Zach Miller's Race Day Decision Shocks Everyone

We caught up with Zach Miller very briefly the night before the 2024 Hardrock 100 to learn about the race's decision as to whether he could be on the start line at the legendary high-altitude mountain ultramarathon after having an appendectomy a few days prior.
Zach talks about how and why they reached their decision, his thoughts and feelings about it, what he plans to do next, and whether he'll consider another race like Ultra Trail Du Mont Blanc (UTMB) or an FKT project like Nolan's 14.
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[@runsingletrack]

Thoughts about the decision? Where do you think Zach should go from here? A race like UTMB? An FKT project like Nolan's 14?

[@uloutdoors]

TOR

[@MarkGriffith]

Nolans 14 for sure!

[@ryanevius]

Nolan’s seems pretty logical

[@damononthehill]

UTMB! Or Kodiak 100!!

[@xtrekrex]

Leadville 100?

[@CallMeShasta]

I think the race directors made the right call. Zach is one of my favorite runners, and part of my admiration of him is how hard he goes and the joy he seems to get from training and racing. It's just not worth it to risk a serious medical incident in the middle of Hardrock. That's putting volunteers and staff in a bind that they did not ask for. Hope he takes this unexpected freshness as a gift and does something truly remarkable with it.

[@abbefaria5518]

Zach Miller, ultra distance all-star. Thank you for the update.

[@beeclimbing9954]

Glad Zach is recovering well from his surgery and agree, it's a bummer that the timing of his appendix coincided with Hardrock but there is no 'lesson to learn' or 'wisdom' to take away; he played the hand he was dealt and 'the hand' was completely out of his control - you can't proactively avoid an appendectomy. I also admire his "conflicting" feelings re: UTMB; either decision, he'll have my support. Zach appears to try to live his values consistently and for that, you cannot fault him, none of us is perfect, we just strive to be our best. I wish him well for the rest of the season and look forward to seeing or hearing about his next achievement.

[@runnerscorner2994]

Zach is such a legend, his racing style is insane and I totally understand his disappointment and find it very admirable that he's still showing up to find out ❤

[@runsingletrack]

well said

[@JaySizz]

UTMB still needs a break, Zach. We haven't had a single edition since we all said "futmb". They still need to prove their integrity and true support for our community. There's no doubt about it: my respect for the pros who choose to give UTMB their participation this year IS going to falter a bit, right or wrong that's just how it is.

[@diederiklegrange7248]

@Jay, did you also get that questionnaire that utmb sent out? If they study the responses as I would hope, that will be awesome.

[@MNP208]

Sorry to hear Zach, this must be so disappointing for you. As someone working in health care, I’m glad he sat this one out. The body needs time to heal.

[@runsingletrack]

amen!

[@Livinlife-vq3pv]

Eastern States 100 in August in PA! They would definitely let Zach in

[@runsingletrack]

I keep hearing about this race..I gotta go check it out at this point

[@winter46ercmart]

Zach going for the Great Range Traverse FKT (which is crazy fast already) or 46 through hike FKT would be incredible. I completely understand him wanting to put the altitude training to use though.

[@runsingletrack]

I love that he deeply appreciates the northeast trail/mountain running scene..I have no doubt he'll do something up there sooner rather than later

[@winter46ercmart]

@@runsingletrack Likewise! It seems like every time I hear him speak about the northeast mountains it is with a ton of reverence - very cool. Nice job bringing up the GRT by the way!

[@dansouth2088]

Such a great attitude!! Bring on Nolan's!!

[@runsingletrack]

that would be so sick, that or time trialing the Hardrock course solo

[@cpruns4501]

Very impressed with the respect given during this interview and of course the class act from Zach. Such a great attitude but damn....you know he is crushed inside and understandably so. That said.....go forward is the only way to think now:) You got this Zach. Go get it!!!

[@PatrickCole-md9bu]

Have him look into the Sudtirol 120km Sky Race in the Dolomites. It's the perfect race for him. If not the MaxiRace Madeira 100k in December.

[@runsingletrack]

Ohhhh good idea

[@PatrickCole-md9bu]

I've done both and can reach out to the organizations for him if need be.

[@shanedoyle8933]

Id love to see Zach do something like Sierre Zinal

[@runsingletrack]

I wonder how he'd fare in the shorter stuff

[@martinscofield7477]

Run GRP in France! One of the best 100 mile mountain races in the world! Grand Raid des Pyrénées.

[@runsingletrack]

ohhh yeah, this would be a good one..it wasn't really on my radar until you mentioned it here actually!

[@zoebaz6969]

UTMR! Would love to see him rip that course!

[@runsingletrack]

that'd be a great one

[@fraac]

How is this up to race directors?

[@ainsdog]

Do utmb and win it

[@runsingletrack]

What an amazing storyline, if he ultimately goes that route

[@ainsdog]

@@runsingletrack spot on ☝️🙏

[@Loco5919]

He should do Bear 100

[@runsingletrack]

as a Utahn, I support this

[@billys100aolcom]

i hope Zack lines up tomorrow in Silverton with pacers and crew and rips a new course record on the HR course......

[@runsingletrack]

Sounds like you know something...that would be awesome!!!

[@diederiklegrange7248]

Pivot to Chamonix my man👊🏻

[@alexschwab7409]

Thank goodness the race directors know more than a doctor 😂🤷🏻‍♂️

[@beeclimbing9954]

I think they really had to make that call not to let him race; trying to get emergency medical help or extract him from most of the Hardrock route would be a nightmare and no one can predict how his body might cope with that stress so soon after surgery.

[@MNP208]

They are the ones who would have to rescue a runner out there… not the Drs.