| John Mitty Tuesday, December 4, 2012 |
Saint James, NY - At 5 a.m. on Saturday, December 15, local residents Dan Turturro (St. James) and Byron Lane (Stony Brook) will start their day as many cannot imagine. They plan to run for 12 hours straight—and reach a combined total of 125 miles—running side by side on treadmills at Energy Interactive Fitness Center on Route 25A in St. James. Their goal: to raise funds and awareness for Friends of Karen, a tri-state non-profit organization that helps children and their families cope with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.
While most people—even seasoned marathoners—could not conceive of running for more than one hour on a “dreadmill,” the pair are looking forward to the challenge. “Think of the way your life is going right now.” Lane offers. “Pretend that tomorrow, you found out that your 5 or 10 or 15 year old child was diagnosed with some terrible life-threatening disease. Your life would change drastically and forever. Friends of Karen picks up the slack so that families in this situation don’t have to worry about the Rat Race—all of the little things that can drain precious time and energy—so they can focus solely on their child and their family. Running on treadmills symbolizes their race to try to get everything done all at once. During our fundraiser, we’ll do all the running around for you, just like Friends of Karen does for their sponsored families.”
At the end of the run, scheduled for 5 pm, the gentlemen will celebrate their accomplishment by sitting down. They will also be serving food and drinks to supporters and donors and will be drawing the winning raffle tickets for prizes generously donated to the cause from local merchants and from the owners of Energy Interactive Fitness.
Lane, one of the most decorated ultrarunners in the country, started his running career 37 years ago. Sponsored by The Runners' Edge (Farmingdale) and Hammer Nutrition, he has won 47 ultramarathon races of 50 km or longer, is a three-time Age Group National Champion, and, in 2008, was the National Champion in the 24-hour run.
Turturro started running longer than marathon distances this past year, having done a 31-miler and a 50-miler, and regularly runs five times per week. This will be Dan’s longest run ever.
The two men met at Energy Interactive Fitness last year and Byron has served as a very encouraging mentor to Dan. The two brainstormed a fundraising idea to bring some attention to a deserving charity and were directed to Friends of Karen by Energy Fitness manager Michael Fox.
“We are pleased to be able to help support this important organization,” said 55 year-old Turturro. “No one is prepared for a life-threatening illness to strike their child,” added Lane. “People going through this type of family crisis have enough to worry about. Friends of Karen provides the support that lets parents focus on what's most important: their child.”
Friends of Karen provides emotional, financial and advocacy support to families with a child diagnosed with cancer or another life-threatening illness. Since 1978, Friends of Karen has helped more than 11,800 children in the New York Tri-State region. With compassion, dedication and expertise, Friends of Karen helps sustain the entire family during an overwhelmingly frightening time.
To make a donation to Friends of Karen, or for more information, please visit: www.friendsofkaren.org .
For more information about the run, contact Dan at coby11@optonline.net or Byron at enduro.runner@gmail.com.
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