Former 3:58 Mile Ole Miss Miler & Coach Everett Smulders On Hybrid Athletes, The NCAA International Scene, Lessons From Running D1, & How To Get Faster In 2026

Jan 31, 2026

Everett Smulders, a former 3:58 miler turned ultramarathoner, triathlete, and coach who runs WesFly Athletics. He debates hybrid athletes and influencer claims. He explains why 5K speed matters for marathon potential and outlines realistic progressions from high school to D1. He also talks about coaching mindset, health tradeoffs of elite running, and his 2026 racing and facility goals.

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INSIGHT

Hybrid Athletes Versus True Elite

Hybrid athletes draw attention through content skill, not elite performance.
Everett warns they often overestimate their athletic standing and deserve humility.

ADVICE

Get A Coach For Elite Marathon Gains

Hire a coach to skip common mistakes and gain the extra 1% needed for elite marathoning.
Everett says Truett/Drew has work ethic but lacks elite distance coaching knowledge.

INSIGHT

Start Speed Before Distance For Marathon Success

New adult marathoners often start with long runs and lack speed background.
Everett explains this makes marathon pace feel too close to max without faster 5K/10K fitness.

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Everett Smulders has seen and done a lot in his running and coaching career: he went from running 3:58 for the mile at Ole Miss, to finishing one of the most brutal endurance events on the planet, the Ultraman Florida (a 321-mile, multi-day test of resilience).

That doesn’t even include the dent he’s made as a coach.

Everett competed for the University of Mississippi, where he became an All-American. On January 20, 2020, he became the 565th American to break the 4-minute mile barrier, clocking a time of 3:58.93.

Following his collegiate career, he pivoted to ultra-marathons and triathlons. In 2022, he completed a 100-mile solo ultra-marathon in 18 hours.

Then, In February of 2023, he completed the Ultraman Florida, a 321-mile triathlon consisting of a 6.2-mile swim, 261-mile bike, and 52-mile run– finishing in 29 hours and 52 minutes.

This next phase also brought with it coaching; he is the founder and CEO of WesFly Athletics, a coaching and media company focused on helping runners optimize their training and lifestyle.

He also serves as the head cross country and track coach at his alma mater, The Lovett School in Atlanta, Georgia.

Everett Smulders’ story isn’t just about distance, it’s about depth, and he’s here to offer a very unique and inspiring perspective that all runners can benefit from.

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