Running on Empty

117 marathons. 52 days. 32 pairs of shoes. 57 years old. This is an extraordinary window into the psyche of an ultramarathon runner and the awe-inspiring story of his epic journey across America.

Marshall Ulrich, a legend in the world of endurance sports, has completed over 100 ultra-distance races, each averaging more than 100 miles. He has conquered 12 expedition-length adventure races and scaled the Seven Summits—including Mount Everest—on his very first attempt. Yet, it was his run from California to New York that pushed him to his absolute limits. For nearly two months, he ran the equivalent of two marathons and a 10K every single day, in what would become the greatest test of his life.

Featured in the documentary Running America, Ulrich not only recorded the third-fastest transcontinental crossing in history but also set multiple division records along the way. In Running on Empty, he reveals the raw and unfiltered story behind the headlines: close calls with death, unexpected encounters with law enforcement, and the relentless toll on his body and mind.

Ulrich also reflects on the origins of his passion for running, tracing it back nearly three decades to the devastating loss of his wife—the emotional turning point that set him on this path. It was through extreme physical challenge that he discovered what it truly meant to feel alive.

Brimming with jaw-dropping moments from both the road and his storied career, Ulrich’s memoir delivers more than just tales of endurance. It carries a powerful, universal message—for athletes and non-athletes alike—about confronting hardship, rising above adversity, and finding profound meaning beyond mere accomplishment.

I will add a review as soon as I’m finished reading it! Stay tuned.