Jeff Bell - Co race Director

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I grew up in Northern Illinois, was involved in sports and scouting throughout my childhood. Though never interested in running, most of my sports interests were football, soccer and wrestling. I did not start running until later in life as I began to take my health seriously again, putting down a pack of cigarettes and 6 pack of soda a day habit and went out for a run. I now am a running coach, Bellflys Endurance Coaching, specializing in trail and ultra and host a endurance podcast and host multiple weekly running groups.

 I have been married to my wife, Terri, since 2002.  We have twins (boy/girl) in college.  My daughter is studying to be an elementary teacher, and my son is a college baseball player studying Sports Management.   

 I started running in 2014 want I was 39 and began to take my health seriously again.  I ran my first marathon, Chicago marathon, exactly a year later.  Over the next couple of years I would continue to run multiple marathons and half marathons, but found myself injured quite a bit, I attributed it to the road beating up my body.  So I learned about trail running and was intrigued by ultras.  

I ran my first trail race in 2017 and my first ultra in 2019.  Throughout 2020 and 2021 I worked my way up from multiple 50ks and my first 50 miler, 100k, and 100 mile attempt and finish,   In 2021 I attempted and DNF my first 100 mile race, but went on later in the year to have my first 100 mile finish with Ozark Trail 100.  I would continue to run 50k and 50 mile in 2022, to include the historic JFK50 in Maryland.  My running highlight thus far is completing Cruel Jewel 100 in May 2023 with over 37,000 feet of climb. 

In the future I will continue to focus on 100 milers, mostly Western States and Hardrock qualifiers. 

Though the 100 mile is my favorite race distance, I can see myself completing a 200 or 250 in the future.  

I am educated and trained. as an airline pilot.  I flew as a pilot for Trans World Airlines and their regional from 1997 to 2001, when I was furloughed after 9/11 and the American Airlines merger.  I then went to work an agency in the Department of Defense in 2003 and have been there since.   

I have many bucket list races to include Hardrock,  I am currently working on registering for a race in Colorado for next summer.  I have an “unofficial” goal of completing an ultra in every state during my lifetime.   

TBA

I grew up locally outside of St. Louis loving the outdoors, playing in the dirt, camping, and fishing. But, most of my time was spent on the baseball field until a four wheeler accident broke my scapula and ended my career prior to college.

Running was never a big part of my life, only cross country in high school for the camaraderie. 

Upon leaving high school I ran recreationally with no real purpose besides a marathon in 2007. 

I earned my BS in Education for K-12 PE and Health form SEMO in 2010.

I am married to my wife, Megan since 2010, which began as high school sweethearts over 20 years ago. She is a huge part of my support system and can be seen around Shippey. We have two beautiful daughters, Maddie(9) & Ryleigh(6) who keep us busy with all their growing activities! We love to travel, experience life together and explore whenever possible.

I began Trail & Ultra running in 2017 and fell in love with the community, the escape, and the challenge to see what we are capable of. After drinking heavily for nearly a decade I made a choice to stop altogether and better myself for me and my young family and running became my new outlet. 

I have learned through error that time on feet training is much more rewarding and fun. I am addicted to the minutes on trail, often alone, to clear my head and have those deep thoughts.

In 2019, I suffered from two herniated discs and thought my running was over, but after 18months I was able to get back to running and eventually attain my dream of 100 miles too.

To date I’ve run multiple ultras (50k,50mi,100mi) and many ultra adventure runs for ‘FUN’. I have adopted biking as cross training, due to my relationship with Bike MS, biking for a friend. Along the way, I’ve built life on serving others and using my experiences as a foundation tool. I have been fortunate to see others gain success and growth and I truly enjoy that.

After failing to find a teaching role out of school I spent 12 years in retail and aquatic facility management until 2021 when I left to repursue education. Currently, I am a middle school PE and health teacher focused on bettering myself for my students everyday and every year.

I would love to build a build a bigger resume and qualify for Hardrock.

Additionally, I do have hopes to see how far I can go in doing 200 mile races or long thru fastpacks.

My Grandpa who was a Naval Seabee and Master Carpenter and Scout Master built  4 structures on the Beaumont property. A bridge near Cub World, a gazebo and two structure in Scoutcraft field