Have you ever wondered why VMM 100-mile finishers receive a belt buckle? The reason is steeped in ultra running history.

 

The Western States Endurance Run (for which VMM is an official qualifier) is one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious 100 mile trail races. This was the first trail running competition to award a belt buckle, mainly because the race was inspired by the Tevis Cup, a horse race in which participants had to cover 100 miles within 24 hours on horseback.

 

Other races began to follow suit and now 100 miles buckles have become a coveted item to be earned at many miler races, not only in the US, but around the world.

 

The history of awarding buckles for sporting achievements stretches back way further than the Western States, however. As far back as the 1800s, the earliest ultra athletes were receiving awards for pedestrianism (multi day indoor walking) contests.

 

Nowadays, some races also award buckles for shorter distances, but for us at VMM, we like to keep the ‘classic’ meaning of the ultrarunning buckle reserved for 100 miles only. Therefore, if you see a VMM buckle, you will know the owner is a seriously hardcore mountain runner!

 

Some choose to wear their buckle on a belt, but for many it is an item to be put on display at home. Looking at a buckle will bring the owners many meaningful memories, not only of the event, but of the countless hours poured into training in order to achieve it.

 

Multiple finish buckles are the most coveted of all. We look forward to the day we award our first VMM 10 Time 100 Mile Finisher buckle!