Drew Ku

Marathon #2: A tale of 5 bridges, 28 miles, and 300mg of caffeine First, I want to give thanks to the run crews that my training block consisted of for this cycle. @asiantrailmix and @arcteryxnewyork Brookfield Place monthly events were where I pushed the distance and complexity of the runs that I went on. Nothing else gets you better at road running than trail running and nothing makes you want to run unless there are snacks at the end. @runforchinatown is where I went to get the foundational support structure for all the things I know about road running safely. @worldsfairruncrew is where I took home warm up and cool down stretches that I will remember forever. @queensdistance hillcrest track Wednesdays is where I did my first track workout ever. I haven't gone back on the track since. Second, race strategy. Flood your organs with bananas 12 hours before the race. At the start gun, the only thing inside your body should be banana. At every station take 2 gulps out of every Gatorade cup, spill half of the cup’s contents on yourself, and throw the rest away on the asphalt. It’s called pouring one out for the homies. Wait, why is my hand so sticky? Third, believe in your family, believe in your friends, and believe in yourself. Your willpower and mental fortitude is tested at the highest of echelons at miles 25 + 26. And NYRR really is sick in the head for making millions run this portion of the race since 1976. Fourth, try not to cry. When you see all those people standing on the straight segments with them kids holding signs and reaching out for high fives. It gets very emotional. When you get off the queensboro bridge, and you hear the crowd before you see the crowd. It gets very emotional. When there is 6.2 miles left and the race clock says 2:21:11. It gets very emotional. Next year, we’re picking an easier course, going a little bit faster, and pounding more banana. LFG 🔥🔥🔥 📸 Credits: 2 @gabeinfante (very sneaky) 3, 4 @imjapanic @capturedbeauty.studio (fire) 5 @pointblue22 (love this so much) 7 @questbolt (wtf i know this person)

CDMX in March to see the jacaranda trees bloom

Marathon #3: Philadelphia SUB THREE At the start of 2025 I told myself that I was going to shave 13 minutes off my marathon time. So I'm short on change, but a cook is a cook!! I have enough data points to be certain that I'm not a one trick 🐎 so I'm going to get sweaty and put in serious work for 2026. Basically my race day game plan is to drink water, eat breakfast, get n+2 more hours of sleep, mosh with the other freakazoids in your corral's circle pit and sub 2:50 will be within reach. One special mention to the @asiantrailmix + @tourdecoffee triple threat cheerzones that held it down. They were my glue and guiding light. 📸: 1 @nevinshoots 2 @shensational1 , @huyduong99 2:56:34

2025 in 12 pictures . . . 1. Chamonix -> Marseilles 2. 6.125% 30 year fixed with Chase Mortgage 3. Scalping Nvidia 5090 to make extra mortgage payment on principal 4. Doggo 5. 100 miles on deck, DNF at 71 6. Asian Trail Mix 7. Hooters with the boys 8. Heytea with the boys 9. Asian Trail Mix at the Bandit Grand Prix 10. Not bad one hour wait on a Sunday morning 11. Philadelphia Marathon - 02:56:34 12. Weekend in Beacon . 📸 Credits: [6] @huyduong99 [9, 11] @nevinshoots

Our story from Chamonix --> Marseilles is about a group of friends running along the road less traveled from the French Alps to where it meets the Mediterranean Sea. Team relay style, 2000 meters every leg, non stop, and hand slaps in lieu of a baton to pass.  Still fond of the roads towards Vegas, still high from the Atacama Desert: Chamonix to Marseilles celebrates the third l'aventure of The Speed Project over the span of 18 months, over three continents, for this kick ass New York based crew named @runcult.ure

DREW KU always down to crew (our fastest runner who doesn’t want to run) The most prepared of us all, who always has constant inner peace. He knows the spots to go to. He’s also our photographer and videographer. What doesn’t Drew do??

