I run ultramarathons for charity.
Please look over this site and sponsor me in my current project.
How it began
My running career began early. I ran track in junior high school and continued it along with basketball. Always an athlete, I ran the early San Francisco marathon and loved it.
I soon became a very competitive marathon runner, winning and placing well. One day I decided to run a ultra marathon after reading a story about an Australian legendary pioneer, ultra runner Bill Emerton. I contacted him and asked for advice on running the ultra marathon, how to train, diet, gear, etc. Bill Emerton was very influential to me, a mentor and good teacher. Bill taught me the basics of how to train and mentally prepare for a 50-mile race. He personally coached me.
I once asked him why he spends the extra time time with me. He said, "Because you have the desire and heart and work ethic to train for these distances, and you listen!"
My first ultra marathon race
In 1981 I ran my first 50-mile ultra marathon race finished 2nd place, 1st in my age group and fastest 50-miler for my age that year. That led to pursuing the ultra marathon runs.
Since then I have run over 100 ultra marathons across the US and internationally, including races from 50-miles to 100 trail races. I am branching out into even longer multi-day runs of 48-hours and 6-day races.
100,000 miles
A runner once pointed out to me that I have run close to 100,000 miles. I can't document that, but it could be true.
The Way to Happiness
In 1986 I began supporting a group, The Way to Happiness and have raised donations for them in many of my races. TWTH is a group a support with a passion. The are creating a safer and better world of our kids and society. The products TWTH is getting aligns with my purpose. I run for a higher purpose - a modern day Forest Gump, perhaps. You are only as valuable as you can help others, so as an ultra runner I took on this mission to help make it a better place for our children.
Achievements:
5 time finisher at the Kiehl's 135 Badwater Ultra Marathon across Death Valley. Billed as the "world's toughest footrace".
- 1st Place over all in the Arizona 6 day race 361 miles 2004.
July 2005 continued on from Badwater run through the John Muir Trail to Yosemite. After a short rest, returned to Whitney Portal and reversed Badwater run 135 miles to Death Valley. 1998 participated in the 1st Human Rights ultra marathon from East Grinstead, England to Frankfurt, Germany. In 1999 ran from Athens, Greece to Hamburg, Germany for Human Rights. In 2001 participated in a run across France. 2002 participated in the St Petersburg, Russia to Paris, France run for Human Rights and Tolerance.
I consider it a great honor to help The Way to Happiness Foundation on these runs. With hard work and having a good purpose I truly believe in and support, I have acheived a lot as an ultra marathoner and will continue to do so.J.R.
