2020 Western States Contest Winner: Jonathan Fletcher

Jonathan professes to be a slightly too heavy, slightly too flat- footed, slightly too pronating, slightly too slow runner of ultras. He came to running in his late twenties, and enjoys all distances, though his particular favorite is the 100 mile. He has run 18 marathons and at least “run in” 10 ultras.

Jonathan is married to his wife, Heather, and they have 6 children – an equally thrilling adventure.

Since ultra running is not a sustainable profession for a perennial last place runner, Jonathan maintains a day job as a Teaching Pastor in Fayetteville NC.

Jonathan’s Submission:

I debated not entering the contest. I figured, my story isn’t good enough. I am just the average dude. But, maybe, my story is every story – my story is our story. I can’t pick out a single article that is “the one”. But I do know this. I wait for ULTRARUNNING to come every month. I love the advice, I love the coverage, I love the gear, and I love to read about new races and dream about new adventures. ULTRARUNNING Magazine inspires me because it reminds me that this is MY sport. I fit here. See, it’s easy to say “I am not the ‘ideal’ body type. My feet are flat and I overpronate. I weigh too much, I am too slow. I finished last (to be clear DFL… They were taking down the finish line) in a marathon.” But every article, every coaches column reminds me that we/I can do this. I shouldn’t be an Ultra Runner, but I am. I shouldn’t have been able to finish a 100 but I have.

I can’t get enough of the never say die attitude. I love that every ultra runner (in their own way) is me. We will face trials, we may not even finish every race, but we wont quit. And, we read to hear about others just like us.
Western States is too hard for me, but I just know… If I get in, I am gonna make it. I will see the track in Auburn.