Finance prof completes 50-mile ultramarathon

  Wednesday, October 21, 2015 2:00 AM
  News

Pittsburg, KS

Three years ago, finance professor Kevin Bracker took up running as a way to lose weight and improve his health. It quickly became his passion.

“I started running a few years ago with no set goal in mind other than getting in a little better shape,” he said, “but then I got addicted. I came to really enjoy it.”

These days, Bracker is running anywhere between 50-70 miles per week. He’s competed in 5Ks, 10Ks, marathons and seemingly every race in between. This past weekend, Bracker upped his game beyond what he imagined possible three years ago.

On Oct. 17, Bracker was the only competitive runner to take on the 50-mile ultramarathon at the Ad Astra per Ultra races in Derby. He finished in 9 hours, 19 minutes and 45 seconds.

Not bad for a guy who had never before run more than 31 miles in one day.

“I was pretty happy and a little sore when it was over,” Bracker said of the 50-mile run. “It certainly makes you appreciate comfortable shoes.”

Bracker said he never doubted that he would finish the run.

“I knew I could do it,” he said. “It was just a matter of how long it would take me. The first 30 miles or so went pretty well. I was on a good pace. The next 10 to 15 miles were a bit slower. When I got closer to the end and knew I was almost done, I think adrenaline kicked in. I finished strong.”

Bracker said he typically listens to music, podcasts or audiobooks while running.

“During this race, I got to go through all of them,” he said. “I had the time, after all.”

While he’s not yet decided when and how far his next race will be, he does have a goal ahead of him.

“Turns out (PSU accounting professor) David O’Bryan finished his 50-mile run last year five minutes faster than I did,” Bracker said. “So I have something to push for.”

And why would someone want to run 50 miles in one day?

“Why not?” Bracker asked.