August Podcast Guest: Brian Rice
A Marathoner’s Second Chance: How Brian Rice Brought Strength, Humor, and Heart to the Eau Claire Marathon
Some runners collect medals. Some collect race states. And some, like Brian Rice, collect life-changing perspectives along the way. In Episode 8 of Running on Air, the Eau Claire Marathon team welcomed Brian, a 50-state marathoner whose story of perseverance and survival left listeners inspired and grateful.
Brian lives in Frankfort, Kentucky, where he works for the Attorney General’s office. He began running nearly seventeen years ago after his wife suggested they get in shape together. They followed a Couch to 5K program, climbed to longer distances, and eventually attempted their first marathon. Brian never imagined he would run more than one. Today he has completed 47 marathons across 37 states and continues to move toward his goal of finishing all fifty.
His journey started innocently. After completing marathons in Kentucky and Florida, he realized running different states added excitement and variety to the experience. He also discovered that staying in marathon shape required better consistency. His solution was ambitious. He began running one marathon every month. For two years, he completed 25 marathons across 25 states, enjoying the rhythm and challenge of each new course.
Then the setbacks began. The pandemic canceled many races and Brian faced ankle injuries that paused his progress. When races returned, he noticed troubling new symptoms. He felt fatigued, slower than usual, and unable to maintain the paces that once felt comfortable. Even as he tried to push harder, his body struggled to cooperate.
During a marathon in Kansas in 2023, everything changed. Brian collapsed at mile 12.8 from sudden cardiac arrest. His heart stopped completely. Two nurses, Stephanie and Tammy, were running the race and reached him within seconds. They immediately called for help and began CPR. Because the course passed only two blocks from the local hospital, an ambulance arrived within minutes. Emergency responders shocked his heart twice, stabilized him, and transported him to the ER.
Brian remembers none of it. One moment he was running on a red brick road. The next he woke up in a hospital bed, confused and frightened. His doctors later determined that a defibrillator and pacemaker would help protect him from future cardiac events. He entered cardiac rehab and began the slow process of rebuilding strength.
Many runners would have stopped. Brian chose to return.
He set a goal to finish the Kansas marathon he could not complete. His doctor advised him to rest for six months, but after that window passed, he resumed short races and gradually increased his mileage. His first marathon back was Myrtle Beach in early 2024. The time was slower than what he once ran, yet finishing meant everything. His second marathon was Eau Claire.
Brian had not planned on coming to Wisconsin, but the timing and course appealed to him. He appreciated the cool April weather, the steady support from volunteers, and the scenic stretches along the river. The course offered a balance of challenge and comfort, and the community welcomed him warmly. He crossed the finish line with pride and gratitude, marking his second marathon since his cardiac event and his continued movement toward completing all 50 states.
Brian is also known for his costumes. He has run races dressed as the Mad Hatter, the Joker, and most recently appeared at Eau Claire in lederhosen. The tradition began when he entered a costume contest in Louisiana with a prize he hoped to win. After seeing how much joy his outfits brought to runners and spectators, he continued the practice. He loves making people smile, especially the exhausted front-runners who manage a grin when they see him.
Brian’s advice to runners reflects his own journey. Keep going at your own pace. Do not give up after a setback. Adjust expectations when life forces you to slow down. Above all, enjoy the miles you get to run. Running may look different after challenges, but the joy can remain.
This November, Brian will return to Kansas on his birthday to finish the marathon he started. Whether he wears lederhosen or not, he plans to cross that line with gratitude, perspective, and the resilience that has shaped his entire running story.
Listen to the whole August “Running on Air” episode here: Running on Air #8 - A Heart for Running Eau Claire Hometown Media | iHeart
