We get to see our fair share of badass runners, and Curt Rierson is one of the baddest of them all. 

He’s run a sub-3-hour marathon and has set a new speed goal since turning 50. 

“I embraced the challenge of running a sub-5-minute mile as a ‘masters runner,’” he said. “Hasn’t happened yet, but I’ll dedicate some winter training for another attempt in Spring ’23. 

Now 52, Curt describes himself as “Kansas kid loving life” alongside his beautiful wife, Mandi, and their four-legged fur-babies.  

In 2015, things weren’t looking promising for Curt’s running plans after tearing his meniscus. 

“I was told that the severity of the tear would keep me from ever running again.  Surgery was recommended just to contain the damage and remove the pain.”

Instead of opting for surgery, he chose to rehab the injury.  

“After about 6-months of strength and mobility work, I am proud to say that my meniscus tear healed and I was back to running at full strength again,” he said. “So, my humble advice is to explore every avenue of PT before you go down the road of surgery.”

Curt loves to run; it’s his favorite activity to stay fit, both mentally and physically. 

“Trails, road, track…I love it all,” he said. “I exercise because it gives me confidence and clarity to help me be present when life isn’t so stable and clear.” 

During his meniscus rehab process though, Curt discovered one activity he isn’t crazy about: swimming. 

“I think it is because I associate swimming as injury rehab.  When I tore my meniscus, I spent 6-weeks in a diving well ‘aqua-jogging.’ That alone ruined swimming for me.”

Curt is however open to other forms of exercise and is interested in eventually exploring Olympic Weightlifting.  

“My wife (previous Athlete of the Month, Mandi Mitchell) has been training for competitions over the past year and recently qualified for the Arnold Classic in 2023,” he said. “Watching the intricate movements and training to achieve that power and explosiveness is fascinating to me.  My wife makes it look easy; but it isn’t.” 

At the 2018 Chicago Marathon, Curt had the opportunity to be in a sponsored tent near the finish line and met one of his running idols.. 

“While I was there after the race, Olympic Champion Mo Farrah walks in with the race director to mingle with the crowd. I am such a fanboy that when he lined up to take a picture with the group, I worked my way into the picture just to stand next to him and eventually speak to him. The picture always cracks me up.  I’m sure Sir Mo was like, ‘who is this stalker?!!’