Ultrarunning History https://ultrarunninghistory.com Podcast and stories about the history of ultrarunning Wed, 12 Mar 2025 23:31:59 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 https://ultrarunninghistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/cropped-buckle-1-32x32.jpg Ultrarunning History https://ultrarunninghistory.com 32 32 This is a podcast about the history of the sport of ultrarunning. An ultramarathon is generally a race of 50K (31 miles) or more. The sport became popular in the 1980s, but had been in existence since the late 19th century. This podcast will share history and tell stories about ultrarunning history generally before 2000. Davy Crockett false episodic Davy Crockett 2022 2022 podcast A podcast about the history of the sport of ultrarunning TV-G Saratoga Springs, Utah Saratoga Springs, Utah 172: Old Sport Campana (1836-1906) – Part Five https://ultrarunninghistory.com/old-sport-campana-5/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=old-sport-campana-5 Sat, 01 Mar 2025 23:00:12 +0000 https://ultrarunninghistory.com/?p=19172 By Davy Crockett By 1888, Old Sport Campana had competed in 35 ultra-distance races, and eight in 1888. He also competed in the most historic…

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]]> In 1888, Old Sport Campana competed in 10 ultra-distance races. including the most race of the 19th century when George Littlewood broke the six-day world record. By 1888, Old Sport Campana had competed in 35 ultra-distance races, and eight in 1888. He also competed in the most historic six-day race of the 19th century, held in November 1888 in Madison Square Garden. William M. O’Brien (1858-1891), was the race organizer. He partnered with Richard K. Fox (1846-1922), editor and publisher of the sporting publication, The Police Gazette, to offer the Fox Diamond Belt, valued at $2,500 to the winner. If someone beat James Albert’s (1856-1912) world record of 621 miles, they would get a bonus of $1,000. The contestants needed to reach 525 miles in order to claim a share of the gate receipts. With an entrance fee of $50, about 125 runners applied for entry, but the race was limited to 40 starters, including Campana.<br /> <br /> The New York City press was favorable. “Old Sport Campana, whose increasing years seem to add new vigor to his constitution, will start. He will celebrate his 99th birthday on the track.” He was confident that he would reach 550 miles before he retired from the sport. Everyone wondered what new antics he would perform during this race.<br /> <br /> A bold prediction was made that George Littlewood (1859-1912), of England, would break the world record. “Probably no man alive today can beat Littlewood. He is a phenomenal pedestrian, and having a poor field to beat should win with ease.” Davy Crockett 172 172 172: Old Sport Campana (1836-1906) – Part Five full false 23:34 The Greatest 19th Century Ultrarunners https://ultrarunninghistory.com/greatest-19th-century-ultrarunners/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=greatest-19th-century-ultrarunners Sat, 22 Feb 2025 17:45:41 +0000 https://ultrarunninghistory.com/?p=19238 By Davy Crockett During the last 25 years of the 19th century, the sport of ultrarunning (called pedestrianism) became the most popular spectator sport in…

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]]> 171: Old Sport Campana (1836-1906) – Part Four https://ultrarunninghistory.com/old-sport-campana-4/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=old-sport-campana-4 Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:30:12 +0000 https://ultrarunninghistory.com/?p=19114 By Davy Crockett By 1884, “Old Sport” Peter Napoleon Campana (1836-1906), had gained national fame. He was being called “the clown of the walking matches.”…

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]]> By 1884, “Old Sport” Peter Napoleon Campana had gained national fame. He was being called "the clown of the walking matches," and "the living skeleton." By 1884, “Old Sport” Peter Napoleon Campana (1836-1906), had gained national fame. He was being called "the clown of the walking matches." While he was never competitive enough to win a six-day race, event managers knew that he was a huge draw to bring spectators into a race. They paid him a salary to be in their races. At age 52, some called him "The living skeleton." Campana acted the part of a decrepit old man and said, “I am 62 years old and I haven’t got a tooth in my head and only a few hairs on it, but I’m here for sport, and don’t your forget it.” Davy Crockett 171 171 171: Old Sport Campana (1836-1906) – Part Four full false 23:34 170: Old Sport Campana (1836-1906) – Part Three https://ultrarunninghistory.com/old-sport-campana-3/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=old-sport-campana-3 Thu, 30 Jan 2025 16:00:47 +0000 https://ultrarunninghistory.com/?p=19071 By Davy Crockett By 1880, “Old Sport” Peter Napoleon Campana (1836-1906), a fruit and nut peddler from Bridgeport, Connecticut, had established himself as an odd…

