JUSTIN GRUNEWALD
Boulder, CO / Minneapolis, MN
Specialty:
Trail and Ultra Distances
After starting to run in high school, Justin went on to run at The University of Minnesota. He qualified for the Olympic Marathon Trials in 2012 before taking a few down years for medical residency while transitioning to trail running.
Justin has set numerous FKTs on the trails and won local MN 50k races. He is now looking to transition to the 100-mile distance in pursuit of a golden ticket for Western States.
Accomplishments:
Afton 50k course record
TNF Wisconsin 50-mile win
Kalalau Trail Kaui, Hawaii 22-mile FKT
Wild Duluth 50k course record
How fast do you think you could run a backwards mile?
What is one of your most memorable non-competition runs?
Supporting Altra teammate Amanda Basham in her FKT of the Kalalau Trail.
If you had to pick one race or event this year that you anticipate will be your most proud achievement or moment, which one would it be and why? Do you have a special connection?
Hoping to really get the 100k down either at a race in the states or in Europe in preparation for moving up to the 100 mile.
What is your favorite event to watch that you don’t participate in?
College Basketball
Do you have any quirky running habits?
No.
WOULD YOU RATHER:
Eat a slice of pizza mid-race or drink a milkshake?
Pizza.
Run on an empty stomach or a full bladder?
Empty stomach.
Do a beer mile or a milk mile?
Beer.
Run in the freezing cold or the sweltering heat?
Cold.
Be met at the finish line with your favorite beverage or favorite meal?
Beverage.
Come across a snake or a rat on your run?
Rat.
Run with a blister on your foot or a cramp in your side?
Cramp.
Give up core work or stretching and still stay injury-free?
I already gave it up.
Run uphill in the first half of your run or the second?
Both.