Pushing Past Boundaries:

Ultrarunning is not for the faint of heart. Balancing the demands of extensive training with family life and running a bike shop only increases the challenge. Yet, Plymouth’s Josh McDole has managed to have fun doing all of these.

McDole had a remarkable year in 2025, highlighted by completing the Triple Crown of ultrarunning. Three 200+ mile races within the same year: Tahoe 200, Bigfoot 200, and Moab 240. By finishing these grueling events, McDole conquered some of the most demanding ultramarathons and endurance challenges on Earth. His journey took him from the deserts of Arizona to the mountains of Washington and the canyons of Utah, all fueled by grit, faith, and relentless determination.

The Early Miles

McDole’s journey began with dabbling in a few mountain bike and road races, then moving into triathlons. He registered for the Quebec Ironman in 2020, which was cancelled due to COVID. His real ultra-endurance adventure started after seeing a YouTube video about people running 100-mile races. “I never realized this was a thing,” he told Silent Sports. He soon found himself tackling races like the Glacial Trail 50 Mile in October 2021 and the Zion 100 Mile in April 2022. McDole doesn’t have the typical runner’s physique, standing 6’3” and tipping the scales at 200 lbs.

Enjoying the challenge of long runs, McDole continued to push his limits. He completed not just one, but two Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim traverses of the Grand Canyon—the first in August 2023, and another nighttime traverse in April 2025. “These experiences were journeys of reflection and respect, which are reminders of my reasons for running,” he explained.

What started as a series of challenging runs soon evolved into a pursuit of ultra-endurance, as McDole sought to discover where his true limits lay. He participated in a few Bataan Memorial Death Marches at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, a demanding 26.2-mile marathon. His daughter, Grace, an ROTC member of the National Guard, joined him for one of these runs in fatigues and army boots, carrying a 50-pound pack. These experiences laid the foundation for future achievements.

The Zion 100 in southern Utah marked a turning point. The race is famous for its raw beauty and brutal climbs, and he found both in abundance. From freezing dawn temperatures to blistering midday heat, runners faced an unforgiving course carved through mesas and canyons.

He recalls standing atop Goosebump Mesa, “I was staring 1,500 feet down into the valley below, before plunging into a steep descent that felt like a controlled fall.” Hours later, the 2000 ft climb up Flying Monkey Mesa demanded everything he had. ” When dawn broke over Zion National Park near the finish line, it brought not only relief, but a quiet awe,” he described. “I can’t imagine a more beautiful place to discover what the human body and mind can achieve. I pushed myself to that limit through months of dedication, early-mornings and late-night runs, combined with the support and understanding of my family. And it certainly helps to have friends who never accept ‘can’t’ as an excuse.”

McDole had major hip surgery in January 2023. Although his surgeon recommended no significant running for 12 months, McDole began pushing it hard just six months post-op. Don’t tell his doctor.

Cocodona 250: The Hardest Race in America

If Zion was a test, Cocodona 250 was an odyssey. In May of 2024, McDole knew he was in for something big. The 250-mile course stretches from the desert of Phoenix to the mountains of Flagstaff, Arizona, with more than 40,000 feet of climbing. Completing it would be remarkable for anyone; doing it just 15 months after major hip surgery was nearly unthinkable.

The logistics of getting to the start line were incredibly time-consuming, not only for McDole but also for his family and friends. “This certainly was not an individual project.” Months of training and planning took McDole to 6 different states over 6 consecutive Saturdays to help prepare. “After 8 months of training adventures, it was time to execute the plan and race,” McDole related.

Race day came at 5am on Monday. “It was a cool morning, and it felt odd standing at the start line surrounded by pros and athletes that I had been following online and taking advice from for months. The first 37 miles of the course were demanding, bouncing through the Sonoran Desert and Bradshaw Mountains. I had run this section during training a month earlier. As a Midwesterner, I love the mountains, yet the terrain was far from feeling at home.” He got to see his crew for the first time at mile 37 and completed that section almost 2 hours faster than his training run. They were ready for a quick supply refill and had him moving in minutes. “I wouldn’t be seeing them again until mile 78 near Prescott. The first 24 hours of the race, I found myself climbing more than I had climbed over the previous year combined,” McDole described.

“The final turn revealed the finish line. In that instant, all pain faded away, mixed with a few tears, and I left behind 250 of the most incredible miles across Arizona. Over the course of the race, my watch logged 451,008 steps, journey completed.” McDole described.

The 200-Mile Triple Crown

Cocodona was only the beginning. Next came the Triple Crown of 200s—three 200+ mile races in 2025.: Tahoe 200, Bigfoot 200, and Moab 240.

Tahoe 200

“The first leg of the Triple Crown was a beast but a beautiful beast,” he laughed. According to the organizers, the Tahoe 200 is an incredible journey around the largest alpine lake in North America. The route traverses the clear blue waters of Lake Tahoe from the Tahoe Rim Trail, occasionally detouring off to giant rock gardens, small impossibly blue lakes, and long ridgelines with stunning views. With an elevation gain of almost 37000 ft it’s not for everyone.

“Being a flatlander from Wisconsin, it was intimidating starting the race at 10,000 feet. I battled heat, elevation, and early GI issues. I pressed forward, finding unexpected comfort once the snowfields appeared, which proved difficult for some of the other racers. The climb back up the mountain after mile 195 was grueling. Each step pushing through exhaustion and adjusting to the thin air, determined to keep moving and finish strong.”

