PUBLISHED 09/22/2006
The Untouchable: Scott Jurek
By Amby Burfoot
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| © Patrick Voight |
As a certain cyclist has proven, winning an ultra-endurance event seven consecutive times is enough to earn a moment in the sun. But Scott Jurek, 31, took that feat a step further in July when he followed up his seventh-straight win at the Western States 100-mile race with an unprecedented victory at the infamous 135-mile Badwater Ultramarathon two weeks later. His 24 hour, 36 minute, and eight second finish at Badwater, touted as the "toughest footrace on Earth," was a course record, but it's his monumental "double" that places Jurek at the pinnacle of the ultrarunning world. Despite these achievements, Jurek isn't a household name. "I don't race to bolster my ego or image," he says. "For me, ultrarunning is about self-discovery. I learn new things and get glimpses of what makes me tick." The physical therapist from Seattle credits his balanced lifestyle--adhering to a vegan diet, practicing yoga and meditation--for his success. And he hopes it will help him withstand more. Jurek has a wish list that includes a marathon PR (he's run 2:38) and a sub-24-hour Badwater finish. We won't be the only ones watching.
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