When I was doing my summer training for this upcoming cross country season, I never would’ve imagined myself standing on the starting line at the JFK 50 Mile 6 months down the road. After taking a few months off from running due to bilateral femoral stress fractures in the middle of the 2012 track season, my goal coming in to the fall was to qualify for the NCAA Division III Cross Country National Championships for the second consecutive year. I was also aiming for the top 35 at that championship for All-American honors. Following five months of dedicated training, I was able to bring my 8K PR down from 24:53 to 24:21. On October 30, 2012, our college’s President imposed a post-season ban on our athletic teams for the 2012-13 academic year due to violations against NCAA financial aid regulations. Even though the student-athletes were not responsible for this, we were all punished for the institutions mistakes. To say the least, we were all heart-broken.
When I was thirteen years old, there was an ultra marathon I completed called the JFK 50 Mile. I grew up watching my dad run this race ever since I was born. This year would be his 25th finish, and we consider this a “family vacation” to Washington County, Maryland every November. This is the race where the sport of long-distance running came into my life. The JFK 50 Mile is my favorite race. Given what happened to me this fall, it was a great honor to participate in it. Once I was accepted in to the race, the anticipation started to build. I glanced at some of the entrants and knew it was going to be a fast race when I saw names such as David Riddle, Michael Arnstein, Ian Sharman, and Ellie Greenwood listed. Although I am a cross country and track runner, I still read up quite a bit on the more popular ultra marathons. Another name that stood out was Max King because I had heard of a standout track athlete named Max King (6th place at 2012 Olympic Trials in the 3K Steeplechase), but little did I know he runs ultras as well. That is as versatile as it gets right there.
After a six hour trip (which included my first ever Bald Eagle sighting) and a good night of sleep, I was ready to embark on my long 50 mile journey. Since I was training for the five mile distance all year, I did not set any ambitious goals. I would have been very happy to finish in less than seven hours. After I positioned myself in the middle of the starting field, all I could do was look down the road towards the Appalachian Mountains and look forward to an enjoyable morning of running with over one thousand excited runners. President Roosevelt’s great-grandson fired the starting pistol at 7am for the start in downtown Boonsboro. As we made our way out of the town, it was very tempting to join the lead group as I am use to opening my first mile of races in under five minutes. I kept telling myself I am in no position to think of this as a race so I ran very conservatively up the mountain to join the Appalachian Trail. It was a perfect autumn morning. I could see my breath hit the cold mountain air while running along the ridgeline. The sunrise from the top of the mountains made for some spectacular views. Once we hit the top of the mountain, I struggled with the terrain. This section was rocky and treacherous, and I am not use to running on that type of surface. After stopping at the Gathland State Park (9.5 miles) aid station, I came across a 5am starter who is the real reason why I was running in this race, Joe Trask. He encouraged my dad to run JFK with him 30 years ago, and the only reason I was running in it was because of all the times I watched my dad run this race. That is so much of what this race is about, tradition. Joe is 77 years old and has had to battle so much. He is such an inspiration to me, and I am so glad I have gotten to know him. After chatting with him for a little bit, I continued to run towards the towpath section. The view of the Potomac River on top of Weaverton Cliffs is stunning, but unfortunately I was too busy watching my step on the technical trail to look up for very long. After descending the switchbacks, I finally arrived at the C&O Canal Towpath (15.5 miles) to begin the 26.3 miles along the Potomac River.
