The following feature was written by ATRA team member Anita Ortiz and captures the essence of Laz and a review of the book, The Endurance Artist.
These days, in the world of ultra running, Laz is the buzz. He might even be the buzz in groups that are not perseverating on loops, hours, rat jaw, and the conch shell. The other day I had a friend (who is NOT a runner and has zero urge to EVER run) ask me why, in heaven’s name, someone would want to have an ultra race in their backyard.
I first learned about the Gary Cantrell and the Barkley Marathons in 1998, maybe 1999. I had a running magazine that published a short piece about the Barkley. At that time in my life, running took a back stage. Diapers, bottles, and sleepless nights were my primary focus. Little did I know then, that sleep-deprived life prepared me for a Laz-influenced life.
Fast forward to today, almost 30 years later, and running is an integral part of my everyday life. After first learning about the Barkley Marathons I continued to read articles that came ‘across my desk’ about this guy named Gary Cantrell, or maybe it’s Lazarus Lake. Social media didn’t exist and the internet wasn’t a ‘thing’ yet, so very little came my way. The Barkley was shrouded in mystery. Nonetheless, I started ultra running and I now follow Barkley every year. I’ve raced quite a few ultras, even joining the craze to earn a DNF in my first Backyard. The coup de grâce was meeting Gary, aka Laz Lake, at the Boston Run Show and Outdoor Expo in March 2025.
Catching up with Laz in March 2025.
While I’ve always enjoyed reading about ultra running, not much can (or should I say, could) be found about Gary Cantrell or his early accomplishments. However, without debate, the man, Lazarus Lake, has changed the face of ultra running. Yet having contributed so much to the world (and I do mean world), of ultra racing, he remains an enigma. When I met Laz he seemed reserved, thoughtful, and introspective. He shared primarily antics and fun stories, a good laugh and some thoughtful remarks. No pomp. No chest pounding. Inexplicable modesty. So when asked if I would read and write a book review of The Endurance Artist by Jared Beasley, I jumped at the offer.
Honestly, I figured there wouldn’t be much I didn’t already know, written in this book. But I knew I’d enjoy it anyway. I was both right and wrong.
On the pages of The Endurance Artist was a story I prided myself in knowing. Turns out, the story is not really what this book is about. Or at least not from my vantage point. What I didn’t know was the true Laz. This book was an engaging compilation of the life led by both Gary and Laz. I call it a story, because it is just that. Beasely wrote the book as a story of several events – The 2023 Barkley and the Backyard World Championships. But, while the book is built on 2 specific events, Cantrell’s ultra running innovations and his life as an endurance artist swirl the pages seamlessly.
During his research time, Beasley discovered little tidbits that I never would have guessed. He uncovered facts that I had no idea about. He detected thoughts, feelings, and ‘moves’ from Laz that maybe even Laz himself didn’t think he was sharing. These insights into character both heightened and further mystified my understanding of the Endurance Artist, Laz Lake. I knew about Barkley. I knew about Bigs. I knew those stories. But I didn’t know the depth and complexity of a man that stays out of the spotlight. That’s really what The Endurance Artist is about.
And yet, to me, Laz Lake is still a mystery. And maybe that’s just how Laz should be.
Read the book. It’s amazing.
The Endurance Artist.
Editor’s Note: To read more articles by and about Anita Ortiz, visit this link.
