Jurek wants Ultramarathon to be included in Olympics

Bengaluru: Ultra distance running legend Scott Jurek on Saturday said that he would like to see ultramarathon races to be included in Olympics.

"I think it would be great that ultramarathon becomes a part of Olympics," Jurek told PTI in an exclusive interview here.

Jurek, however, said it should fit into the schemes of the Olympic Committee, which believes in getting spectators to the stadium and reaching them through live telecast of the event.

"They look for spectators and live telecast of the event, and it is very hard to televise ultramarathon...the route meanders through the wild and difficult terrains, which makes it difficult for live telecast," Jurek, who is currently in India, said.

Jurek has tasted victories in nearly all of the ultra running elite trail and road events including the historic 153-mile Spartathlon, the Hardcock 100Miler, the Badwater 135-mile Ultramarathon, the Miwok 100K, and his signature race -- the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run, which he won a record seven straight times.

"For me, I am never going to stop ultramarathon. From competitive running I feel I am mostly retired, but there are few adventures that I would like to take up," he said.

Having already visited Bengaluru yesterday, he will be going to Mumbai and Delhi.

Asked how he plans to popularise the sport in this cricket-crazy country, Jurek said, "Definitely, it is running through my mind, to popularise it, but I don't have a master plan. It can happen by conducting ultra marathon events and starting a course, that can inspire runners, who are interested in exploring the wild beauty of the country."