When I first began running long distances, I subscribed to this obscure black-and-white magazine called Ultrarunning. It was nothing but race results and a few articles and letters to the editor. The community of ultrarunners was very small in those days, and there were a couple of names I’d always see standing out in the results. One of them was Roy Pirrung, a legend of the sport, now 74 years young, who has run 105,000 lifetime miles, set 99 national records and counting, been named USATF Ultrarunner of the Year five times, and voted to the USATF Masters Hall of Fame. He has run 157 marathons and 219 ultramarathons. Roy is currently top-ranked in the world for 100 miles in the 70-74 year old age category. Some of his jaw-dropping marks include 90 miles in 12 hours, 100 miles in 13:15:50, 154 miles in 24 hours, and 243 miles in 48 hours. Roy thinks of himself not as an ultrarunner but as a runner, the kind of guy who will complete an ultra one day, and jump into a 5K the next day. He’s also the extraordinary individual who’ll eagerly jump into helping a cause like the American Cancer Society or to develop and support the sport. Roy shares global running experiences as diverse as Italy, Greece, and Asia’s Gobi Desert. Roy is so full of great stories and vigor that our chat is going to span two episodes. Even at 74, Roy is looking to join previous WASP guest Dean Karnazes to again run 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days. Roy shares some of his ideas about longevity, which inspires old guys like I am to keep pursuing goals and dreams, and hopefully will you as well. I hope you enjoy this very entertaining chat with one of running’s legends.

Roy Pirrung
roypirrung.com
Facebook Roy Pirrung

Bill Stahl
[email protected]
Facebook Bill Stahl
Instagram @stahlor