Record-Breaking Run from Buffalo to Brooklyn
A fitness enthusiast from Long Island set an impressive record by running from Buffalo to the Brooklyn Bridge in just eight days and 13 hours, surpassing the previous mark for the 572.55-mile journey by nearly a full day.
“Reaching a goal takes a few steps and a lot of time,” Ryan Clifford, 28, shared while he was recuperating on Wednesday after his arrival in New York the previous night.
Clifford, co-owner of Ryco’s Escape Room & Lounge in Westbury, emphasized the importance of time in achieving ambitions: “If you have enough time, you can definitely get from point A to point B.”
His route, which followed the Empire State Trail, presented challenges like heatwaves and this week’s nor’easter as he navigated a mixture of asphalt, cinder blocks, and dirt. The trail connected Buffalo to the Big Apple by heading east to Albany and then south through the Hudson River Valley.
“The biggest challenge around Syracuse was the heat mixed with rain,” he recalled. On the third day, he experienced relentless weather conditions. “I got soaked, dried off in the sun, and then faced three hours of rain before I crossed the finish line.”
This journey was three years in the making. Clifford, a former athlete who ran from Brooklyn to Montauk, had attempted a cross-state run in 2022, but had to stop due to shin inflammation just 80 miles from his destination.
“It’s been something I’ve thought about a lot. I really wanted to finish what I started,” he said.
Determined to not only complete his journey but also beat the record of nine days and 11 hours previously held by ultramarathoner Matthew Vosburg, Clifford ramped up his training. He started at a pace of 70 miles per week and eventually pushed to 200 miles in the weeks leading up to his October run, enlisting support from friends, family, and even strangers along the way.
He kicked off his first day running 90 miles in 16 hours from Buffalo to Rochester and maintained a pace of 60 to 76 miles daily, even as pain in his shins re-emerged.
By day seven, running each day became too much. “I tried to run, but I couldn’t,” he admitted. However, driven by the memories of his previous attempt, he decided to walk the remaining distance to Brooklyn, completing a remarkable 43 miles that day.
Clifford cracked a smile as he recalled getting drenched while speedwalking through Westchester during Monday’s storm, calling it “another fun day.” The culmination of his efforts came late Tuesday night. With his father, John, and brother, Kevin, accompanying him, he powered through the final miles, crossing the iconic Brooklyn Bridge.
“It felt like a relief, like we didn’t have to keep pushing forward,” said Clifford, who will receive recognition from Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman on Thursday. “I felt like my demons had been conquered.”
Looking ahead, Clifford is planning an ambitious 250-mile run from Phoenix to Flagstaff, Arizona, in May. For now, though, he’s taking a day off before returning to work at the escape room. “I’ll be on my feet all day,” he chuckled.
