Jayson Hefner ran 26 miles carrying a 100-pound bag on his back.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Marathon update:
Jayson Hefner tried but didn’t break the world record for running a marathon carrying 100 pounds on Sunday. He ran the California International Marathon in 5:43:48.
Hefner explained his performance and thanked his supporters in an Instagram post.
“Was on pace for the World Record until mile 18/19, then it was a GRIND to get through the last 8 miles. Fell short of that goal, but everything else was special and incredibly fulfilling,” Hefner said. “I appreciate everyone who has encouraged me along the way to go for some of the toughest challenges out there.”
Original article:
A Guinness Book World Record is being attempted Sunday at the California International Marathon. Fairfield native Jayson Hefner is attempting to the run the race with 100 pounds on his back in under five hours.
It started as an alternative to college soccer. Now it’s a shot at history.
“By chance signing up for the San Francisco marathon and the rest is history,” said Hefner.
Eight years into marathon running, Hefner completed the Boston Marathon in 2021 and, in the same year, ran 100 miles at the Hedland’s Marathon in San Francisco.
He’s now putting one foot in front of the other for a purpose greater than himself.
“This is a great opportunity to combine wildland firefighting with my love for ultra running and make the two thing coincide,” said Hefner.
Hefner just wrapped two years with the Zephyr Crew with the Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District. It inspired him to wear the 100 pound pack and use his record attempt to raise money for the Wildland Firefighter Foundation to help families who’ve lost a loved in the line of duty. There’s another inspiration, too — his family.
“My biggest reason is always family and I always want to make sure I’m doing my absolute best to inspire those I love the most in any pursuit that they have. A big thing with that is just seeing them pursue their goals and realize ‘if my brother or my son is chasing their dream and making it happen, I can too,’” said Hefner.
It’s what’s brought his brother Nathan Hefner from Arizona to run with him. Wearing the camera, Nathan will officially document the race for the world record while keeping his brother safe and helping him with water.
“He’s the oldest out of all of us so seeing him do the running and really pushing himself is one of the biggest motivators of my life,” said Nathan Hefner.
Carrying a 25 pound plate and multiple sand bags weighing 6 lbs each, whether he sets the record or not this race has a bigger meaning.
“Now the journey comes full circle, I ran my first marathon in San Francisco and to run my marathon with a 100 pound pack in Sacramento, given that it’s the other big city in Northern California, it means the world,” said Hefner.
The current record is 5 hours, 3 minutes and 51 seconds which was set in the United Kingdom. So far in training Hefner has run a half mile with the 100 pounds at or below the record pace so he’s feeling optimistic about Sunday.
Jason ill be the only one running Sunday with a backpack on as they had to get special permission. He will also be wearing cow print shorts and will be hard to miss.
To support Hefner and the Wildland Firefighter Foundation, click HERE.
Original News Source
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