The best scenery along the towpath is definitely towards the beginning of it. There is a huge white mansion on the other side of the Potomac River that I could not take my eyes off of. A few miles down the trail on the opposite side of the river was Harpers Ferry. This brought back memories from my high school history class when we discussed John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry. Antietam National Battlefield was not far away either. This made me really appreciate everything that the past and present men and women serving in the military have done for this country. All the lives that were lost at Antietam can never be forgotten. They fought so that everyone could live freely, and it is because of them that we have the opportunity to run in this race and honor their sacrifices. After my mind side-tracked for a little bit, I was still running conservatively and trying to eat and stay hydrated. The Antietam Aqueduct aid station (27.1 miles) was the last time I saw any runners for a long time. I tried picking up the pace so I could find someone to run with. Right before passing under the Sherpherdstown Bridge (30.5 miles), a deer was actually trotting behind me for about 200 meters. I can’t say I’ve ever heard of anything like that happening before. It was very bizarre. I was still running alone for a large part of this race, but I was in disbelief when I saw Ellie Greenwood at Snyder’s Landing aid station (34.4 miles). I may be a cross country and track runner, but that does not mean I have never heard of the Western States 100 before. What she did at that race in 2012 was phenomenal, and I have so much respect for her. I passed her at that aid station and was hoping she would catch back up so we could work together, but I figured she was just ensuring she would have plenty of energy left in the final stage of the race, which is a smart move, because she was running to win. It was at that point where I realized I was actually running pretty well. I passed a runner who was struggling with leg pains a few miles prior to the Taylor’s Landing aid station (38 miles), and he was really encouraging by letting me know there are two more runners a few minutes ahead who I could still catch.
I was feeling pretty good most of the way on the towpath, but there is a hill right after we leave the towpath and that is where my legs and mentality hit rock bottom. I couldn’t believe how hard it was to get up that thing. It looked like any other hill, but my legs were telling me it was a huge mountain after putting them through 42 miles of running. After finally cresting the hill, I saw two more runners (Graham and Jim) way up ahead and I thought it was doubtful that I would be able to catch them. It was hard to believe it was just five hours ago that we were running on road to start the race. With about seven miles to go, Ellie flew by me like it was nothing. To put that tortoise-like pace mile of mine in perspective, the results showed that Ellie was over two minutes behind me a mile prior when we got off the towpath. I could tell she was pushing hard, and I wanted to run with her but my legs barely had any life in them. My legs were getting stiff and the next five miles were a grind. She caught and passed the other two runners, and I was focusing on that group trying to not let the gap get out of hand. I finally hit the mental switch with two miles to go acting as if this was the closing stage of a cross country race. I tried getting some encouraging words out to Graham and Jim as I went by them. At that point, the only things going through my mind were what happened with my cross country season, what a great day and race this is, and finishing this thing. I was so happy that I got to witness Ellie breaking the tape and course record by an incredible 18 minute margin as I ran up E. Sunset Avenue to the finish line.
I was greeted by Mike Spinnler (Race Director, 2x JFK champion and former JFK course record holder) after crossing the finish line. He was so proud of me, and I didn’t know what to say other than thank him for everything he does for this race. He puts his heart and soul into making this one of the greatest events in the country. We should all be grateful for what he has done for this race and for the sport of ultra running. The experience after the race was incredible too by getting to see and talk to some of the nation’s best ultra runners. I was fortunate enough to finish in the 10th male position overall so I received a trophy at the awards ceremony. JFK’s grand nephew was in the gym to present the awards. That was such a treat for me. Standing alongside those men in the top 10 is something I am going to remember for the rest of my life. After the ceremony concluded, I got to watch my dad complete his amazing 25th JFK finish. What a memorable day this was for the both of us. Thank you to my mom, grandma and sister for cheering me on throughout the run. It would not have been possible without all of you.
The JFK 50 Mile incorporates all the elements that make this America’s race. President Roosevelt originally required his military officers to cover 50 miles within a 20 hour time frame. Fifty years, later John F. Kennedy wanted to see if his officers could do the same. This curiosity sparked a physical fitness surge throughout the United States. One of the runs that initiated at that time was the JFK 50 Mile Challenge in Washington County, Maryland. It is now 50 years later, and the tradition continues. Runners travel from around the country and even the world to be a part of this great event. The JFK 50 Mile honors the past while serving the present. The historic location and the American tradition that Presidents Roosevelt and Kennedy established are what make this run appealing to so many people. This is the race where we should all be proud to be Americans.
Written by Kenny Janosko
