Kenneth C. Perry – My Reasons To Run

In early July of 2005 I came up with an idea to raise money for the Wildland Firefighter Foundation, a non-profit organization that helps injured firefighters and the families of those firefighters that have been killed in the line of duty. Much of the wildland firefighting force in the United States is made up of young men and women that are either paying their way through school, or young people that have a love of the outdoors and the thrill of doing a job that is difficult and at times quite hazardous. Unfortunately most do not make a lot of money; nor are most afforded health benefits or life insurance. So, in many cases, it is a huge burden if overtime is lost due to injury; and certainly a tremendous loss to any family that has a loved one perish. However, the Foundation does more than dole out money. They provide support; moral and otherwise to these families. That, I feel, is in ways even more important than money.

Of course the Wildland Firefighter Foundation (WFF) relies upon donations, donations mainly from the wildland firefighters themselves, and some corporate donations as well. So I felt that a “pledge drive” might be good idea. But I felt that something more than the “bake sale” type of drive would be more appropriate here.

Firefighters are athletes. Structural firefighters are the “quick-twitch” type of athlete, in my mind - sprinters, or heavy lifters, if you will. But wildland firefighters are endurance athletes. So, I felt that an endurance event would be more appropriate and better received by this group. And, at that time last year, I was getting “in to” ultra-running, it seemed to me to be a perfect match. Something that would bring the wildland fire community together for a cause they believed in, and by doing something that they understood.

The WFF has a club called the “52 club” that basically is made up of people that give a dollar a week to the Foundation. This is where the idea came from for the first run in September of 2005. To run 52 miles and ask firefighters, and others, to pledge whatever they felt comfortable with, on a “per mile” basis. When I first brought up the idea with Vicki Minor, the director of the WFF, she thought I was a bit crazy, but liked the idea. It started out as a seat of the pants type operation. None of us felt that it would turn out the way that it did; that it would be received so well, or that we would end up raising over $45,000. It certainly was a success. In the early stages I had told Vicki that the 52 mile run was going to happen. Even if we only raised one dollar, that I was going to make the run. But I also told her that, if it went well, I would double it the next year; 104 miles.

Be careful what you wish for. The 52 miler went better than I, or anyone else, had expected. With the help of many volunteers and running partners that helped me along the way, we made it an important and memorable experience and event.

On June 2nd I will set out again on a 104.8 mile run. The theme for this run is 52 times 2 on less than 25 (104 miles in less than 25 hours). The “point 8” is for me, so that it is an even 4 consecutive marathons. Will I make it in less than 25 hours? I don’t know. Everything past 52 miles is a mystery to me. The whole point of the ultra marathon is to push ones’ limits. Wildland firefighters push their limits all the time. The whole idea for this event is to bring the community together for a cause. A cause that is worthy. A cause that is good. A cause that is, unfortunately, needed, but that is appreciated by those that have needed it, and those, unfortunately, that might need it in the future.

I’ve said it before; this is not “my deal”. This is “our deal”. Will I do 156 miles next year? Who knows? But this spirit can be carried on. There have already been folks that have expressed interest in other running-type events. Think of the possibilities keeping with a “52” theme: a 52- hour ultra-run (which I must admit, I have considered) a 520 or 5,200 mile bicycle ride, or relay. Again the possibilities are endless for people to get involved in a rewarding experience. And again the experience of not only the man or woman who participates in the run, but those that volunteer their time and expertise to make it all happen. The GIS specialists, computer and website folks, the logistic experts; they all certainly played a part in these events and can continue the spirit down the road.

This is for all of us.

Kenneth C. Perry

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