November Update
October 7th 2007, the hottest day in the 30 year history of the Chicago Marathon, was a day that nobody will ever forget especially the 300 individuals who were transported to local hospitals and the family of a 35-year-old man who collapsed and died on the course. This year’s Chicago Marathon was also the first marathon in its history that was ever stopped during the race for thousands of those participating. Many individuals some 20 to 25 miles into the race were told to stop running and walk because of the dangerous conditions. This decision was the right thing to do because they were running out of water, Gatorade, and medical personnel.
With all of that said, I’m happy to announce that all 13 athletes who ran for MSF finished the race with no injuries! Physically and mentally this race literally pushed the bodies of each of these individuals farther then they ever been or had expected to go.
On behalf of the Mitchell Swaback Foundation we would like to thank: Jeff Donaldson, Joe Stowell, Colette Plantz, Danielle Plantz, Kyle McBroom, Jeri Lou Zike, Jeff Thompson, Amy Voss, John Smith, Craig Steiner, Kent Steiner, Steve Ely and Bob Swaback for enduring race day and finishing strong! This group’s goal was to raise $60,000 to purchase the new wood bleachers for the Mitchell Swaback Athletic Center. This group not only reached, but surpassed this goal! 316 sponsors raised a total of $72,829.43! Adding all funds raised by this race plus the Chicago Half Marathon we have met and exceeded our goal of $80,000. In total, 451 sponsors chose to donate graciously $93,864.43!
MSF would like to thank each individual who had a part in these events. Thank you for your prayers and generous gifts. The Lord laid His hand over each runner on this day, bringing 13 individuals together to achieve a goal making a difference in so many lives.
Early December we will be dedicating the new Mitchell Swaback Athletic Center and we would like to invite any and all who can make this dedication. As you walk into this new complex and glance at the new wood bleachers that will be able to hold over 700 people please know that you had a part in this. A part of each of you is forever etched into this building’s history.
We thank the Lord for how He has blessed MSF with these running events.
To God be the Glory!
The 2007 Chicago Marathon Team
Read some quotes about race day from each of these individuals. You can also read each of their personal stories in full about race day on the MSF web site at: www.mitchellswabackfoundation.org.
MSF asked each athlete to share how this race has impacted their life; their responses to this question are below.
Amy Voss > Finish Time 5:45:17
It was definitely a day I will never forget. The spectators were wonderful. Some were spraying us with hoses, others were handing out ice or water, while others were caring for those that were down on the sidelines, and of course they were cheering us on.
When it was getting difficult to run, it was such an encouragement to know that so many people were praying for me and that I was running the race with a larger purpose than crossing the finishing line.
Colette Plantz > Finish Time 5:51:04
It was crazy, and amazing and emotional. All summer long as I thought about “race day” I just kept praying, “Lord, just please give us good weather” The most amazing part of the day was to experience the generosity of the people in the neighborhoods of Chicago they come together and really give of themselves. It was very cool to be a part of this historic day.
Being part of the MSF team was so amazing. I was so motivated to complete the training and finish the marathon because I knew that I wasn’t in this alone. So many people were supporting us.
Danielle Plantz > Finish Time 5:51:04
A little something from my heart …
Even though the marathon was nothing like I pictured my first marathon would be, I took so much from it. I didn’t get to enjoy it as much as I would have liked but what I did enjoy was the love and generosity of the people. The spectators along the sidelines were honestly amazing. They were giving out their own water, ice, and using their own hoses to cool off the runners. We are called to Love One Another and what a better example then that. Yeah, the marathon was a disaster as everyone is saying, but when you truly look deeper and take the runners out of the perspective, the true story lies in the hearts of the individuals who took time out of their day to encourage and love the hurting (me). Those are the true heroes of the day. I finished the marathon but I couldn’t without the people encouraging me or giving me ice and water when there wasn’t any. They are the ones that will be blessed and I hope they realize what a blessing they were that day. So, for them, Thank You.
Jeff Thompson > Finish Time 5:16:47
This was a great opportunity to run for the foundation and to remember Mitch in special way. I’m grateful for the chance to do that. Praise God for what he did through just a few people running and so many faithful supporters. It never ceases to amaze me that God would use us to do great things for his kingdom.
Anytime I complete in something that takes as much discipline as this it helps me to grow in spiritual disciplines as well. Running for me really is (if I’m intentional about it) a spiritual exercise and not just a physical one. Training for and running this marathon has been great for my growth and my refreshment in the Lord.
