ULTRAMARATHONS
Growing up my Dad would take me to any 5K he was running. I would jog along with him and somehow come home with hardware. It wasn’t that I was fast, it was the 80’s and 90’s and not many parents dragging their kids to 5K’s. I ran cross country and track in high school, though not incredibly fast, and during my freshman year of college I ran my first marathon. I finished with a guy who told me that he had just finished his 14th marathon. I wondered if I would ever be able to run 14 marathons in my entire life. I completed 11 sanctioned marathons before graduating to ultramarathons, then I started running marathons, or longer, for training, even running a marathon a month for 2 years before deciding that was silly.
Ultramarathon? What is that?
Wikipedia says: An ultramarathon is any sporting event involving running and walking longer than the traditional marathon length of 26.2 miles.
I say it’s a long way…but it’s fun, and I’ve met some of my best friends on the trails. I was even interviewed by Ultrarunner Podcast, check it out here.
2002
Chicago Marathon
2006
Chicago Marathon
2007
Pacific Shoreline Marathon (now Surf City USA) (2nd Place Age Group)
Los Angeles Marathon
San Diego Rock N Roll Marathon
Rocket City Marathon
2009
Phoenix Rock N Roll Marathon
San Diego Rock N Roll Marathon
Rock N Roll Las Vegas Marathon
2010
Surf City USA Marathon
Santa Barbara International Marathon
2012
Bulldog 50K – Race Report
2013
Are You Though Enough 65 Mile – website
Born to Run 50K – website with runner’s race reports
Red Rock 50 Mile – Race Report
Santa Barbara Nine Trails 35 Mile – website
2014
Rancho San Juan 50K – website
Are You Though Enough 65 Mile – Race Report
Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim – Race Report
Born to Run 50K – Race Report
Cool Your Ass Ultras – Race Report
Burning River 100 Mile Run – Race Report
Javelina Jangover – Race Report
Paatuwaqatsi Water Is Life Run – Race Report
Man Against Horse – Race Report
Canyon de Chelly Ultra – Race Report
Red Rock 50 Mile Race – Race Report
2015
Rancho San Juan – Race Report
OTHTC Caballo Blanco Fat Ass Fundraiser – Race Report
Born To Run 50K – Race Report
Prescott Circle Trail Fat Ass Solo – Race Report
Mount Ashland Hill Climb – Website
Deadalus 5k – Race Report
2016
Born To Run 50K – Race Report
2017
Born To Run 4 Day Race – Race Report
Race Across America (Bicycle Race) – Race Report
Plain 100 Mile Self Supported Race – Race Report and Film
2018
I was lazy…
2019
I was lazy…again.
2020
COVID
ALL ULTRAMARATHON ADVENTURES
Crewing The Western States Endurance Run
After 5 years of qualifying and entering the lottery, my brother was finally selected to run the 2019 Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run. He put together a serious training program and reached out to friends [...]
Crewing The Bear 100
When my brother registered for The Bear 100 he asked if I'd be willing to crew him. I'd be two weeks past my Plain 100 race and able to drive the truck, but probably not [...]
The Plain 100
Several years ago Luis Escobar said "Hey Tarzan, you should check out the Plain 100, a self supported 100 mile race up in Washington." I thought that was crazy and pushed it to the back [...]
Born To Run 2017
There few certainties in this vagabond life that I've built. Taxes, oil changes, weekly showers, and Born To Run. #KeepItSimple I returned to North America from El Grande Sur in time to grab my van, [...]
Touching The Trail Podcast Interview
Jarod Contreras, host of the Touching The Trail podcast, interviewed me about running, hiking, living in a van, international adventures, and life in general. We had a great conversation and I'm looking forward to running [...]
Born To…Run?
My training regimen for Born To Run 2016 was simple. Eat lots of burritos, shower less, drink cheap beer, and oh yeah, run a little. Each year the Born To Run Ultramarathons becomes less of [...]
Running Rim-To-Rim-To-Rim…Again
It all started in Ecuador. Tyler and I were each on our 5th bomber of Ecuadorian Pilsener (think PBR, but cheaper) when a buddy from the States messaged and said, "Hey, do you want to [...]
