While many other societies hold older individuals in high esteem, here in the US we’re just now opening our eyes to age discrimination and its societal repercussions. Older people are often viewed as out-of-touch, behind the times and physically less capable.
I’ll start by admitting that despite being athletically inclined throughout my entire life, I’ve experienced age-related declines in performance. My VO2max has lowered, my strength has decreased, my speed has diminished and my recovery time has lengthened. That said, my joy for running has not lessened, despite frequent niggles and soreness. I’ve talked to other older ultrarunners who have told me the exact same thing. Yes, it’s harder, but we still love it.
But what about acceptance by the ultrarunning community? Happily, my perception is that ultrarunning doesn’t just welcome older athletes, but we celebrate their achievements and accomplishments. Think about 73-year-old Nick Bassett finishing Western States, or 70-year-old Gunhild Swanson crossing the 2015 Western States finish line with just 6 seconds to spare (the YouTube video has been viewed nearly half a million times). Then there’s the unassuming Pam Reed, who, in 2023 at the age of 62, completed Western States, Badwater 135 and Hardrock 100 all in the same summer. We find these stories both powerful and promising because if they can keep going, perhaps, so can I.
Of course, the 60+ age category at most ultras has fewer runners. Not only does running an ultra at this age get tougher, making the cutoffs becomes equally daunting. More and more race directors are realizing this barrier to older runners and are taking corrective action by making cutoff times more liberal.
If I have experienced ageism in ultrarunning, it’s been more on the sponsorship side than on the race course. This has come mostly through big, multi-national corporations that are somewhat impersonal and soulless. On the other end of the spectrum, some smaller independent companies recognize the value in having older athletes on their rosters and have benefited as a result. It’s good to see sponsors sticking with athletes as their podium finishes become less frequent. Even Courtney Dauwalter and Jim Walmsley will get passed one day, but my hope is that they keep running and are able to continue making a living through their profession.
As ultrarunning continues to grow and evolve, let us celebrate and embrace the things that make us the same and the things that make us different. After all, when you tell someone you run 50 or 100 miles, their first reaction is wonderment and fascination. What we do gives people hope in the human spirit, belief that humankind can transcend our differences and come together in a shared conquest of high physical and mental achievements. The ultrarunning community is a shining beacon of human potential, so let’s keep our sport a welcoming place for all people, regardless of age.