Search Is On in New Mexico for Revered Ultrarunner

Skooter reporting 03/31/12

In the Gila Wilderness of southwestern New Mexico a search for Micah True, 60, a mythic figure among extreme-distance runners was set off when he went for a 12-mile run Tuesday morning and has not return yet ‘til now.

The search and rescue officer for the New Mexico State Police, Bob Rodgers said that they had initial report that True was seen on Highway 15, going north, but they have no other clues whatsoever. Although they have found some of his tracks at one time but it turned out to be someone else. Highway 15 heads to the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument where the type of terrain True preferred. It is also the ancient homes of Mogollon people who lived in the area’s steep canyons 700 years ago.

According to Jane Bruemmer, the co-owner of the inn and a friend of True that early last week, he stayed for a couple of nights at the Wilderness Lodge in Gila Hot Springs, N. M. He was with his dog, and he was going to depart soon to visit his girlfriend in Phoenix. True left on his Tuesday run at about 10 a.m. wearing running shorts and a T-shirt. Bruemmer presumed he was running to the cliff dwellings.

Bruemmer discarded some early speculations for his disappearance such as he got lost which is hard to believe because he has run in Gila a lot and knows the trails, although, there are mountain lions, but she never heard of an attack on human around there.

She believes something physical must have happen to him, maybe he had suffered a heart attack, a fall or break his leg. She was not sure.

A state police chopper, a civilian air patrol plus canine teams and mounted patrols are involved in the search for True, Rodgers said. It was expected that the weather in the area is warm during the day, but at night the temperatures dropped below zero.

Micah True was a main character in the best-selling nonfiction book entitled “Born to Run” by Christopher McDougall. Running only on sandals, True do extremely well at distances of 50 miles or more over steep and rocky trails. He beat injuries after learning a new way to run from Mexico’s Tarahumara Indians, who are famous for their running skill over long distances. He was an ultrarunner called Caballo Blanco or White Horse and the race director of a 50 mile race known as the Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon.

Source: New York Times