In this episode of Run Long After 60, I’m joined by ultrarunner, mountain servant, and joyful disruptor Cliff Matthews — known to many on the trails as Young Lazy Deadhead.

Cliff is one of those rare people who trains hard, listens deeply, and shows up when it matters. He’s run long miles, rucked longer ones, paced countless friends, served in search and rescue, and quietly helped hold together parts of the trail community when no one else stepped forward. And when it’s time to race, Cliff flips a switch and enters what he calls Wheee! Mode — a philosophy rooted in joy, grit, presence, and mountain play.

This conversation could have gone on for days. Cliff and I are both talkers — and listeners — and what unfolds is a wide-ranging, heartfelt exchange about service, endurance, and meaning. We talk about helping others finish their dreams, including being part of the moment that helped Gunhild Swanson reach the Western States finish line with seconds to spare. We talk about joining the search for Caballo Blanco, carrying the emotional weight of the Bataan Memorial Death March year after year, and keeping grassroots trail traditions alive when they’re at risk of fading.

Cliff shares his perspective on celebrating DNFs, attempting and finishing everything from classic 100s to 200-mile races, and why joy matters just as much as toughness. We also talk about life shifts — caring for his aging mother, changing priorities, and how running sometimes takes a backseat without ever losing its place in the heart.

This episode is about training hard, serving others, and remembering why we do this in the first place. It’s about laughter, long stories, shared silence, and the kind of wisdom that only comes from showing up over and over again.

Congratulations to Cliff on his selection for Hardrock 2026 — a return to one of his favorite places, in full Wheee! Mode.

Run Long After 60 is a show about people who continue doing hard things because movement, challenge, and curiosity still matter.

Note: These early episodes were originally recorded for video. Audio quality may vary slightly from episode to episode, but the conversations remain intact and unedited.

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