Running 100 miles no chore for Sullivan

There are those who believe that Andover's Kevin Sullivan is either absolutely crazy or some kind of a superman.

Why, after all, would a successful corporate lawyer with three young children, without an abundance of free time, run 100 miles and actually enjoy it?

"I just love running and the longer I'm out there, the better I feel," said the 38-year-old Sullivan, who is a partner in Boston for Weil, Gotshal and Manges. "I enjoy using my body to its full potential.

"I think people focus too much on the marathon (26.2 miles) as the ultimate distance. You can do a lot more if you prepare for it."

A former overweight chain smoker, Sullivan didn't take up running until 1996 when he realized that he was not in good physical shape. But, within a few years, he knew that he had some talent at long distances and he enjoyed being out on the road, or trails, for a long period of time.

He ran a debut 3:01 marathon in 1996 and, before long, had run an extraordinary 2:33 marathon. But, somehow, this was not quite fulfilling.

Then, three years ago, he heard about an ultra-marathon training run at the Willowdale State Forest in Topsfield with Gil's Athletic Club (GAC). Despite a steady rain, and the fact that it started at 11 p.m., Sullivan decided to give it a try.

"He showed up and nobody knew him," said Jim Gilford, the GAC founder. "It wasn't a nice night so I went up to him and asked why we wanted to do it. He said he wanted an adventure.

"We were out there five hours running and I think he fell about five times in the last hour. He said he had never ran more than four hours, but I could see his talent. He went through five hours like he was sitting on the couch."

Running in the rain, in the dark, and through a forest might not sound like fun to most people, but Sullivan loved it.

"I was hooked," said Sullivan. "I've run 10-15 marathons and they didn't give me the same feeling."

Before long, Sullivan also discovered that the longer the run, the better he did. As an ultra-marathoner, he was — if there is such a thing — a natural.

Last year, running the Vermont 100 (miles), he came in second in a stunning 16:15 while taking first at the Topsfield/GAC 50K (31 miles) in 4:13 and second at the Leona Divide 50 (miles) in California in 7:30. He had planned to compete in the Western States 100 (miles), which is considered the Boston Marathon of ultras but, after traveling to Squaw Valley in California, the race was cancelled because of forest fires.

Sullivan has picked it up to a new level in 2009. He got the year started with a bang by winning the Rocky Raccoon 50-miler in Texas in a stunning time of 6:05, he finished first in the Topsfield/GAC 50K with a 4:03, which would be a great marathon time for most people, came in first at California's Coyote Two Moon 100K (62 miles) in 11:20 and was second in the Leona Divide 50 (miles) in 6:49.

Two weeks ago, he finally got to compete at Western States and, out of 420 runners who started the ordeal (only 60 percent finish), Sullivan came in fifth in a remarkable 16:59. He was among the leaders the entire way, which included — in extreme heat — extensive elevation and decline.

"This was definitely my greatest accomplishment," said Sullivan, who is sponsored by the UK-based shoe company Inov-8. "Everything just came together — the training, the pit crew, the guys helping me.

"I was really excited to get in the top 10, which had been my goal, because the first 10 runners automatically get invited back for the next year. Otherwise, you have to get in by a lottery."

Moreover, this year's Western States competition was considered the most talented-laden ultra-marathon field ever assembled. Four former champions started the race and Sullivan beat three of them.

Of course, Sullivan couldn't have been more prepared for the Western States according to Jason Patch, a GAC member from Topsfield who accompanied him to California to help "pace" him for part of the race.

"He was so well trained," said Patch. "He went out to Austin, Texas, to train in the heat, (knowing) he had to run the Western States in 100-degree temps. He practiced in the heat, did power yoga in the heat and wore more clothes when he did practice runs, to train his body to run in the heat.

"I paced Kevin from mile 62 to mile 80 at Western States. He was running so fast down hills, he ended up dropping me after two hours. Can you believe that? After he had over 70 miles on his legs and me being fully rested, I couldn't even keep up with him."

Sullivan is as inspiring to his legal colleagues as his ultra-marathon partners.

"I don't know how he juggles the training with his busy legal career and family life," said Marilyn French, who is also a corporate lawyer at Weil, Gotshal and Manges. "Sleep definitely gets the short end of the stick. I am training for a race myself and, when I think I can't make it, I try to think of Kevin enduring his 95th mile."

Already one of the premier ultra-marathoners in the country, Sullivan should be a leader in the sport for years to come according to Patch and others ultra-runners.

"He is still young to the sport and an amazing performer," said Patch. "Look for him to win a lot more ultras in the future."

Sullivan will likely do just that, although his main goal is to place higher and run faster at Western States and, of course, just enjoy being out on the road running, and running, and running.

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Photos

Ultra-Marathoner Kevin Sullivan of Andover was once an overweight chain smoker. Now, not even a regular marathon is enough to satisfy him. Staff Photographer