By Tyler Tomasello
Hidden on a cattle ranch nestled in the rolling hills surrounding Los Olivos, California, a group of eccentric trail runners gather for an adventurous weekend of celebration. Not just a celebration of a sport, but of the authenticity of one another.
Every May the Born to Run Ultra Marathons draw over 1,000 people from a world-wide pool of misfit athletes, creating a legendary running journey through the creative mind of shotgun-toting Race Director Luis Escobar.
The races, ranging from 0.0km all the way up to four days, are comprised of two 10-mile loops that weave through beautiful rolling terrain. Ancient oak trees and fragrant sagebrush guide runners through the enormous ranch where cows and rattlesnakes are as abundant as runners. Each race finishes in the main camp where an eclectic collection of events take place; from the weird to the legendary, such as a storybook rematch between Scott Jurek and Arnulfo Quimare.
Arnulfo Quimare and Scott Jurek in a rematch from the book “Born to Run.” The 100-yardish race began with both runners’ backs turned to the finish and started with three shotgun blasts. Arnulfo won again, winning a large cowboy hat full of cash. It was a sight to see and one of the most memorable moments in BTR history. Photo: Tyler Tomasello
Born to Run is a not-to-be missed running event that has evolved into a living organism of its own where a participant is only limited by their imagination. It’s a place where, with an open mind and an open heart, one can go to become family.
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