Local Runners Compete in Boston

Aberdeen Proving Ground was well represented in the latest Boston Marathon. John Sullivan, a physicist with the Army Research Laboratory, and Leonard Morgan Sr., of Aberdeen Test Center, supported and encouraged each other while preparing for the annual event. Both men train throughout the year on the APG track, around post and throughout the back roads of Harford County. Sullivan, who has been running for 31 years, said that this year's race "was a mixed race for me, but I was proud to be there." He said the many miles running both uphill and down can be especially tiring, but "this is the one that counts," so he participates in the race each year.

Running up to 60 miles each week, he also does strength training to increase his overall fitness. Sullivan said he got involved in running because he was interested in remaining fit, "needed something to do after work," and did not have to fit running into the schedule of others. He observes that many running enthusiasts become involved as adults because, once out of school, they find it difficult to balance a work schedule and family time, and still have time to consistently participate in a team activity.

Running was the perfect answer for Sullivan, who takes advantage of the many miles of lightly traveled roads and updated track and fitness facilities on post to train for the Boston Marathon, the only marathon he runs each year. Sullivan described the Boston race as "a great event, because you have so much crowd support," and added that many of the thousands of spectators along the route make an effort to personalize their shouts of encouragement. This year, Sullivan wore a shirt with an American flag depicted on the front. "I got a lot of 'Go USA,'" he said. Sullivan had an impressive race this year, finishing the marathon in just over three hours. The 53-year-old was 23rd out of 1,098 participants in his age category.

Morgan, a retired Air Force master sergeant, has been running for 19 years, but took up marathon racing less than five years ago. He has completed 25 marathons. A fitness buff, he commutes to work via bicycle, a round-trip of 19 miles, and "runs hard" every other day, for an average of 30 miles each week. Describing the Boston race as "a mean marathon" because of the downhill runs and the four hill climbs late in the event, Morgan said the race is "hard on your quads." The April 19 race was his third marathon this year. The 62-year-old, known to many as "Sarge," ran 33 races of varying lengths last year, and won in his age category 14 times. Brad Roberts, an electronics engineer for the U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine and an avid runner, said both men defy the odds in that they have improved their running times despite being older when they began serious racing. "I've run the Boston Marathon 12 times," Roberts said. "But for the most part I was in my 20's or early 30's when I did it." He ran the Boston Marathon with Sullivan in 1992. "Both men are an inspiration, and extremely unusual in their achievements," he said, adding that Sullivan ran his first marathon in under three hours at age 50.

Roberts has competed in 25 marathons, but now is encouraging his children's sporting talents and has served as a soccer team coach. Still running, he logs up to 20 miles per week. Encouraged by Sullivan and Morgan, Roberts said he hopes to get back to marathon running someday. Meanwhile, he is working on re-starting the local marathon called "The Last Train to Boston" because it used to be the last qualifying race before the Boston Marathon deadline. "The local marathon ran for 19 years," said Roberts, who was in charge of the race for the last nine years. He said the event that was run on post in the Edgewood Area was last run in 1995. Describing the local marathon as "an ideal race for spectators," because it is a series of loops affording lots of viewing opportunities, Roberts said the race will take place on Feb. 26 next year, in time for the March 1 deadline for Boston Marathon qualifiers.

Diane Wilson, wife of Maj. David Wilson of the 520th Theater Army Medical Laboratory, a resident of Plumb Point Loop and mother of two, became interested in marathon racing three years ago. Living on post at Fort Meade, she explained that her husband planted the seed by asking her to run the Army 10-Miler with him. After enjoying that race, and with a father and brother who run marathons, Wilson jokingly suggested a marathon to Navy wife and running partner Anne Parker. She and Parker completed the Philadelphia Marathon last fall, and hope to qualify for the Boston Marathon in 2000 with a good time in their second Philadelphia race in November. She will be joined in the race by her husband, brother, sister-in-law, Parker and Morgan.

Wilson, who admitted that she "hates track work," said Sullivan takes charge of weekly speed sessions at the APG track. At the Tuesday practices, the athletes, referred to as "the psycho runners" by those less-motivated, are coached and encouraged in exercises meant to increase their running speed. "I've improved my racing time and all of my personal records," said Wilson, who attributed her success to Sullivan's coaching. Due to the speed work, she said, "I've knocked four minutes off my 10n miler." She added that both men are dedicated, eager to share their knowledge, and inspire those around them to "keep at it."

Henry Russell, a post air traffic controller, has been participating in the APG track sessions since learning about the group last year. He credited his improved running times to the coaching and practice received at the track. Although not interested in marathons, Russell runs local races of shorter distances "about once a month." He said that with the addition of the track sessions, "I'm definitely stronger at the end of races."

ATC employee Bill Sangtinette has participated with the group each week since 1991. Describing Sullivan and Morgan as men with "a lot of experience in running and speed work," he said the sessions also are helpful because of the encouragement and ideas they share. "John has a different scenario each week," Sangtinette said of Sullivan, adding that Sullivan picks events and ties those into runs. As an example, Sangtinette mentioned a "blue moon run," which was converted into numerical meaning by Sullivan, who then led in the appropriate number of laps or track distances. Sangtinette added that both Sullivan and Morgan "show you what you can rise to" when it comes to desire, practice and perseverance.

Donna Lewis, vice-principal at Edgewood Elementary School, has been running with the Tuesday group for several years. She said she looks forward to the socialization and camaraderie of the track participants, whose running levels and race interests vary. Referring to Sullivan and Morgan as "my buddies," she said the two are much admired for their dedication and expertise. "We share tidbits we've gathered from running magazines and other sources," she said Lewis said she also appreciates the added incentive of a regular practice. "If you run intervals one to two times a week, you are pretty much guaranteed a good racing performance overall," she said.

Geoffrey Sauerborn, who runs "basically 5 and 10-K's," has been attending the sessions for a little over a year. He credited Sullivan with coming up with "inventive and crazy themes" for the group out of news, technology or sports. As they work through the themes, Sauerborn estimates they run, with warm-up and recovery, four to eight miles in an hour-long session or longer. While he has done a lot of running on his own, Sauerborn said participants tend to push themselves more when with a group, which increases speed and stamina. Through his excellent time in the 1999 Boston Marathon, Sullivan already has qualified for next year's 26.2 mile race. The oldest consecutively-run marathon in the world, the 104th Boston Marathon will take place on April 19, 2000. Sullivan is looking forward to more local company next year, as Morgan and Wilson make bids to qualify in the upcoming months. Runners do not need to run marathons to practice with the local running enthusiasts. All are eager to offer encouragement and share their enthusiasm each Tuesday evening at 4:45 p.m. For marathon information, visit www.bostonmarathon.org. For local racing information, visit www.rasac.com.

Practice is at your own pace, and all are welcome. 4:45 pm Tuesdays.