Across the Years is an Aravaipa Running event offering timed (6-day, 72hr, 48hr, 24hr, 12hr, 6hr), fixed distance (200mi, 100mi, 100K, Marathon), and a Last Runner Standing event at the turn of the new year. It’s a loop course (1.4108 miles with 23 feet of elevation gain per loop) around the Spring Training facility for the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners. 

Although I’ve done a few dozen marathons and ultras (mainly 50Ks), I walk rather than run, so I must choose races carefully based upon time cutoffs that I can achieve. Since most 100-mile events have cutoffs, I’d never make, perhaps Aravaipa’s 6-day event would give me enough time to cover 100 miles and get that coveted buckle. I convinced/coerced Sally - who’s a good runner but had never done anything longer than a marathon – into going along, so she registered for the 3-day race with a goal of 50 miles.

After the race, I still find it incredibly hard to decide if I should focus on our own experiences or to simply marvel at the fellow athletes, the event, and the stories that unfolded throughout this amazing experience. I guess I’ll just do a little of both! 

Matt King is a seasoned vet when it comes to endurance efforts ... he has multiple 100 mile finishes under his belt, countless day-long shifts owning/operating his multiple restaurants, and has the tall task of chasing around his 5 kids on a daily basis!

His latest endeavor, however, was paying a visit to an old friend ... the Hell Hole Hundred in the low country of South Carolina and put on by Palmetto Ultras. This old friend graciously delivered a DNF (Did Not Finish) in 2023. With many lessons learned from the previous year and a reinvigorated supporting case of goons, Matt arose from the fiery ashes of hell to crush his latest challenge.
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It's been exactly 1 month from this 100 mile finish, and we tossed a few questions to get his perspective, revisit the experience, and see what's next on this man's never ending quest for finding out what's around life's next bend. 

What’s the first thing that pops into your mind when you think of Northwest Arkansas?

Likely Wal-Mart, Univ. of Arkansas, the Quapaw & Caddo Native American Tribes, and for all you cycle seekers out there, you’ve most definitely heard of the massive mountain biking scene that has exploded over the past decade in Bentonville.

What you might not know is that the Buffalo National River, the first designated “National River” in our country, weaves, and winds for 135 eastbound miles in Northwest Arkansas and it’s an absolute jaw dropper of a river.

Last March, I was fortunate enough packraft this amazing ribbon of water with an adventure buddy, and Commercial Outdoor Photographer, Samuel Martin and the images bring me back to this magical place every single time I flip through them.

Here’s some background on the Buffalo and a visual recap to get your own daydreams fired up.