"If you look up the word “runner” in the dictionary, there’s a good chance there’s a picture of Salem’s John Young right next to the term.
OK, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration. But the 57-year-old Pingree School math teacher truly defines what it means to be a runner in every sense of the word. He has completed 20 full marathons, including the renowned Boston and New York City races six times apiece.
But for as many times as he’s taken on the 26.2 mile trek, Young remained unsatisfied, always looking for his next challenge. Insert the ultramarathon, a footrace of at least 31 miles that peaked Young’s interest.
He entered the field for the Ghost Train Trail Race that runs from Brookline to Milford, N.H. in mid-October, and crossing the finish line was an accomplishment in and of itself. But the achievement came with some added motivation as well: Standing just shy of 4-feet-4-inches, Young became the shortest person to ever complete an ultramarathon. Doing so during Dwarfism Awareness month made it that much more special." By Nick Giannino of The Salem News
Photo by Matthew Muise
What an incredible achievement and true representation of the Pingree spirit! Congrats, John young!
To read the full article about John and his incredible accomplishment, please visit The Salem News
Photo from 2016 IronMan: Eli Young, Pingree Class of 2021 (left), John Young (middle), and his wife Sue Casey (right)