Running—Not Skiing—Was Once Olympian Eileen Gu’s ‘Big Thing’ in High School
Runner's World
February 25, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Eileen Gu, the most decorated freestyle skier in Olympic history, revealed that running was once her passion and primary focus in high school, not skiing. Growing up in San Francisco, Gu competed on her high school’s cross-country and track teams, excelling as a runner before becoming a professional skier. She often credits her endurance and physical stamina to her running roots, which played a crucial role in her skiing career. Gu’s story highlights the unexpected ways athletic disciplines can intersect and how foundational training in one sport can lay the groundwork for success in another.
In high school, Gu was a consistent performer on the cross-country team, placing 40th at the CIF State Cross-Country Championships and helping her team finish as runner-up. She also excelled in track events, running impressive times in the 800 meters, 1600 meters, and 3200 meters. At just 16 years old, Gu faced a pivotal decision: attend her first Free Ski World Cup or compete in the state cross-country championships. Initially leaning toward skiing as her future, she almost missed out on what would become a historic skiing opportunity when she chose running. However, encouragement from teammates’ parents and her own confidence in her running abilities led her to attend the World Cup event, where she secured points that paved the way for her professional skiing career.
Gu’s connection to running remains strong even today. She attributes her endurance and mental toughness to her running training, which helped her excel in grueling skiing events like the halfpipe, slopestyle, and big air. She has also competed in marathons, including a debut time of 3:24:36 in the Marathon Pour Tous and a half marathon finish of 1:41:07 in San Francisco. Her story underscores the importance of cross-training and how building a strong foundation in one sport can enhance performance in another.
For readers interested in fitness, Gu’s journey offers valuable insights into the benefits of endurance training and the value of balancing multiple athletic disciplines. Her ability to excel in both
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Originally published on Runner's World on 2/25/2026