Rob McNair

Nominated By Scott McKenzie of Orange Park Acres, a Nominee in His Own Right

Rob's training pace would be most peoples dream race pace. He is so naturally gifted at so many distances. It would be fascinating to learn what he might have accomplished in a formal training environment. He has won races from 5K to 35 miles and has had many top finishes in races up to 100 miles.

He is unlikely to tout his own ability and it is unlikely that he will provide information about his training. Even at age 46 he is still a formidable competitor. I guess I'll have to give you what I know and let others add to it.

Rob is probably best known in ultra running circles and was listed by Ultrarunning magazines as having more than 20 ultra wins. Many of those wins were course records at the time and at least one of them, the High Desert 50K, still stands! He has also won the Catalina Marathon, Pacific Shores Marathon, and the Saddleback Marathon. His wins at shorter distance trail races are also numerous.

Rob McNair, left, races the legendary
Jim Pelon (the first runner to win 13 Silver
Belt Buckles at the Western States 100 Mile
Endurance Run) in the Orange 12 Hour.

In addition to his own running Rob has helped many other runners by crewing or pacing for them in 100- mile races. There is a good reason why is he is widely so recognized at events. I can't be certain, but I believe he is the longest standing member of The Southern California Ultra Running Series. He has trained with such champions as Dave Warady and Fred Shufflebarger, but he has also found time to help a newcomer through his or her first marathon. You may have also seen him running by you dressed as Elvis or as a Blues Brother at a local event.

I can tell you that training with Rob reveals a deep commitment to his running, even if he seems at times to be very "laid back." He doesn't keep a running log, but I would guess that he averages over 3000 miles per year with a mix of long trail runs, fast road runs, and the occasional track workout.

There was a time when many people believed that Rob probably couldn't finish a 100 mile trail race. Rob proved them all wrong, finishing four of them so far. He has earned coveted Silver Buckles in both the Western States 100 and the Angeles Crest 100, the two premier 100-milers in this state. Rob is the genuine article and should surely be considered in the Orange County Runner's Hall of Fame.

This summer Rob, along with Dave Horton and Scott McKenzie will be trying to run the John Muir Trail (220 miles) in less than 96 hours. That would be a new record for the run.

If you find yourself standing on the starting line next to "The Human Labrador" you had better be prepared to race with all your heart! Rob can and has played with the best of them, so if you want to win, you will need to 'play' harder than he can."

Copyright © 2001 by John Loeschhorn - Mail to:mtnrnr@pacbell.net
May 22, 2001