News
Eisenhower Marathon

More than 300 runners from Canada, Alaska, Hawaii and from coast to coast in the continental United States will participate in the first-annual Eisenhower Marathon in Abilene March 29.

"We are absolutely delighted with the depth and quality of runners we will have at our marathon this first year," said June DeWeese, director of Dickinson County's Chapter of the American Red Cross.  The Chapter will benefit from the profits for the event.

Among top runners is Karen Plucinski, who will travel from Springfield, Mo, and has placed third in the Boston Marathon, 1982, and fourth in the 1984 U.S. Olympic Women's Marathon Trials.

Top male runners include Marc Friesen, Newton, who was second in the 1999 Wichita Marathon and Kansas Ultrarunner's Society Member of the Year in 2002.  Challenging Friesen will be Steve Riley, Lawrence, who was overall winner of the 2000 Wichita Marathon.

"Winning runners for our marathon will have the honor of receiving their awards from a former President's granddaughter,"  DeWeese said.  Mary Eisenhower, granddaughter of Dwight D. Eisenhower and founder of the People to People International Friendship Fund which provides assistance to Children's Mercy Hospital in London, earthquake relief in India, and  9-11 families, among other causes, will present winners' trophies to the top overall marathoners.

Among those challenging for awards are numerous runners who are members of the 50 states club, some having run in all 50 states several times. Henry Rueden, coming to Abilene from Wisconsin, has completed 324 marathons, has run all states twice and has run on all continents.  Pierre Caplette, Quebec, is running in his 198th marathon with his twin brother Jacques.

Ralph Thompson, Akron, Ohio has run 134 marathons;  Ken Best from Hawaii will compete in his 87th marathon at the Eisenhower Marathon.

John Strand, California, is the fourth person in the world to run marathons on all seven continents, with Abilene being his 66th marathon. Eugene Fritzel, Maryland, has completed 44 states and 83 marathons. David Zonker, Connecticut, is running his 35th marathon and has run in 33 states.  Robert Hildebrandt, Fairbanks, Alaska, will run his 33rd marathon while in Abilene.

"The public is going to have a great time visiting with these marathoners,"  DeWeese said.  "Some will be at our pasta dinner Friday evening at the Civic Center, 201 SW 2nd, from 6-8 p.m. and the public can join them after buying an advance ticket at our Red Cross office, 206 N. Broadway, Abilene.  Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for children under 12.

The public is also asked to purchase tickets in advance if planning to participate in the sandwich lunch at St. Andrew's Parish Saturday from 11:30-1:30.  Lunch tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children.

"One of the most exciting aspects of the marathon is the tremendous number of volunteers participating," DeWeese said.  "We currently have more than 340 volunteers in a variety of areas--manning water stations, serving as traffic controllers at mile crossings, riding horses or bicycles along the course to ensure runner safety, serving at the finish line, providing entertainment for the runners, cooking, providing motel shuttles, etc.  What a fantastic outpouring of support from our community!"

Support has also been gained from more than  43 area businesses pledging donations for the marathon.

"We couldn't conduct the Eisenhower Marathon without their assistance,"  DeWeese said.  "Without them covering the basic costs for the event, it would never have been possible.  Likewise we would never have been able develop the marathon without the dedication of our host family, the Ralph Harold Viola family, 91 of whom will be coming to Abilene from across the United States to assist with the marathon.  They are the greatest!"

The Kansas Department of Transportation, Kansas Highway Patrol, Dickinson County Sheriff's office and Abilene Police Department have all joined in detouring traffic from the marathon course.

"The law enforcement personnel have all been tremendous!"  DeWeese said.  "They have worked together to be sure runner safety is secured."

Although drivers will be asked to detour from Highway 15 to Jeep Road east of Abilene, businesses on south Buckeye will be accessible to Saturday-morning traffic.

"We have asked businesses to give us 15-20 minutes to close all of south Buckeye from 6:50-approximately 7:10 while runners leave the starting line and head out of town,"  DeWeese said.  "Then two lanes of south Buckeye will be opened for those wanting to conduct business in the south part of town."

The marathon, along with half marathon and team relay will begin at 7 a.m., with Junior Red Cross member Kim Biehler, Herington, singing the "Star Spangled Banner."

"We are encouraging the public to come out and cheer the runners,"  DeWeese said.  "A spectator map showing easy-to-reach locations where runners may be watched will be published in the Reflector Chronicle before race day, and copies of the map will be available in a race-day pamphlet which will be distributed at the start/finish line.