Are these runners ultra-tough ... or ultra-crazy? (ESPN)

Jonah Keri from ESPN did a good overview of ultrarunning in a recent online article at ESPN Page 2. Some quotes from Scott Jurek, Dean Karnazes, and Yiannis Kouros, as well as descriptions of the more high profile ultras. I didn't realize there were over 350 ultras run last year! My favorite quote:

"Ultra running is a metaphysical event," (Yiannis) Kouros explained. "If you don't have that kind of idiosyncrasy, you will never become an ultra runner, even if you train all your life. I am one of those people who recommend and try to inspire people to get involved with running. But ultra is not a fun-running sport -- it's only for unique souls."

Ultra is not a "fun running" sport? I think Yiannis needs to slow down and carry a camera. ;-)

Read the whole article here.

Scott Jurek repeats at 246k Spartathlon

Seattle's Scott Jurek won the 246k Spartathlon in Greece for the second year in a row, finishing the 156 mile race in 23:12:14, the 7th fastest time in the 24 years that the race has run to honor the run Pheidippides made almost 2,500 years ago. Jurek's time was roughly 15 minutes slower than last year, but an hour ahead of a star-studded field with many former winners:



1. Scott Jurek (USA) 23:12
2. Piotr Kyrulo (POL) 24:29
3. Valmir Nunes (BRA) 25:37
4. Jens Lukas (GER) 25:48
5. Markus Thalmann (AUS) 26:34
6. Eusebio Bochons (ESP) 27:40
7. Nobumi Iwamoto (JPN) 28:17
8. Takehiro Matsushita (JPN) 28:36
9. William Sichel (GBR) 29:01
10. Ryoichi Sato (JPN) 29:25

Akiko Sakimoto (JPN) won the Women's division in 31:09:24, 21st overall. You can read more here, and get results here.

(Scott Jurek celebrates at the finish, photo courtesy Glenn Tachiyama)

What Scott Jurek REALLY thinks about Dean Karnazes

I caught a recent podcast on EndurancePlanet.com where Scott Jurek was interviewed about his recent course record at Hardrock 100. What really surprised me was his commentary about Dean Karnazes. Apparently, he's had enough of the Dean Machine.

(Scott Jurek, ironically featured here at Outside Magazine's "Rising Star" in 2002;
photo courtesy of Brian Smale)

Here's a rough paraphrased transcript of the interview (bold added by me):

It's good we get attention for the sport, but sometimes I wonder what kind of attention is good for the sport. At times I think that some of the Dean attention can hurt athletes like myself and other individuals performing well. There are athletes like us doing all kinds of amazing things and somebody else is walking around and actually accepting these titles and awards. You wouldn't see that in any other sport. I can't think of a sport where this happens - maybe once in a while somebody a bit lower on the elite status might pop up there for doing something extraordinary.

It's good to bring [ultrarunning] to the general audience, but from the standpoint of elite athletes who are working their butts off, training and racing, not making any money...it's not like I'm jealous or envious since I have gotten my share of publicity...but it's getting a little old. It's time the media began focus on the true champions of the sport and those that are doing amazing things because we kind of get lost in the shuffle.

I'm not saying it should be about me, there are runners like Nikki Kimball and Karl Meltzer, there are different distances, and those people deserve their shots too. This is a prime example of how a lot of media is working in this country these days, grabbing onto somebody who has a great publicity machine, great sponsors and media outlets. I would rather earn my titles and the recognition I deserve out on the race course. If you look at other sports, the guys that are finishing mid-pack on the PGA Tour or batting .500, they aren't getting any publicity. Maybe once in a while they get a shot here and there. Generally, it's the winners that are getting the attention. It's just kind of odd that that's happening in our sport often nowadays, where we're just seeing one person stealing the show and winning awards. In other sports, that wouldn't happen.

Again, I would rather earn my titles and if I'm not winning races and performing, I shouldn't be gracing the cover of magazines, getting a title, or even being okay with accepting a title such as Outside Magazine's "America's Best Distance Runner". I would feel ashamed to have that title.

Given the commentary already coming in on the EndurancePlanet site, this is certainly going to be a heated topic:

I was singularly unimpressed with Scott's disparaging comments regarding Dean Karnazes. Dean does good work. I was thoroughly unconvinced by Jurek's (pronounced "Jerk") repeated claims that he isn't jealous of Dean's media exposure. Methinks he doth protest too much... Keep up the good work Dean! Jerry | 07.31.07 - 7:03 am | #

Who says you have to win an endurance event to be known as a great athlete? Many, many, many age groupers are excellent athletes. I think that Scott should be ashamed of himself and respect all athletes, especially in his sport. Dean shows heart and loves running. That is all you need. Iron Eric | Homepage | 07.31.07 - 11:05 am | #

jurek is an athlete, dean is a con man. keep the tall tales coming dean (looks like everyone prefers them) lazarus | 07.31.07 - 12:37 pm | #

So, there it is. Even in the sport of ultrarunning, egos can't sit on the sidelines.

- SD