The Long Haul

Running their courses: Whether you’re new to running or pushing your boundaries even farther, here are some local runners, EMILY LYONS, CARESS CLEGG, and ANDERSON DIBBLE, sharing their advice for how and where to get moving.

Up until 2014, Emily Lyons had only run for training or exercise – not, as she says, for fun. That year, she signed up for the Wilmington Half Marathon on a whim and caught the bug after crossing the finish line. Her 13.1-mile races have gotten significantly longer since that day.

What are some of your PR/personal records? “My biggest running accomplishment is completing the Badwater Ultra Cup in 2023 and 2024. The Badwater Ultra Cup consists of three races done in a year: 1. Badwater Cape Fear, a 51-mile race on Bald Head Island in March; 2. Badwater Salton Sea, an 81-mile race from Salton City, California, to Palomar Mountain in San Diego County, California, in April; and 3. the legendary Badwater 135 (135-mile race in Death Valley, California, in July where temperatures routinely reach 125+ degrees). I am attempting the Badwater Ultra Cup again this year for the third year in a row.”

Running playlist: “LET HER COOK by GloRilla, Slaughter by Sullivan King & Vastive, Prone by Masego, and The Summoning by Sleep Token”

Local running spots: “Long runs: downtown to Wrightsville Beach – and back – or the trails at Carolina Beach State Park; short runs: the Loop at Wrightsville Beach or the Halyburton Park loop.”

What do you enjoy about running? “There are so many things I love about running, but two things really stick out as my main reasons: One, I really enjoy the ultrarunning community as it’s a small, close-knit group of crazy people who hang out for hours to days together going through the same struggles; and two, putting yourself through self-induced suffering for fun puts small and large challenges in other parts of your life into perspective. It also arms you with the problem-solving skills to navigate challenges gracefully and calmly.”

Upcoming ultramarathon races to check out:

Southern Tour Ultra 100 mile, 50 mile, 50K, 50-mile team relay, January 16-17, Wilmington

Badwater Cape Fear 51mile and 50K, March 21, Bald Head Island

To view more of photographer Madeline Gray’s work, go to madelinegrayphoto.com.

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