Craig set an ambitious goal: to complete five marathon and ultra-distance trail runs in just seven weeks. For him, this wasn’t just about racking up kilometres but immersing himself in the challenges and beauty of trail running, exploring diverse terrains, and connecting with like-minded runners along the way. From running his home trails through the Brindies, to the iconic landscapes of the American Southwest, Craig’s journey became an inspiring tale of adaptation, perseverance, and the sheer joy of running.
This schedule demanded meticulous planning, not just for the races themselves but for the recovery and training in between. However, as any seasoned trail runner knows, the unexpected is always part of the journey.
Not everything went according to plan. The X-Terra San Tan 42km race in Arizona was cancelled due to low registrations, forcing Craig to adjust and race a reduced 22km distance instead. But instead of dwelling on this setback, Craig embraced the opportunity to explore the surrounding mountains and canyons, maintaining his training with non-competitive runs.
These extra adventures took him across Arizona, Utah, Mexico, and Texas, allowing Craig to immerse himself in the landscapes he loves. Among the highlights were a night run on the Javalina Jundred course with the Aravaipa Trail Runners in Phoenix and a scenic run through the Sabino Canyon with the Tucson Trail Runners. These experiences, though unplanned, enriched his journey and deepened his connection to the trail running community.
Craig’s competitive trail running spanned an impressive 271km across challenging terrains:
In between competitive races, Craig made time for a lighthearted run from the cliffs of Monument Valley in northern Arizona to the iconic Forest Gump Hill—the spot where Tom Hanks’ character famously stopped running.
"For fun, I ran the 10km from the Monument Valley cliffs in northern Arizona to Forest Gump Hill where Tom Hanks’ character stops and declares “I’m tired. I think I’ll go home now” and turns around. Interestingly while there, I bumped into a Chilean fellow who was on his way to the NY Marathon where he was going to run dressed as Forest Gump. His get up was amazing, including facial hair he had grown for 4 years leading up to this event."
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This trip into the Budawang National Park began as a mission to photograph new product releases, but beneath the brief sat a much more personal objective.
Probably the most important thing to pack though is a good amount of respect for the environment, commonsense and experience
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