Dane Rauschenberg in Texas in 2007?
As I profiled in my "Notes in Jacksonville Marathon" report earlier this morning, Arlington, Virginia's Dane Rauschenberg - and a Penn State graduate - is running a marathon a weekend throughout 2006.
Actually, he was in the Lone Star state the weekend before last running the White Rock Marathon in a Boston-qualifying time of 3:09:36.
At the beginning of his White Rock Marathon race report, which can be found here, he stated the following:
"While I have been rather inefficient on knocking off new states during Fiddy2, this was my first in Texas. With Austin and Houston following up soon in 2007, there is a possibility I will run all three to complete the Texas Challenge."
Well, I checked the online confirmation list for the Chevron Houston Marathon and, unfortunately, Dane's name is not on there.
I'll get flamed for saying it (and I will take off anonymous posts), but this is where I would wholeheartedly support Rauschenberg getting the opportunity to run Houston - if he approached race officials for an entry -or- they approached him.
He's generated a lot of positive press for marathoning over the past year. The White Rock Marathon even gave him bib number #49 (for the 49th marathon he was doing this year)!
Unlike Karnazes, he isn't being sponsored by a corporate entity, like North Face. He's paying everything - like Sam Thompson's 50 states in 50 days marathon effort -- himself, while trying to raise money as well for a worthy charity.
And I'm not just saying it because he's a Penn Stater either!
My question is: "Would he add something to the "Marathons of Texas" by being nationally recognized and doing all three marathons?"
I think there's enough potential there that he would to give him a pass and let him run in our great city -- and event.
Actually, he was in the Lone Star state the weekend before last running the White Rock Marathon in a Boston-qualifying time of 3:09:36.
At the beginning of his White Rock Marathon race report, which can be found here, he stated the following:
"While I have been rather inefficient on knocking off new states during Fiddy2, this was my first in Texas. With Austin and Houston following up soon in 2007, there is a possibility I will run all three to complete the Texas Challenge."
Well, I checked the online confirmation list for the Chevron Houston Marathon and, unfortunately, Dane's name is not on there.
I'll get flamed for saying it (and I will take off anonymous posts), but this is where I would wholeheartedly support Rauschenberg getting the opportunity to run Houston - if he approached race officials for an entry -or- they approached him.
He's generated a lot of positive press for marathoning over the past year. The White Rock Marathon even gave him bib number #49 (for the 49th marathon he was doing this year)!
Unlike Karnazes, he isn't being sponsored by a corporate entity, like North Face. He's paying everything - like Sam Thompson's 50 states in 50 days marathon effort -- himself, while trying to raise money as well for a worthy charity.
And I'm not just saying it because he's a Penn Stater either!
My question is: "Would he add something to the "Marathons of Texas" by being nationally recognized and doing all three marathons?"
I think there's enough potential there that he would to give him a pass and let him run in our great city -- and event.
posted by WalkSports.com | 11:05 AM
3 Comments:
I think Houston Officials should allow him a spot in the field. They should also allow Felix Lugo as spot as well.
Jon,
There would have to be a clearly defined 'promotional consideration' that benefits Marathons of Texas. Personally, I don't think it'd mean diddly squat on a national basis. But, I've only run in 2 states.
doug
Chances are better than average that only someone with a huge presence already (ala Lance or Oprah) will make national news. That said, having seen Dane at a plethora of races this year, I know that he is gregarious, engaging and a pleasure to speak to. He has no pretension and when I asked to take a picture with him, was so humble that he thought I meant for him to take a picture of me and my friend and asked for the camera! I guess my point is that having someone of this running caliber (even though he is not that fastest guy out there) who is truly about the sport of running and also a genuinely nice guy would never be a bad thing for any marathon.
The question remains if he wants to take a few weeks off from running. He assuredly deserves it!
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