About

Rick Mater is a longtime runner and Emmy-nominated TV executive living in Los Angeles. He was born in Pinner, England, and grew up in California, New Jersey, and Munich, Germany. A miler in high school, he lettered in cross-country in college and has run the Grand Canyon twice as a cardiac patient. A heart attack survivor, he has four stents in his left anterior descending artery and a defibrillator implanted in the side of his chest. He is the author of the critically-acclaimed novel Beat. Formerly married, he has two 20-something children.

Richard Lewis Mater: Beat

Six Hours

Running for My Life in the Grand Canyon

Now available

Six Hours: Running for My Life in the Grand Canyon tells the true story of one man’s attempt to defy the odds and run the Grand Canyon as a 64-year-old cardiac patient with multiple stents in his “widow-maker” artery. It’s 17 treacherous miles to the bottom and back up to the South Rim. Ultimately, the high-risk run becomes more than an athletic endeavor, as it compels him to reflect on life, mortality, and his legacy.

Praise

“I was gripped and deeply moved by this story of human triumph.”
—Dean Karnazes, ultramarathoner & NY Times bestselling author

“You’ll be inspired by Rick Mater’s story of running the Grand Canyon…buckle up!”
—Big Ass Runner Trail Running Podcast

Six Hours is an inspirational odyssey that’s hard to put down.”
—ReadersFavorite.com
“I was fascinated by Six Hours and a little in awe of the determination to accomplish the feat.”
—Michael Snyder, San Francisco Marina Times
“Be prepared to be astounded as you chase along with Mater going down to the Colorado River…Ooh Aah Point, Cedar Ridge, Skeleton Point, the Tipoff, Phantom Ranch, Silver Bridge, Devil’s Corkscrew.”
—Bookpleasures.com

“An inspirational, well-structured account of aging, goal attainment, and personal transformation.”
Kirkus Reviews

the Route of the Run

Click the photos below to expand and view captions

Visual Portfolio, Posts & Image Gallery for WordPress
Ooh Aah Point with O'Neill Butte below aglow at sunrise
O'Neill Butte on the left
South Kaibab Trail near O'Neill Butte
The Tip Off
My trusty daypack at the SK and River Trail juncture, with the Black Bridge below
Silver Bridge
Bright Angel in Tapeats Narrows
Upper Bright Angel Trail
View of Bright Angel Trail and the North Rim
View down to Bright Angel Trail above Indian Garden
Prickly Pear Cactus in bloom on the Tonto
Running high up on the Ridge Trail in Los Angeles in the Spring
The Grandview Trail (steps lower left) and Horseshoe Mesa to the right

News & Events

2022

December: Six Hours Overcome Video Podcast interview hosted by Yuri Diogenes
November: Six Hours Authority Magazine interview
May: Beat book signing at the Corte Madera Barnes & Noble in Marin, CA

Contact

Email Rick at richardlewismater99@gmail.com or use the button below.