New Jersey Police Officer Takes On Ultras

The police officer started with marathons and is now doing 50-mile races.

Three years ago, 41-year-old Vernon Marino’s boss suggested that he take up running to lose weight. Marino, a police officer in Paulsboro, New Jersey, did just that and since then has lost over 75 pounds. He started out with marathons and just last weekend, completed the JFK 50-mile ultramarathon.

“I started running and just got hooked on it,” recalls Marino.

According to Marino, he averages 60 to 65 miles a week in training. He runs for six days and rests on Thursday.

This was Marino’s take on the JFK 50-mile race, which includes portions of the Appalachian Trail. “You run the Trail — which was brutal, along the top of the mountains — for a total of 15.4 miles,” he said.

Marino ended up finishing in the top 400 out of 1000 runners at that race. His time was 9:52:31.

According to Marino, ultras can do some damage to the body. “Your whole body is sore. Obviously, your legs and your feet are a little bit swollen. Your arms, from swinging them all day, and your chest hurts from the arm swings,” he said.

For more: NJ.com