Ulrich Completes Record-Setting Run Across America
Posted Sunday, 23 November, 2008
Idaho Springs, CO November 23, 2008 – Almost 117 marathons in 52-and-a-half days. That is what ultrarunner Marshall Ulrich completed during his 3,063-mile run across the United States. Ulrich started in San Francisco on September 13, 2008 and completed his run across America in New York City on Election Day, with an official finish time of 52 days, 11 hours, and 58 minutes. He averaged over 58 miles per day: that is two marathons plus (almost) a 10K race, every day, for more than 52 days in a row.
Ulrich’s crossing is the third fastest ever on the Los Angeles or San Francisco/New York City route. He smashed the less than 47 mile average Grand Masters (age 50 and over) record of 64 days. Amazingly, at age 57, Ulrich also broke the Masters (age 40 and over) record of almost 54 miles average in just under 53 days.
During his record-setting run, Ulrich ran between 60 and 70 miles on 43 days, with injuries – including plantar facetious and a tear in a major tendon in his right foot – bringing his overall average to over 58 miles a day. Other challenges included knee, ankle, and Achilles problems as well as an infection from one of very few blisters he had during the run.
Ulrich reports, “It was by far the toughest thing I have ever done; even tougher than climbing Everest.” Ulrich reached the summit of Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world, from the north side on May 25, 2004. “A hard day on Everest was like an average day running across America,” Ulrich said. “I have never pushed my limits that far before.” Typically Ulrich ran 19 hours per day and slept 4 to 5 hours per night. He wore – and wore out – more than 30 pairs of shoes and dozens of pairs of socks.
“Seeing how much Americans have in common was one of the greatest things about the run,” Ulrich said. “We are all facing challenges, but we have the strength to overcome those challenges if we support each other,” he said. “I couldn’t have done this run without the support of my wife, my crew, and the sponsors, for example,” he explained. The run was sponsored by Super 8, AXA Equitable, Vita-Mix, and VQ Orthocare.
“Dream it and do it” and “The only limitations are in your mind” are two things Ulrich often says, and believes wholeheartedly. By completing his run across America, Ulrich hopes to inspire people to accomplish their goals, whatever they might be.
The United Way was the major beneficiary for the event. The Live United campaign encourages youth to be more active and physically fit, something Ulrich obviously believes in. His level of fitness, at 57 years old, is certainly inspirational to kids, baby-boomers, and beyond.
NEHST Studios filmed the entire event for a documentary called “Running America” set to be released in 2009. The documentary will offer a slice of America through film footage, photographs, and interviews with Americans captured along the way across the country. The production of the film was supervised by NEHST's head of production, Dana Offenbach.
For more information, please go to www.runningamerica08.com
About Marshall Ulrich
Marshall Ulrich, 57, is the only person in the world to complete the Triple Crown of Extreme Sports: world class ultra runner, Seven Summits mountaineer, and record setting adventure racer. His specialty is competing in extreme conditions including desert and adventure racing, as well as mountaineering. In addition to running across America, Ulrich has:
- Completed 120 ultra marathons averaging over 100 miles each.
- Reached the summit of each of the Seven Summits, including Mount Everest, all on first attempts.
- Completed 12 expedition length adventure races, including all nine Eco Challenge adventure races – something only two other people in the world have done.
Ulrich has raised over $839,500 for various charities, including the Religious Teachers Filippini, an order of Sisters that promote the dignity of women and children in some of the poorest countries in the world – and here at home – by providing an education to those who previously had limited opportunities and choices in their lives. For more information about Marshall Ulrich please go to his Web site at www.marshallulrich.com.
About NEHST Studios
NEHST Studios is a diversified film production, financing and distribution company headed up by Chairman and Founder Larry Meistrich producer of Sling Blade and You Can Count on Me and founder of indie film studio Shooting Gallery and entrepreneur, CEO Ari Friedman. One of NEHST's goals is to remove entertainment industry barriers and open up the pitching and development process to anyone with a great idea. The company, which launched at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival, is developing more than twenty feature film, television, and web series projects. For more information on NEHST Studios, please visit www.nehst.com.
Facebook 
Twitter
i