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I was singularly unimpressed with Scott's disparaging comments regarding Dean Karnazes. Dean does good work. I was thoroughly unconvinced by Jurek's (pronounced "Jerk") repeated claims that he isn't jealous of Dean's media exposure. Methinks he doth protest too much...
Keep up the good work Dean!
Who says you have to win an endurance event to be known as a great athlete? Many, many, many age groupers are excellent athletes. I think that Scott should be ashamed of himself and respect all athletes, especially in his sport.
Dean shows heart and loves running. That is all you need.
jurek is an athlete,
dean is a con man.
keep the tall tales coming dean
(looks like everyone prefers them)
Listening to SJ points out the fact that it takes a lot of work to be an endurance champion. It puts my belly-aching in a new light, and somehow I feel renewed and more goal-oriented than ever.
DK is a good man. I'm sure he puts in his mondo miles like SJ does. DK runs for a living, so he must treat it like a business. The rest of us weekend warriors should understand.
In any case, I like hearing from the greats so that I may in some way emulate them. I try.
Excellent interview! Touched on various aspects of Scott being an superb athlete and examining touchy areas like DK in the world of Ultra's. We are fortunate to have a champion like Scott that is a true ambassador to ultra running.
Thanks!
I think Scott is a little jealous that DK has the abiliity and team behind him to market himself the way he does. They are both excellent athletes who are in the spotlight.
Nothing fuels competition that being envious.
DK is one of the greatest outdoor endurance athletes that’s ever lived. He deserves the ESPY distinction as Best Outdoor Athlete tenfold over Jurek. DK is a multidimensional endurance athlete, not just excelling in ultrarunning, but also in mountain-biking, windsurfing, snowboarding and surfing. Jurek is just a skinny ultrarunner, and a judging from his jealous attitude, an undignified one at that.
Scott Jurek may be an accomplished ultramarathoner, but he’s demonstrated in this interview that he is far from a champion. His untrue, immature and resentful remarks about Dean Karnazes show his real colors.
Not only is Karnazes a bestselling author, which much of his fame can be attributed to, he has done things in running that Jurek is either unaware of, or represses. How can you consider a guy who’s run 1,300 miles across the country unaided, after running 50 consecutive marathons, a mediocre athlete? Marathon to the South Pole, ever tried that?
The media gives Dean attention because he does remarkable things. Scott Jurek receives tremendous media attention for winning races. Scott welcomes and invites the media, just go to the press section of his website to witness this firsthand. I find it completely hypocritical that Scott poses as some sort of purist. A good runner, yes, a good person, no.
DK is not even close to being the athlete Scott Jurek is. I can't believe how gullible some people are. This was a great interview with a true champion.
Just curious about you Dean defenders-any of you ultra runners?
I found it refreshing to hear Jurek's comments about DK.
Jurek doesn't need an Espy award, the ultra community knows he and Karl are the leading male ultra runners out there.
I don't think Scott was slamming Dean Karnazes (much). He was just stating how the media has tended to focus on DK, and has not paid attention to the "middle of pack" athletes and many of the unsung super-talents of ultrarunning. I mean, who in the mainstream has ever heard of Yiannis Kouros, Karl Meltzer, David Horton, Ann Trason, or Nikki Kimball?
Even DK has a problem with how the media perceives him and ultrarunning. He stated (in the July 19th Endurance Planet interview) that they tend to think of what he does as "stunts." How can running 200 miles be considered a stunt, with all of the preparation, training, and mental fortitude that goes into it? Even when it comes to jumping a skateboard off of a ramp...anyone can attempt a "stunt" like that, but it takes someone who has prepared and trained properly to land it right (without breaking something significant). While "anybody" can attempt to jump a skateboard, very few can even attempt to run 200 miles, (let alone 100)!
KP: I really enjoy these interviews; keep them coming! I get inspired and learn so much from not only the interviews with ultrarunners like SJ and DK, but from interviews with other endurance athletes in other sports such as cycling, Tri, and AR.
