biography:
Scott Jurek's outstanding competitive resume includes victories in nearly all of ultrarunning's elite trail and road events, including the historic 153-mile Spartathlon, the Hardrock 100, the Badwater 135-mile Ultramarathon, the Miwok 100K, and—his signature race—the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run, which he won a record seven straight times. The Washington Times named him one of the top runners of the decade, Runner's World awarded him a Hero of Running and Ultrarunning Magazine named him Ultra-Runner of the Year three times. In 2010, he set a new US all-surface record in the 24-Hour Run with 165.7 miles—6.5 marathons in one day—for which he was named USA Today's Athlete of the Week.
On his first attempt, in 2005, he set a course record in the Badwater Ultramarathon, 135 miles through the 130 degree heat of Death Valley. 2006 saw a repeat Badwater victory and his first of three wins at the Spartathlon in Greece, which traces the legendary run of the Greek herald Pheidippides from Athens to Sparta. Scott was the first North American winner of the Spartathlon and still holds the three fastest times on the course behind the legendary Yiannis Kouros. In 2007, he set a new course record at the Hardrock Hundred, a grueling course through Colorado s San Juan Mountains featuring over 33,000 feet in cumulative elevation gain.
Running is a solo sport requiring intense mental focus, but Scott's victories would have been impossible without the selfless support of his crew, pacers, sponsors and his dedicated fans.
Scott makes his home near the peaks of Boulder, Colorado. When he isn't running, he might be Nordic skiing, cycling, backpacking, doing trail maintenance, practicing yoga, or preparing vegan delicacies in his kitchen. Scott is an avid reader who draws inspiration from Native American traditions, the running warriors of ancient Greece, and the samurai code of Bushido. Scott feels that if he helps just one person heal themselves through diet and exercise, he will have won the race.
More than just a champion, Scott is a true student and ambassador of the sport, known to stay at finish lines cheering until the last runner crosses. A passionate advocate for vegetarianism, he follows a 100% plant-based diet, which he credits for his superior endurance, recovery and overall health. He believes that everyone can run an ultra and everyone can access their body s innate capacity to heal. Through writing, public speaking, and consulting, Scott takes joy in encouraging people of all fitness levels to take the next step toward vibrant health.
Scott grew up hunting, fishing, and running through the wooded trails of his native Minnesota. His first passion was Nordic skiing, and he began running as cross-training for the ski season. Everything changed in 1994, when Scott ran his first Minnesota Voyageur with his friend and training partner Dusty Olson. In his first 50-miler, Scott came in second and discovered a hidden taste for ultra long distances.
While completing his Master s Degree in Physical Therapy from the College of St. Scholastica, Scott continued running and soon began competing worldwide. His growing conviction that processed, low-quality food was keeping his physical therapy clients sick led him to adopt a vegetarian diet in 1997, and a purely plant-based one by 1999. From 1999 to 2005, he notched his unsurpassed string of Western States 100 victories, all on plant-based fuel. In 2001 through 2003, he had the honor of representing the United States on the winning teams in the OXFAM Hong Kong Trailwalker 100K and the Hasegawa Cup Japan Mountain Endurance Run.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
United States record for 24-hour distance on all surfaces (165.7 Miles/266.01 Kilometers)
Won the Spartathlon 152-mile (245km) race from Athens to Sparta, Greece three consecutive times (2006-2008)
Won the Hardrock Hundred Mile Endurance Run, and held the record time for one year until Kyle Skaggs set a new record in 2008
Won the Western States Endurance Run seven consecutive times (1999-2005), and held the record time (15:36:27 in 2004) until 2010
Won the Badwater Ultramarathon twice (2005, 2006), and held the course record for two years (2005)
Finished first three times (2002-2004) and second three times (2001, 2005, 2006) in theMiwok 100K Trail Race
Won the Leona Divide 50 Mile Run four times (2000, 2001, 2002, 2004)
Won the Diez Vista 50K Trail Run twice (2000, 2003)
Won the montrail Ultra Cup series twice (2000, 2003)
PERSONAL BESTS:
100 Mile Trail: 15:36, Western States Endurance Run 2004
100K Road: 7:28, GNC 100K 2001
50 Mile Trail: 6:21, Ice Age 50 Mile 1999
50 Mile Road: 5:50, GNC 2001
50K Trail: 3:04, Bendistillery 50K 1999
26.2 Mile Road Marathon: 2:38, Austin Marathon 2006
Link: http://scottjurek.com