Bob Becker at 80: Badwater 135, Marathon des Sables & the Secrets to Ultra Longevity

What's in this episode

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Maximum Mileage Running Podcast, I sit down with ultrarunner and race director Bob Becker, who at 80 years old became the oldest finisher in history of Badwater 135, one of the toughest ultramarathons in the world. Bob shares his journey into ultrarunning, including his early experience at the Marathon des Sables, and what it takes to train, fuel, and stay resilient across decades in the sport. From racing in extreme heat and managing sleep deprivation to building durability and preventing injury, this conversation is packed with insights for runners at every level. I also dive into Bob’s work as a race director through Ultra Sports, LLC, where he created and leads iconic events like the KEYS100 Ultramarathon (https://keys100.com/) and the Daytona 100 Ultra (https://daytona100ultra.com/). His races have introduced thousands of athletes to ultrarunning while supporting charitable causes including cancer research. Whether you’re training for your first ultramarathon or looking to stay consistent long-term, Bob’s story offers a powerful perspective on longevity, mindset, and what’s possible at any age. 🔗 Learn more about Bob Becker: https://bob