Page 44 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 61

44 December 2017 Issue #61 www.sportsenergynews.com

Wendell Lafave – 150 Marathons and Counting

By Jim Riddell
her round. Presently on the verge of
completing my sixth major for the
endell Lafave of Williamstown World Abbot Marathon Challenge, I
Wrecently completed his 150th plan to complete the Tokyo marathon
marathon, adding to his numerous in February 2018.”
running accomplishments. He has
“People ask me: ‘What are some
been a five-time Cornwall Multisport
Runner of the Year, a Cornwall Lions of the highlights enjoyed because of
Club Athlete of the Year, and has running?’ Well, they are almost too
numerous to mention and sometimes
been inducted into the Glengarry
Sports Hall of Fame. it’s not the marathon itself but the
side trips that result from the travel
Wendell began running in 1977 such as seeing Petra and riding
as means of getting back into shape camels to the Treasury (think Indiana
after breaking an ankle; completing Jones), the sunset camel ride to Ayers
his first marathon, the Montreal Rock, an African safari, and flying
International in 1984. Wendell to Antarctica in the middle of the
covered the 42.195 km marathon night, seeing the sun come up and
distance a very respectable time of watching the penguins waddle out of
3 hrs and 31 minutes, then waited the ocean. The 20-mile rough ride
almost twenty years before tackling into Chaco Canyon was worth the
his second, the Marine Corp Marathon effort and thank goodness we were
in Washington DC in 2003. He then told by other runners to visit Mesa
followed it up with the National Verde, both of these places showing
Capitol Marathon in 2004. Wendell evidence of ancient civilizations.
and his wife Sheila, both of whom Exploring is half the fun of running.”
had taught for many years at local
Here are just a few of the highlights,
elementary schools, celebrated their Photo Submitted
respective retirements by running the described by Wendell in one word:
Athens marathon in Greece. Since ~ Enjoying the five boroughs of the 150th milestone. Canada’s 150th Club, the Raisin River Ramblers, the
that time their sport has taken them New York City with the support of birthday was a wonderful coincidence. 100 Marathon Club, the Globetrotters
from the boardwalks of New Jersey two million spectators —stirring In completing the 12 marathons this and the Seven Continents Club.
and Virginia Beach to the surf of ~ Running down the Mall, through year, eight of them were local runs. Along the way, I have been blessed
Hawaii, from the moss covered live Out my 150 marathons, only 28 were to get to know, in a small way,
the gates of Buckingham Palace and
oaks of Georgia to the blue glaciers seeing the grand statue of Queen in Canada so this was a big year in iconic runners such as Bill Rodgers,
of Alaska, and far beyond. that regard. Fittingly, Canada’s list Kathrine Switzer, Roger Robinson,
Victoria — moving
2017 was a milestone year in started with the Winterman, Ottawa and the late Ed Whitlock.”
~ Running through the ancient in February, then the MS in Cornwall
running for two reasons stated quarters of Jerusalem — historic “It is with gratitude that I mention
Wendell. in April, Sudbury Rocks in early my wife, Sheila, who with her own
~ The village children around May, the NCRA Ottawa marathon 62 marathons under her belt, has
“It was my 40th year of running Kilimanjaro joining in the run from in late May, the Friendly Massey in been a great organizer and logistics
and I had set a goal of running 12 village to village — endearing Massey, ON in July, Quebec City in diva to make our running and travel
marathons in order to complete a total ~ Arriving at the finish line in August, Ottawa Fall Colours and the so successful.”
of 150 marathons to coincide with Sydney, Australia at the Opera House P’tit Train du Nord, Saint-Jerome,
Canada’s 150 years. Some people — breathtaking both in October. To round out the “When I look at my Boston ring,
dream and try to live out their dreams. ~ The finish line at the Little Grand 12, I threw in Maui in January, Rome it’s a reminder of how fortunate I
In running, I set goals and try to run Canyon in Price, Utah — stunning and Paris in March and Lake Placid have been over the last 40 years of
them down. In doing this it has led ~ Running across the Golden Gate in June. running that I have been mostly
me to travelling to twelve countries Bridge in San Francisco — rewarding injury free. And when I’m out biking
to complete a marathon in each; the ~ Running at Furnace Creek, Death In 40 years of running, I’ve been or running or walking, I’ll often get a
latest two being Italy (Rome) and Valley — memorable very fortunate to meet and run with shout-out, often from a CMC member
France (Paris) this year. An early ~ The Hatfield-McCoy marathon wonderful people - well runners out training and that makes me feel
goal was to complete a marathon where you pick a side to represent in are wonderful, aren’t they!? Larry grateful to be involved in such a great
in each province of Canada which the ‘feud’ — historic, entertaining Macon comes to mind with his record sport.”
was achieved early in my marathon ~ Running a marathon in every number of marathons but there are Both Wendell and Sheila have
adventures beginning in 2004. continent — ambitious/expensive so many who just share the joy of been putting back into the sport over

That was followed by completing a “I could go on but you get the running and travel. Actually, we are the years. Wendell worked with the
marathon in every state of the US as picture. The toughest marathon? having a reunion run in Barcelona in cross-country teams at each of the
a member of the 50 Sates Marathon All of them - but especially the ones March with some of the people from schools where he taught, Martintown,
Club. I achieved my first circuit of the that involve heat and humidity. As the Rome/Paris trip.” Viscount Alexander, and SJ McLeod.
50 states in December 2011 and the runners know, that is the one factor “Clubs I’ve belonged to over the They have been directors of two
second circuit in January of 2017. In that can make or break a run.” years are the Seaway Valley Runners’ local races, The Great Raisin River
my second round, it was because my “2017 was an interesting year in Association, the NCRA (now Ottawa Footrace, for the past ten years, and
wife, Sheila, had decided to complete that I needed 12 marathons to reach Running Club), Cornwall Multisport the Chilly Willy for the past three.