An Inside Look at the Journey from Skateboarder to Moab 240 Record-Setter.
We're thrilled to talk with the one and only Max Jolliffe, a talented runner and good friend of Brooklyn Running Company, who recently set the course record at the Moab 240.
The Moab 240 is a grueling, 240-mile ultramarathon through Utah’s rugged desert terrain, including canyons, slick rock, and high-elevation mountains. Known for its intense elevation changes and self-supported format, the race tests endurance, resilience, and mental toughness as participants face extreme conditions over several days.
Max’s journey from his first mile to crushing one of the most challenging ultras out there is one of grit, perseverance, and a little bit of madness. So grab a coffee and settle in as we catch up with Max on his incredible path, his views on life, and his much-anticipated first trip to NYC.
From Skateboards to the Trails
What were your expectations when you first started running, and how have they evolved?
"I never planned on being a runner, or even knew I would be any good at running. When I started, I was just trying to get back into shape after a couple of injuries from skateboarding. I first caught the bug in 2017 at the gym on various cardio machines (stationary bike and stairclimber) while my ankle healed, and after a while, I found myself running only on the treadmill. Soon after that, I realized that it made a lot more sense to run outside for free rather than paying for a gym membership to run on the treadmill."
"When I first started running outside, I was drawn in by how hard it was—I could barely run a few miles. I saw how much potential I had to progress with the sport and started setting achievable goals with distances and paces I wanted to hit. After a couple of years of consistent running, I signed up for my first marathon in 2019. The rest is history; I was hooked."
"Somewhere along the way, I had truly fallen in love with running, but never in my wildest dreams did I ever expect to become an ultra-runner or plan on running crazy distances like 240 miles. It was just a natural progression to get better and do harder and harder races."
Prepping for a Beast of a Race: Moab 240
How did you mentally and physically prepare for the MOAB 240?
"My main focus for training for Moab 240 was volume—literally just running as many miles as possible. I figured if I consistently ran 100+ mile weeks for a year leading up to Moab, I would be in a pretty good spot to complete the distance. I also planned multiple races throughout the year to supplement my training. I started with Sean O’Brien 100k in January, then I ran Leona Divide 100m in April, and UTMB TDS 100m in August, about six weeks out from Moab. In total, I ran 5,000+ miles over the year to train for Moab. It was a lot."
"As far as mentally preparing, I don’t think anyone really can for a race like that. I knew it would be hard, with some very low points, but I had done everything I possibly could to prepare, so I just needed to go out and do it. During the race, there were points where I didn’t know how I would even make it to the next aid station, but quitting was never an option. The only option was to keep moving forward."
Breaking Records and Setting Personal Bests
Do you remember the moment you set the course record?
"At the finish line, I was so depleted that I wasn’t really able to take it all in like I wish I could’ve. I felt like I was in a weird sort of disassociated dream state, dealing with a ton of brain fog. I was definitely stoked to win and see all of my friends and family, but I was mostly just relieved it was over. It wasn’t until days later that the gravity of what I’d accomplished started to hit me."
Passing It On: From Marathon Mentorship to Mental Toughness
You helped me with my first marathon—what’s your approach to guiding others?
"I really feel like anyone can run a marathon. How fast you run it just comes down to the amount of work you put in during training. I knew you had put in the work, so I had no doubt that you would finish it. My plan was just to talk you through those mental barriers as we hit them. That’s the same philosophy I apply to my training: I know it’s going to get hard, but I can always keep going. So much of long-distance running is a mental battle."
Advice for New Runners: Consistency is Key
What advice would you give to someone just starting their running journey?
"Consistency over a long period will give you greater results than anything else in training. As long as you continually push yourself, you will see progress. It’s also important to set achievable goals and milestones; it gives you something to work towards, and it feels good to get those little wins along the way. Fitness, mindset, and everything else will eventually follow."
The Big Apple and Future Dreams
Even though you haven’t been to NYC yet, what does the city represent to you?
"I’ve always wanted to go; I just haven’t had the opportunity yet. I know you guys have a sick running scene out there. I’m definitely excited to check that out. I hear there are surprisingly nice trails not too far from the city. And you have some of the best food in the world! The culture and vibe of the city is so rich. What more could I possibly need?"
"I can’t afford to get hurt at the skatepark, so maybe we can just roll around on flat ground and explore the city."
If you could do one iconic run or event in New York, what would it be?
"Even though I don’t run too many road marathons anymore, the NYC Marathon is definitely still on my bucket list. Every year it looks so fun—like one giant party in the city! I think it would be really sick to run it someday."
Finding Purpose and Drive Beyond the Finish Line
What motivates you to push your body to the absolute limit in races like the MOAB?
"I feel like my ‘never quit’ mentality is one of my biggest strengths. It’s never even an option in my mind. The pain can be almost unbearable, but I tell myself that pain isn’t real and that I’ll feel different at some point. You reach this level of suffering that kind of plateaus—it doesn’t get worse, just different. I break it up into smaller pieces, one mile or one step at a time. I just keep moving forward."
Life Outside of Running
How do you balance the passion for running with everything else in life?
"To be honest, it gets really hard training as much as I do. At the higher levels, running can become a selfish pursuit. I’ve had to make a lot of sacrifices to dedicate time and energy to running. I don’t get nearly as much time with friends or family, and my other hobbies, like surfing and skateboarding, have almost been abandoned. Juggling a full-time job, training, and everything else that comes with running this much is tough."
What’s Next?
What’s one thing you’re looking forward to after your next race?
"I try not to take my foot off the gas after a race; there’s almost always another one on the horizon. I might take it easy for a week or two, but I love the process of getting after it."
Max, we’ve got a bench and a personalized shoe fitting process waiting for you at Brooklyn Running Co. So when are you making your way out here?
"I’d love to take you up on that. I might just pop in one day and surprise you guys—could be sometime very soon!"
Here's to Max Jolliffe—the MOAB 240 course record holder, mentor, and unstoppable force in the running world.