Jeff Donaldson > Finish Time 5:21:10
It was CRAZY! I am really fortunate that I was able to complete the entire 26.2 miles and cross the finish line. I ran most of the race with John Smith and Joe Stowell. We knew right away that it was too hot to come in at our target time. It was hard to see so many people laying down, quitting, vomiting and even some convulsing during the race. There were moments during the marathon that I wanted to quit, and I thought of all of my sponsors, their kind words and support, and knew that I had to cross the finish line and give the race my best.
Jeri Lou Zike > Did not run — Broken ankle
October 7th, Sunday morning, Marathon morning in Chicago and the reality that I'm not running this race is hitting my soul. I wept for a few minutes and then began praying for the runners of MSF and all running the marathon that day would be safe from harm. I loved the entire day and being a support wherever I could help.
Kent Steiner > Finish Time 3:49:37
Steve Ely > Finish Time 4:39:06
The summer of training in Arizona made all the difference for me. While I did experience the wall at about 21 miles, I was able to finish because of my training and a few other key things:
I was running for a purpose (Mitchell Swaback Foundation) that was bigger than me. To quit because of emotion or fatigue would have been easier if I was the only one at stake. By committing myself to the MSF Team, I committed to the goal of finishing if at all physically possible! THAT concept kept me going.
My Sponsors and Supporters were behind me pushing me on. I had so many people who have been encouraged by this effort, that to not finish because I didn’t WANT to, would have seemed dishonoring to those who helped me get to the race in the first place. Specifically, my bride, Kim, and my four boys were huge encouragements to me and it is an indescribable what that meant to me when it got tough. I Have often talked about what I would do for my family in the event of crises and in this race I met crises (physical pain) and did what I said I would do.
My faith and dependency on God to do what I could not do for myself. I realize that the sum total of my life is as a result of the many blessings I have received. Everything I have is because it was given to me. My health, marriage, family, career, friends, stuff and ability to run 26.2 miles in 4:39:06 are all gifts that without a Creator to make it all happen, the creation would soon be a mess. True, I needed to do in order to have, but as I do in a way that gives honor and praise to the Giver, I am able to do some pretty cool things. In the last few miles I recited Phillipians 4:13, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” many times and continued to have personal time with the Lord. The results are now posted.
Craig Steiner > Finish Time 4:59:15
The conditions were brutal — not only was it hot, there was little shade relief from the sun. But by God's grace I finished all 26.2 miles. It was a memorable experience that will not soon be forgotten. It was a joy to start and end with my brothers and friends.
Joe Stowell > Finish Time 5:03:11
It was like being on a treadmill in a hot sauna for 5 hours. I think the CIA should adopt this as some kind of interrogation method. Seriously, it was pretty rough. I am thankful the Lord protected us all and helped us to finish safely.
One of my sponsors emailed me the day before we ran, reminding me of the verse “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. It was the hardest marathon to finish in the 30 yr history of the Chicago Marathon, and we all finished.
Kyle McBroom > Finish Time 5:13:32
It was very hot and humid with more sweat than you can imagine. I am happy to say I finished and experience a historic day in marathon history. On mile 23 I saw a man fall and go into convulsions. I ran a half mile in the wrong direction to get a medic for help. When I think about running a race for Mitch, this was the perfect race. This race is going down in history and will be remembered for many, many years to come … Just like Mitch.
John Smith > Finish Time 5:21:11
Running 26.2 miles is a long way. I haven’t trained for a marathon for a couple of years, so when I looked at Hal Higdon’s training site my eyes popped out of my head. Like a lot of things in life, I started out pretty strong by getting my short and long runs in, but I knew that summer would be extremely difficult to keep up the training because of my responsibilities at Camp Harvest as well as getting things lined up for the launch of the Elgin Campus and ministry year kick off. I put Hal’s training sheet in plain view to remind me daily to prepare for the race, but I didn’t hit the trails very often during the week.
When race day came and the weather conditions were less than optimal to run, my mind questioned some of my decision making of blowing off the little daily training. Running the marathon exposed the importance of daily faithfulness. In life I need to keep my focus on what pleases the Lord daily.
Bob Swaback > Finish Time 4:26:44
I should have known some how that this day would have gone down in history-Mitch would have wanted it this way. As I ran the race I knew early on this was going to be a rough day. Many times during the race it would have been easy to just stop and call it a day. At those points in the race I prayed, thought about the sponsors that gave so generously and then I thought about Mitch. I thought about his life and why we were running this race. I thank the Lord for this day, the individuals that ran for MSF and the strength he gave us to finish this race. II Timothy 4:6-8
> VIEW THE CHICAGO MARATHON PHOTO GALLERY
Comments
There aren't any comments yet, be the first!