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]]> Old Sport” Peter Napoleon Campana (1836-1906), a fruit and nut peddler from Connecticut, established himself as the most popular ultrarunner in the country. By 1880, “Old Sport” Peter Napoleon Campana (1836-1906), a fruit and nut peddler from Bridgeport, Connecticut, had established himself as an odd anomaly in the very popular spectator sport of six-day indoor races held in arenas in northeastern America. He had not yet won a race but would almost always stick it out to the end of the six days when usually 75% of the other runners would quit before the end. People would pay to come watch the races he was in, specifically to watch him run. Race directors would promise him a salary just to be in their races. No one ever could predict what unusual and amusing antics he would perform during a race.<br /> <br /> He seemed to never be formally training, but perhaps with all the miles he put in pushing his cart, he was able to regularly run more than 300 miles in a six-day race.<br /> <br /> Campana was unusually “unbalanced.” When some spectators mocked him, he would punch them in the face and then continue running. The crowds would roar with approval and the race management would do nothing. The New York Times wrote, “Napoleon Campana, better known to the world as ‘Old Sport,’ is called the clown of the walking matches, and a race without ‘Old Sport’ in it would be a novelty.” Davy Crockett 169 169 170: Old Sport Campana (1836-1906) – Part Three full false 27:42 169: Old Sport Campana (1836-1906) – Part Two https://ultrarunninghistory.com/old-sport-campana-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=old-sport-campana-2 Thu, 16 Jan 2025 13:30:13 +0000 https://ultrarunninghistory.com/?p=19020 By Davy Crockett In part one, “Old Sport” Peter Napoleon Campana (1836-1906), of Bridgeport, Connecticut, a poor street vendor, and talented runner, wanted to become…

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]]> During 1879 and 1880, "Old Sport" Peter Napolean Campana ran more total miles in ultra-distance races than anyone in the world. He became the best-known athlete in America. “Old Sport” Peter Napoleon Campana (1836-1906), of Bridgeport, Connecticut, a poor street vendor, and talented runner, wanted to become a professional pedestrian/ultrarunner. At age 42, he was viewed as very elderly, a strange anomaly on the track. It was said that it looked like he had been run through a threshing machine. “He looks like a physical wreck and every stranger expects to see him collapse momentarily. His shriveled, shrunken, crooked figure is one of the marvels of pedestrianism.”<br /> <br /> In early 1879, he had a poor reputation, and his integrity was questioned. But during the coming 15 months, as he ran more miles in races than anyone in the world, he would win over the hearts of the public. He would be called “perhaps one of the best-known athletes in the country.” He became a crowd favorite to watch in 1879 when the six-day race was the most popular spectator sporting event to watch in America. Davy Crockett 169 169 169: Old Sport Campana (1836-1906) – Part Two full false 28:06 168: Old Sport Campana (1836-1906) – Part One https://ultrarunninghistory.com/old-sport-campana-1/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=old-sport-campana-1 Fri, 03 Jan 2025 19:30:10 +0000 https://ultrarunninghistory.com/?p=18951 By Davy Crockett Peter Napoleon Campana (1836-1906), of Bridgeport, Connecticut, known as “Old Sport,” was recognized as the most popular and entertaining “clown” of ultrarunning.…

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]]> Peter Napoleon Campana (1836-1906), known as "Old Sport," was recognized as the most popular and entertaining “clown” of ultrarunning during the 19th century Peter Napoleon Campana (1836-1906), of Bridgeport, Connecticut, known as "Old Sport," was recognized as the most popular and entertaining “clown” of ultrarunning. It was said of him, "Campana kicks up his heels and creates a laugh every few minutes." He was one of the most prolific six-day runners during the pedestrian era of the sport. All of his amazing ultrarunning accomplishments were made after he was 42 years old, and into his 60s. He competed in at least 40 six-day races and many other ultra-distance races, compiling more than 15,000 miles during races on small indoor, smokey tracks. He never won a six-day race, but because he was so popular, race directors would pay him just to last six days in their races. Admiring spectators would throw dollar bills down to him on the tracks during races.<br /> <br /> He didn’t age well, lost his hair, had wrinkled skin from being outdoor so much, and people thought he was 10-15 years older than he really was. He never corrected them in their false assumption and wanted people to believe he was very old. While he was well-loved by the public, he wasn’t a nice person. During races, when he would become annoyed, he would frequently punch competitors or spectators in the face. In his private life, he was arrested for assault and battery multiple times, including abusing his wife, and spent time in jails for being drunk. Davy Crockett 168 168 168: Old Sport Campana (1836-1906) - Part One full false 26:32 167: Connie Gardner – National Champion Ultrarunner https://ultrarunninghistory.com/connie-gardner/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=connie-gardner Sun, 17 Nov 2024 14:00:46 +0000 https://ultrarunninghistory.com/?p=18803 By Davy Crockett Connie Gardner, from Akron Ohio, is the 25th person inducted into the American Ultrarunning Hall of Fame, joining the Hall in 2024.…

