Kenneth Todd is Rowan’s premier ultra-runner, meaning distances at or longer than 50 kilometers or 32 miles. On Oct. 4, he completed “The Hennepin Hundred” which is Illinois, the only point-to-point all-trail ultramarathon. It started in Rock Falls and finished in Colona.
Todd chose this race since it is a qualifier for the Western States 100 in California, one of the top 100-mile races in the world, with only 369 runners allowed per year. He originally planned another race but his daughter was selected to be on the South Rowan homecoming court on the same day. With Western States qualification races ending in November for the June 2025 race, Todd found the Hennepin race. It already had a waitlist of 11 runners, yet he got in a couple days later.
Todd went alone, a challenge in itself! Many runners have a support crew that follows the runner from aid station to aid station assisting with lubing feet, filling water bottles, purchasing a pizza, etc.
Todd said, “Sunrise at the Rock Falls start was incredible. It was a rough day on the course, as the temperature soared to over 90 degrees. My watch tracked the high temperature at 99 degrees. It was an incredible experience, even with the hot day. The flat course follows a canal trail. Finishing a 100-mile race is always a great accomplishment. This was my 10th finish of 100+ miles. Being able to call home and say, ‘I did it’ after such a hot day was a blessing.”
The aid stations at every 4 to 6 miles are stocked with water, gels, candy, cookies, peanut butter sandwiches, soup, crackers, chips, all the fun stuff! Other ultra-runners work the stations because they know the pain, struggle and challenges that participants face. They say the right things and help runners keep moving down the trail towards the finish.
Todd said, “It is so easy to quit. The heat got to me pretty bad. At mile 68, I threw up due to heat exhaustion. I met different runners, with a couple memorable ones. During the long miles, we talk about ‘life.’ At ultra races, we learn about kids and their activities, where they are from, favorite sports teams, careers, etc. It is our way to put the pain and discomfort away for a mile or two while we chat with our fellow runners.”
This was Todd’s 12th ultra race finish. He said, “They all have their own unique traits that I enjoy. My first 100, the Black Mountain Monster was a 24-hour race over a 3-mile loop course in Black Mountain. Umstead was my next 100 that I finished in 22 hours. The Abingdon, Virginia Yeti 100, is another beautiful course along the Creeper trail. The OBX 200 along the Outer Banks and my only 200-mile race. The Pinhoti 100 and Indiana Trail 100s were both completed with my great friend Stu Stepp. All of these have special places in my heart!”
When asked about his feelings afterwards, Todd said, “Accomplished! A hundred miles is a very hard thing to do. It is more mental than physical. An ultra runner needs to be in great physical shape, but it is much more a mental challenge. I was dehydrated, will lose a couple toenails, have blisters on my feet, legs are sore, but otherwise all good. Typical day at the ‘100-mile’ office!”
Todd will apply for the Western States in November, with the drawing held in December. About 10,000 runners apply for 369 spots. With each completed qualifying race, his odds increase. With five qualifying races, Todd has his fingers crossed.
Next, Todd will be running the Black Canyon 100k in Arizona in February as his qualifier for 2027. Todd’s brother lives in Arizona and said, “It will be a great opportunity to see him, and I hope to talk him into being my crew. And I am still eyeing completing a marathon in all 50 states, I am up to 43 states currently.”
Todd’s wife, Jennifer, is a VA nurse, and has completed a couple half marathons. His oldest daughter, Mackenzie, a freshman at Georgia Southern University, ran cross country at Carson for a couple of years. Youngest daughter Addison, a sophomore at South Rowan, is into cheer and is starting to take up golf.
Todd is 49 and the senior director of sales for Fresh Del Monte. He said, “I sell fruits and vegetables to regional retailers in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast.”
SRR’s “Do the Double” is available next Saturday, Oct. 18, with Spencer’s Race to the River 5K and China Grove’s Rotary Fall Crawl 5K. Look for more information on both races and plenty more at https://ift.tt/6YZlbt9.
