This weekend, Gary Cantrell, better known in the running world as Laz Lake, completed his journey across America, dubbed Lazcon, ending in Foyil, Oklahoma.
At 70, Laz Lake is a legend in the ultrarunning community, famous for creating the Barkley Marathons and Backyard Ultras, among other challenges.
Originally, he planned to walk from Delaware to San Francisco, a distance of about 3,000 miles (4,800 km). However, he decided to conclude his journey in Foyil, a place of personal significance, as he visited his parents’ graves the day before and then continued to the town where his father grew up.
In total, his trek spanned 83 days, covering 1,716 miles and over five million steps.
Lake’s determination has been inspiring to those who followed his journey through social media, especially after the recent historic Barkley Marathons, where Jasmin Paris became the first woman to finish the notorious race.
Despite facing numerous health challenges, including a 90% blockage in a carotid artery and being six years older than when he last completed a similar transcontinental trek in 2018, Laz Lake’s perseverance was unwavering.
Jared Beasley, a writer for the New York Times and Guardian, who also crewed Lake early in his journey, has been documenting his progress. His post on X marked the conclusion of this incredible adventure.
UNFORTUNATELY, #lazcon has STOPPED his walk across America. Yesterday, he made it to his parents' graves. In the increasing heat, it became an obsession. Today, on to Foyil, Oklahoma, where his father grew up. A fitting end. Lazarus Lake, at 69, walked 1,700 miles. 📷 Laz pic.twitter.com/HLAiIbniIV
— Jared Beasley (@DbJared) June 22, 2024
Laz shared his thoughts and feelings about his journey in his facebook group:
“once awake there was no excitement that i had only a few hours to finish.
only a profound weariness.
taping my feet wasnt exciting because it was the last time.
it was a source of stress trying to get it right.
i wanted to get it so my toes might not hurt for just a few more hours.
my left wheel assembly had finally cracked last night when i got out of the crew vehicle after supper.
one of the great lessons of the run.
nothing heals during the journey any more.
all you can hope for is to not make it worse.
70 is not 30.
today instead of trying to avoid more damage to the ankle
the hope was that it would “numb up” after i got going.
either way i knew it was only a few more miles.
i asked myself if it was really that important to reach the andy payne statue.
or could i just call it where i was.
i knew i couldnt do that.
i had to complete this part of my journey.
i could not have asked for a more perfect ending.
and like so many parts of this perfect journey
(of every perfect journey)
it was pure serendipity.
kyle knapp had come to see me earlier on the trek
and i think he was planning on being there for the finish.
he was talking about this
and a coworker said;
“i’m from foyil…. and my neighbors are named payne…”
how incredible is this?”
In another post in his Facebook group, Laz shared what is coming up for him next:
“so now i am sitting here preparing for re-entry.
no more early morning alarms
no more taping my feet
(at least not for a while)
and i am left to reflect on the entire experience…
a transcon changes you
(even a half one)
i know that the person who bumped fists with andy payne
is different from the one who stuck his walking stick in the ocean in delaware three months ago.
i like to think he is better.
i know he has a different relationship with age
and the passage of time.
instead of feeling disappointed in failing to achieve the goal i began with
there is satisfaction in feeling that i did what i was capable of doing
(and maybe a little more)
i have redrawn some lines
and already am wondering how i can come back
and pick up where i have left off.
if i cannot finish this journey in one piece,
can it be done in several?
our journey is not over
until we have no more goals.
and i am not yet ready to sit at home and wait to die.”
