Jim Howard’s comeback is the kind of story that stops you mid-scroll.
A two-time winner of the Western States 100, Howard is preparing to toe the line once again at this year’s edition of the race, six years after undergoing double knee replacement surgery.
Howard, now 70, hasn’t finished Western States since 2005. But the Applegate, Calif., resident is no stranger to the iconic 100-mile course, having won it twice, in 1981 and 1983, during the early boom years of American ultrarunning.
In those days, Howard was a dominant force. His 1983 win came in record-breaking heat and ended with him collapsing at the finish line in 16 hours, 2 minutes.
Since then, he’s kept a low profile, especially in recent years. Between 2011 and 2020, Howard logged no ultramarathon finishes, according to UltraSignup.
But starting in 2020, he began a quiet return to the scene, finishing a 50K and then going on to complete four 100K races, three of them at the Canyons Endurance Runs, which share much of the Western States course. His return was all the more remarkable given what he’d been through.
For over a decade, Howard suffered from osteoarthritis that gradually destroyed the cartilage in both knees.
Eventually, the pain became so severe that he opted for knee replacement surgery on both sides. Most orthopedic surgeons advise patients to stick with low-impact exercises after such a procedure, such as swimming, cycling, or hiking.
But Howard had other ideas.
“I’m in pursuit of longevity in the sport of ultrarunning,” he said in an Instagram post shared by the Western States account. “I’m training strong and heavy.”
His goal for this year’s race, set for June 28, is ambitious but simple: to finish at a strong pace and prove that his new knees can go the distance, literally.
Howard’s story reflects a broader shift in thinking about aging and athleticism, especially when it comes to running and joint health.
For decades, the popular belief was that distance running caused—or at least accelerated knee arthritis. But research over the past several years has complicated that assumption.
A 2017 meta-analysis published in the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy found that recreational runners were actually less likely to develop hip or knee osteoarthritis than sedentary individuals or elite-level runners.
The wear-and-tear theory, once taken for granted, is now being reevaluated in light of data showing that regular, moderate loading may actually help preserve cartilage health over time.
What about after a total knee replacement? That’s trickier.
Running on artificial joints remains controversial, and long-term data is limited.
Still, a 2023 study in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons found that around 30% of total knee replacement patients returned to running, particularly those with strong pre-surgical athletic identities.
With the right rehabilitation and careful training, a growing number of athletes are pushing those boundaries.
Of course, there’s a big difference between jogging a few miles post-surgery and completing a 100-mile mountain race in the California heat. But Howard’s track record, both past and recent, suggests he’s not just showing up for the spectacle. He’s done the work. And he’s done it on some of the toughest terrain in the sport.
Howard’s return is more than a personal milestone. It’s a statement about resilience, about aging, and about reimagining what’s possible after major surgery.
As the ultrarunning community continues to evolve, welcoming younger stars and new technologies, it’s fitting that one of its original icons is back in the mix, charging up the same canyons he once conquered four decades ago.
If he crosses the finish line in Auburn later this month, it won’t just be another finish. It’ll be a moment of history, metal knees and all.
