Friday, January 18, 2008

Novice California runner entered in 135-mile ultramarathon

Marathon runners are different. Even more different are ultramarathoners--they run in races longer than 26.2 miles.

Sacramento, California runner Raymond Sanchez stands out among ultra-marathoners--not an easy thing to do.

From the Sacramento Bee, free regisration may be required:

Such precocity – yes, even at age 40 – has led Sanchez to be one of three U.S. ultrarunners (50 overall) invited to the Serra da Mantiqueira mountains for the Brazil 135 Ultramarathon on Monday.

Quite an ascension for Sanchez, who a little over a year ago was something of a casual runner.

Sure, he had been such a good Golden Gloves boxer in his younger days that he qualified for the 1996 U.S. Olympic Trials in the 147-pound division. But since leaving the sport, entering the workforce and raising two daughters, he exercised "only here and there."

Then Sanchez started talking with Dr. Thomas Zinkle, a Kaiser psychologist and friend who is an avid ultra- marathoner and booster of the sport. So, Sanchez figured, "Hey, if Zinkle is 63 and can run 100 miles, why not me?"

Good luck, Raymond. As for myself, I'll limit myself to 26.2 miles.

Thanks to Third Wave Dave for sending the story my way.

Related post:

A participant's view of the cancelled Chicago Marathon

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