Michael Mrgudic, head coach of Central Valley High School’s track and field and cross country programs, turned in another memorable performance while competing at the Modesto Marathon in March.

Mrgudic, 29, continued his run of dominance at the event by finishing first overall for the third year in a row.

“I’m super happy,” he said. “It’s something I worked really hard for. I’m relieved I was able to get the three-peat. It’s very special.”

Mrgudic completed the 26.2-mile race in two hours, 32 minutes.

“I took it very seriously,” he said. “I wanted to win. That was my goal.”

“I tried to run smart and conserve energy early on so I could finish strong,” Mrgudic added. 

The full-marathon race starts and ends in downtown Modesto.

“It’s a very hard race because it’s a marathon,” Mrgudic said. “It’s a very fast course because it’s almost entirely flat.”

Mrgudic plans to vie for his fourth straight title at the Modesto Marathon next year.

“It’s a very positive experience,” he said. “Everyone cheers each other on. Not just people in the race.”

Mrgudic struggled to a 26th-place finish at the 2022 Modesto Marathon.

He walked across the finish line.

He posted a time of 3 hours and 15 minutes.

He took first in a personal-best time of 2 hours and 25 minutes in 2023.

Mrgudic repeated as Modesto Marathon champion with a time of 2 hours and 31 minutes in 2024.

“It’s been nice to win and meet people,” he said. “The community has been supportive.”

Mrgudic attributed part of his success as a full-marathoner to diet and sleep.

“I try to eat healthy as much as possible and get a good night’s rest every night,” he said.

Mrgudic has been a raw-vegan fruitarian for the past two-and-a-half years.

“I eat a lot of fruits and vegetables,” he said. “Nothing processed. You get used to it. There are temptations.”

Mrgudic practices and competes year-round.

He’s an active member of the Hoka Aggies Running Club.

“I have a new coach (Joe Rubio),” Mrgudic said. “I feel really great about the training.”

Mrgudic graduated from Stanislaus State and Granada Hills Charter High School in 2018 and 2013, respectively.

He earned six varsity letters in high school, including three in both cross country and track and field.

He qualified for the CIF State Track & Field Championships in the 1,600 during his senior year.

Mrgudic competed in both sports at the college level.

He earned all-region and all-conference honors in track and field.

Mrgudic broke the 41-year-old school record in the 5,000-meter run while competing at the 2018 Kim Duyst Invitational.

“I’ve always been competitive,” he said. “I knew I’d be marathoning at some point even when I was in college. I’m going to take care of my body so I can run as long as I want.”

Mrgudic’s passion is running.

“There’s nothing like running fast,” he said. “It feels great. I feel light and free. I love it.”