Ultrarunner Jim Walmsley Sets New Course Record At The JFK 50-Mile, The US’s Longest-Running Ultramarathon
Press Release
November 21, 2016
HOKA ONE ONE®, a division of Deckers Brands (NYSE: DECK), announces that Jim Walmsley set a new course record of 5:21:28 at the nation’s longest-running ultramarathon, the JFK 50-Mile in Maryland. He also became the first man to win three years in a row.
Photo Credit: Mike O’Grady
Averaging 6:25 pace per mile, Walmsley led from the gun, gapping the field in the first 15 miles along the Appalachian Trail. He wore the HOKA Tracer running shoes for nearly 39 miles, then switched into the HOKA Challenger ATR 2 for more cushion to finish the race.
Another HOKA ultrarunner, Michael Wardian, placed fifth in 5:58—just six days after setting the Guinness World Record (2:38:04) for Fastest Marathon in an Elvis costume at the Las Vegas Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathon.
“Jim went from the gun and had an incredible solo time trial. Jim’s JFK 50 certainly ranks up there with the very best ultra-distance performance anywhere in 2016,” said Mike McManus, Senior Sports Marketing Manager at HOKA ONE ONE. “Mike also had a fabulous race and continues to impress us with his ability to recover, as JFK followed six national class marathons in the past seven weeks. His passion and dedication to the sport is infectious.”
The JFK 50 Mile run started in 1963, when President John F. Kennedy challenged military officers, and the entire country, to meet distinct physical challenges.
Walmsley and fellow HOKA athletes Hayden Hawks, Sage Canaday and Magdalena Boulet will race again on December 2 at The North Face Endurance Challenge in San Francisco, California.