The impact of a 24h ultra-endurance exercise bout on systemic and local muscle inflammatory reactions was investigated in nine experienced athletes. Blood and muscle biopsies were collected before (PRE), immediately after the exercise (POST) and after 28h of recovery (POST28). Circulating blood levels of leukocytes, CK, CRP and selected inflammatory cytokines were assessed together with the evaluation of the occurrence of inflammatory cells (CD3(+), CD8(+), CD68(+)) and the expression of major histocompatibility complex class-I (MHC class-I) in skeletal muscle. An extensive inflammatory cell infiltration occurred in all athletes and the number of CD3(+), CD8(+) and CD 68(+) cells were 2-3 fold higher at POST28 compared to PRE (P<0.05). The inflammatory cell infiltration was associated with a significant increase in the expression of MHC class-I in muscle fibers. There was a significant increase in blood leukocyte count, IL-6, IL-8, CRP and CK at POST. At POST28 total leukocytes, IL-6 and CK had declined, whereas IL-8 and CRP continued to increase. Increases in IL-1β and TNF-α were not significant. There were no significant associations between the magnitude of the systemic and local muscle inflammatory reactions. Signs of muscle degenerative and regenerative events were observed in all athletes with various degrees of severity and were not affected by the ultra-endurance exercise bout. In conclusion, a low-intensity but very prolonged single endurance exercise bout can generate a strong inflammatory cell infiltration in skeletal muscle of well-trained experienced ultra-endurance athletes, and the amplitude of the local reaction is not proportional to the systemic inflammatory response.