Roy, from Kohler, WI, shares his running story with the Birkie:

“I started running on my 32nd birthday, July 1980 (a late bloomer, so I had to catch up to the fast guys) and have been running since.  I entered my first race, the Mayfair Marathon, over Memorial Day Weekend in 1981. My first race was the first time I had ever run with anyone. My impetus was to lose weight and to stop smoking and drinking. I was 196 pounds at one point and was 167 pounds and on the rise when I started training.

Since then, I have run 166 marathons and 224 ultra marathons, including 68 races of or over 100 miles. I love competing in national and world championships, as they bring out the best in me. Those championships have allowed me to garner over 100 titles, including open, masters and team and break numerous records.

My favorite part on the Birkie Trail comes after the steepest climb, in the final mile, when I am reduced to a walk going up. I love gravity taking over and pushing to the finish line.”


Have a fitness journey to share? Inspire others by being featured in Birkie’s RUNNING STORIES series. Contact Redgy Jorstad, ABSF Marketing Content Coordinator, at redgy.jorstad@birkie.com for more information.

Posted July 16, 2024 at 10:25 am