Running. 100 Miles. Uphill. In the Summer. At 12,000 Feet.
To Raise Awareness About Dupuytren And Help Fund Research For A Cure.
Congratulations to Daniel Kinek! He completed the Leadville Trail 100 run on August 18, 2024. He ran through 100 miles of rough terrain in 25 hours and 57 minutes, an incredible accomplishment. Less than half of those starting the race completed it – and that’s typical for this race. Daniel was in the top 12.5% of starters and the top 28% of finishers. Congratulations, Daniel, and thank you for working to raise awareness about Dupuytren disease.
Daniel Kinek is an ultramarathon runner. A former collegiate lacrosse player for the University of Michigan, he has been pushing himself to his limits for as long as he can remember. Daniel ran the Leadville 100 mile trail race on August 17, 2024 to raise awareness about Dupuytren Disease and the importance of research for a cure.
The Leadville 100 trail run is an annual event. It takes place in the rugged terrain of the Rocky Mountains, starting at 10,200 feet above sea level and going as high as 12,600 feet. It’s an ultramarathon race. 100 miles. It’s a prestigious race. Daniel is one of the lucky contestants to be accepted through the application lottery. It’s a grueling race. Less than half of contestants complete it. It’s a challenging race. In his run, Daniel will gain over 15,000 vertical feet while facing unpredictable weather, uneven terrain, and other adversities. It’s an endurance race. His goal is to finish in less than 30 hours. Daniel is up for the challence. He’s been training for this for nearly a year.
This is Daniel’s motivation: “This is a physical and personal race for me because Dupuytren affects my family, including my mother and brother. My mom has the debiltating form of Dupuytren. It makes it difficult for her to do ordinary things we take for granted – holding things, cooking, brushing her teeth, shaking someone’s hand. My mom’s disease affects her hands and her feet. When the disease attacks the feet it is called Ledderhose. Unfortunately, there is no cure at this time. Dupuytren has disabled my mother who is a Registered Nurse and had a fulfilling career. I am hopeful that a cure is found before the same happens to my brother. I don’t have any signs of Dupuytren in my hands. I am doing this for my family and other families. Beyond raising money for Dupuytren research, my goal is to help others become aware of how this disease affects people’s lives.“
The Race
Below, Daniel’s “Team Dupuytren”, ready for Daniel to begin the long test of his training, endurance and willpower.
Middle, Daniel running uphill, carrying two trail running poles for uneven terrain running up and down steep inclines.
Right: crossing the finish line more than a day after beginning his hundred mile marathon.
Daniel describes some of the challenges achieving his goal: “Overall, the race was an unforgettable experience. I went through extreme highs and lows, trying my best to juggle my emotions. I had to persevere, especially from miles 38-62. This was the hardest section, climbing up Hope Pass, scaling to the bottom and getting to Winfield, turning around and climbing back up. At one point, I had to distract my mind from the pain and feeling sorry for myself, saying “1,2,1,2,1,2” as my left foot and right foot pounded the ground. During this time, I thought about my mom, my brother and all the people who are affected by Dupuytrens. Ultimately, the goal was bigger than myself, and I knew I was running this race for everyone affected by Dupuytrens and to raise awareness. This is what helped me get to the finish line. I could not have done it without my crew, as they were the ones who stayed awake just as long as me, shuffling from each aid station to ensure I had what I needed.”
Daniel’s mission and vision are those of the Dupuytren Research Group. A vision of a cure for Dupuytren disease and related conditions. Doing whatever it takes and as long as it takes. All part of a team, each doing their part to cross the finish line.
Daniel is giving his all to help families affected by Dupuytren disease. Follow his lead. Invest in research to cure Dupuytren disease.
