by little you increase your mileage.
Training Philosophy and Mental Approach
The Punishing Training Regimen
When it comes to training volume, Sorokin operates in a different dimension than most runners. He regularly logs between 250-300 kilometers (155-186 miles) per week—a staggering amount that most elite marathon runners wouldn't approach even at peak training.
What's perhaps most revealing about Sorokin's approach is his candid admission that he doesn't particularly enjoy the process: "Every morning I stand up and say, 'Oh no, I don't want to run.' But you need to just begin, after that maybe it will be easier.
This statement offers a powerful insight into the mindset of an ultra champion. For Sorokin, motivation isn't something that precedes action—it often follows it. He doesn't wait to feel motivated before starting his training; he starts training, and the motivation sometimes (though not always) follows.
"I hate those long trainings too," he admits. "I don't know why I'm running, because I hate training, hates races, but it's my choice.
This pragmatic approach—treating running as a job that needs to be done regardless of emotional state—may be one of Sorokin's greatest strengths. It allows him to maintain consistency in training when others might falter due to fluctuating motivation.
Maintaining Focus Through Pain and Suffering
One of the most fascinating aspects of ultra running is the mental component—how does one maintain focus and determination through hours and hours of physical discomfort? When asked about his mental approach, Sorokin offers a disarmingly simple answer:
"I think I hate, first of all, I hate races because I know it'll be painful, suffering, and other things... It's my job. It's my choice. If you don't want to run, don't run. If you go, just do your job.
This matter-of-fact acceptance of suffering as part of the process reveals a deep psychological resilience. Rather than fighting against the pain or creating elaborate mental strategies to distract from it, Sorokin simply accepts discomfort as an inevitable part of the experience.
The Psychological Battle of Ultra Running
The psychological dimension of ultra running often separates the good from the truly great. Sorokin describes his approach to 24-hour races as "more art than sport." He acknowledges that even after setting world records, he still doesn't know "how to correctly run those long distances.
His pacing strategy reveals this artistic, intuitive approach. Rather than maintaining even splits throughout a 24-hour race (which would theoretically be optimal), Sorokin typically starts faster—around 4:00 per kilometer—and gradually slows to 6:00-7:00 per kilometer in the final hours.
When asked if this is deliberate or if he'd prefer to maintain a more consistent pace, Sorokin admits, "I don't know. Until now, I don't know how to correctly run those long distances." He describes it as running on feelings rather than a scientific approach.
This element of racing by feel, of making decisions in real-time based on how the body is responding, represents the art within the science of endurance sports. Even at the highest level, there remains a deeply intuitive component to performance.
Why Kenya Has Become His Training Ground of Choice
For years, Kenya has been synonymous with distance running excellence, primarily producing world-class marathon and track athletes. Increasingly, elite ultra runners like Sorokin are also discovering the benefits of training in this running mecca.
Sorokin has made Kenya—specifically Iten, known as the "Home of Champions"—a regular training base, returning six times. The combination of high altitude (approximately 2,400 meters/7,900 feet), mild year-round temperatures, and simple lifestyle creates ideal conditions for focused training blocks.
"Other places are not good for me because, for example, if it's winter in Europe, you can't run at high altitude because everywhere it's snowing. So you just come to Kenya, it's quite cheap here to live," Sorokin explains pragmatically.
The Simple Runner's Life at Iten
Part of what makes Kenya appealing for serious athletes is the simplicity it enforces. Without the distractions of modern life, runners can focus entirely on training, eating, and recovering—the holy trinity of athletic improvement.
"You just come here, don't think about anything. Just you come to camp, you run, rest, sleep, run," Sorokin says, succinctly describing the monastic routine that characterizes training camps in Kenya.
This simplicity extends to all aspects of life in Iten. "Here you have to look for ways to distract you. It's not coming to you automatically," he notes, contrasting it with the constant stimulation and convenience of Western life.
Benefits of the Kenyan Training Environment
Beyond the physiological benefits of altitude training, Kenya offers practical advantages for serious runners. The training facilities, the community of like-minded athletes, and even the food all contribute to an environment where excellence can flourish.
"You can see different life because you live in Europe, you have everything. You go to the market, you can take everything, buy everything. Here you can buy nothing. Maybe rice, corn, potatoes, and other things," Sorokin observes.
This forced simplicity creates an environment where distractions are minimized and recovery is prioritized—essential elements for handling the enormous training volumes that ultra running demands.
Overcoming Injury and Future Aspirations
Learning from Forced Rest Periods
Even the most resilient athletes face setbacks, and Sorokin is no exception. After a period of injury that prevented him from running for nearly a year, he gained new perspective on his body's needs and limitations.
"I understood that last years when I run a lot, maybe my body was too tired. Maybe himself broke the bone to save me, to stop. I need to rest because all tests in laboratory was very low... My hemoglobin go down... So I think my body just say to me, 'I need to stop. I need to rest for one year.