That said, I still get the most inspiration from my training buddies and the "middle of the pack" folks that I meet and run with in my little "fun runs."
Happy trails,
Bad Ben
(Definitely not a "skinny" Ultrarunner type)
I find it very interesting to find most of the comments (all) are about Scott vrs Dean. Come on! It was a great interview, didn't you learn something about his nutrition/training, etc. Sheesh. Who says we have to side with Dean or Scott. Good grief.
I totally agree with Scott's comments about DK. DK is accepting awards that imply him to be the best when in reality, he isn't. There are so many better ultra-runners out there who are toeing the line and winning big races. What did DK do to earn these titles? it's all about the media. I'd like to see DK line up with Karl, Scott, Kyle, and a few others next year at Hardrock. Oh i forgot, he is already committed to breaking the 24 hour treadmill record while suspended from a hot air balloon above Aspen!
Dean is in the world of Ultra Running the same as what Steve Gibson is in the world of computer security: a guy who needs to show of even though he is not a true practicioner of his discipline. Real champions do not seek media exposure like Dean Karnaze because they run to elevate themselves. And especially, they do not need to enter the medias by doing stupid actions like running naked for half a mile at the pole...
I totally understand SJ’s frustration. DK is not engaged in the sport of Ultra Running. True, he is running Ultra distances, but for him to take (or be given)credit and titles from the ultra running sport is wrong and I understand SJ's position. Listening to SJ’s interview you can hear his hesitation to say the things he did. The media needs a story and DK is a heck of a story. I don’t think SJ liked making the comments but I think seeing the light shine from the true competitors to a showman is frustrating. Is DK the Lair Hamilton of distance running? i.e., keep it pure, don’t compete.
I can really understand the frustration. Dean is a great ultrarunner, but I don't consider him the elite athlete that scott jurek is. if there is going to be publicity in ultrarunning, why focus on just one individual? what blows my mind is the media frenzy. ESPY? best outdoor athlete? Giving these awards to dean is like giving a superbowl championship to a third-place team. And I'm sure scott and others are sitting there saying, "why him?"
I can also understand Dean trying to gain as much publicity as possible, it is, apparently, how he makes a living these days. And his purpose, to get more people active, is indeed noble. I just wish he'd publicly say something like, "thanks for this espy, but there are many ultrarunners out there who deserve it more." If I were in his place, I'd be very uncomfortable.
this whole thing proves one thing; actually two. 1.) the media sucks. 2.) all of you who are bashing jurek because of this interview are literally enslaved to the media. it's opinion = your opinion.
Has Scott Jurek ever been tested for steroids? His aggressive behavior and attacks are indicative of a steroid user. When I see some of the photos of him angerly bursting across a finish line at the end of a 100-mile run, it looks very much like the Tour riders who were busted for cheating. I'm curious if he has ever been tested?
Aggressive??? Performing a shoulder-roll after finishing a race is aggressive behavior? You've got to be kidding about the steroids, right?
I really don't understand the "superhero" worship of Dean to the exclusion of all rational thought and the exclusion of anybody else's accomplishments. I've read his book, and have followed his exploits for years. I just think he's a nice guy that likes attention, who also inspires beginning runners and novice ultrarunners alike.
If you've ever run more than a few ultraruns...especially 50-mile or 100-mile races, you'd appreciate guys like Scott Jurek more. He's not only a more accomplished ultrarunner, but he is much more approachable and willing to dispense with information (that can actually help you), when you meet him. He also gives back to the sport in many ways. It's not uncommon to see Scott (or other runners like him) actually VOLUNTEERING at a race or working at an aid station or helping a friend through a difficult race. He also has offers a very good training camp for trail and ultrarunning. I don't see Dean doing any of this, as yet.
I don't know how to even respond to that. To even insinuate Scott is a doper is...I, I don't even know where to begin. I suggest you listen to the interview again. I can only assume that you are unfamiliar with ultrarunning and as well as Scott's backstory.
I never knew how much long endurance athletes cared so much about a winning athlete. I don't think the sport should be all about winning the race.
