All Andrew Kotulski asks for when running a marathon is the "sun in my face and the wind at my back," which may be exactly what he gets when finishing the Eisenhower Marathon in Abilene this Saturday.

Kotulski, 65, from Montclair, New Jersey, will run his 544th marathon at the Eisenhower, and has run in international marathons in 33 countries.

"I just returned from Seoul, "Kotulski said. "I've run major marathons on seven continents as well as at least five marathons in each state (in the United States) and three in each province."

Kotulski began running in 1976 and will run in his 28th Boston Marathon this year.

"I run because I find it therapeutic for mind, body and soul," Kotulski said. "It's a wonderful experience to combine traveling and marathoning. It has brought me to some wonderful people and places, and I enjoy the well being of fitness and a good lifestyle."

Kotulski's record is also quite admirable concerning his finishing status, having placed in his age bracket at least three times in every state, including at least one first-place finish in each state.

Kotulski does not find training to be easy following a near-death experience in 2001. As a result of a reduced cardiovascular capacity, the effort of training is now a continuous challenge, according to Kotulski.

Kotulski's goals include continuing to run in places he hasn't run before and to continue to run marathons in a Boston-qualifying time.

"Everyone should run a Boston," Kotulski said, "and the marathon in Athens. I also enjoy the trail runs in California."

Kotulski will be wearing bib No. 55 at the Eisenhower Marathon beginning in front of Parish Hall on south Buckeye this Saturday. Marathon, half marathon and team relay races begin at 7 a.m., with 5K/10K races following at 7:15 and a Community Walk at 8 a.m. Children's races are at 10:30. Awards will be presented shortly after each major category has come across the finish line.

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