Ali on the Run Show19 Jun 2025

816. Deirdre Keane, Everest Extreme Ultra Marathoner

"It was dark, and I remember looking over the ledge thinking, 'What's down there?' I probably don't want to know…"

Deirdre Keane has never encountered an adventure she didn't want to pursue. The pediatric ICU nurse turned McKinsey consultant is always on the run, whether it's at a world marathon major or it's completing — and winning! — the World Marathon Challenge, running seven marathons in seven days on seven continents. Deirdre's latest endorphin chase: the Everest Extreme Ultra Marathon! In this conversation, she talks about the three-week excursion traversing glaciers and mountain passes and, ultimately, an unplanned trek back to base camp. Warning: This episode may inspire you to go do something big, scary, and life-changing.

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In this episode:

Deirdre's introduction to the Everest Extreme Ultra Marathon, and how she was able to make it happen (4:00)
Deirdre's lasting relationships with her World Marathon Challenge crew (7:30)
How Deirdre planned to complete the Everest Extreme Ultra Marathon, and what her training was like (9:00)
The logistical components of the Everest Extreme Ultra Marathon (17:20)
Deirdre's adventures before the ultra, summitting Island Peak (21:45)
What it was like seeing Mount Everest for the first time (36:20)
All about the Everest accommodations (41:00)
Deirdre talks about completing the Everest Extreme Ultra Marathon (45:30)
On finishing the Everest Extreme Ultra Marathon — and the road away from the mountain (58:40)
Deirdre's top takeaways from this experience (1:08:40)
What's next on the run for Deirdre (1:10:40)

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