Daniel Smart

Daniel Smart of Crisfield, Md., might just be the friendliest, most encouraging person you’ll ever meet. He believes in his goals, and believes in yours, too. He has an impressive running resume and you might think he’s always been a runner. But his before-story might surprise you and will definitely motivate you.

You started running later in life. What caused you to begin and when was that? 
I started running as just a way to get a little extra cardio in. It was 2011, April 24, the Monday after Easter. I reached my weight loss goal of getting under 200 pounds by Easter (over 100 pounds lost since high school) and just thought randomly to start running to keep the momentum going.  

Did you set out to become “a runner” or was your plan to become healthier and then the miles just sort of happened? 
Definitely to get healthier initially and stayed that way for probably about year or so. I didn’t give any attention to distance or pace until I was able to run around the Crisfield highway (which is just a touch under 3 miles) without have to stop and walk. I was very proud of myself that day!

What was your first race? 
The Mike Sterling 10k in 2014 was my first race. I worked at a local restaurant called Gordon’s at the time and the race always is on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend. It was also during Crisfield’s Hard Crab Derby which is Gordon’s busiest day of the year. Prior to then, I could never get off work to run, but in 2014, with lots of begging, my boss let me have off for the race. I remember thinking I was WAY out of my league looking at all these people who looked like pros to me. Which I wasn’t wrong, that’s when I first met Vanessa Junkin! That day always reminds me that doubt is your enemy. I started in the back of the crowd thinking that’s where I belonged and all these people would leave me in the dust. Well, I ended up finishing in 2nd place with one of my faster 10k finishes. Of course, placements don’t really matter overall … but it does feel pretty darn good to place!

I met my inspiration for races that day, Fidelmar Zetina. He won that day and I was in absolute awe of him and the amazing job he did. We talked after and I promised him I was going to keep training so that I could be like him. Long story short, 8 months later, I ended up beating him at another race. Haha. It was an emotional full circle moment for me that I’m blessed to have experienced.

Do you prefer road or trail races?
I don’t prefer one over the other really. Both absolutely have pros and cons. I will say I prefer roads for shorter distance races and trails for long distance. 

You do a lot of ultras, from 50ks to … what’s your furthest distance? Why do ultras appeal to you? 
Well, if you’re talking with no rests, 50 miles is my furthest. I’ve done DUC* (which technically has a little rest halfway) for 100k. And at Pemberton 24, I’ve done 21 laps for around 65.1ish miles. I suppose it depends on opinion, but I go with 50 miles because I have a ways to go before I’m as amazing as the people I know.
*DUC – Delmarva Ultra Challenge – a 50K in unknown territory the night before Algonquin 50K, then make it to the start of Algonquin 50k for a combined 100k race time.

I think for me ultras are appealing because running them is a reminder of how far I’ve come. In my teens and early adulthood, my confidence and self-worth were basically nonexistent. My weight loss journey definitely started cracking the walls of that little prison I was in and running was what finally broke me out. Then ultra running helped me to understand running is one of my places in the world. I LOVE running. I even love things I hate about it! 

You make it all look so easy, racking up the miles and running fast, too. What challenges have you faced in your running career? 
Without a doubt, injuries. Since 2019, I’ve had three lovely times with plantar fasciitis, a beautiful run in with an Achilles issue and, most recently, a delightful fractured toe. However, I have remained very blessed and I’ve healed up from every single one!

Tell us about the Lank Parks award and your multiple wins.
It goes to the first Crisfield resident that finishes the Mike Sterling 10k. Last year, it changed to the first male and female resident. I’ve won it 9 times (I actually had to go count the awards to make sure, haha). Fun fact, Lank Parks and I are relatives. My great-grandmother Ethel and his grandfather John were siblings. So you could say running is a family trait. Though only two of us, still a family trait!

Do you follow a training plan? 
Yes and no. I can’t lie. I hate any proper training. Yes, I get needed strength training in and whatnot to help build speed and endurance. But I definitely have those days I don’t bother and I don’t even feel bad about it.

What’s planned for 2026? 
Mainly just continuing what came out of 2025. 2024 was not a great year so I spent 2025 just getting back to myself and reconnecting with I why I run. I’d like to get my 5k, 10k and 10 mile paces better but if not it’s ok. I’m grateful to still be able to run!

What do you do when you’re not running? 
I’d say 75% of my time at home is in the kitchen. It’s basically my living room. I really enjoy trying things from cuisines around the world. Mostly from Italian, Mexican & Indian cooking but I love it all. I’m a very content human being and cooking is one of the other things in my life that helps with that. I find it very therapeutic and a fun way to be creative.