I read Dean's book after I have been following him around for awhile. I have also starting going to Jurek's blog and learning about his success with winning. You can't and should never compare these two athletes. Each long distance athlete is different. Some volunteer, raise money, work full time and even do this raising families...and some don't. Leave it at that.
They both tell good stories and are great athletes. I don't think one should be down right nasty to another athlete. Period.
One of the best parts about ultrarunning for me is to hear about the participants stories and adventures.
DK has done more for the sport of running than anyone else in this country. You need only attend one of his talks to witness firsthand the impact he has had on people.
For Jurek to say that he should not accept the awards and accolades that have been bestowed upon him is laughable. What, is he supposed to go back to TIME magazine and say that he can’t accept the distinction of being the 27th most influential person in the world because that merit rightly belongs to Scott Jurek?
Jurek is either blinded by ego or jealously. DK has worked his ass off to get where he’s at, and he deserves everything that’s come his way.
Steroids? Jurek is a vegan.
That's obviously a comment from the outside the ultra community.
It's not laughable that Jurek suggest he shouldn't accept some those awards. DK accepted an award for "Best Distance Runner" or something along those lines. He shouldn't have accepted that award because he is not even close to being the best distance runner. Why is that a laughable suggestion? Who cares if Time names him 27th most influential person? That doesn't have anything to do with his running and is not what Scott is refering to. Some of the awards he has accepted had been totally bogus. What's really laughable is some people actually believe he deserves some of these awards.
DK may be a good runner and athlete but he is not the best runner by a long shot. He has influenced a lot of people to adopt a healthier lifestyle and that is great and I aplaud him for that. However it is dishonest of him to accept some of the awards that he has accepted.
"If you look at other sports, the guys that are finishing mid-pack on the PGA Tour or batting .500, they aren't getting any publicity."
Well I have a few problems with this line. First I wouldn't call DK a middle of the packer. Second, I would say there are plenty of sports where people farther down in the placements get more publicity (and money). Think women's pro tennis.
what a great interview with scott jurek! you can always count on the great tips scott gives for improving ourselves as endurance athletes.
how can you possibly interpret what scott said about dean as an attack on what dean is doing to running in general? it is true that dk has inspired a lot of people to start walking/running/being active, but that's what he does for a living. i ran the 49th marathon with him during his endurance 50 event. i saw first hand from that event, it's more about promoting the dk brand than anything else. although i don't see anything wrong with that. it's the guy's bread and butter. dk represents dk, not running much less ultra running. he's a great athlete, but he's not the face of ultra running as the media portrays him to be. that's scott jurek's point. if the media wants to find some face(s) for ultra running, the sport, it shouldn't be dk. just like you wouldn't find derek fisher as the face for the nba or alex smith as the face for the nfl. it is frustrating whenever you tell people you do ultras and all they talk about is dean when i want to tell them there are a lot of other great ultra runners like scott, karl, david horton, nikki and the unbelievable ann trason who's dominated ultras for years prior to her surgury. even the incredibly young yet talented ultra runner like michael hayden. they are the people who should represent the sport. i would be pretty ticked off if dominiq wilkins was the face of the nba instead of michael jordan back then. then again, we are talking about the media here. i am sure we can all agree that the american media is nothing but a bunch of sensation junkies. no disrespect to dean and his achievements, i sure most ultra runners would rather go watch scott or krissy win hardrock 100 than go get the espy award.
btw, i hope that emily silverman character was kidding about the doping stuff. otherwise, you have a whole lot of doping, aggressive ultra runners coming your way because we all have so much energy to dope ourselves up in a sport that you make absolutely no money.
Scott Jurek may be a good runner, but he’s an even more proficient whiner.
Dean as best distance runner? Come on. Not to bash the guy, but how can someone with any integrity accept an award like that when he doesn't even come close to being comptetitive with the likes of Ryan Hall, Meb K, Deanna Kastor, Scott Jurek, Karl Metzler, Hal Koerner, Greg Crowther or Krissy Moehl? It's disrespectful of their achievements. Go ahead and market yourself, but don't allow the media to misrepresent you as the best in your field - particularly when you have the opportunity to turn down the award or to at least make mention of those who really deserve the recognition.
