Author Description

Walking or running 100 miles or more has taken place for thousands of years in many cultures. Part One of this series covered hundreds of attempts to cover 100 miles on foot during the past three centuries when about 1,000 people successfully reached 100 miles in 24 hours on tracks, roads, or trails. Part Two picks up the stories in the 1960s, as the modern era of ultrarunning was developing. Many people in all walks of life found ways during the 1960s to achieve 100 miles on foot, even in the extreme heat of Death Valley. Running in 100-mile races in the 1970s produced some of the fastest all-time 100-mile records lowered by Dave Box of South Africa, John Tarrant “the Ghost Runner,” and Cavin Woodward of England, made it a life goal to break the 100-mile world record. By 1975, the record stood at 11:38:54. In 1972, the Western States Trail was conquered on foot by seven military soldiers, who were awarded the “First Finisher on Foot” trophy. Two years later, Gordy Ainsleigh followed their footsteps, and eventually helped spark the notion in America to compete 100 miles on the mountain trails. In 1973, four years before the first Western States 100, 100-milers on trails were established in England that went cross-country up and down steep hills across the English countryside. Yes, the Brits beat the Americans in establishing the trail 100-miler in the modern era. Many of these historic 100-mile ultrarunning accomplishments and competitions have been forgotten, overshadowed by more popular marketing folklore. This 100-mile history will continue to present the history of running and walking 100 miles, a pursuit that has existed for centuries.