“I don’t feel like I’m talented,” he admits. “But I work really hard.”

For Hanes, his success stemmed from diligent hard work and a resilient mindset. Raised in Eugene, Oregon, known as Track Town, USA, he initially engaged in sports like football, baseball, and basketball. Running became his way of connecting with his father, who was a fan of track and field.

“My dad was superman in my eyes,” he says. “And running was always something that we shared in common.

After finishing high school, Cameron Hanes took his running more seriously, seeing it as more than just a pastime. As an avid backcountry bowhunter accustomed to hiking over 20 miles in a single day, he understood the importance of stamina for a successful hunt. “I began to realize how my love for bowhunting and endurance sports could complement each other,” he explains. “I thought, ‘This is how I can elevate my hunting skills.’

Thus, Cameron Hanes began by starting small and ran in local 5K and 10K marathons, and then slowly he worked his way up to more distances. After completing several long-distance marathons all around the country and also breathing Lance Armstrong in the 2008 Boston Marathon, he jumped from 26.2 distance to 50K, 50miler, 100K, 100 milers, and the popular Bigfoot 200 in 2016 where he grabbed the 8th spot. But for this, it was hard to train and get there.

Cameron Hanes Training Routine

Hanes follows a training routine he calls “Run. Lift. Shoot.” This regimen includes running 5–20 miles on a mountain near his home, a session of weightlifting in the gym, and practice with his crossbow. In the fall and winter, he focuses on building muscle to protect his joints and maintain peak condition for hunting season. During spring and summer, he increases his running mileage and spends less time lifting weights, as carrying less muscle mass makes a significant difference when running up to 200 miles.

Regardless of the season or time of year, Hanes is driven by the challenges he faces, tackling them with unwavering dedication and hard work. This commitment ensures he continues running, lifting, and shooting every day. When inquired about how he consistently manages this routine, he responds:,

“I just do it,” he says. “It’s not even up for discussion. I don’t have to decide on what I’m going to do that day, because I already know I’m going to do it. It’s just part of my routine.”