Bob Steele to run marathon to benefit hurricane victims
Versailles man runs for others at age 65
Cindy DiFazio - Staff Writer

Bob Steele of Versailles has big plans for his upcoming 65th birthday. On Wednesday, December 21 at 10:00 a.m., he will undertake to run a 26.2 mile marathon to benefit victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The route will begin and end at Rescue 69 headquarters utilizing Hopewell and Fairground roads.

So, the cake and ice cream will have to wait, and, when the course is run, it will be hurricane victims who receive the "birthday presents."

Steele said the notion came to him while running one afternoon in the Versailles State Park following the hurricanes. He wanted to do something to help storm victims. He also wished to honor the memory of his lifelong friend and fellow runner, Dale Giltner. "Dale always really wanted to run a marathon," Steele explained, "but he had diabetes, and physically just couldn't do it."

The idea is for folks to make a donation to the American Red Cross disaster relief fund reflecting support for the marathon. Steele, himself, will write out the first check. "It's not about me," he pointed out. "I'm putting in the first $262."

There was much work to do. Steele talked to fellow runners at the Versailles State Park's Run the Park event this fall, and invited them to participate. He spoke with a representative of the American Red Cross about designating collected monies for disaster relief. He then decided that given the time it takes to train for a marathon, his birthday would be the ideal date.

Steele began right away to prepare for the physical challenge of running a marathon. Though he generally runs 30-40 miles a week, getting ready for a marathon requires a completely different exercise and diet regimen. While in training for a marathon, he says, "you don't overdo it on running." He spends two hours a day working out with exercise videos that emphasize lateral crunches, Pilates and the Tae-Fit (a type of Tae Kwan Do). He switches that up with two hours of working with weights and walking. Of course he still runs, just not as much.

The other puzzle piece to fit into the regimen is diet. Simply put, Steele does not eat much while training. An example of his largest meal on a typical day is a green salad with a can of tuna on top. The day before the marathon, however, he will eat a 660-calorie pizza around noon and then fruit cocktail (for the easily digested fructose) with a banana (for the potassium) at suppertime.

Though he has not run in a marathon since 2000, Steele has completed many. He did not begin running for fitness until he was 39 years old. His then 15-year-old son who ran high-school track, was preparing for a 6.6 mile run. Steele began training in secret to join his son for the race. He completed that race in 3/4 to one-mile increments, having to stop to catch is breath several times. Now, 25 years later, he is a dedicated runner, hitting the pavement several times weekly.

There are a couple of ways people can participate in the upcoming event.

To make a donation, recognizing the marathon, make your check out to the American Red Cross with a notation in the memo field of "Hurricane Relief Marathon," mail to the American Red Cross, PO Box 221, Versailles, IN 47042.

People also may participate in the event by running, walking or setting up a relay for all or part of the course. It will be marked off in one-mile increments, and maps will be available. Those interested may call Steele at 689-6995.