David Roche is renowned in trail running circles as pretty much the greatest coach out there.
It’s easier to compile a list of the top athletes he hasn’t coached rather than those he has.
Barkley Marathons legend John Kelly is just one of the many to benefit from Roche’s expertise.
But until this year there was just one thing missing from Roche’s resume – if indeed that mattered – and that was running a 100-mile race himself.
Record breaker
He’s helped so many to excel at the distance but his own bow didn’t come until August and what a debut that was.
For he rewrote the record books with an amazing performance at the Leadville 100, eclipsing what had long been thought of as an unbeatable mark – Matt Carpenter’s 15 hours, 42 minutes and 59 seconds which had stood since 2005.
And just a couple of months on he lined up for his second – the Javelina Jundred at the end of October.
Again the result was mind-blowing and there’s now some stunning footage of him in action thanks to the Freetrail YouTube channel and Ryan Thrower’s beautiful camerawork. It’s embedded below for you to enjoy.
Watch out for the aid station refuel too – and especially David taking time to turn around before heading back out in order to fist-bump his young son!
‘I’m in it to win it’
While watching him seemingly glide through the desert course at McDowell Mountain Regional Park, remind yourself the temperature was pushing very close to 100°F, a new high for the event.
Despite the searing heat he would go on to finish in 12 hours, 45 minutes, and four seconds, nearly 10 minutes ahead of the rest and within two minutes of another course record.
Indeed the heat prep was what made the performance even more special – see the X post below for lots more detail.
It was another masterclass so watch out for him at Western States next year – “I’m in it to win it” he says!
