Eric Clifton

About

Eric Clifton is a Hall of Fame ultrarunner who, during the 1990s, was the fastest and most dominant 100-mile trail racer in America, amassing more than 60 ultra victories including 17 wins in 31 100-mile finishes. Born in Albuquerque and raised in North Carolina, he took up ultrarunning in 1982 and reached his competitive peak in 1992, when he won all four 100-milers he entered — Old Dominion, Vermont, Superior Trail, and Arkansas Traveller — while setting course records at each, a feat that earned him Ultrarunning Magazine's Ultrarunner of the Year award. His career-best 100-mile time of 13:16:02 came at the 1996 Rocky Raccoon 100, and he later won the Badwater 135 in Death Valley in 27:49:00 (1999). Nicknamed the 'Jester' of ultrarunning for his colorful patterned tights, comic race aliases, and signature 'go for broke' racing style, Clifton also competed in the Iditasport in Alaska and the Barkley Marathons. By 2025 he had logged roughly 150,000 lifetime running miles.

Notable Wins

• — Old Dominion 100 1992 (CR)
• — Vermont 100 1992 (CR
• — 14:52:16)
• — Superior Trail 100 1992 (CR)
• — Arkansas Traveller 100 1992 (CR)
• — 1992 Ultrarunner of the Year
• — Rocky Raccoon 100 1996 (13:16:02 PR)
• — Badwater 135 1999 (27:49:00)

Race History