FORT CARSON, Colo. — Maj. Mark Gaudet, assigned to 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, crosses the finish line after completing the Ultra World Championship in 2021 Telluride. Gaudet ran for 24 hours, he completed 91 miles and placed first in the competition. (Photo courtesy of Mark Gaudet)
“I competed in the Best Ranger Competition four times and that really showed what I could do mentally and physically. Then I started looking into ultra-running, trying to extend my career as an endurance athlete.”
— Maj. Mark Gaudet
By Spc. Collin MacKown
4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office
FORT CARSON, Colo. — U.S. Army Maj. Mark Gaudet, assigned to 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, poses after they race in a 24-hour Spartan Competition in 2021 Telluride. Gaudet accomplished 91 miles and placed first in the competition out of the hundreds that competed. (Photo courtesy of Mark Gaudet)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Hundreds competed in the Ultra World Championship Spartan competition, a 24-hour race to complete as many miles as possible with more than 30 obstacles in between. Two men were running in this event, both head-to-head racing to victory. Running continuous laps around the Colorado mountain, it was clear their efforts would allow them to take first and second place. They both agreed they would work together until the final lap, and then their alliance would be broken as they raced to the finish line. With only about four hours left of the race the victor knew he had the mental edge over his competitor. He took off and completed an additional seven-mile lap, earning first place, having completed 91 miles in 24 hours.
Maj. Mark Gaudet, assigned to 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, won the Spartan competition in 2021 and continues to hold the title of Ultra World Champion. Gaudet competes for the challenging nature of the event, continuously aiming to push his limits.
“I was looking for something to fill my competitive void,” said Gaudet. “I competed in the Best Ranger Competition four times and that really showed what I could do mentally and physically. Then I started looking into ultra-running, trying to extend my career as an endurance athlete.”
Gaudet stated that he hopes to serve as an example of how lofty goals can be accomplished in your personal life while still maintaining a successful career in the Army. He said the Army provided him ways to train his skills, since endurance is a big part of life in the military. He was able to utilize combat-focused physical training, use Fort Carson obstacle courses, go on ruck marches and do Army Combat Fitness Test preparation. These all prepared him for the long 24-hour plus events he competed in.
“Hopefully Soldiers can see me setting personal records in my late 30s and it inspires them,” said Gaudet. “Hopefully it causes others to reconsider their self-imposed ‘prime’.”
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Maj. Mark Gaudet, assigned to 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, competes in the Ultra World Championship in 2021 Telluride. Gaudet placed first out of the hundreds that competed in the 24 hour event. (Photo courtesy of Mark Gaudet)
Gaudet said he has competed in around 100 Spartan races over the past four years. He’s raced everywhere from Mexico to Abu Dhabi and all over the United States. He said he plans to continue to race until he physically can’t. Gaudet said this wouldn’t be possible without his chain of command and their support in his journey.
“My chain of command supports me 100%, and I feel very fortunate to have landed on this installation with this group of leaders,” said Gaudet. “It’s amazing to represent Fort Carson and the division throughout my races.”
While preparing for events such as the Ultra World Championship, Gaudet trained beside David Magida who is an ultra-endurance athlete, and his training partner of three years. Magida met Gaudet while running in a Washington D.C. Spartan race.
“I noticed this guy take off, and he stayed 30 seconds ahead of everyone for the entire race,” said Magida. “After the race we talked for a while, and the next morning we started training together.”
Magida said that their training consisted of endurance running, obstacle training and speed. They have run a couple dozen races alongside each other. Some races they’ve worked as teammates, support roles or as competitors.
“A few weeks ago, we ran as a team in the West Palms Decathlon of Functional Fitness (DEKA Fit) competition and set the record for men’s world doubles,” said Magida.
Magida talked about how Gaudet is one of the most generous people he knows, he pushes his competitors, and trains with them to make them better. Describing Gaudet in one word, Magida used tough. He said Gaudet is the type of guy to push beyond his limits to finish a race, and his focus is second to none.
“He wants to beat you on your best day, not your worst,” said Magida. “He has a physical gift and a mental gift.
He has killer instinct and mental stability that never fades.”
Magida was able to film Gaudet and run alongside him during his final lap of the Ultra World Championship in 2021. He said it was amazing seeing him win, and he watched as Gaudet’s mindset never changed even in the final hours, he was ‘determined and steady.’
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Maj. Mark Gaudet, assigned to 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, push his limits as he completes obstacles throughout the Ultra World Championship held in 2021 Telluride. Gaudet competed in this 24-hour event, and placed first, after he completed 91 miles. (Photo courtesy of Mark Gaudet)
“Mark turned himself into a world class athlete despite all of his responsibilities,” said Magida. “He was able to do this because of the sharpness of his mind and his athleticism, purely because of his passion for competition and the sport.”
Gaudet will continue to compete in races, striving to improve with every one he does. He has two goals in mind for his next spartan race.
“A, I want to win,” said Gaudet. “And B, I want to do 100 miles.”
With Gaudet being a full-time service member and still making time to prioritize his races, he aims to be an inspiration to many others, showing that one can be successful with both work and hobbies. He’s showing others that they can continue to push themselves past the limits they think they have, while also being an example of how Soldiers can maintain a work-life balance, despite the challenges.