Motivation
This page is dedicated to several people who have influenced me in my running journey. Please take the time to visit their websites and see the power of true dedication and motivation! You can also read more about them in my book, "Running for the Average Joe," available on this website!
Keith Panzer might very well epitomize the 'Average Joe' in overdrive. Since his first marathon in 1989, he's completed marathons in all 50 states and the District of Columbia as well as internationally. He's competed in the Boston Marathon 19 times. He's also raced in various ultra marathons, including the Vermont 100.
Unfortunately in 2011, Keith was forced to undergo a Level 2 L4-S1 spinal fusion, however, as luck would have it, he was able to run one more Boston Marathon in 2011. A revision surgery the following year forced him to "retire" from competive marathon distance races with a total of 262 marathons and ultra-marathons. At this time Keith still runs about 8 miles per day, but that's about as far as the chronic pain will allow him to go.
Keith was the first person to introduce me to distance running.
Marshall Ulrich is an American ultramarathon runner, adventure racer and mountaineer. He holds various distinctions in several sports: he has completed 130 ultra marathons averaging over 125 miles each; has climbed the tallest summit on each continent (all on first attempts), a feat known as the seven summits; and has finished 12 expedition-length races in adventure racing, including all 9 Eco Challenge races.
Team Hoyt was made up of father and son Dick Hoyt (born June 1, 1940) and Rick Hoyt (born January 10, 1962), from Holland, Massachusetts, who have competed together in various athletic endeavors, including marathons and Ironman Triathlons. Rick has cerebral palsy and during competition Dick pulled Rick in a special boat as they swam, carried him in a special seat in the front of a bicycle, and pushed him in a special wheelchair as they ran. Team Hoyt was inducted to the Ironman Hall of Fame in 2008. Sadly, Dick passed away on March 17th, 2021.