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‘A different kind of torture’: Steven Carr fights mental nemesis to show average guy can run 160km at Ultra Trail Mount Fuji

The Hong Kong race organiser is determined to show running ultra marathons is not just for elites as he battles the disappointment of five DNFs

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Steve Carr has refound his love for running, despite a series of DNFs. Photo: Salomon

Steven Carr began to doubt whether he should even be running after failing to finish five races in a row. 

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The 38-year-old is embedded in the trail running scene, organising races across Hong Kong including the notorious 9 Dragons Ultra and the Country of Origin. 

But surrounded by elite athletes, he became disillusioned about the ability of an “average guy” like himself.

“I began to think I just shouldn’t be running,” Carr said, despite having already completed 100km ultra marathons. 
Steve Carr [left] surrounds himself with elite runners, and warped his own perception of what the ‘average guy’ could do. Photo: Handout
Steve Carr [left] surrounds himself with elite runners, and warped his own perception of what the ‘average guy’ could do. Photo: Handout

“After the DNFs [did not finish], I was becoming focused on times and spread sheets,” he said. 

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But then he was invited to run in a Salomon race, and with only a week’s notice he was unable to train so went into the race with no expectations or goals other than finishing. 

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