This personification of his body as a separate entity sending him messages reveals Sorokin's deep connection to his physical self. Rather than viewing the injury as a random misfortune, he sees it as his body's intelligent response to excessive stress—a forced rest period when he was unable to impose one himself.
The Challenge of 48-Hour Races and Beyond
Looking to the future, Sorokin contemplates new challenges, including potentially moving up to 48-hour races. This would present entirely new dimensions of difficulty, particularly regarding sleep deprivation.
"Maybe in the future I go to longer, maybe 48 hours, but still my brain can't keep it," he admits, acknowledging the mental barrier this presents.
The progression to 48-hour events represents not just a physical challenge but an entirely new psychological frontier. How does one manage sleep? What happens to decision-making after 30+ hours of continuous movement? These questions represent the next frontier for Sorokin to explore.
The Humble Champion's Perspective
"I Don't Have Talent, Just Dedication"
Perhaps the most striking aspect of Sorokin's character is his humility. Despite holding multiple world records and being widely regarded as one of the greatest ultra runners of all time, he maintains that he lacks natural talent.
"Until now, I still think I don't have talent. Just I like what I do, and I think every second man can run like me. Just need to begin to run," Sorokin insists.
This statement reveals a deeply held belief that his achievements stem not from innate ability but from consistent work and passion for the sport. Whether or not this is objectively true (and most sports scientists would argue that Sorokin must possess exceptional physiological gifts), this mindset serves an important psychological function.
By attributing his success to factors within anyone's control—dedication, consistency, and passion—rather than genetic lottery, Sorokin maintains the belief that improvement is always possible. There is no predetermined ceiling to his potential.
Advice for Aspiring Ultra Runners
Through his example more than his words, Sorokin offers profound lessons for anyone interested in ultra running or pushing personal boundaries:
Action precedes motivation: Don't wait to feel motivated before starting. Start, and motivation may follow.
Adaptation requires consistency: Build gradually and trust your body's remarkable ability to adapt to increasing demands.
Accept the suffering: Pain in ultra running isn't an unexpected intrusion; it's part of the process. Accepting rather than fighting it conserves mental energy.
Listen to your body: Sometimes what seems like a setback (like injury) may be your body's way of forcing necessary rest and recovery.
Focus on the process: Sorokin doesn't fixate on records; he focuses on doing the work day after day. The results follow naturally from the process.
Alexander Sorokin represents the extraordinary heights that human endurance can reach through a combination of dedication, strategic training, and mental fortitude. His journey from recreational runner to world record holder demonstrates that greatness often emerges not from obvious early talent but from finding the perfect match between one's natural attributes and chosen discipline.
What makes Sorokin's story particularly compelling is the contrast between his superhuman achievements and his very human approach. He doesn't enjoy every training run. He suffers during races. He questions his methods. Yet he continues to push the boundaries of what's possible in ultra running.
In a sports world often focused on natural talent and genetic advantages, Sorokin offers an alternative narrative—one where consistent work, gradual adaptation, and sheer determination can lead to performances that redefine what we believe humanly possible. Whether or not he continues to break records, his impact on ultra running is already indelible, inspiring a generation of runners to reconsider their own limitations.
For those who follow endurance sports, Sorokin's ongoing career represents one of the most fascinating experiments in human potential unfolding in real time. For everyone else, his story offers a powerful reminder that our limitations may be more self-imposed than we realize, and that extraordinary achievement often begins with the simple decision to take the first step—even when we don't feel like it.
FAQs About Alexander Sorokin
1. What nationality is Alexander Sorokin? Alexander Sorokin is from Lithuania. He represents his country in international ultra running competitions and has brought significant recognition to Lithuanian athletics through his world records and championship performances.
2. What are Alexander Sorokin's most notable world records? Sorokin holds world records across multiple ultra distances, including the 100K, 160K, 12-hour, and 24-hour events. His most celebrated record is in the 24-hour event, where he broke Yiannis Kouros's long-standing record that had remained unbeaten for 25 years.
3. How much does Alexander Sorokin train? Sorokin maintains an extremely high training volume, running between 250-300 kilometers (155-186 miles) per week. His training includes multiple long runs, sometimes covering 40 kilometers or more in a single session, often at impressive paces even during altitude training.
4. What is Alexander Sorokin's marathon personal best? Despite being a world-record holder in ultra distances, Sorokin's marathon personal best is approximately 2:24. This underscores how specialized ultra running is as a discipline, requiring different physiological attributes than shorter distances like the marathon.
5. How does Sorokin approach the mental challenge of ultra running? Sorokin approaches ultra running with a practical, job-like mentality. He accepts suffering as part of the process rather than fighting against it. He doesn't always enjoy training or racing but commits to the process regardless of his emotional state. This pragmatic approach allows him to maintain consistency through the inevitable ups and downs of ultra endurance sports.
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