26.2 MIles? That's Nothing!

As we continue to debate who should take responsibility for the physical fitness of our country, this discussion made much more complex by the ongoing health care debacle, it is perhaps interesting to note that distance running continues to increase in popularity in the U.S. Look at the short history of the Rock'n'Roll San Antonio Marathon, now in its second year. The cap on entries both years has been 30 thousand. Last year the half marathon portion of the race capped about a week ahead of the starting gun (actually a horn) and 2009 should see the same enthusiasm. There's still a possibility that the marathon division will also sell out. This success is to some extent the power of marketing. Elite Racing, the parent of the various Rock'n'Roll events across the country knows how to sell its races. Like it or not, and there are still some dissenters who long for the locally run San Antonio Marathon of old, the Rock'n'Roll San Antonio has infused a great deal of energy and pride into the local and regional running scene. San Antonio no longer has to play second fiddle to Austin. Doubtless, the success of RnR here in the Alamo City has also prompted sell-outs in Austin and Houston. What we might conclude from this is that there is a wave of fitness sweeping through San Antonio, Central Texas, and down to the coastal plain. This might be so, but it has yet to penetrate the depth of our culture. Too many continue to "exercise" poor judgment in diet and in exercise.

In the recesses of my memory are the Camelot days of the John F. Kennedy administration and a short flirtation with 50 mile group walks. Yes, 50 miles! In 20 hours, or less! The so-called Kennedy March was suggested by President Kennedy not as public policy, but rather as a test of the nation's armed forces. JFK had already lifted the collective spirit of the country with his book Profiles in Courage. He further challenged the citizenry to get fit with an article he published in Sports Illustrated called The Soft American. To give credit where it is due, Dwight Eisenhower had already gotten the ball rolling towards national fitness with the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. But it was the youthful JFK who redoubled the movement towards not only a fit youth, but a general fitness across all ages.

As Kennedy studied past national fitness policy he encountered a challenge which had been made by Teddy Roosevelt. This executive order had challenged U.S. Marine officers to hike 50 miles in 20 hours. Good idea, thought JFK, and he began to toy with making the idea his own. An internal memo went out to Kennedy's cabinet and staff that they each accomplish a 50 mile hike in 20 hours. Presidential Press Secretary Pierre Sallinger, whose physique was not conducive to strenuous exercise, did his best to sidestep the President's proposed 50 miler but others, including the President's brother, Robert Kennedy, accepted the challenge. It is said the Robert Kennedy walked his 50 miles in leather oxfords, treading through snow and slush.

By now, the cat was out of the bag as the nation learned of the President's ambitious order to his staff. The order was misconstrued as a national challenge and immediately towns across the country organized Kennedy marches. (I remember one such march in Victoria, Texas.) In the meanwhile, Kennedy and his advisers realized they had inadvertently loosed a challenge which might be manageable for the few but was probably risky for the majority. Nevertheless, as they sought the best way to pour water on what some feared would take off as a national craze, there was a brief period of 30 days during which the Amos Alonzo Stagg Foundation awarded medals to those who managed a 50 mile hike in 12 hours or less. The official recommendation from the President's Council of Fitness backed away, modifying the unofficial 50 miles in 20 hours to a much more sane encouragement towards a moderate, gradual program of walking for exercise.

Come to think of it, that's still a pretty good idea and also a good reason to come out and spend some time along the route of the Rock'n'Roll San Antonio Marathon, cheering those who have taken the challenge of running either the 13.1 miles of the half marathon or the 26.2 mile challenge of the full marathon. Bring the family and begin the healthy routine of walking, one of the best ways there is for fighting back against the plague of heart disease, diabetes and obesity which are the symptoms of a physically unfit population. Get fit, San Antonio!