Monica Chavez BROWNSVILLE-A Rio Grande valley athlete successfully completed a 100-mile race.
On Jan. 13 the Hawaiian Ultra Running Team’s Trail 100-mile endurance run took place in Honolulu, where a Brownsville high-performance athlete qualified and performed successfully.
“It was extremely challenging, even on a spectrum for people that like to do mountain races. Already almost 27,000 feet of elevation gain. I don’t know if you know how much it is, but I always use the same description of going up the empire state building and down 20 times or more” Hurtado said.
Art Hurtado, chief of the Cameron County beach patrol ran the 100-mile event in 30 hours, finishing overall in 20th place. He said the preparation for the race was specific and technical due to the difficulties, such as elevation.
“I was doing a very long run on one day and then I would do some kind of elevation training, like stairs or hills or something, to try to supplement the climbing because most of the race was climbing and going down” Hurtado said.
Hurtado said he has always been in shape due to his job demands. Besides running, he lifts weights, swims and practices yoga.
He started running in 2019, competing in two marathons—but after experiencing the camaraderie and supportive culture of trail running during the 25K Bender race, he said he fell in love with it.
“You know, it’s like everybody’s together trying to take on the challenge. It’s not everybody versus everybody, and it’s a lot more welcoming than on the road. If you’re on the road and you get hurt or slow down. So, people are kind of happy to just pass you along. In the ultra world, it was kind of like somebody hurt or need something you help them first and then you continue. You know, it’s a really tight-knit community, especially because everybody’s suffering together and they just want to see everybody succeed.” Hurtado said.
Hurtado said he had an amazing support crew, led by his longtime friend and running partner, Greg Fuhrmann. The support crew provides the runner with everything they need.
Greg Fuhrmann, who is an operations manager for Lockheed-Martin, Greg Fuhrmann said for this specific race, Hurtado would stop by the crew station every 20 miles.
“And, so, you would come in every four or five, six hours and I would help him change socks and shoes, get some fluids, replacement foods, figure out what all he needs, any kind of medicine or bandages or whatever you needed. He doesn’t need a lot. But that’s the time when his crew is able to help him out directly.” Fuhrmann said.
Hurtado just signed up for the Bryce canyon ultra-100-mile event set for May 18-19 in Utah. To follow Hurtado, visit youngmountain_art on Instagram.