And for those suggesting that Scott is using steroids, I'm not sure that you listened to the interview or know anything about him. Scott is a vegan who is very concerned about what he puts into his body. Do you really think that he would harm his body by taking steroids when there is little to no commercial benefits to being one of the best ultrarunners in North America? Come on. And he didn't exactly sound aggressive to me - more passive and tentative than he probably needs to be, given his running accomplishments.
DK didn't win an ESPY as best ultrarunner, let's look at what ESPY DK won, Best Outdoor Athlete.
He was up against a professional bass fisherman, Michael Iaconell, mountaineer Samantha Larson, at 18 years old believed to be the youngest person to have climbed the "seven summits" — the highest peaks on each continent; mountaineer Ian McKeever, who has climbed six of the highest mountains on each continent since January 2007 and was expected today to summit the seventh, Denali; musher Lance Mackey, the back-to-back winner of the Iditarod and Yukon Quest international dog race.
I think it's great that an ultrarunner won.
Get a grip folks. The steroid bit was an obvious joke.
And it's not Dean Karnazes', or as most of you prefer to call him, DK's fault he doesn't finish well in competition. It's extremely hard to run while you're constantly taking your sunglasses off to check your reflection. That's perilous running my friend.
Jurek rules!
Having just listened to the entire interview, I must say I agree with Bad Ben, Hao, John McAllister and others wondering why people are interpreting his comments as a mean-spirited attack on Karnazes. Scott Jurek was NOT whining, and he was NOT slamming Karnazes, but instead making a very valid criticism about how the media covers ultrarunning, or even how the media and our celebrity-obsessed culture operate in general. Scott does not go around deliberately trying to put down Dean, but was in this interview asked provocatively, directly and repeatedly for his opinion regarding Dean's media exposure. He answered fairly and respectfully, and his points are very valid. I really enjoyed the interview, including his candor about his training, diet, esteem for other elite athletes, etc. Even his attitude towards veganism was thoughtful and tolerant.
It is ironic that so many of those bashing Jurek did it in such a blatantly mean-spirited manner.
Perhaps the clear slamming by several listeners of one of the greatest ultrarunners to date (Jurek) shows how effectively the professional PR machine works in perpetuating Karnazes' deification. It is a shame that those starting with Jerry (I guess I will refrain from stooping to call you "Jerky"-- what a mature way start the discussion) have honed in on the supposed tainting of one of their sacred cows.
Kimba, I suspect most of the Jurek-bashers misinterpreting his comments and tone are from outside the ultrarunning community.
By the way Mr. Gerard, although I have many other roles and identities, I guess I and other skinny ultrarunners should be offended by your potshot, except I cannot take it any more seriously than I would take your suggestion that Karnazes is a top-tier snowboarder or surfer. I am glad you and Dean are so buff and athletically versatile.
Great interview, Kevin!!! Thank you!
I find all these comments interesting. Some make very good points others....well.....I just have to shake my head in disbelief. I'm guessing uninformed or just blatant meatheadedness?
Scott Jurek a whiner?! Hardrock. Course Record. 1 1/2 legs. Enough said.
I've said it before and I'll say it again. Why aren't the college runners in this country getting any media attention?
In regards to Michael Hayden. He is definitely talented, but I think he should stick to 5 and 10 k's for now. He is still growing and doing serious damage to his muscles and bones. He had to drop out of Catalina 50 because of an injury.
Michael: If you are listening wait 5 more years and then do Ultra's
John
Two great athletes... who both are doing great things in their own special way....
NO way do I think Scott was bashing DK and IF HE Did dodge the questions he gets about DK all the time, then he would be fake or phony...
I am glad he shared his thoughts & feelings. Thanks for a great interview & thanks Scott for some great tips & advice.
But like I said initially, two great athletes 
that do things that most of us can only dream about.
