Scott Jurek Circa 2002

2002

Scott Jurek will attempt to win his fourth straight 100-mile Western States Endurance Run.

Beads of perspiration mount on his forehead, but he doesn't feel it. With the starting point behind him, his water bottle half-empty, and Clif bars still tucked away in his fanny pack, Scott Jurek glides past the first mile marker.

No sweat. One down, 99 to go.




Other contestants dread the trail ahead, but Jurek confidently looks forward to it. He's used to it.

"I get more excited than worried, pressured or nervous," Jurek said. "I've had a lot of pressure the last three years. I feel more confident. I get revved up about the competition."

Tomorrow, Jurek, 28, attempts to win his fourth consecutive Western States Endurance Run, an unprecedented feat. The 100-mile ultra-marathon starts in Squaw Valley, Calif., at 5 a.m., ending in Auburn, Calif. Although Jurek has already etched himself into the upper echelon of ultra-marathoners, a win this year would solidify his reign.

"It's special because each year presents different experiences," Jurek said, "and nobody's ever won four in a row in the history of the event -- 29 years."

For many, ultra-marathon races seem unfathomable. Trekking 19,000 feet uphill in temperatures reaching 100 degrees, before hiking downhill 22,970 feet of rugged terrain at night with a flashlight sounds crazy.

To Jurek, it makes perfect sense.

"It's more than just challenging the body," Jurek said. "You're doing something that's natural -- it's instinctual. You learn things about yourself you'd never learn, experiencing the challenges you face out there."

Instead of giving up after severely spraining his ankle on the 49th mile last year, Jurek continued, finishing the race in 16 hours, 38 minutes, 30 seconds -- the third-fastest time ever. Tim Twietmeyer, 42, of Auburn, Calif., finished second, 40 minutes behind.

"You have to dig deep within yourself and find out what you can do when things aren't going your way," Jurek said of his three-peat victory.

Twietmeyer is one of 443 challengers attempting to dethrone Jurek. However, beating a man who went on a 50-kilometer run on his honeymoon is as difficult as it sounds.

Scott McCoubrey, ultra-marathoner and owner of Seattle Running Co., recalls meeting Jurek at the Cle Elum Ridge Run six years ago.

"Nobody knew him," said McCoubrey, who has competed in the race twice. "He just took off, and we never saw him again. He blew the field away.

"The last 20 miles, he's able to respond and charge again, where most people are just trying to hang on. He's got the metal tenacity to maintain the latter part of the race."

McCoubrey said competitors shoot to finish the race in under 24 hours, which is what makes Jurek's dominance and pace so remarkable.

Jurek's race strategy is similar to his on-the-fly bathroom technique. "You just go," Jurek said.

There are no rollaway port-o-potties, and no runaway victories in ultra-marathon victories. All meals have to be eaten while running, giving new meaning to dining on the run. Each win is hard-earned, but the training Jurek endures before the race separates him from the rest of the pack.

Jurek's race preparation is a blueprint of his life. Besides the fact Jurek hasn't changed his race shorts or cut his hair since winning the race for the first time in 1999, he isn't very superstitious. He is, however, very health-conscious. Everything he does -- from how long he sleeps to the food he eats -- is geared toward his running. Jurek's meals all accommodate his vegan diet.

His wife, Leah, also a marathoner, works as a private masseuse -- making sure Jurek recuperates properly. When he isn't teaching running techniques at his Stride Perfection Service at Seattle Running Co. headquarters on Capitol Hill, he's running hills with his Alaskan Husky, Tonto. He runs between 90 miles and 100 miles per week, utilizing Cougar Mountain and Mount Si frequently.

"It's not like I'm bungee-jumping or jumping off bridges or anything," Jurek said of his extensive workout routine.

Jurek's success is the product of his work ethic. Jurek's consistency in a sport as unpredictable as the lottery has garnered nationwide attention. He has been featured in Outdoor Magazine, City Sports and Runners World, and is sponsored by Montrail, a boot maker, Patagonia, and Clif Bar.

"Scott is obviously an awesome athlete, but even more, is that he's a down-to-earth guy who just loves to run," said Chris Randall, sports marketing manager of Clif Bars.

The Western States attracts premier athletes from around the country. For some, it's a measuring stick of endurance and stamina; to Jurek, it's the ultimate independent challenge.

Down the stretch, Jurek matches strides with his shadow, seemingly the only competitor able to keep up with him. By the time he reaches the final mile marker, he's down to his last water bottle, and his sweat is running faster than him. He pays it no attention, he just listens to his body and finishes.