Zach Miller (runner)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Zach Miller
Miller racing in 2016
Personal information
Born (1988-10-30) October 30, 1988 (age 35)
Sport
Country United States
Event(s)Ultramarathon, trail running

Zach Miller is a professional American ultramarathon runner.

Biography[edit]

Born in Kenya to missionary parents, Miller was primarily raised in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He ran track, cross country, and played soccer in high school. He continued to run at Rochester Institute of Technology while studying electrical engineering.[1]

After college Miller worked in the print shop on the Queen Mary 2 cruise ship, and trained for running on a treadmill, the ship's stairwells, and at ports of call.[2] After his win of the JFK 50 Mile in 2013 with the third fastest time in course history,[3] he turned pro while continuing his cruise ship work.[4] In 2015, his win of Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc's 105 kilometres (65 mi) Courmayeur-Champex-Chamonix (CCC) was the first American win of that race.[5]

After his cruise work Miller was the resident caretaker at Barr Camp near Manitou Springs, Colorado for five years, which provided the opportunity to live and train at altitude on the Barr Trail and nearby Pikes Peak.[6] After Barr Camp, Miller's primary residence became a converted school bus.

After a three-year break to recover from Haglund's syndrome,[7] Miller returned to racing in 2023. He became one of only a few American men to podium at the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc 105 mile race, after coming in second to overall winner Jim Walmsley.[8]

Notable race results[edit]

Miller has won or had a top three finish at a number of the most competitive ultramarathons in the world.[9][10]

Year Competition Venue Position Event
2023 Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc Switzerland, Italy, France 2nd 100 mile
2023 Tarawera Ultramarathon New Zealand 1st 100 mile
2022 Trail 100 Andorra Andorra 1st 105k
2018 JFK 50 Maryland, USA 2nd 50 mile
2017 The North Face Endurance Challenge Marin County, California 1st 50 mile
2016 The North Face Endurance Challenge Marin County, California 1st 50 mile
2016 Madeira Island Ultra Trail Madeira Island 1st 100 mile
2015 The North Face Endurance Challenge Marin County, California 1st 50 mile
2015 Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc CCC Italy, France, Switzerland 1st 100k
2014 Lake Sonoma California 1st 50 mile
2013 JFK 50 Maryland, USA 1st 50 mile

References[edit]

  1. ^ Hobbs, Nancy (2017-01-23). "A conversation with trail running speedster Zach Miller". ATRA. Retrieved 2024-02-11.
  2. ^ Finn, Adharanand (2017-10-21). "Ultrarunner Zach Miller: 'I love digging in the pain cave'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-02-11.
  3. ^ Mason, Andy. "Miller's JFK 50 Mile victory is one of legendary proportions". Herald-Mail Media. Retrieved 2024-02-11.
  4. ^ Huber, Martin Fritz (2015-09-09). "Running's Hottest Star Got Fast on a Cruise Ship. What's Your Excuse?". Outside Online. Retrieved 2024-02-11.
  5. ^ "Video: The Americans Who Took UTMB and CCC by Storm". Trail Runner Magazine. 2017-08-31. Retrieved 2024-02-11.
  6. ^ "After years of calling Barr Camp up Pikes Peak home, this elite ultrarunner is coming down for good". Denver 7 Colorado News (KMGH). 2020-03-23. Retrieved 2024-02-11.
  7. ^ Writer, ANDREW KOOB | Staff (2023-10-03). "Hempfield native Zach Miller returns to running after 3-year absence due to Haglund's deformity". LancasterOnline. Retrieved 2024-02-11.
  8. ^ Metzler, Brian (2023-09-02). "Jim Walmsley Wins UTMB, Breaks the U.S. Men's Curse". Trail Runner Magazine. Retrieved 2024-02-11.
  9. ^ "Zach Miller". International Trail Running Association (ITRA).
  10. ^ "Zach MILLER - His Trail results and UTMB® Index". utmb.world. Retrieved 2024-02-11.