History

Dr. Marty Hoffman had the idea of a non-profit foundation to support international research related to ultra-endurance activities in the mid-2000’s.  The foundation was to be call the Ultra-Endurance Exercise Research Foundation.  But, that was preceding the rapid growth in ultramarathon participation that was seen shortly thereafter, and it was too early in the development of ultra-endurance related research.

Over the subsequent years, Dr. Hoffman focused on building a research program related to ultramarathon running, and then in 2014 he started a conference to serve as a forum for scientists and clinicians to share new information related to ultra-endurance sports science and medicine, the Congress on Medicine & Science in Ultra-Endurance Sports.

This was the groundwork for the establishment of a non-profit foundation in the United States in 2017 with goals of (1) soliciting, funding and facilitating relevant research related to ultra-endurance sports, (2) disseminating new knowledge related to ultra-endurance sports, and (3) enhancing the health and safety of those participating in ultra-endurance sports. The Foundation has overseen the Congress, initiated a competitive research grant funding program, and continues to expand on various educational opportunities.

Our logo of three interconnecting rings was adopted for the initial Congress on Medicine & Science in Ultra-Endurance Sports.  The intent was for the logo to represent the focus of the conference – the overlap of medicine, science and ultra-endurance sports.  We retain the three interconnecting rings for the foundation logo.