Making Ultramarathon History
Marshall grad Dan Green shatters record in Cocodona 250, gives credit to strong supporters from the local running community
Earlier this spring, 2020 graduate Dan Green etched his name into ultrarunning history by not only winning, but setting a new course record at the grueling Cocodona 250 Ultramarathon, a 250-mile test of grit, endurance and mental toughness through the rugged terrain of Arizona. But before the national headlines and finish line glory, Green's journey began on much humbler ground — quitting football at James Buchanan Senior High School in Pennsylvania and lacing up for his first cross-country race. That moment of curiosity eventually led to a commitment, which in turn led him to Marshall University, where he competed as a student-athlete on the cross-country team and developed his passion for running.
Over a decade later, he's still chasing miles — just a few (hundred) more than most.
We didn't sit down with Dan Green — we tried to keep up. This interview took place on the move deep in the trails of Barboursville Park.
Let's go back to the beginning. How did your running journey start and what was your experience like running for Marshall?
I started running in my freshman year of high school, around 2012. I quit football and joined the cross-country team. It was a classic transition. I also had a mentor in high school who showed us these old-school running documentaries - basically super long races with wild training regimens. I think that kind of stuff hooked me early. I ran cross-country at Marshall because we didn't have a track team yet, but it was an amazing experience. After college, I gravitated toward trail running because I always wanted to go further, and I finally had the freedom to run as much and as far as I wanted. That turned into ultrarunning pretty quickly.
Were there any mentors or figures who influenced your running during your time at Marshall?
Definitely. Working at the local running shop (Roberts Running & Walking), I met a lot of the trail and ultra guys. Caleb Bowen (head coach for Marshall's Cross Country and assistant coach for Track & Field) was the one really setting a precedent for going after big races in our community. He's still one of my good friends, and we run together a lot. Just being around that kind of mindset helped shape mine.
As I move forward, it's cool to know people are watching. It's pressure, but pressure I earned.
Let's talk about the Cocodona 250. What drew you to that race?
I was always fascinated by running as far as possible. I'd wanted to do it for a few years, but people kept telling me to focus on speed. Eventually, I just knew I had to go for it. I paced my buddy Ryan Ramsby last year (who was training for an ultramarathon) and thought, “Yeah, I'm not waiting another year.” The sport is moving so fast that if you don't go for it, you might get left behind.
The race took 58 hours. What were the toughest parts for you mentally and physically?
The mud. There were about 20-25 miles of it, and it was all on rugged terrain — just sticky, energy-sapping mud. That really got in my head, to be honest. Then, toward the end, I was super exhausted and couldn't find my caffeine gels, which made me feel even more sluggish. Thankfully, I was never in a dark place mentally — but I was really tired. I only slept about 20 minutes total over those 58 hours. I laid down for almost an hour across different breaks, but actual sleep? Just 20 minutes.
Let's talk training. What did you do to prepare for a race like this? How did you handle nutrition?
On the course, I carried oatmeal cream pies, gels, electrolyte drinks — whatever worked. At aid stations, we aimed for warm food — ramen, burgers, even gas station burritos, basically just anything with calories. As for the training, my volume has gone up consistently over the last few years. For 100-milers, I'd run between 90 and 130 miles a week, plus two key workouts. For this race, I focused more on time-on-feet and hours per week, running up to 160 miles weekly, plus five to six hours of cross-training. My running community here really made it all work. We might not be a big city like Boulder or Denver, but we've got a surprisingly dedicated ultra scene here. The people here are serious, supportive and strong — that made a huge difference for me.
Did you ever have a moment mid-race where you questioned why you were doing it? What did you learn about yourself during the journey?
Honestly, I never had a moment where I wanted to quit. I was all-in, mentally. I trained myself not to think about the total distance, just focus on moving forward, no matter what — run, walk, hike — whatever it took. And more than learn something new about myself, I had something reinforced: You need to surround yourself with good people. A strong crew and a supportive community — that makes all the difference. Personally, I've learned along the way that I handle sleep deprivation well, and physically, my fatigue resistance is a definite strength.
Final question — what did winning such a grueling race like the Cocodona 250 mean to you?
It meant everything. It validated all the time I've spent training, the discipline I've developed and the sacrifices I've made. There's not a lot of money in ultra running, so you don't do it for the financial gain. It's mostly about exposure and opportunities you can experience, and you don't get those unless you win. I've done well before, but obviously winning is unique — this was different. As I move forward, it's cool to know people are watching. It's pressure, but pressure I earned. I'll tell you what, though — I still love it just as much and I still want to keep testing myself.