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]]> Connie Gardner, was the 25th person inducted into the American Ultrarunning Hall of Fame. She was a national champion 11 times in four ultrarunning distances. She set the American record for 24 hours in 2012. Connie Gardner, from Akron Ohio, is the 25th person inducted into the American Ultrarunning Hall of Fame, joining the Hall in 2024. From 2002 to 2012, she was a national champion eleven times at 50 miles, 100 kilometers, 100 miles, and 24 hours. She has finished at least 180 ultras, with more than 80% of them on trails, with nearly 100 wins, including three wins at the prestigious JFK 50 in Maryland. During her ultra career, she established 37 course or event records. She was a member of the U.S. National 100K Team and the U.S. National 24-Hour Team for many years, competing in many World Championships. With a busy family life and children, she didn't start running ultras until her late 30s, but dominated into her 50s. She was named the USA Track and Field (USATF) Ultrarunner of the Year in 2003 and 2012, and the USATF Masters Ultrarunner of the year in 2011. Davy Crockett 167 167 167: Connie Gardner - National Champion Ultrarunner full false 25:21 166: Stu Mittleman – The Ultrarunning Professor https://ultrarunninghistory.com/stu-mittleman/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=stu-mittleman Thu, 24 Oct 2024 15:00:20 +0000 https://ultrarunninghistory.com/?p=18728 By Davy Crockett Stu Mittleman was the sixth person to be inducted into the American Ultrarunning Hall of Fame. During the 1980s, while a college…

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]]> Stu Mittleman was the 6th person to be inducted into the American Ultrarunning Hall of Fame. In 1980s, he became the greatest multi-day runner in the country. Stu Mittleman was the sixth person to be inducted into the American Ultrarunning Hall of Fame. During the 1980s, while a college professor from New York, he became the greatest multi-day runner in the country who won national championships running 100 miles, but ran much further than that in other races. During that period, no other American ultrarunner, male for female, exhibited national class excellence at such a wide range of ultra racing distances. He brought ultrarunning into the national spotlight as he appeared on national television shows and became the national spokesman for Gatorade. Davy Crockett 166 166 166: Stu Mittleman - The Ultrarunning Professor full false 28:10 165: Bernd Heinrich – Naturalist Ultrarunner https://ultrarunninghistory.com/bernd-heinrich-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=bernd-heinrich-2 Tue, 01 Oct 2024 23:00:14 +0000 https://ultrarunninghistory.com/?p=18708 By Davy Crockett  During the first half of the 1980s, Bernd Heinrich, of Vermont, was the fastest ultrarunner in America. In 2007, he was the…

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]]> Bernd Heinrich was America's fastest ultrarunner in the early 1980s setting numerous records. He also became the world expert on bumblebees and ravens During the first half of the 1980s, Bernd Heinrich, of Vermont, was the fastest ultrarunner in America. In 2007, he was the fifth person to be inducted into the American Ultrarunning Hall of Fame. Today, few know of him and his amazing running records and accomplishments. He was unique from most other ultrarunners of his time in that rather than competing in many races, he was very selective in his race choices. When he ran, he had specific goals to win or set records, with laser focused training for these few specific events. Using this approach, he was able to win and set several American records. Davy Crockett 165 165 165: Bernd Heinrich - Naturalist Ultrarunner full false 32:38 164: Sue Ellen Trapp – Pioneer Ultrarunner and Legend https://ultrarunninghistory.com/sue-ellen-trapp/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sue-ellen-trapp Wed, 18 Sep 2024 21:15:39 +0000 https://ultrarunninghistory.com/?p=18585 By Davy Crockett Sue Ellen Trapp was one of the elite women pioneer ultrarunners who burst into the sport in the 1970s. She was the…

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]]> Sue Ellen Trapp was an elite pioneer ultrarunner who burst into the sport in the 1970s. She set numerous world and American ultra-distance records. Sue Ellen Trapp was one of the elite women pioneer ultrarunners who burst into the sport in the 1970s. She was the fourth person to be inducted into The American Ultrarunning Hall of Fame. She quickly achieved world and American records and showed how fast and how far women could run. With a busy life including her dental practice and family, she rose to the top of the sport twice, after an eight-year ultrarunning retirement, setting world and American records in her 40s and 50s. Davy Crockett 164 164 164: Sue Ellen Trapp - Pioneer Ultrarunner and Legend full false 25:23