Monrovia Man Runs135-Mile Badwater Ultramarathon
By Monrovia Weekly
Published: Wednesday, July 29th, 2009
John Radich Has Run 30,000 Miles and Raised Over $100,000
Could you ever imagine yourself running 135 miles in 120 degree heat? Could you imagine doing that nine times?
Well, native Monrovian John Radich has completed just that in his fifty-five years of life, among other running feats, and plans on continuing his running career in support of The Way to Happiness Foundation, a non profit public benefit organization built to reverse the current moral decay of society.
Having run over 30,000 miles and raised over $100,000 for various charities through his running efforts, John is now running to help a child. John recently completed the Badwater Ultramarathon, in Death Valley California, deemed “the world’s toughest footrace.”
Born in Monrovia in 1954 (and proud of it), John’s interest in running began early in life.
“I ran competitively in school, running track in junior high and later on with other sports including basketball. After high school I just stuck with it.”
“I decided one day to take on the challenge and completed my first marathon, the San Francisco Marathon, in the mid-70’s.”
- Photos by Ben Jones
Since then, Radich has continued to run, raising money for charities, particularly through his participation in ultra marathons, which are footraces over the traditional marathon length of 26 miles. The Badwater Ultramarathon takes place each year in Death Valley, California, and attracts runners from around the world for a grueling 135 mile race starting at the Badwater Basin, and ending at Whitney Portal, near Mount Whitney. John has completed this race nine times.
“The race is invitational only. In order to qualify, you must have a couple ultramarathons under your belt, at least 200 miles of races. We get runners from all over the world. There were German and French runners this year.”
When asked about the actual race, John replied, “It could be overwhelming. Its 10 a.m. and already its 110 degrees outside, which is why I run the race in segments; I just couldn’t handle that.”
“All runners have a crew that follows them throughout the race, carrying supplies, water, and food. And there are checkpoints along the route of the race, so every now and then I have to refuel, drink some water, eat something small, and continue.”
“I have a very good team. Your crew team monitors you and keeps track of you. Its like Lance Armstrong or even Tiger Woods. They have a crew team.”
“Every runner has 60 hours to complete the race. My best time for the Badwater is 33 hours. This year I did it in 44 hours and 2 minutes. With my age and the extremes you face in this race, it gets hard. The heat makes it challenging.”
“You’re burning up a lot of calories. I can’t speak for all the runners but I loose my appetite when I run, so I have to compensate with drinks. If you don’t hydrate yourself, you won’t finish the race, and that almost happened to me.”
During the 1995 Badwater Ultramarathon, John collapsed in the heat and was out of the race for eight hours.
“I neglected to drink and eat properly. I was offered an IV, and once you accept it, you’re out of the race. But after I refueled and recharged, I got back in the race. Even the race director said he was getting ready to count me out.”
“With the extreme heat and UV ray exposure, runners are predisposed to heat exhaustion, so you have to protect yourself.”
“We run night and day. You don’t sleep a lot, but in order to have officially completed the race, you have to do it in 60 hours. It’s a lot easier to run at night. And the desert is so beautiful. It’s a completely different dimension. You see the stars and the moon coming over a hill. It’s amazing.”
“During the 60 hours, runners do occasionally stop for a couple of hours, rest. There is lodging along the way. But I don’t want to get too comfortable. I figure I’ll finish the race, and then take a cool shower in the comfort of my hotel room.”
In order to prepare for such a difficult challenge, John says that the best way is to practice on the course itself.
“When I get the chance on weekends I’ll drive to the actual course and practice on it. If not I’ll just go to Palm Springs which is closer and run there. But you have to get used to the heat. Heat training is important. We do sauna training, where we’ll run in the sauna, or run in layers outside.”
“You have to be physically and mentally fit. You need the psychological edge, because she’s a tough race.”
“There’s an old saying that goes something like, ‘Badwater doesn’t care who you are; she’ll take you down.’”
John says that you don’t run so much with your legs, but with your mind.
“I’ve seen runners want to quite, who’ve suffered from heat exhaustion. But those runners are incredible. To see their perseverance and persistence is just amazing.”
Currently, the Badwater race is managed by AdventureCORPS. The course route is specific, and the race is held annually near July, when weather conditions are the most extreme, reaching up to 130 degrees. This year, the temperature was clocked at 126 degrees. Badwater is invitation-only and limited in size. Running for The Way to Happiness has motivated John to run even more.
“I am the running coach for the So Cal chapters of The Way to Happiness. We have youth building programs. The kids participate in beach cleaning, trail maintenance, graffiti clean up, all kinds of activities that will keep them away from gangs, and drugs, and violence.”
“This cause is very dear to me, because children are our future.”
The Way to Happiness, established in 1984 and based in Glendale, centers itself around 21 basic principles written by American writer and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard, that help guide one to a better quality of life.
John will not be running Badwater next year, but will instead be running the Trans USA Run, a race along Route 66 across the entire country, starting from Santa Monica, and ending in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
“I will be raising funds for The Way to Happiness starting in May of next year. I’m really excited to run through those little towns you hear about, to be able to see the real America as I run, kind of like what Forest Gump did, with running clubs and running communities, or just getting kids to run with us along the way.”
John is sponsored by Etonic Shoe Company. He is a member of the Arcadia Foothill Flyers Running Club.
“I love ultra running, as well as local races.”
Runners are given a metal as an award for finishing the Badwater Ultramarathon. Runners who finish it in less than 48 hours, however, also receive the “coveted” Belt buckle metal, which John was wearing when I met with him recently.
In 1998, John participated in the first Human Rights ultra marathon from East Grinstead, England to Frankfurt, Germany. In 1999 Radich ran from Athens, Greece to Hamburg, Germany for Human Rights. In 2001 he participated in a run across France, and in 2002, he participated in the St Petersburg, Russia to Paris, France run for Human Rights and Tolerance. John placed first over all in the 361 mile Arizona 6 day race in 2004.
“You meet the most interesting and friendly people from around the world through running. Ultra runs are like warzones. You’re in this battle with your fellow runners, so you bond with them, Badwater in particular.
John says his most memorable experience at Badwater was the year he finished the race in 33 hours, his personal record. His run that year was also dedicated to his late brother, a Vietnam veteran.
“I lost a loved one that year, who always backed me up and supported my running. We had a banner and everything. It was great.”
John Radich hopes to beat his record of 33 hours following his run across America next year, with a time of 30 hours.
“Badwater is a very humbling experience.”
On his website, RadichRuns.org, John says, “I consider it a great honor to help The Way to Happiness and take on these runs. With hard work and having a good purpose you truly believe and support, I have achieved a lot as an ultra marathoner and will continue to do so.”
By Kyle Khandikian
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