Monks of Mount Hiei

Also known as the Marathon Monks of Mount Hiei, near Kyoto, Japan. 

"Only 46 men have completed the 1,000-day challenge since 1885. It takes seven years to complete, as the monks must undergo other Buddhist training in meditation and calligraphy, and perform general duties within the temple... 

The first 300 days are basic training, during which the monks run 40km per day for 100 consecutive days. In the fourth and fifth years they run 40km each day for 200 consecutive days...

... In the sixth year they run 60km each day for 100 consecutive days and in the seventh year they run 84km each day for 100 consecutive days..."

Short Video:

The hiking trails of Ontario and Canada are maintained through a less codified worship of "Wilderness" as very dedicated people every year, build bridges and boardwalks through forests and bogs (the bogs of Northern Ontario are sublime, with long boardwalks and carnivorous pitcher plants).  The places we pause at, just as the Monks, are waterfalls, cairns of stone, views down valleys, up mountains, collapsed log cabins and the rusty skeletons of logging camps.

 Via