A running holiday on Route 66

Salomon TV recently uploaded this well-produced video of ultra-marathon runner Max King taking what he described as a “running holiday” on Route 66 in California, Arizona and New Mexico.

Salomon TV describes itself as providing “the best outdoor content, directly to you. Get inspired and see the stories of our athletes and friends around the world. You’ll find short films, documentaries and sports clips more easily-accessed than ever, on the screen or device of your choice.” The Salomon TV app can be downloaded from Apple or Android.

The video’s has been out for about a week and already has gained a healthy 143,000 views on YouTube alone.

For for King, it’s clear from his Wikipedia page he’s not just a weekend jogger. He’s got a few long-distance running championships under his belt.

It’s really worth your time to watch this eight-minute clip.

Here’s a description of the video from Competitor Running:

Last summer, Salomon sponsored athlete Max King decided to embark on what he called a “running holiday.” With only his running pack and his two feet, he explored sections of the iconic highway Route 66. The 2,448-mile road, which originally ran from Chicago to Los Angeles, was a symbol of American progress. However the advent of the Interstate Highway System left much of the highway in danger or completely abandoned.

King decided to travel through sections in the Southwest, documenting his experience. He visited communities still thriving along the road with a combination of running and rides from friendly locals. His journey features gorgeous scenery of the American west. It also highlights the spirit of those fighting to keep Route 66 alive.

“Everything that I saw out there is something special,” says King in the short film. “It represents a special piece of American history. And while only a percentage of the road has survived, its spirit lives on.”

Plenty of people now are bicycling all or part of Route 66 as a holiday. So why not long-distance runners?

(Screen shot of Max King on Route 66 in western Arizona from Salomon TV video)

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