Given To Fly – Brian Morrison
For twenty years, Brian Morrison has carried the weight of being the man who almost won the Western States 100-mile trail race in 2006. He is the ill-fated runner who poured everything he had into crossing the finish line first, only to be disqualified and stripped of the hard-earned title. It has been two decades since a physically exhausted Brian Morrison set foot on the final stretch of track at Placer High School, first place in his sights, only for his body to fail him as he collapsed in the final meters.
That last quarter mile in the stadium remains one of the most talked-about finishes in ultrarunning history. Brian’s crew rushed to support their exhausted runner, and as he staggered and fell on the track, they helped keep him moving forward. Brian finished in 18 hours, 5 minutes, and 13 seconds, crossing the line first.
His taste of triumph quickly turned into one of the most heartbreaking and controversial moments in ultrarunning history. For the first time in the race’s history, officials strictly enforced rules prohibiting outside assistance. He was disqualified. Brian’s victory was erased, and the second-place runner was elevated to the top of the podium.
In the years since that tragic day in California, Seattle running legend Brian Morrison has had to re-find his footing and grapple with ambition, failure, and identity.
Given To Fly is his story.
Brian’s book is available now on Amazon.com.
You can also meet Brian and buy a copy from him at Seven Hills Running Shop at our Wednesday, May 13th group run at 6:30pm.
Run and Chat with Brian Morrison at Seven Hills
Wednesday, May 13th at 6:30pm: “Given To Fly” Run with Brian Morrison
Brian Morrison will be joining us for our Team7Hills trail run around Discovery Park. He’ll run with the group and everyone will have a chance to chat with him afterwards.
We’ll also have copies his new book “Given To Fly: An Improbable Story of Triumph, Tragedy, and Realization at the Western States 100” on hand for sale!
https://www.tahoedailytribune.com/sports/morrison-stripped-of-western-states-title
