Remembering Ultrarunner Micah True

https://www.youtube.com/embed/SurbrF-HrZA

In the days after ultrarunner Micah True’s death, remembrances of his life sprang up all over the Web. Ultrarunners offered their condolences to the friends and family of the man known as Caballo Blanco, runners inspired by the description of Micah True in Born to Run thanked him for his message, and a new group of people were exposed to that message and inspired.

Outside published a story, “On the Trail of the White Horse,” by Christopher McDougall, about the search for True’s body in the Gila Wilderness of New Mexico. It has remained the number one article on the site for a week now. Beneath it, comments poured in like this one from Mandy:

Thank you for your beautiful words. May you all carry him with you in all of your days as friends. May we all learn more about ourselves and what we are capable of by having the story of Caballo with us to share with each generation that comes. Thank you Chris for your words, for sharing Caballo’s passion with your readers, and for reminding us all that we were Born to Run!

A group called the Mas Locos set up a website for remembrances, upcoming memorial runs, photo tributes, and videos—like one by ultrarunner Scott Jurek. Jurek, who ran the Copper Canyon marathon after an invite from True, left this quote:

Just returning from some tough days in New Mexico. Caballo left us doing what he loved in a place that was sacred to the Apache and ancient running people he revered. He touched so many of us and his spirit will continue to do so. Travel light and swiftly in the Land of the Mountain Spirits, my friend. –Scott

There are upcoming memorial runs this weekend in New York and California, with more runs set for May in other states. A full calendar can be found on caballoblanco.org. In case you’ve missed it, True’s message has been been posted on the site, and is included below.

We are the messengers, fueled by the message. When the message is of peace, truth, beauty, and love, we will always have the strength to find our way home, on this, our beautiful Mother Earth.

If you’re looking for a something a little more in the moment to remember True, a Norwegian filmmaker named Luca Kleve-Ruud has posted the following short documenting his last Copper Canyon Ultramarathon, run earlier this year. During it, True took a spill, and reveals some of the wounds on his shoulder, right shin, and upper right leg—with a smile, of course. Click on the caption in the image below to watch it. If none of the above is enough, there’s always a simpler, healthier, more rewarding way to pay tribute: go for a run.

–Joe Spring
@joespring