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Lightning Raj Strikes Again

Rajpaul Pannu '13 wins 100-mile race, sets 2nd-fastest time

by Bryan Navarro '10, Director of Digital Media, Alumni Engagement & Events | March 1, 2024

He goes by ...and he flashed his powers again last month.

Rajpaul Pannu ’13, a decorated ultra distance runner, won the 100 Mile USATF National Championship road race in February. Pannu finished with a time of 11:58:01, the second fastest ever by US runner. Do the math and yes, that's a 7:11 pace! The Jackpot Ultras race was held on February 16 in Henderson, Nevada. 

Pannu ran cross country at Saint Mary's where he was named of the best runners in the region. 

In a message to the Alumni office, Pannu said: 

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Rajpaul Pannu slumps in a chair, exhausted after finishing a 100-mile road race.
Raj Pannu slumps in a chair after finishing the 100-mile race. / Photo by Kevin Youngblood Photography

“I would like to thank my Saint Mary's coach Marty Kinsey ’01, for helping shape who I am and what I have become as a runner, challenging me not only as an athlete, but as a person. I wouldn't have had a better experience if I ran collegiate cross country for any other program.â€

Pannu is a professional ultra distance runner and has represented Team USA in World Championships. 

He has previously to take up running: Pannu was raised by single mother after his father passed away from heart disease. He took up running in high school to ensure that he didn't follow in his father's footsteps of poor diet and inactivity.