Chad Ricklefs
Events: Ultrarunning
Height: 5’5”
Weight: 117
Born: 6/12/67 in Lafayette, IN
Current Residence: Boulder, CO
College: University of Colorado, 1990 Bachelor of Arts
University of Colorado, 2003 Master of Urban and Regional Planning
Profession: Natural Resource Planner
Sponsor: Kinsley Construction, Inc.; Boulder Running Company; PowerBar

PRs

• 50 Mile – 5:24
• 100 KM – 7:01

Career Highlights

• 2007 IAU 100 km World Cup – member of bronze medal winning US team
• 2004 U.S. National 50 Mile Champion (USATF)
• 2004: Fastest 50 Mile time in the U.S. (5:24)
• 2002 USA Track & Field Ultrarunner of the Year (Ted Corbitt Award Recipient)
• 2002 Ultrarunning Magazine Runner of the Year Recipient
• 2002 U.S. National 100 KM Champion (USATF)
• Named to the USATF U.S. 100 KM National Team in 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003 and 2002
• 2000 and 2002 Winner of the Leadville Trail 100 Mile (former record holder)

Biography
Chad Ricklefs has been competing in ultramarathons at a national level since 1998 and reached an all-time high in his career in 2007, placing 17th overall at the 2007 IAU 100 km World Cup. Chad’s time of 7:01 was a personal best and helped the U.S. team capture the bronze medal behind Japan and Russia respectively. He is a former National 100 km Road Champion, winning the 2002 USA Championships in 2002. In 2004 Ricklefs was the National 50 Mile Road Champion and he also posted the fastest 50 Mile time of the year – 5:24. Prior to competing on the road, he enjoyed success on the trails, having won the prestigious Leadville Trail 100 Mile in 2000 and 2002. Ricklefs has also been named the USATF Ultrarunner of the Year. When not training or competing, Ricklefs is a Natural Resource Planner for Boulder County Parks and Open Space. He lives in Boulder with his wife Samantha.

In their own words...
Running achievement I am most proud of: The 2007 IAU 100 Kilometer World Cup was an incredible experience. After nearly 25 years of pursuing my dream of competing at an international level championship, I finally was able to live that dream. Racing in Europe is awesome! Competing in a USA uniform was inspiring and I am sure helped me run a personal best time for the 100 kilometer distance.

Why I run: Knowing that all of the hard work and sacrifices made along the way are paid off with thrill of the emotional high experienced while crossing the finish line.

Future Goals: Qualify again for the 2010 U.S. 100 Kilometer team; my goal is to improve on my overall placing at the 2007 IAU World Cup by finishing in the top ten at the 2010 IAU World Cup. In the long-term, now that I am approaching the sunset of my athletic career I would like to give the Spartathalon a try, and in the back of my mind is a final attempt at winning Western States before I retire.

Favorite quote: Nothing in life is certain, better to live everyday and take it to the edge, then to choose security, life’s cruelest illusion.


Date – 07/09