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 aorta 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.
Six Hours
Running for My Life in the Grand Canyon
Coming October 3rd
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” aorta. 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.
the Route of the Run
Click the photos below to expand and view captions
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
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.