Prior to the 1960s, most of the ultrarunners participating in ultradistance races were professionals. It was a spectator sport. The general public never had serious thoughts that they too could run ultradistances.

In 1963, President John F. Kennedy unintentionally played an important role that provided the spark to ignite interest for ultrarunning in America and elsewhere. The door was flung open for all who wanted to challenge themselves.  An unexpected 50-mile frenzy swept across the U.S. like a raging fire that dominated the newspapers for weeks. Hundreds and perhaps thousands of people attempted to hike 50 miles, both the old and the very young. Virtually unnoticed was a small club event run/hiked by highschool boys in Maryland that evenually became America's oldest ultra, the JFK 50.