Running just exercise to some, burning passion for others

The average person might run to stay in shape, to improve his or her cardiovascular health, or even as a stress reliever. But, for Charlottesville’s very own “Marathon Man”, John Anthony “Tony” Bridges, it is a burning passion.

“[It is about] the challenge to do stuff and things in one particular sport that nobody has ever accomplished,” Bridges said.

A 35-year-old kitchen manager, Bridges has been competing in a wide variety of races for the past ten years. He is known as an “ultra-marathoner:” a competitor who runs races over 26.2 miles through all types of terrain and weather conditions.

Ultra-marathoners run two types of races, road and trail, and Bridges prefers only to compete in the trail races. “Who in their right mind wants to run 100 miles on flat pavement? Not this guy. If you are going to challenge yourself, then challenge yourself,” said Bridges.

In May 2011, Bridges competed in the first ever one-stage 500-mile race in Pittsfield, Vermont in the Green Mountains. A one-stage race has a set time limit, with a continually running clock. This leaves the runners to compete at their own pace, and to determine when they stop to eat, sleep, or take care of any other needs they may have. Bridges remarked, “You have no support system. This really separates the men from the boys.”

The course was a 10-mile loop that changed elevation from 825 ft. to 2400 ft. in the first four and a half miles. Bridges ran 350 miles in eight days, six hours. He was, however, physically unable to finish the race, suffering from a broken pinkie toe, a broken right foot and black toe, which resulted in the loss of five toe nails.

“I broke my pinkie on the first loop and my right foot on mile 342, but I pushed through until mile 350,” said Bridges. When he finished, Bridges and one other competitor had run for the longest trail runs in history.

Bridges has competed in 150 races including 23 ultra-marathons. He has posted a time of four hours, 53 minutes for a 50-mile race. Bridges won two ultra-marathons in 2008.

The next event for Bridges will be the “Tough Mudder”, held in Harrisonburg, Virginia in October 2011. It is a 10-mile obstacle course designed by British Special Forces. He is striving to finish in the top three percent in order to qualify for the championships in New Jersey.

Bridges will also be back to compete in the 500-mile race again on May 3, 2012. “I just said, ‘Oh well, back to the drawing board. Now I know what to expect for next year,’” said Bridges.

Those interested in updates to Bridges’s schedule can view his Twitter account under the username @runningman500.