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"Running Abe"
"Fastest Abe in the West" |
Most of the time when I am portraying Abraham Lincoln, I strive to be as
much like the real Mr. Lincoln as possible. My "Running Abe"
appearances are obviously an exception! (Another exception is when I
do programs in Spanish, French, or German.)
My first time to run dressed as Abe was the 2002 edition of the
Capital Challenge in
Washington, DC, an invitation-only three-mile race for Federal employees, members of
Congress, etc. At the time I was working for the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency regional office in Philadelphia, and so I ran on an EPA
team. I
finished in 17:04, which isn't too bad considering the stovepipe hat.
Two years before I had run 16:33 dressed in more typical running gear, so
perhaps the hat slows me down by about
10 seconds per mile.
In the fall of 2015, I decided to bring "Running Abe" back to life,
and since that time I have participated in
several 5K races. In some cases I was just a "Running Abe", while in
others I was both a
regular Mr. Lincoln (interacting with the runners, handing out awards, etc.)
as well as a "Running Abe". In some of these races I have
placed among the top three overall, and in every case I have finished first in Abe's
age group (200+), so I think I can lay claim to the title of "Fastest Abe in
the West" (that would be the "West" of Abe's day: everything west of
the Appalachian Mountains). |
My "Running Abe" outfit varies depending on the weather. In warm weather,
I wear a tuxedo-style t-shirt and black shorts; in cooler weather, my outfit
more closely resembles Mr. Lincoln's traditional clothing, except for the modern
running shoes.
I have mostly done 5K races, but also one 10K and one triathlon!
If you would be interested in having "Running Abe" at your own event, please
contact me! Remember that in addition to participating, I can also be a
"regular" Mr. Lincoln, interacting with the runners, starting the runners,
handing out awards, etc.
Testimonials
"Our race director couldn't decide if he was more impressed with you running
as Honest Abe or the fact that you are such a strong runner!" (a race
organizer in the Chicago area)
"The trails of New Salem will be busy on Saturday and if you are lucky you
may catch a glimpse of Abe himself running through the woods." (promotional
e-mail/post by race director of
Abe's Trail Trek)
Fees:
-
A "regular" Mr. Lincoln: See fee schedule on main
Programs page.
-
"Running Abe": If it's a race which I plan to run in anyway, I'll
pay my own way. Otherwise, my fee is negotiable.
Next race:
June 1:
Lincoln's Legacy 5K/10K (Springfield, IL) |
(photos coming soon)
Forest Park Casket Races
10/28/2017 * Forest Park, IL
(team: 10th place? ... out of 12!) |
(photos coming soon)
Iron Abe Olympic Triathlon 07/29/2017 *
Springfield, IL
(69th overall; 3rd age group) |
(photos coming soon)
Stovepipe Sprint Triathlon 06/17/2017 *
Petersburg, IL
(21st overall; 2nd age group) |
(photos coming soon)
Lincoln's Legacy 5K 06/02/2017 *
Springfield, IL
(3rd place overall) |
[no photos]
Celebrating Seniors "Blaze a Trail 5K"
05/20/2017 * River Forest, IL
(3rd place overall) |
(photos coming soon)
Frank Lloyd Wright Races
(10K)
10/23/2016 * Oak Park, IL (15th
overall; 1st age group) |
(photos coming soon)
Forest Park Casket Races
10/22/2016 * Forest Park, IL
(team: 10th place ... out of 10!) |
(photos coming soon)
Lincoln Days
"Railsplitter 5K"
10/02/2016 * Hodgenville, KY
(5th place overall) |

Makin' Tracks 5K Run/Walk
09/17/2016 * River Forest, IL
(2nd place overall) |
(photos coming soon)
Independence Day 5K Run
07/04/2016 * Riverside, IL
(15th overall; 3rd age group) |

Celebrating Seniors "Blaze a Trail 5K"
05/14/2016 * River Forest, IL
(1st place overall) |

Good Life Race
04/10/2016 * Oak Park, IL
(finished a ways back) |

Abe's Trail Trek
11/14/2015 * Petersburg, IL
(3rd place overall in 5K) |

Frank Lloyd Wright Races
10/18/2015 * Oak Park, IL
(3rd place overall) |

Lincoln Days "Railsplitter 5K"
10/04/2015 * Hodgenville, KY
(4th place overall) |
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