It started with early alarms, headlamps, and a shared love of running. But for a group of Memphis men who call themselves the “Headlamp Heroes,” those pre-dawn trail miles evolved into something deeper — a brotherhood forged through sweat, stories, and a community that goes far beyond the finish line.
Russell Jackson, one of the original members, described the group’s origins as a convergence of different circles — friends from workouts, tennis connections, and mutual acquaintances. “Running was certainly the common initial denominator,” he remarked.
Tucker Glenn, another founding member, added that things really began to gel in 2023 when the group made their first trip to the Sylamore Trail Race in northern Arkansas. “Running was the foundation,” he said, “but it has grown from being ‘running friends’ to some of my best friends.” The crew embraced their identity as the “Headlamp Heroes” after countless early morning runs that required a literal light to guide the way.
For Drew Karban, entry came through invitation and, of course, a little Strava vetting. “I was adopted into the group thanks to Tucker’s introductions. I’m sure they all ensured my Strava was active enough before gaining entry into the group chat,” Karban joked.
The group’s first trail run together on the Wolf River Trails in May 2022 was transformative. “Just a few years later, the three of us have now run various ultramarathons and are constantly looking for more,” stated Jackson. “As Drew recently shared with me, ‘this stuff is addicting.’”
When the Sylamore race entered the picture, it marked a turning point. For some, it was their first race; for others, it was their first ultramarathon. The technical course, creek crossings, and sheer grit required left an impression, physically and emotionally.
Karban, who ran his first Sylamore just a month after his second child was born, remembers the group rallying together through injuries, falls, and changing race-day expectations. “Time goals were thrown out the window,” he explained. “It was about getting back to the finish line together.”
For Glenn, the race brought nerves. He was battling a nagging Achilles injury in the lead-up. “Physically, I felt great during the race,” he recalled. “Emotionally, overcoming a challenge and pushing myself felt great.”
Naturally, Sylamore has become a tradition for the guys. “After we did it once, there was no question we’d be back,” Jackson said. The group returns each year, and the weekend has become more than a race. There’s a Friday pasta dinner, a Saturday full of storytelling and rehabbing sore muscles, and a Sunday pilgrimage to McDonald’s before the trek back home.
But the real magic is in the friendship that has formed along the way. Long runs became a space for deep conversations, confessions, jokes, and support. “You work your way through so many types of conversations,” Karban reflected. “Some deep and some lighthearted.”
Beyond the trails, the men show up for each other in big ways, like when four of them flew to Colorado to support Jackson in his first 100-miler in Leadville. “Seeing my crew throughout the race was an indescribable physical and emotional boost,” he remarked. “Once I could pick up my pacers, I experienced an 11-hour runner’s high that I’ll never forget!”
Karban remembers when Glenn stayed in the pouring rain to support him during his first ultra. “I’m so grateful. It’s something I won’t forget.”
The Headlamp Heroes stay connected between races through an active group chat, Strava kudos, poker nights, and dinners with their partners. “We talk pretty much every day,” noted Glenn. “Not just about running or our workouts, but how we’re doing personally — family, work, everything.”
And while the benefits of the group are clear emotionally, the physical impact is equally undeniable. These men are stronger, healthier, and more motivated than ever because they found a tribe that holds them accountable and lifts them up.
“We all have a love for endurance,” Glenn stated. “The training and races are challenging, both physically and mentally. That makes our bond stronger.”
Ultimately, it’s not about the pace or the medals. It’s about the people beside you when the trail of life gets tough. And for the Headlamp Heroes, that’s where the real finish line lives.
By Beth Wilson
Photos by Tucker Glenn