Bigfoot 200 Into the Cascades

Taking on the second leg of the Triple Crown was no less challenging than the first. Set in the Pacific Northwest, the Bigfoot 200 is a formidable mountain race stretching from Mount St. Helens to Mount Rainier. With 44,000 feet of climbing and equally punishing descents, this course relentlessly tested both physical endurance and mental resilience. Traversing 200 miles across the rugged landscapes of the Pacific Northwest in August was more than an adventure for McDole.

The race began at the base of Mount St. Helens, an area marked by the aftermath of the volcano’s eruption. “The first 30 miles led us through the blast zone, a rugged landscape that was a powerful reminder of nature’s force. For someone unfamiliar with the Cascade Mountains, the trails were a shock. If I wasn’t climbing steeply up, I was descending just as steeply down. There was nothing tame about these paths. I’m grateful for the guidance of my coach, Kevin Goldberg, whose training guidance prepared me to tackle terrain vastly different from that at home, “McDole credits.

These were complicated logistics for McDole and Team. “Planning where to stay, how to access remote locations, and trying to predict timing all added layers of difficulty. Fortunately, I was accompanied by my friend Bob Vander Meer, whose support as crew chief was invaluable. He managed the entire race for me—driving, crewing, and motivating me when I needed it most. Bob’s experience and understanding of my needs as a runner made all the difference, from addressing issues on the fly to offering the tough encouragement I needed to keep moving. The remoteness of the course meant Bob drove 1,111 miles just to reach every aid station where crew access was allowed. A feat that deserves immense gratitude.”

The breathtaking views along the route were unrivaled, according to McDole. “It was a scenic reward that was earned through sweat and determination. The race demanded everything, from traversing volcanic blast zones and dense forests to enduring hot stretches of road. Sleep was rare, coming in short 10-minute bursts, and as I passed mile 170, hallucinations set in. Even as my mind began to unravel, my legs felt strong, and I pushed on. Finishing the race 20 spots higher in the standings and 11 hours faster than my previous 200-mile effort marked Bigfoot 200 as a truly life-changing accomplishment. It was an unforgettable adventure, the hardest but my favorite 200 miler,” McDole related.

Moab 240 The Final Test

The Moab 240 in Utah marked the completion of the Triple Crown—a grueling 240-mile journey through deserts, canyons, and alpine mountains. “This year’s race became an all-out battle against the elements, with relentless rain bringing mud, hail, and hypothermia. Blisters formed before reaching mile 50, and by mile 200, exhaustion brought on delusions and hallucinations. At that point, physical training and nutrition alone were not enough to carry me forward, McDole described.

“Reflecting back, the life-changing moment didn’t happen at the finish line—it happened at mile 200, when I realized I wasn’t truly doing this alone. Soaked through, shivering, and hypothermic, I had no dry clothes, and my body was utterly exhausted. Days without sleep left my mind unraveling, and the hallucinations began. Hallucinations were not new to me; this time, I almost welcomed them, accepting that the mind can conjure intense and vivid experiences; smiley faces, skulls, and even 90’s album covers, all dancing across yellow aspen leaves on the ground. My mental math convinced me I was running out of time, creating a sense of urgency that wasn’t real. I took a break and opened a letter from my 15-year-old son: “You got this, Dad. Go do your thing. Don’t worry about things back home, I’ve got this.” His message cut through the confusion and gave me the strength to finish.”

What’s This All About?

McDole looked back at last year’s accomplishments, the training and racing in some of America’s most beautiful places. His fondest memories are of spending time with family and friends, supporting those chasing their dreams and receiving the same support in return. “This community has some of the most amazing individuals I’ve ever met. It’s truly amazing to call them friends,” McDole said.

In January, McDole completed a Double Traverse of Joshua Tree National Park alongside friends from Southern California, covering 74 miles under challenging cold and windy conditions. The expedition was filmed by a British film crew, with the potential for a documentary release in 2026 or 2027.

McDole’s message is no longer about distance or finish lines. ” It’s about what happens when you strip everything away, the noise, the comfort, the doubt, and rediscover who we really are. The end is almost uneventful. The real moments happen during the race.”

Family and Future Plans

McDole, wife Jenny, and children live in rural Kiel, Wisconsin. All three kids are active in athletics, including their daughter Maddie, who holds the Kiel High School record for the 300 hurdles and high jump. “My kids are better athletes than I am,” laughs McDole. In addition to running a Plymouth bike shop and focusing on family life, McDole serves as President of the Sheboygan County Conservation Association, which represents 26 conservation clubs with about 2,300 members.

McDole will be doing a couple of 200-mile events this summer. There are also considerations for a run across Wisconsin, from La Crosse to Sheboygan, as well as participation in a few 100-mile races in Montana and Colorado.

“Maybe the journey isn’t about becoming anything. Maybe it’s about unbecoming everything that isn’t really you, so you can be who you were meant to be in the first place.”

Are you an aspiring ultrarunner? McDole is willing to share his experiences and provide advice. You can reach McDole at joshmcdole on Instagram or Josh McDole on Facebook. Look on Spotify for McDole on the Ultrarunning Spotify Podcast.