![]() ![]() heavier, my preparation for this race began in earnest the 3rd of June 2017. So, after a 2 month break from running and 20 lbs. When word got out about the “Kennedy Challenge”, non-commissioned military personnel also wanted to take the test themselves as did certain robust members of the civilian population” That Roosevelt requirement was for all military officers to be able to cover 50 miles on foot in 20 hours to maintain their commissions. Kennedy challenging his military officers to meet the requirements that Teddy Roosevelt had set for his own military officers at the dawn of the 20th Century. In 1963, the initial inspiration behind the event came from then President John F. The JFK 50 Mile in Washington County, MD is the only original JFK 50 Mile Challenge event to be held every year.Īlthough open to the public, the JFK 50 Mile is in spirit a military race. The one here in Washington County, MD changed its name from the JFK 50 Mile Challenge to the JFK 50 Mile Memorial in 1964. When Kennedy was assassinated in November of 1963, most of these events were never held again. Kennedy’s push to bring the country back to physical fitness. It was one of numerous such 50 mile events held around the country as part of President John F. “The JFK 50 Mile was first held in the spring of 1963. The race website tells the races origin story and history: Because its location, is not too far from where I live in Richmond, VA (a 3 ½ hour drive), and certainly ‘cause it’s a highly competitive race, ‘cause of its unique combination of different terrain, and ‘cause I am an Army Veteran, and if there was one ultra that I would do, I’d run one that honors our military and our country. Why did I decide to run it? ‘Cause it is the oldest and largest 50 miler in the country. OK, That’s it!! JFK50 mile here I come!Īsk NOT what your legs can do for you, but what you can do to your legs!! Well, what a perfect opportunity to correct that! But which one? I had always heard local ultrarunners talk about the JKF 50 miler. I had run a 50K 4 years ago, but I hadn’t run anything longer than 31 miles. ![]() Ultramarathoning also sparked my interest. Some other running projects that have kept my interest include completing the 7-continent marathon club (Antarctica left), Big Sur, The Great Wall of China, Mount Kilimanjaro and Le Marathon du Medoc in France. No matter how much anyone can feel that they have seen and done it all, there is always so much left to do. Maybe hit the trails, run in the mountains, breathe some fresh air and/or simply run for beers and food, stress-free and forget about the competition.īut what I had yet to do plagued me. I either needed to take a break or find something new and different. Running 9-10 times a week the track the tempo runs, strength training, plyometrics and all that good stuff. I was burned out with the same routine, season after season. I decided I was finished with competing in road marathons, and that It was time for me to hang up my gloves and retire. The Boston AG win was the cap of a project to win as many of the AG in the major marathons in the world (Boston, NYC, Berlin….). Even though I’d run it 4 times, even setting my PR there, the AG win had proven elusive. Earlier this year, I’d finally won my age group (AG) in Boston. ![]()
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