Bringing Up the Rear

In any race, someone has to finish last. Very few people who race will ever stand on a podium. It’s clear that final finishers are motivated by something entirely different. We spoke to a few to find out more

By Keeley Milne

In the realm of endurance trail racing, the back-of-the-pack finishers in 100-mile races are a special breed of athletes and frequently overlooked. These individuals conquer gruelling courses with tenacity and resilience, yet their stories are often left untold. The final runners at 100 milers are on the course for dozens of hours, or even days—sometimes double or triple the times of the top finishers. They chase cutoff times and deal with challenges that force many to bow out. Lethbridge-based coach and ultrarunner Dean Johnson emphasizes the humble mindset needed for runners to continue as the course closes behind them. “I encourage anyone to sit and watch a finish line in any type of race. You get to see humanity at its best, from the winners to the ones achieving a goal…

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Canadian Running (Digital) - 1 Issue, Trail Special 2024

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