Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
Mike Spinnler is no stranger to commitment and dedication. Former winner and current Director of the JFK 50 Mile, Mike is well-respected in the ultramarathon community. He’s more than just an athlete though; Mike is also a consistent blood donor. Athletes often have concerns about donating blood, so we partnered with Mike to answer the common questions and concerns from athletes across all sports.
Q: What do you enjoy most about being the race director for the JFK 50 miler event?
A: My greatest satisfaction in directing the JFK 50 Mile for the last 33 editions (1993-2025) is maintaining and continuing the tradition that William "Buzz" Sawyer started as the race founder and original director from 1963-1992. The JFK 50 Mile is the North American Continent's oldest continuously held annual ultramarathon foot race --and is currently the largest.
Q: You’ve become quite a legend in the ultramarathon community. How old were you when you first ran the JFK50 miler event? Can you tell us about the story behind it – ‘America’s Oldest Ultramarathon’ and how it felt to win the historic race for the first time?
A: I was 12 when I first competed in the JFK 50 Mile. I wasn't very familiar with the event outside of the fact that my 30-year-old brother Bill drove to the East Coast from California to "win this race." He came up short of his goal and collapsed in the 49th mile of the course. I made it my life's mission to "win this race" for my brother and our family.
Q: So, is that how you got started in running?
A: Yes, I was inspired by my oldest brother, Bill, who was trying to win the 1971 JFK 50 Mile, and I convinced my parents to let me enter as well. I was 12 and it was my first organized foot race of any distance. In canvas sneakers, I finished 129th (of 589 starters) in 14:19:23 on April 3, 1971.
In the span of 11-years between those two efforts, I recorded in excess of 40,000 documented training miles. During my high school, college and post-collegiate running career, I won races in distances from 880 yards to 50.2 miles. One of my prouder moments as an athlete was running 2:28:18 on a hot day at the 1982 Boston Marathon --remembered as "The Dual in the Sun"-- and placing 123rd against one of the greatest fields ever assembled.
Q: What does your daily schedule (or day-to-day life) look like when you’re training for a race? What precautions do you take for your overall health?
A: In my peak competition years, I routinely recorded over 100-miles per week --pushing that total upwards of 140-miles per week in high volume phases. Normally two-runs a day supplemented by swimming, weight-training and yoga. I didn't follow a very strict diet at that time (in my 20s), but I do now. Sleep was a very important part of my "health" maintenance in my peak years. Normally I was getting 8-9 hours at night and a regular (one to one-and-a-half hours) nap in the afternoon before my second run.
Q: Remaining a consistent blood donor while also competing in ultra marathons must be difficult to coordinate. What steps do you take to ensure you can safely give blood without interrupting your training routine?
A: I normally give blood when I am in "low intensity" phases of my training. If training for a high priority event, I'll donate after the event as I am in a recovery phase.
Q: What is your reason for being a blood donor?
A: My mother was a blood donor for decades. I was inspired by her example to "give of yourself." I started donating when my mom aged out of the donation process a couple of decades ago.
Q: What do you remember about your first donation experience? Did you have any initial concerns about being a blood donor?
A: Just the pain that I might experience. I was never a "big fan" of shots and needles growing up. [I remember] being a bit nervous but feeling so good psychologically afterwards for "stepping up."
Q: What similarities do you see between being a blood donor and an athlete?
A: Both take courage, character and commitment.
Q: Do you have any advice for other athletes that may be interested in becoming blood donors?
A: At age 66, my athletic endeavors are no longer at the top of my life-priority list. I normally don't do "anaerobic efforts" for 3-4 days after donating. I find if I am just training at an aerobic state, I can go right back to training. I really try to focus on fully hydrating for the 3-4 days after donating. For the elite athletes that I advise, I recommend they donate during their "rest & recovery" periods in their yearly training cycle.
Endurance athletes produce high blood volumes through training. High blood volumes are helpful in producing "fast times" but more importantly that blood can --and does-- save lives. Be a "team player" for your fellow man, share some of that life-saving blood. Your "teammates" need you!
Q: What is your favorite thing about donating blood and/or what keeps you coming back to give again and again?
A: I keep donating because the need is constant. It is not going to disappear. I want to pitch-in to help for as long as I possibly can. I do it simply because it is the right thing to do.
Inspired by Mike to schedule your donation? You can schedule an appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
The American Red Cross and goodr are joining forces this summer to make the world brighter for patients in need. Will you join the cause? Those who come to give blood July 1-14 will score an exclusive pair of Red Cross x goodr sunglasses, while supplies last, that can be customized with a blood type sticker!^
Disclaimer:
^Offer applicable to presenting donors only during the following dates: 07/1/2025-07/14/2025 and while supplies last. One size fits most. Offer subject to availability of donation opportunities in presenting donor’s area. No substitutions and not transferable by presenting donor. Not redeemable for cash. © 2025 The American National Red Cross. Image and GOODR trademark used under license from GOODR LLC. ©2025 goodr