DiscoverThe Runna PodcastZac Clark: From 250lbs in Addiction Recovery to 11 NYC Marathons
Zac Clark: From 250lbs in Addiction Recovery to 11 NYC Marathons

Zac Clark: From 250lbs in Addiction Recovery to 11 NYC Marathons

Update: 2025-11-28
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From 250 lbs in rehab to 11 consecutive Marathons in NYC: Zac Clark's addiction recovery story that raised $750,000 for mental health treatment.


At 27, Zac entered addiction recovery weighing 250 lbs, broken and searching for purpose. One morning, he walked up a small hill outside the treatment centre. Two weeks later, he ran it. That single hill became the catalyst for 14 years of sobriety and a marathon training journey that changed everything. 


In this episode, Zac - founder of the Release Recovery Foundation, ultramarathoner, and former The Bachelorette finalist - sits down with marathon coach Ben Parker to share how running became his medicine for mental health recovery. 


Today, Zac has completed 11 New York City Marathons in a row and leads a nationwide running community that raised over $750,000 this year through 122 marathon runners helping people access addiction and mental health treatment. 


We discuss: 

  • His addiction recovery journey - rebuilding life from rock bottom 
  • Why movement became daily therapy
  • His self improvement mindset - accountability and starting small
  • Running tips - from 250 lbs to sub-3:30 marathon finish & 11 NYC Marathons


🎙️ Quick note:

The audio in this episode isn’t quite up to our usual standard due to a problem our studio had with the mics. Thanks for bearing with us!


🎧 Follow along for new episodes every Friday with Olympians, World Record Holders, and running inspirations. 


🎁 Try Runna FREE for 2 weeks with code PODCAST25: https://web.runna.com/redeem?code=PODCAST25


📺 Watch the full episode → youtube.com/@therunnapodcast


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Zac Clark: From 250lbs in Addiction Recovery to 11 NYC Marathons

Zac Clark: From 250lbs in Addiction Recovery to 11 NYC Marathons