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By Davy Crockett
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Running the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim and back is one of the ultimate experiences for ultrarunners. Before the Grand Canyon National Park was established in 1919, there were several individuals who helped to bring attention to the wonder of the world and set the stage for rim-to-rim travel in the future. In 1913, getting to the North Rim from Utah was still a difficult endeavor, requiring support and guides. Roads to the rim were still primitive. Traveling rim-to-rim involved nearly 100 Bright Angel Creek crossings and a dangerous climb up to the North Rim. Visitors to the Rim were mostly hunting parties, looking for big game hunts. But as more of the public reached the Canyon and told others of their spectacular rim-to-rim adventures, more efforts were made to open up the North Rim to anyone desiring to go there.
| Get Davy Crockett’s new book, Grand Canyon Rim to Rim History. Read more than a century of the history of crossing the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim. 260 pages, 400+ photos. Paperback, hardcover, Kindle, and Audible. |
By late 1892, many of the original six-day professional pedestrians had left the sport, using their winnings to establish other careers, some of them pursuing illegal activities. Frank Hart had another terrible health scare during a six-day race in Wisconsin. News had spread across the country that his running days were finally over, that “he will never be seen on the track again.” But running professionally had been part of his life for fourteen years. At the age of 36, now referred to as an “old pedestrian,” Hart was determined to continue to compete and prove his doubters wrong.
This definitive history of the 100-mile races presents the rich history of many, both men and women, who achieved 100 miles on foot. Part one of this history includes tales of the trail-blazing British, the amazing Tarahumara of Mexico, and the brash Americans. Many of the early legendary, but forgotten, 100-miler runners are highlighted.
Tales include fistfights on the track, strange hallucinations experienced while trying to run for six straight days, love scandals, corruption and bribery that crept into the sport, sickness, death, and even murder.
Thomas Joseph Osler (1940-2023) of Camden, New Jersey, was a mathematician, former national champion distance runner, and author. His published running training theories have made a deep impact on distance running for multiple generations. His book, Serious Runner’s Handbook became a classic book on running. He was the first to verbalize in a way that was really understandable to most athletes. Runner’s World wrote, “Tom Osler was among those who helped push and pull America toward the running mania of the 1970s.”
Thomas Joseph Osler (1940-2023) of Camden, New Jersey, passed away on March 26, 2023. He was a mathematician, former national champion distance runner, and author. He published his training theories in his 1967 booklet for the ages, The Conditioning of Distance Runners. His pioneer 1976 24-hour run in New Jersey, brought renewed focus on the 24-hour run in America. In 1979, together with Ed Dodd, he co-authored Ultra-Marathoning: The Next Challenge. He is a member of the Road Runners Club of America Hall of Fame.