Civic leaders will run White Rock relay for fitness, fun
01:07 PM CST on Monday, December 3, 2007
Dallas doesn't have New York City's five boroughs, Boston's qualifying standards or Chicago's world records. But Wellstone's Dallas White Rock Marathon does have its namesake lake and support from community leaders.
Dallas' leaders have participated in the race for years, and that trend continues this year.
Sunday, a five-person relay team comprising part of Dallas' brass will be among the 15,000 hitting the city's streets. The team consists of former mayor Laura Miller; Dallas police chief David Kunkle; Phillip Jones, president and CEO of the Dallas Convention and Visitor's Bureau; Chris Heinbaugh, new mayor Tom Leppert's chief of staff; and former Dallas City Council member Jerry Gilmore, a board trustee for race beneficiary Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.
"I think this shows Dallas attracts competitive people who understand that fitness is an important part of everyday life," said Jones, 45. "We're proud to showcase that."
Jones will run the first leg, hand off the baton, and complete the course. He's aiming for a Boston qualifying time of less than 3 hours, 30 minutes. The full run is also part of his Ironman training. He's registered for a half Ironman in March and a full Ironman in June. His biggest obstacle could be a leg injury and the final few miles.
"It's never the first 22 miles that bother me," said Jones, who has run a 3:10:40 personal best. "I go out way too fast, and then I start hurting. This time, I'm staying with the pacers."
Kunkle, 57, has run White Rock many times. He recorded his marathon personal best here, a 2:40, in the early 1980s. He's also done the half marathon several times.
The relay offers Kunkle a way to be part of the race-day festivities without aggravating a hamstring injury. He said he's avoided major injuries through his career but has had more soft tissue pains as he's gotten older.
Despite his hamstring, Kunkle does morning runs with his training buddies. They log up to nine miles, four times a week.
Miller appreciates the emotional and physical benefits she's gained from running the last 30 years. She usually runs on the Katy Trail, but she says she's not as dedicated as Kunkle.
She had hoped to run the full marathon this year after completing the half last year, but she got behind in her training. Running the relay gives her a chance to be involved at her present fitness level.
Leppert, a longtime runner, had a previous commitment, so Heinbaugh, 47, a newcomer to road racing, volunteered to run.
"Until you're in the middle of it, you have no idea how big it is, how exciting it is, the energy generated from it," Heinbaugh said of his first Turkey Trot. "It was such a rush taking off with everyone, weaving and bobbing through the crowds."
He said he can't wait for the marathon.
Gilmore, 73, served on the Dallas City Council from 1971 to 1975. He serves on a variety of civic boards including Scottish Rite Hospital's. He's completed 28 marathons, including White Rock several times.
"Politicians generally have such a low public acceptance rate," said Gilmore, who still runs five miles several times a week. "It's healthy when some step out and do something healthy and fun for a good cause. Maybe next year, the council will get a relay team."
Wellstone's Dallas White Rock Marathon, 8 a.m. Sunday, starting at American Airlines Center