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Articles - Eisenhower Marathon 2004
| News
for final week Eisenhower Marathon Runners will be traveling from 24 states to participate in the second-annual Eisenhower Marathon in Abilene March 27. "We have some fascinating runners coming to town this weekend," coordinator June DeWeese said. "For example, the editor of Colorado Runner Magazine, Derek Griffiths, is coming, and he will meet his father from Ohio so they can run the marathon together. One Texas fellow lives near the Chisholm Trail in Texas, so he wanted to come to Abilene to see where the Trail went through our area." Twenty-four states will be represented by runners in the marathon, half marathon and team relay events. Steve Kruse from Missouri asked for bib No. 100, as this will be his 100th marathon. Callie Baird, runner No. 42, is the warden of the Chicago/Cook County jail. Gregg Busch, Minnesota, has run 51 marathons in 26 states and will wear bib No. 157. "We will have a list in the Race Day Manual that will detail the runners entered as of March 22, where they are from and their running number," DeWeese said. "We can't list everyone who will eventually enter, as we registered 120 runners in the hour before the race began last year, but I think the public will enjoy knowing how far some of these runners have traveled to participate in Abilene." Several runners have chosen Kansas as they are trying to become members of the 50 States Club which involves running a marathon in all 50 states. Tom Fetterman, from Pennsylvania, Craig Wanner and Judson Broom from Ohio, and Kamika Smith from Hawaii are all working on their 50 states. Smith and Tom Detore from Nebraska will run the Eisenhower March 27 and then travel to Arkansas to run the Hogeye Marathon on Sunday, 28th. The oldest runner, as of March 20, is Sigurd Daehnke, No. 158 from Winfield, 77 years old. The youngest, Dwight Piraino, No. 119 from Topeka, is 14. "There really is a race available for every type of runner," DeWeese said. "Individuals who don't choose to run the marathon 26.2 miles the half, might join a team relay where four people run or walk 6.2 miles each, with the fifth person running or walking 1.4 miles at the end of the relay. We have quite a few walkers participating in races." Children's races will begin at 10:30 a.m. in the east two lanes
of Buckeye between the Eisenhower Center and the Catholic Church
with races for 2-year-olds through 12-year olds. "We do have a $5 entry fee for the children's races; however we also offer scholarships for families meeting income guidelines," DeWeese said. "We want every child to be able to participate. Children needing scholarships need to apply at the Red Cross office, 206 N. Broadway, Abilene, before race day." Children will be running in the east two lanes of Buckeye while marathoners are coming across the finish lane in the west two lanes. Also new this year are "neighborhood mile parties" for individuals living on the marathon course, with the largest number of participants at one home receiving a Sunday buffet at La Fiesta Restaurant, Abilene. "We need as many folks as possible cheering for runners on the marathon course," DeWeese said. "That is often what brings runners back for another race in following years. They enjoy feeling welcomed to Kansas. We hope individuals will wear silly hats, play encouraging music, sing or cheer, basically have a good time and give these runners a great Kansas welcome!" Individuals living on the course will be given an information sheet describing the "neighborhood mile parties" when Red Cross Board of Director's member Larry Coulson visits their home with additional marathon information. Red Cross is the primary beneficiary of profits from the event. Other non-profit organizations are establishing fundraising booths, with the Children and Families Coalition helping folks "Make Your Own First Aid Kit." Dickinson County 4-H Youth will set up an outdoor concession. "We also hope numerous area residents will join us for the awards assembly in the Eisenhower Visitor's Center Auditorium at 1:30 p.m.," DeWeese said. "Stewart Etherington, representing the Eisenhower Foundation, will assist us in presenting awards." A volunteer reception from 3-5 p.m. and a Viola family dinner for the host family complete the day's activities.
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