When Zac Clark ran a marathon in NYC for the 11th year in a row, it wasn’t just another finish line - it was a celebration of recovery.
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After a brain tumour diagnosis in his 20s led to years of addiction, Zac found himself in rehab at 27, weighing 250 pounds and unsure how to rebuild his life.
Fourteen years later, he’s sober, thriving, and helping thousands through his Release Recovery Foundation, a community using running as a tool for healing.
“Running became my recovery,” he says. “It’s medicine for the body, mind, and soul.”
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
Whether you’re recovering from injury, chasing your next marathon PB, or finding purpose through running, Zac’s story offers motivation for every kind of runner.
Addiction and recovery: how Zac rebuilt his life after a decade of chaos
Movement as medicine: why running became his daily therapy
11 marathons, 11 years: lessons from a lifetime of starting again
The Release Recovery Foundation: how he’s raised over $1M for recovery programs
Mindset and motivation: how to find meaning in the miles
The Hill That Changed Everything
Zac’s journey began in a rehab centre parking lot.
“I was in rehab, 250 pounds, and I started walking up a hill every day. Two weeks later, I ran it. That hill changed my life.”
Those short, painful runs became a daily ritual - a way to clear his head, build confidence, and rediscover control.
When he moved to New York City, he signed up for the marathon, promising himself he’d run it every year as a reminder of where he came from.
He’s kept that promise 11 times.
From Rock Bottom to Recovery
After surviving brain surgery and years of drug use, Zac hit rock bottom, but his honesty about that time is what makes his story so relatable. “From 13 to 27, I didn’t draw many sober breaths. But somehow, I kept getting through - college, work - even when everything else was falling apart.”
Recovery, he says, was humbling and hard — but it taught him patience, discipline, and faith.
“No two people recover the same way. For me, it was about small steps - just like running.”
Movement as Medicine
Zac calls running his spiritual practice. “Running gives me clarity, purpose, and connection. When I run, I get to be part of something bigger than myself.”
The marathon became a symbol: not of perfection, but of persistence. “I trained harder this year and ran slower. But that’s okay - the breakthrough is coming. Keep going.”
Release Recovery: Turning Pain into Purpose
In 2019, Zac founded the Release Recovery Foundation, dedicated to helping people find treatment for addiction and mental health.
“When we started, we said if we help one person, it’ll be worth it. This year, 122 runners raised $750,000 running the marathon. That’s the real win.”
“When we started, we said if we help one person, it’ll be worth it. This year, 122 runners raised $750,000 running the Marathon in NYC. That’s the real win.”
Through running, he’s created a movement that turns personal healing into collective hope.
What the Marathon Teaches Us About Life
Reflecting on his latest race - a 3:27:33 finish - Zac says the marathon is a metaphor for recovery itself. “The marathon is fair. You get out what you put in, and that’s life too.”
He admits he cut corners in training, missed a few long runs, didn’t sleep enough, skipped the gym, and it ulimately showed in his performance. But instead of self-blame, he focuses on what’s next.
“Those weeks are deposits in the bank. Next time, I’ll cash them in.”
Running, Reflection, and Renewal
Now 41, Zac still has goals: chasing a sub-3-hour marathon and continuing to grow Release Recovery. But more than anything, he’s grateful to still be running.
“Running has given me everything: joy, purpose, a way to give back. I’m not afraid to die, I just want to live doing what matters.”
Watch the Full Conversation
Hear Zac Clark’s full conversation with Ben on The Runna Podcast: including his NYC debrief, recovery journey, and how running became his medicine.
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