Runner Spotlight: Josh Kaplan's Journey to the 100k Finish Line

At Oregon Running Clinic, we love celebrating the runners who put in the work—especially when that work leads to a 100K finish and a well-earned belt buckle. Huge congratulations to Josh Kaplan on completing his second 100K attempt this past June.

Josh’s path from road marathons to ultrarunning has included big goals, a few setbacks, and a commitment to understanding how to run stronger and more sustainably. With physical therapy support from Dr. Chad Smurthwaite and individualized coaching and gait analysis with Rob, Josh has built the strength, efficiency, and confidence to keep chasing farther distances.

We caught up with Josh to hear more about his journey.

What was your running experience before coming to Oregon Running Clinic?

Before getting started with ORC, I’d been running seriously for about three years. I’d run the Portland Marathon a couple of times, as well as a trail marathon and two 50K ultras.

Running the Portland Marathon is a blast—shoutout to the Fireball shots from spectators at mile 18—but it wasn’t until I started trail running that I was fully hooked. I began working with a coach who helped me prepare for my second 50K and my first end-to-end run of the Wildwood Trail in Forest Park.

Even though I made it over the finish line each time, I was coming in much more banged up than I thought I should. After running the Sisters Country 50K in spring 2025, I decided it was time to make a change.

What were you looking for from ORC, and what services did you receive?

I initially came to ORC for physical therapy following yet another nagging injury. I started seeing Dr. Chad Smurthwaite, and right away I could tell that, because Chad was a serious runner himself, I was getting very different care than I had previously.

Chad helped tune me up and recommended that I move over to the coaching side for a gait analysis. I’ll never forget having the little motion-capture markers attached to my legs and feet, then seeing a digital representation of my stride and mechanics.

I’m someone who really needs to understand what is going on under the hood before making changes. It was incredibly informative to hear Rob’s science-based explanation of my wonky gait. The following weekend, I had what was probably my most enjoyable—and painless—long run of my entire life.

What has your experience been like working with ORC?

Maybe the most important part of working with ORC has been the blend of objective, evidence-based running medicine with personalized training goals and methods.

Rob brings an incredibly strong scientific background while somehow making me feel like I’m the only athlete he works with. I’m still not sure how he achieves that balance, but it works for me like nothing else has.

The perfect example came after I DNF’d the Black Canyon 100K in February 2026. I was feeling dejected and a little lost, but Rob met me with a hug and a coffee—part of our post-race tradition. Despite my tendency to jump straight into problem-solving mode, he first met me with compassion. He congratulated me for making the right decision to pull from the race when I did, and for making it as far as I had.

Then, when the time was right, we got back to strategizing. I went on to finish my second 100K attempt this past June.

How has your running changed since working with ORC?

It’s been amazing to reflect on the changes I’ve noticed. Rob introduced structured strength training, which has been essential in preventing further injuries. Since I started working with him, I haven’t had a single side-lining injury—knock on wood.

He also overhauled my gait and mechanics, all stemming from that initial gait analysis. This has helped me increase my distance rapidly but safely, largely because my running has become much more efficient.

Rob is also a strong advocate for proper recovery, which I think runners often neglect. That focus has helped me stay injury-free while setting realistic, sustainable goals.

What are your next running goals?

Longer and farther, baby.

My number-one value in running is pushing distance. Right now, I have my eyes on returning to Black Canyon 100K for redemption, as well as my first 100-mile attempt around my 40th birthday in late summer 2027.

I genuinely never thought I would be seriously considering these distances, but I feel like there’s no limit to what I can accomplish with this team in my corner. Thank you so much, Rob—I couldn’t have done it without you.

Congratulations again, Josh, from the entire Oregon Running Clinic team. We can’t wait to see where the trails take you next.