Blue Collar Runners

Pain and loss have followed Laurel McMahan throughout her life. “Loss, divorce, mental health issues, poverty, single-parenthood, the whole, entire beautiful and sometimes painful spectrum of life.” She lost her …

In 2019, wind and rain pelted Lisa Irving’s body as she battled through the Canadian Death Race—a 125k foot race across the Canadian Rocky Mountains in Alberta, Canada. “If a …

I take great comfort in reflecting. It’s fun to relive and remember the highlights from these recent years and a way to constantly remind myself how much fun I’m having, …

It was 2018, and Kevin Mathewson was in the zone. He was fresh off a personal best at the Bear Chase 50K in Morrison, CO, and had recently crossed the …

By 2010, Krista had completed the Vermont 100 seven times on multiple horses, finishing in the top 10 every year. In 2011, exactly 10 years after crewing Krista to her …

Tiffany Sivco is no stranger to pain. Living with Fibromyalgia for the past five years, she’s learned to overcome pain. “I have Fibromyalgia and anxiety. Running has helped me significantly …

In January, Krista and I looked at our race calendar with excitement, which included Runamuck 50K and Infinitus 50-mile in the spring, Vermont 100 in the summer and a grand finale of …

Tears of joy and relief fell from Sam Farnsworth’s cheeks as he crossed the finish line of the Vermont 100 in the summer of 2018. “Being out in the woods …

Sometimes, I get it just right and I can feel myself right in the sweet spot of balance. Other times, I feel off kilter, knowing that something is getting neglected. …

As Kelyn Curitomay crossed over the Mexican border into Tijuana, she was both excited and nervous. The year prior, she had to drop to the 25k course during the Ultramaraton …

There’s nothing quite like the excitement of an ultramarathon, with pre-race nerves the night before and visualization of the challenges ahead. However, run an ultra from home and while the …

It was March of 1993, just a month shy of my 19th birthday, and I couldn’t take my eyes off of the man speaking on television. Jim Valvano, the coach …

Melanie Arleth never dreamed she’d be a runner, let alone an ultrarunner. In March of 2018, she felt a shift in her mindset. “I decided to go for it. I …

2020 was a year full of problems and sorrow that none of us saw coming, but it was also a year of adapting to change. While it was also a …

After serving his first tour in Iraq, Jason Mosel came back home to a whole new set of struggles. Ones that training hadn’t prepared him for. “From everything I saw, …

Eve was an active kid who grew up in rural Indiana. She started her running career early, running both cross-country and track throughout high school. Her running coach was instrumental …

As the Vermont 50 race weekend approached, sadness hung in the air, as the void of the race was evident. When Laura Farrell, founder of the Vermont 100 & 50-mile …

Chip Howard felt his adrenaline pumping as he began buckling himself into the thrill ride Superman, alongside his family at Six Flags New England, but he had a problem. The …

Kevin Draper grew up in the coastal town of Guilford, CT, where his adoptive parents helped him cultivate a love of nature. Yearly trips took them to the mountains and …

Just 10 years prior to finishing third at the Laurel Highlands Ultra in Pennsylvania, alcohol was slowly killing Margaret Smith, and she knew she needed a change. So she joined …

Ten years ago, Robert Gantz had just arrived at the Little Rock Air Force Base for C-130 airplane training and his mentor and best friend, “Seabass,” asked him if he’d …

We had just heard about this really cool challenge inspired by David Goggins, where people run 4 miles every 4 hours, for 48 hours. We quickly came up with our …

Imagine waking up to a sunrise in a new place every morning with the next adventure waiting around the corner. This is the life of Amy Margolis and David Wilson. …

When Chad Prichard reflects on sobriety, running and life, he pauses, “I wouldn’t want it any other way. I call it, “life without crutches” and the ability to feel everything. …

Ruthie Loffi hung up her bib at mile 50 of the Rocky Raccoon 100 in 2018. Amid tears and disappointment, Ruthie had an epiphany about a nagging worry that had …

As 2020 begins, I look back with gratitude to the year 2010—a decade that began with darkness and confusion, and ended with hope.

In the fall of 2014, Maribel Dichard felt herself hitting rock bottom. Outwardly, she had it all. A successful career, loving marriage and two healthy children. However, she also had a …

In 2017, Vin Framularo’s marathon plans were derailed when a snowboarding accident sent him to the emergency room with a broken back. Now he has a ritual that he follows …

“My life was pretty much gymnastics and school. We worked out in the gym 20-30 hours per week.” After a string of injuries in high school and her gymnastics days …

By 2001, his life was spiraling out of control. Jon tried to commit suicide by taking a bottle of sleeping pills. “I fell asleep and woke up a couple days …