Ultrarunner Goes Big(ger): Jared Fetterolf Heads For China

Active Junky admires the outrageous drive it takes to compete in ultra-distance events. Jared Fetterolf, first place finisher at the Badwater, Cape Fear 51.4-mile event, got the nod from Chinese race organizers to go long in faraway Yunnan Province. Racing November 18-19 in the inaugural Mt. Gaoligong 100-Mile Trail Ultra, Fetterolf broke into his grueling training regimen – including getting ready for higher elevations – to answer a few on-the-run questions from Active Junky.

What are your strengths as an ultra-distance runner?

My quiver of strengths includes consistency over the length of the entire 100+ miles course and maintaining good speed on the up and downhills. Experience plays a big factor in an ultrarunner's strength as well.

What thoughts do you fight to 1) hang on to and 2) jettison as you run?

There’s a lot going through my mind including the friends and family back at home that are thinking about me; I want to make them proud. Also, I'm very patriotic in that I love running as an American and more specifically, a Texan. I try to rid thoughts of pain, discomfort, boredom, and suffering – all negatives that bring me down.

A song that best summarizes your running career?

Angels and Airwaves – The Adventure