Videos
watch charlie on the run … center stage … and even sitting down
Articles & Headline News
"They call themselves the ICEBREAKERS"
"Their goal: Break the ice of talking about a once-taboo subject so other sufferers might find help. The team members -- 6 accomplished ultra marathoners -- were hand-picked by leader Charlie Engle."
Select Excerpts
"FOG COUNT"
Oxford American
By: LESLIE JAMISON, April 1, 2013
"It’s early morning and I’m hunting for quarters . . . We’re in the heart of coal country. The corner diner isn’t open yet. The “Only Creole Restaurant in West Virginia” isn’t open yet. City Hall isn’t open yet.
I'm looking for quarters because I'm headed to prison, and I've been told they will be useful there. I'm going to see a man named Charlie Engle.
Charlie is a cat of many lives: once-upon-a-time crack addict, father of two, professional repairer of hail damage, TV producer, motivational speaker, documentary-film star, and—for the past twenty years—one of the strongest ultra-distance runners in the world."
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"CHARLIE ENGLE: ENDURANCE JUNKIE"
Runner's World
By: JEFF PERLMAN, March 10, 2008
"When one spends 111 consecutive days of his life running across the Sahara Desert, there is time to think. Lots and lots and lots and lots and lots of time to think. So that's what Charlie Engle did. He thought about . . . a large, icy Pepsi . . . his two sons . . . his boyhood in North Carolina . . . Johnny Cash . . . the Tar Heels . . . a cool shower . . . "
"My suffering in the Sahara and the Amazon Jungle and all the different places I've run, they're all 100 percent voluntary," says Engle, who's competed in the Badwater Ultramarathon, the Eco-Challenge, and the 155-mile Gobi Desert March . . . "I'm there because I had a crazy idea and enough money to give it a shot. But nothing in the world compares to the deprivation and humiliation of my addiction. There's no pain in running that comes close."
Podcasts
Check out a few podcasts here.
Charlie has been a guest on hundreds of podcasts.
Stay in the loop and catch the latest podcasts on INSTAGRAM (@charlieengle)
One of Charlie’s all-time faves with his friend, Rich Roll:
“FROM CRACK ADDICT TO RUNNING THE SAHARA TO PRISON HERO: CHARLIE ENGLE’S THIRD ACT”
Charlie Engle returns to The Rich Roll Podcast, episode # 248
"The story of Charlie Engle first found its way into my consciousness back around 2006 or 2007. I still vividly recall hearing Charlie relate the facts of his experience in a radio interview he did with a host I cannot recall. What I do recall is just how moved I was by his journey. A story that didn’t just click with me, but one I related to with every fiber of who I am." - Rich Roll
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"This question isn’t, “What did we talk to Charlie Engle about?” The question is, “What didn’t we talk to Charlie Engle about?” Recently released from federal prison and featured on Rock Center with Brian Williams, Charlie Engle grants us an all-access – anything goes interview. From life running ultras prior to prison to his life in and out of prison, we learn how running ultras prepared Charlie for a very unexpected and compelling journey." - Eric Schranz, UltraRunner Podcast
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"Charlie Engle is one of the most interesting ultra-marathoner on earth, from his past drug addictions, his highly acclaimed project “Running the Sahara” to his stint in prison. Running is his salvation and inspiration for runners around the world. In a recent interview, Charlie stated “In every long run, I want to push myself to that point where all seems hopeless because that is the exact place where I get to discover new things about myself”. This comment is intriguing and merits further understanding. In this interview Richard Diaz hopes to expose this mindset. This is a show you don’t want to miss!" - Richard Diaz, Natural Running Network
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“Join Scotty and ultra legend Charlie Engle as they discuss his soon to be released book "Running Man : A Mamoir." The book chronicles Charlie's life: growing up with large track shoes to fill, falling in love with alcohol and marathoning and eventually crack. Recovery. His time in prison. It's all there in this intimate one on one.” - Scott Kummer
Read Charlie's award-winning article, "Notorious" about the Barkley Marathons
Winner among the "50 RW SELECT" chosen by RUNNERS WORLD MAGAZINE in 2016 - designating the article as one of the 50 BEST EVER PUBLISHED in RUNNERS WORLD MAGAZINE over 50 years!
Illustration by: Nathan Fox