Hi, my name is Nate Dirvin and I am a proud member of the United States Coast Guard. I am also a veteran ocean lifeguard, school counselor, and a single father. These professions have provided me with the opportunity to center my life around helping others. One of my strong interests is competing in endurance events such as marathons and ultra marathons. The sport of ultra running is relativity new to me as I have graduated from the distance of 26.2 mile marathons to 380 mile ultra marathons over the past five years. In 2024, I am very excited to have lined up to run the Badwater 267 VR, Long Haul 100, Arrowhead 135, Keys 100, Miami 50/50 and the El Gato Rebelde 12 Hour! In 2023 I completed the 6633 Arctic Ultra 380 miles (podium finish), Cocodona 250, Tahoe 200, Mighty Gallatin: Big Sky 300, and Himalayan 100 with attempts at Badwater Salton Sea and Bigfoot 200. In 2022, I was fortunate to complete the Coast Guard Marathon Semper Paratus challenge, the Drift 100 in Wyoming along with the Cocodona 250 in Arizona, another Badwater 135 and Triple Crown of 200s, Javelina Jundred also in Arizona, Philadelphia Marathon, Daytona 100, and Last Chance Ultra in Missouri connecting them all to raising CGMA awareness and support! These races gave me a total of approximately 1500 miles along with the "Most Hours" of racing according to UltraSignup.com in 2022 for this great cause!
In 2021 and in 2022, I was fortunate to apply and gain entry into the Badwater 135 in July, a very sought after race in the ultra marathon community that accepts 100 runners from around the world. The race is known as the world's toughest foot race and begins at the lowest point in the continental US (Badwater Basin in Death Valley, CA) then proceeds 135 miles to the highest point of the continental US (Mount Whitney, CA). Temperatures can reach a high of 130 degrees. (https://www.badwater.com/event/badwater-135/)
Aside from completing the 2021 Badwater 135, I have also completed the 2021 Triple Crown of 200s. This includes the Bigfoot 200 through the Cascade Mountains of Washington State, the Tahoe 200 around Lake Tahoe, California (Due to fires I ran 200 miles though the Black Hills of South Dakota), and the Moab 240 through deserts and mountains in Utah. As always, my goal is to raise funding for Coast Guard Mutual Assistance while running these events.
Here are my Coast Guard news articles:
https://www.mycg.uscg.mil/News/Article/2801857/bz-bravo-zulu-to-member-for-completing-several-ultra-marathons-raising-money-fo/
https://www.mycg.uscg.mil/News/Article/3271748/running-for-a-cause-how-one-member-runs-for-the-coast-guard-community/
During Coast Guard training I learned the importance and value of CGMA, which lends financial support in the form of disaster and emergency relief, family support, and education assistance to Coast Guard members, auxiliary personnel, retired military personnel, civilian employees and their families in times of need. This non-profit organization is certainly a great charity that would greatly benefit from your support! My hope is to set an example for others especially my son while promoting CGMA as well. Thank you, God bless, and Semper Paratus! Honor, Respect, Devotion to Duty!
Update: I have earned a 3rd place, podium finish at the 6633 Arctic Ultra 380 miler! Here is the article:
https://ultrarunning.com/featured/6633-arctic-ultra-classic-edition-2023/
I have also completed the Cocodona 250 once again for 2023!
Prior to that, I have completed and exceeded my charity connected race goals for 2022! Thank you to my friends and family for your generosity!!! You are all amazing!
Here is an interview I've been fortunate to have on the "Running Times with Gagz" podcast regarding my ultramarathons and motivation to help others:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/running-times/id1521906608?i=1000591046980
Youtube link about running the Badwater 135 and four 200 milers in one year for CGMA:
https://youtu.be/Lx4JWAvlnhs
I have also been fortunate to receive an award from UltraSignup for the most racing hours in 2022 all connected to CGMA!
https://news.ultrasignup.com/keep-trail-running-weird-awards-2022/
I am extremely honored by the recognition especially as recipient of the 2023 "So Others May Live" award for my efforts presented by the USCG Commandant. I am excited to continue represent the United States Coast Guard and promote awareness and funding for Coast Guard Mutual Assistance!
Yours in Compassion,
-Nate Dirvin