RELIVE CIRQUE SERIES KILLINGTON 2025 WITH ASIAN TRAIL MIX Come along with @asiantrailmix as they summit Killington Peak and celebrate bEast coast vert culture during an amazing unforgettable race weekend at @cirqueseries . Credits: Prod: @constantinnerpeacealways DP: @drookoo Stills: @runeatworkrepeat Aerials: @javierspiegel Talent: @samanthadongnyc @saraw0ng @charmagneladannie @fithy07 @jaimepchien @itzemily @maritab17 @lizzyl33 @yingliecho @eleanoryip @_51d3qu357 @huyduong99 @holamarco @myfriendsteven @d.lewie @lawrencejustiny

The Bandit Grand Prix is truly something special. 5x1000m loops around and through the Brooklyn Storehouse on asphalt and gravel patches with 8+ turns at 3:30pm on a 80 degree July afternoon with F1 display cars and driving simulator games and Rumble on repeat.  Proud to rock and rep @asiantrailmix in my first run back after TGNY100.   Promise I will be better prepared next time.  📷 Credits: [1, 5] @theokphotos 🔥 [2, 3, 4] @nevinshoots 🐄

"Running a 100-miler isn't about being perfect. It's about hitting walls after walls, figuring out workarounds, and just not quitting".  I threw in the towel at Mile 71, but not before I did a sanity check to see if I had it in me to deathmarch the remaining 29 at 3 mph for the next 10 hours. This effort would not be possible without the following: @samanthadongnyc + @asiantrailmix for doing everything to support the journey. @holamarco - when I was in the trenches of bronxghanistan, he took care of me and I didn't even know he was coming to help. @jaimepchien - For pulling up to lead me to mile 36 and onwards. I knew that I had to get to Soundview. I knew I had to see Jaime.  @saraw0ng - for driving and keeping everything in check @huyduong99 - for pacing and guiding me slowly for 25 miles @timguaporunning - for letting the crew use the whip, for pacing, pushing, and carrying my pack without hesitation. @abilenecarla + @vikbase : for helping out with supplies and the crew while the clock was running out. @unicorngiggles + @osermay : for pacing and guiding through the night, for doing more than what was originally planned, and for getting me to 100 km - 62 miles.  Everyone else on reserve/ waiting for deployment: @bluesquills , @itzemily , @tt.runs , @questbolt , @yingliecho , @d.lewie .  📸: @samanthadongnyc [1, 2] @saraw0ng [3, 5] @jaimepchien [4] @huyduong99 [6, 7, 8] @itzemily [9]

clutch in. stick shift. clutch out. WHAT: A 310 mile self supported unsanctioned one-way point to point relay race through the Atacama Desert, Chile with a kick-ass team, two cars, and all of the water, food, supplies, personal belongings that we needed until we got there. HOW: - Have Spanish speakers. This is Latin America. - Have runners that can put one foot in front of the other - day or night, rain or shine - at 14000 feet above sea level where there is 40% less oxygen in the atmosphere - Have people that can teach and drive stick. I thought I knew how, but I really did not, and the worst time to properly learn how is two days before the race date in one of the busiest local tourist towns in the entire country. - Have cars that can off-road. WHY: Never turn down the opportunity to append to your list of terrible sounding ideas. If you do decide to race TSP ATA in the future: Take Acetazolamide, apply sunscreen, and wear a facemask.

MUCHAS GRACIAS PUERTO NATALES / TORRES DEL PAINE / CHILEAN PATAGONIA. IT'S BEEN A DREAM. SO COOL TO EAT CHILEAN FOOD, TOUCH CHILEAN GRASS, SPEED ON CHILEAN ROADS AND SPEAK INCOMPREHENSIBLE SPANGLISH.  I'M STILL POSTED IN CHILE FOR TWO MORE WEEKS, BECAUSE IT'S TIME TO GET SERIOUS ABOUT THIS CRAZY THING HAPPENING THIS THANKSGIVING WEEKEND THAT CAPTAIN @JENNANANPEI PUT TOGETHER CALLED @RUNCULT.URE THAT INVOLVES RUNNING 320+ MILES AS FAST AS POSSIBLE THROUGH THE ATACAMA DESERT ALONG THE BORDER OF CHILE AND BOLIVIA FROM THE SAND DUNES OF IQUIQUE TO THE SALT FLATS OF SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA.  YES PLEASE PRAY FOR US POR FAVOR, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY GIVE US A FOLLOW @RUNCULT.URE - YOU WONT REGRET IT. BREAK TIME IS OVER. TIME TO CLOCK IN. LFG ⚡🏴

My name is Drew Ku and I’m from Queens, NY 👑. I’m very excited to once again crew for a TSP squad in a similar capacity, but in a different place, and for a different roster. I look forward to supporting the team, and being in the company of amazing people doing crazy things. We’re running it back, and doing it badder than ever. 📸 by @weligsander #RUNCULTURE #THESPEEDPROJECT #ATACAMACHILE #RUNCULTURExTSP