Dennis Poolheco

About

Dennis Poolheco (d. June 2015) was an American ultrarunner and member of the Hopi Tribe from Arizona, an early member of the Montrail/Patagonia Ultrarunning Team and a mainstay of the Arizona ultrarunning circuit from the late 1990s onward. He began racing ultras in 1998 at the Crown King 50 Mile, then finished 5th at his first 100-miler, the Leadville Trail 100, later that year, and went on to further 100-mile finishes at Leadville, Javelina Jundred, and Hardrock, along with strong results at the Zane Grey 50 Mile, Phoenix National Trail 50 Mile, and Old Pueblo 50 Mile. He found particular success at the Man Against Horse 50 Mile on the Navajo Nation, winning it four times in five starts through 2005. Later in his career he undertook self-supported long-distance runs across the Hopi reservation to raise awareness of issues facing his homeland and to inspire the tribe's running traditions. He died at age 53 in a car accident on his way home from work.

Notable Wins

• — Leadville Trail 100 5th place (debut 100-miler
• — 1998); Man Against Horse 50 Mile winner 4x (of 5 starts
• — through 2005)

Race History