Dr. John Demorest and his wife, Lisa, are literally on the run.

Since selling the dental practice in Colfax in March, the couple has been running on mountain trails and swimming at Lake Tahoe.

“We hiked the entire Tahoe Rim Trail of 165 miles in 10 days,” said Demorest, who just turned 60. “We’ve also been fixing up an old RV and discovering the world of the motor home life on the road and socializing with our retired peers.”

In deciding to sell the practice he built over 33 years, Demorest decided to step aside while he was young enough to enjoy the last third of his life.

“I am also feeling a building desire to pursue other curiosities and passions that have had to be put on the back burner until I had more time,” he told his patients in a farewell letter. “I also want to spend more time with the love of my life, Lisa, to become ‘twice the husband, living on half the income.’”

And, the ultra-marathon runner said, he wanted more trail time.

“Mostly, I’m into ultra marathons,” he said, adding he has completed 12 100-mile ultra marathons, two 200-mile bicycle rides and several lake and ocean swims.

While living and working in Colfax, the Demorests were active with the Colfax Area Chamber of Commerce, helping raise funds to build the gazebo in Roy Tom Plaza.

They also partnered with then-Colfax Record publisher Joe Goldeen to start the Colfax Record Run nearly 30 years ago.

Demorest served on the board of directors for the Western States Trail 100-Mile Endurance Run for five years. He completed five of the endurance runs.

He also served on a number of dental society boards.

In selecting the dentist who would take over the practice, Demorest said “I was critically selective in choosing my successor because I cared deeply for the future care of my loyal patients and, of course, my loyal staff for 30 years.”

He found the right person in Dawn Anderson.

“She’s fantastic,” he said. “I wanted my staff to be happy and I wanted my patients to have someone who was very competent. It has worked out for all of us.”

Demorest said he and Lisa return to Colfax on occasion.

“We really do feel the sentimental tug of Colfax, but also want to start to experience some new things in our lives,” he said. “I guess it boils down to the goal of starting my work on that ‘bucket list’.”