This whole arguement is representative of the society that we live in. Is Brittany Spears the best singer? Is Lindsay Lohan the best actress? Is Dean Karnazes the best runner? The answer to all is no. They all have however managed the media very well to rise to their level of stardom. Having said that I must admit that DK is an exceptional athlete. He's won several ultras and some while in his 40's. He deserves recognition for his achievements but calling him the greatest distance runner is a stretch.
Just had dinner with Michael Hayden, he's running his second Ohio 100 tomorrow at Burning River, he seemed good to go..
Most of the points have been well addressed, especially the comment on how the offended DK fans are blinded by the media. The US media is a joke. If you know anything at all about outdoor sports picking up a copy of Outside is like reading The Onion. I mean, c'mon, even Dean understands the controversy and doesn't deny that it has merit. Jurek beats DK by an average of about 20% per 100 miles. In any sport, that's a pasting. You've got to understand his position and DK does.
But on this steroids thing, let's get real. Do you have any idea what performance-enhancing drugs cost? An entire year's winnings couldn't pay for a two-week cycle of EPO.
If you want drugs out of sports you have to get doctors out of sports (as in team doctors, not the people you see when you get injured). To get doctors out of sports you have to get money out of sports. So far, ultra running has accomplished this quite successfully.
What cannot be overlooked is that much of what Dean claims as 'victory' or 'championships' are things that do not exist. Divisions of races that he invents and then 'wins'. Events that he creates and then 'wins' against well, uh, himself?????
Did anyone ever verify the back story before publishing a book and touring behind it?
Is the legend built on falsification and exaggeration?
First, Scott apparently needs to watch a few baseball games, because anyone who bats .500 is likely going to be the MVP and the most interesting story in sports that year.
But regarding the substance of what Scott says, perhaps Dean should acknowledge that he is far from the fastest ultrarunner - I think he probably already has - but no ultrarunner would have been nominated for the ESPY if Dean hadn't worked his publicity magic over the last several years. I have run many marathons, but I had never heard of 100-milers until seeing and reading Dean's book. If the award had been for "Best Ultrarunner" and Dean had won, that would be one thing, but it wasn't, and Scott needs to wake up and realize there would be much less attention on him (Scott) if it weren't for Dean. And where does Scott get off saying Dean is a "mid-packer"? The guy won Badwater and is in the top 5-15 finishers in Western States when he runs. He may not be the most elite runner, but he is no "mid-packer."
Great interview and training tips. Not sure why someone would say he is jealous . They like jerry are the ones that are the jealous ones.
Good luck at Mont Blanc Scott!
I would understand the comments about DK more if it was in the context of ultrarunning is this obscure sport that's so difficult to do its hard for outsiders to understand and its not about business and marketing its about going out there. I have the same feeling about the marketing of DK. But thats not what he said, rather its about winning etc and he disparaged the mid/back packers, like this is a sport of elites. He should be happy that a midpacker is able to get press. Instead of comparing it to f-ing golf of all things he should be happy that his freak sport allows that. And if he says "my sponser, Brooks" in one more interview I will puke, why not just say "my sponser". I liked him before I started listening to these podcasts. He proves everyone wants to be a rock star.
Even ultra running is ultimately a form of entertainment. Who among us wouldnt want an endorsement from North Face or Brooks or even our own company to pick up our race fee while we wear a company tee shirt. Dean doesnt claim to be the fastest. I heard him say it at one of his fundraising (yes Im sure he got a fee so what) lectures. I didnt think Scott was being overly critical and when you work as hard as all of these top tier runners do of course they will have their own strong opinions. Personally I have a hard enough time getting in my own workouts to expend energy worrying about it. I am over 50 and new to the sport and will admit to Deans book getting me into this ultrarunner world.
DEAN RESPONDS!!!
You can listen to Dean respond to Jurek's intense (although, completely valid) criticisms ... and laugh like I did ... in a new interview he just gave:
TFS Podcast 83: DEAN KARNAZES on the ESPY, 24-hr record, and criticisms from Scott Jurek
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