For most, a marathon is a dream accomplishment for a bucket list. For Zachary Nguyen and Will Meisenheimer, a 5k just wasn’t enough. In November, the two took on the Dinosaur Valley 100-mile ultramarathon, a test of mental and physical will with an 11-mile loop and 1,000 feet of elevation gain per loop. By the time they finished, they’d run over 100 miles.
The challenge began with Zach, who longed for a challenge that actually scared him a little. Having run for a little over a year and a half, Zach finished off with a run in the Austin Marathon and then began thinking about the next big challenge. For Will, 2024 represented a first: becoming a runner at all. Zach’s run inspired him, and soon enough, Zach and Will began training together. Their training schedule was relentless, putting in long runs in various conditions in an effort to mimic obstacles encountered during a race day. In Zach’s peak week he ran 73 miles. Will, on the other hand, struggled with a whole new kind of challenge— being recently diagnosed with diabetes. Learning to secure medical gear while running, maintain normal blood sugar, and fuel himself properly all became part of training for him.
The actual run was a battle with both trails and with themselves. The course consisted of 45-degree drop-offs, rough trails, and even trees that had fallen down to climb over. Zach’s most challenging stretch lay between miles 45 and 55, when exhaustion began taking its toll. Meanwhile, Will began to struggle at mile 15. Will was sick and initially planned to run only 30 miles in solidarity with Zach. But with each successive mile and seeing encouragement of friends, family, and community at Canfield BHP, he decided he wanted to run the full 100 full miles.
That choice forced an immediate switch in race strategy in terms of routes for the pacers. The pacers were Mallory Ladner (22 miles), Sebastian Kuriakose (22 miles), and Janak Bhakta (7 miles) (all fellow Canfield BHP students), and their roommate, Asher Chrane. Their role was significant—not simply for motivation but for physical support. Mallory remembers that “around mile 85, Will was facing issues, but quitting wasn’t an option. I put his arm around my shoulder and we trudged up the rest of that steep hill.” Janak shares that “Running part of the 100 miler with Will and Zach was a gritty but unforgettable experience. Seeing Will grind through those 100 miles despite his type 1 diabetes was incredibly inspiring. Being able to spend a day with Canfield BHP friends in an inspiring setting really drove home how strong the bond is within our Canfield BHP community.” Sebastian adds that “Seeing Zach and Will complete the goal that I’ve seen them work towards for more than a semester was an insane moment. It was definitely one of those life experiences I’ll never forget!”
Perhaps one of the most significant aspects of this journey was the constant encouragement of the Canfield BHP community. Will and Zach first met in STA 301 H and from there, their friendship grew. During the run, classmates sent messages, cheering them on. “You see how much fellow Canfield BHP students can care about your success,” shared Will. Zach shared a similar observation, citing how significant their crew was. “Without having a pacer crew, and a crew, I don’t know that we could have finished.”
After nearly 36 hours on the course, with no sleep, they crossed the finish line. Only 50% of runners actually finish this race. Exhausted and overwhelmed, Will and Zach were met with tears, hugs, and the realization that they had done something extraordinary. The emotional weight of the moment, combined with sheer exhaustion, created an experience they would never forget.
This journey taught them more than just endurance—it reshaped their understanding of personal limits. “Your mental and physical limit is so much further than you think,” Will said. Zach agreed, noting how much confidence this experience instilled in him, not just in running but in life. “It changes your perspective on what’s possible—not just in running but in your career and everything else.” When asked to give advice about students preparing for a big feat, “Be okay with being super scared,” Zach said. “Prepare, work hard, and just go for it.” Will added.
With their historic finish, Will became the youngest diabetic ever to complete the Dinosaur Valley 100-miler. But more importantly, he and Zach proved that with the right mindset, the right people, and an unwavering commitment to pushing boundaries, anything is possible.
