Congratulations to our NRGE mate Pete Kostelnick on being one of only 90 people selected to run the infamous Badwater Ultramarathon. Billed as “The World’s Toughest Footrace” (Margaret would undoubtedly differ), starts at minus 282 feet elevation in the Badwater Basin, proceeds to Whitney Portal at 8360 feet above sea level. Held in mid July, the temps can soar to over 120 degrees and then oh yes, snow on the climb up America’s highest peak. The Holy Grail if you will of ultramarathoning. And from Pete- “Fun facts (because I’m such a nerd): there have only been 6 individuals from Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, or Missouri to run it on record since 1987, and only 19 individuals 26 years old or younger to compete.” Go get some Pete!
At the 2001 Boystown 5 Mile I was returning to my truck after running the 1 Mile with my son Miles. This dude was standing behind it looking at my license plate that read (and still reads) Run Guru. Never had met the cat but he took umbrage and had the huevos to ask “What the hell makes you a run guru?” Hopefully the last 13 years have answered the question. But if not then I submit the following:
Joel “Pepe” Moyer poses under the Guru Factory Outlet sign at a mall in New Orleans, circa 1993. It was there and then that he dubbed me the Run Guru and I’ve run with it every since. Has it really been over 20 years?
In 2000 Clint Verran was a member of the USA Team for the World Championships Half Marathon in Vera Cruz, Mexico. I was the US Team Leader and got to know Clint very well, we remain friends to this day. Interesting note that Kevin & Keith Hanson had Clint training in a wet suit to mimic the heat and humidity not present in Rochester Hills, Michigan. This was my first introduction to the Hanson’s, a fortuitous and lifelong friendship.
Quite the cast of characters made the trip with me. Including Teddy Mitchell, Jerry Lawson, Jeff Campbell, Todd Reeser, and Clint on the men’s side.
Clint would go on to name his very successful physical therapy business after my moniker. And beat me to the punch in getting the domain name, well played Clint!
Nice of Clint to send me this shirt this week. We have a great tale together of me defending the honor of a young lady in Albany, NY. The funny and well told “Say Holmes” story, ask me about it sometime.
The only thing I’d been missing. Every respectable guru needs a beard.
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