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.

Read about Rick's book, 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.

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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