To educate is to foster curiosity, discipline, and perseverance. For Michael Lamond, these qualities extend far beyond the classroom walls. For 26 years, he has dedicated himself to shaping the intellectual and moral fabric of young minds. Yet his impact is not confined to teaching alone; he is also an avid ultra marathon runner, embodying the same endurance and tenacity he hopes to instill in his students.
Since 2011, he has pursued the grueling discipline of ultra marathon running, accumulating a staggering 25,000 to 30,000 miles over the course of his career—an annual feat of 1,500 to 2,000 miles. His journey has been shaped not only by physical rigor but also by a keen understanding of preparation, mental fortitude, and an unyielding commitment to personal growth.
Notably, his career has led him to the prestigious Silverton 100-mile race, an event that is rigorous even for professionals. The race is renowned as one of the oldest and most challenging races in the world. For eight years, Lamond has competed in ten 100-mile qualifiers to enhance his chances in the lottery-based selection process. Silverton’s staggering 35,000 feet of climbing demands mental fortitude and elite stamina.
What Lamond cherishes most about the ultra running scene is its spirit—a profound sense of community, an uplifting atmosphere, and an indomitable human spirit. The races are where extraordinary stories unfold, where runners transcend physical limitations to achieve incredible feats, and where barriers simply do not stand a chance. “One of the runners had a prosthetic leg running on trails with roots and rocks in conditions less than ideal,” Lamond remarked.
Beyond Lamond’s illustrious career running ultra marathons, he’s a guy from Buffalo New York still cheering for the Bills on Sunday, someone who’s aspired to be a teacher since high school. For 26 years, Lamond has been the kind of teacher that makes the world seem a little brighter and the challenges not so impossible. His lessons are more than preparation for a test, they carry the weight of life and its challenges, imparting his students with insight and principles that they carry long after graduation. Lamond is an educator who aims to inspire, challenge and transform lives through education.