Scott Jurek on the Appalachian Trail
When Luis Escobar asks "Do you want to do something epic?" you should either sit down, or run away. You never know what to expect. You might end up hitchhiking across Death Valley in 130 [...]
The Prescott Circle Trail
While sitting around having Arizona craft brews with my family I mused, "I think I'd like to run the Prescott Circle Trail someday...maybe even before I leave town next month." My uncle looked at my [...]
Crewed By Clemens – San Diego 100
Course maps? Check. Driving directions? Check. Food and snacks? Check. Beer? TRIPLE CHECK! This is what you get for your 100 mile race when you are “Crewed by Clemens”! I had made it through the [...]
Born To Run Extravaganza 2015
The Monday back from Born To Run is always the worst work day of the entire year. I’ve showered (maybe), am wearing clean clothes (maybe), and am working (maybe). Its hard to focus because I [...]
Sunday Beach Run
Last weekend my adventure was a little closer to home. Wait, who am I kidding, I live in my car. All of my adventures are close to home! But I digress... Brittany was home in [...]
Running in Ridgecrest with Rios
Fat Ass Race: The name given to a low key run characterized by the phrase "No Fees, No Awards, No Aid, No Wimps". Fat Ass: A person with large buttocks. You should never call anyone [...]
Rainy Rancho San Juan
The day before the event Race Director Luis Escobar posted “Rancho San Juan Trail Run and Camp is 100% on, regardless of weather. Please remember that this is a rain or shine event. Plan accordingly. [...]
Going Minimal with Marathon Medals
I’m what some people might call a minimalist, and I guess I can’t argue with that. I mean, everything I own is in my Honda Element, the car that I live in. Well, everything except [...]
Ultra Runner Podcast Interview
That.Just.Happened! I was fortunate enough to be interviewed by Eric Schranz of Ultra Runner Podcast. It was a blast! Click the link below and check it out yourself! Podcast: https://ultrarunnerpodcast.com/chris-tarzan-clemens/ In the past few years, [...]
Grinding Through the Red Rock 50
Wednesday night I threw my back out. Thursday I could barely move without holding my breath and wincing in pain. Sunday was the Red Rock 50 Mile Race. These back problems are really getting old...or [...]
Pacing Patrick Sweeney
The text read “What are you doing on October 18th, do you want to pace me for the EC 100?” The sender? Patrick Sweeney, THE Patrick Sweeney…winner of many races, current holder of the Beer [...]
Running with the Spirits of the Navajo – Canyon de Chelly Ultra
The day was perfect. We moved through cool high desert air, the sun peaking out behind the canyon walls turning everything bright red, the gentle breeze blowing through the leaves as ancient spirits guiding our [...]
Man Against Horse 50 Mile Race
I ran an obstacle race last weekend. I know...I’ve said I would never run a Tough Mudder/Warrior Dash, but this one was a little different. I ran 50 rugged miles through the mountains, all while [...]
Running with the Hopi
As my nine week summer vagabond around the country came to an end I had the option to drive back to Santa Barbara on Saturday and spend Sunday at the beach, or stay in the [...]
Running Through A Jangover
Typical weekend procedure. Work hard. Play harder. Deal with the Jangover. Wait...the “J”angover? Yup, this weekend was the Javelina Jangover Night Runs by Aravaipa Running in Phoenix, and I just happened to be in Arizona. [...]
Chris Clemens – Burning River 100 Mile Run
“Should I do it?” I asked with my finger hovering over the submit button. It was New Years Eve in Santa Barbara and I was at Figueroa Mountain Brewing with my running buddies Tyler Clemens [...]
Ryan Stemen – Burning River 100
Ryan Stemen paced Chris Clemens from mile 54 to 75 of the 2014 Burning River 100. Here is Ryan's story of the Team Clemens adventure and running free. 3:00 AM came early. Really early considering [...]
Maria Walton – Burning River 100
Maria Walton paced Chris Clemens 16 miles from mile 75 to 91 of the 2014 Burning River 100. Here is Maria's account of the day and dealing with the good, the bad, and the UGLY. [...]