Steve Rossi Sets His Sights on 100 Miles
09/11/2025 02:11PM ● By Skylar Leeson
At 70 years old, Steve Rossi made a decision that would change the course of his life: he signed up for his first ultramarathon. Fifty grueling miles later, he was hooked. The experience sparked something deep within him – a mix of exhilaration, challenge and discovery. For the next three years, Steve ran an ultramarathon annually, each time pushing his limits a little further, testing both his body and his mind and striving to beat his previous efforts. Now, at 74, he is preparing once again, this time setting his sights on completing a 100-mile race, Run Rabbit Run, which takes place in Steamboat Springs on Friday, Sept. 12.
For Steve, ultrarunning began with something simple: a love of being outdoors. He has always enjoyed the physicality of hiking, the quiet companionship of running with his dogs and the hard work required to maintain his family’s ranch. These daily activities add up to an astonishing 70 to 100 miles of movement each week, making the leap into ultramarathon training feel like a natural progression. But the draw wasn’t just about the miles – Steve was intrigued by the sheer challenge of it.
“I was drawn to see if I could even do it at my age,” he says. “And I feel blessed by God that I am able to. I do it because I can.”
That mindset has carried him through some of his most profound ultrarunning experiences. Like the first time he ran through the night. “I was pacing someone on their last 60 miles,” Steve recalls. “It was amazing to know I could run all through the night, see the sunset, and then see the sunrise – and to have not stopped.” That sense of wonder, of stretching the boundaries of possibility, is what continues to drive him.
For Steve, it’s not just about the physical accomplishment. The mental battle is just as important – if not more so. Ultrarunning, he says, is a mirror of life itself. “It’s tough, and life isn’t easy. There are always obstacles, and your mind is always full of excuses. You have to get through the hard times just like you do in life. I think about that a lot when I am running.”
That mental toughness was tested during last year’s Run Rabbit Run, when Steve was unable to complete the 100 miles he had signed up for. It was a crushing disappointment at first, one that lingered long after the race. “When I quit last year, it bugged me forever,” he admits. “It was a failure, but it was a good lesson that I can’t listen to my mind.” Instead of letting the setback define him, Steve reframed it as a reminder of how important preparation and resilience truly are.
He applies those lessons well beyond the trail. “It’s really important to plan ahead, just like in life,” he says. “You can’t go through life with your eyes shut. You have to plan and prepare.” For his runs he makes sure he has rain gear, extra snacks, water and plans for pacers along the course. In life he takes a similar approach, staying intentional and trusting his instincts.
For Steve, ultrarunning is not just a sport. It’s a philosophy, a way of testing the limits of endurance and a means of discovering strength in unexpected places. At an age when many people are slowing down, Steve is charging forward – mile by mile, step by step – proving that determination, faith and grit can defy expectations.
As he sets his sights on another 100-mile race, Steve continues to embody the essence of ultrarunning: that the journey is as important as the finish line, and that the true victory lies in showing up, pushing forward and refusing to quit. His story is a reminder that it’s never too late to challenge yourself, never too late to learn and never too late to discover what you’re truly capable of.