John Young, a 58-year-old Canadian man standing at a height of 131.1 cm (4 ft 3.6 in), has made history by becoming the world’s shortest person to finish an ultramarathon. Despite medical warnings, he tackled the challenging Ghost Train 30-Hour Ultramarathon in New Hampshire, USA.
Covering a distance of 31 miles within 12 hours and 9 minutes, John achieved this remarkable feat, maintaining an average pace of nearly 24 minutes per mile. Notably, individuals with dwarfism typically take over double the steps to complete a marathon compared to those of average stature.
Holding a profession as a mathematics teacher in Massachusetts, John stands among a select few athletes with dwarfism who have ventured into marathon running, with the unique distinction of completing an ultramarathon. Remarkably, his training regimen leading up to the ultramarathon mirrored his routine over the past decade, encompassing six days a week of biking, running, or swimming.
John, born with achondroplasia, the most prevalent form of disproportionate short stature, grew up in Toronto under foster care. Despite childhood activities like swimming and hockey, medical experts cautioned against running due to potential spinal impact risks. Nonetheless, driven by a determination to defy limitations, John embarked on a journey of physical transformation.
During his early 40s, grappling with obesity and health concerns such as sleep apnea and heart issues, John resolved to shatter the confines of doubt. Rejecting naysayers’ admonitions, he embraced swimming and cycling, initially hesitating to incorporate running. Against medical counsel, he embarked on running, discovering an unexpected alleviation of back discomfort with increased mileage.
Since that pivotal decision, John has emerged as a prolific marathon runner, conquering iconic races like the Boston Marathon and the New York City Marathon. His achievements extend beyond marathons, encompassing 10 “Half Ironman” triathlons and a groundbreaking completion of a full Ironman in 2016, encompassing grueling segments of swimming, cycling, and running.
In a testament to his relentless pursuit of challenges, John embarked on a marathon-a-month endeavor in 2018, culminating in an ambition to tackle an ultramarathon. While presently the sole individual with dwarfism to have accomplished this feat, he anticipates potential future companionship in this venture from his son Owen, who shares his passion for running and has already eclipsed some of his father’s personal bests in 5K-run times.
