Drew Macomber is a senior at PUC studying fine art. When he isn’t in Fisher Hall working on an art project, you can probably find him training in the college’s back 40 property for his next big race.
While most students spent the weekend of November 4th studying and preparing for classes, Drew was winning the Rio Del Lago, with an incredible finish time of 16:41:43, a full hour ahead of the second place runner. This is a 100 mile endurance race that began at Beal’s Point in the Folsom Lake state recreation area within the Sierra-Nevada Foothills, approximately 40 minutes east of Sacramento. The race, which started in 2000, combines two popular trail races in Northern California; the American River 50 and Way Too Cool 50k.
Below, Drew shares his motivation for racing and what he appreciates the most about the sport.
When did you get into running?
I got into running about five years ago. But since I was very young I’ve been into things that are outside. My family hikes a ton, and we grew up near Yosemite. So hiking in Yosemite was something I grew up doing quite often.
What inspires you to run?
I love being outside and I love physical challenges. Running is also how I stay sane day to day. I just have a passion for being outside and pushing myself.
Drew running in the Bay Ridge Trail Marathon in early October.
What other races have you participated in?
I’ve participated in about 15 ultras in California in the past two years, 50k’s and 50 milers. This was the first 100.
How many races have you run in total? Can you calculate how many miles?
I’ve run 17 races total, that’s around 642 miles of racing.
What races will you be running next?
I don’t have anything lined up yet, but the plan is to do the Lake Sonoma 50 miler in the spring.
Drew running in the Rio Del Lago. (Photo by Facchino Photography)
Where did you train for this race? Did you use the college’s back 40 property at all?
I trained in the back 40, as well as in the Los Posadas State Forest, and a lot on the new Dan’s Wild Ride trail to Hennessy, which goes over Moore Creek several times.
Is being at a place like PUC, surrounded by beautiful trails and a cross country tracks, something that inspires you to want run more?
Totally, the accessibility is phenomenal! Being able to run out the back door right into the trails is a huge blessing that I never take for granted. No matter how many times I’ve been out there, it’s always beautiful.
