Late column today, thanks for checking in. Just finished lunch with Tom Whitaker and Alan Higley. These two know more about running in Omaha than the rest of us combined. The whys, whats, hows, and who’s that have lead to the current state of affairs. Also two of the most giving individuals of their time and efforts, we’re lucky to have them.
A lot of talk that you might expect; races, race scheduling, historical influences, societal influences, cultural influences, political influences. My observation is that as much as the landscape has changed since my arrival in 2001, things are pretty much still the same. As Alan pointed out, it was appropriate that we met at Oscars as all three of us have been accused of being a grouch.
Angie Ross is not crazy! She is flying her pumpkin flag this week (instead of a valentine heart) in honor of the recently deceased Wally Thurow. Wally was the founder of the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival over 50 years ago (Sycamore, Illinois) and the accompanying 10K race. I ran it back in the early 90s and Angie runs it every year, a nice connection for us. If her neighbors thought her a bit touched for heading out for runs in sub freezing temperatures, I’m sure they are convinced with her pumpkin waiving in the breeze.
Rest in peace Wally, your influence in Northern Illinois will be felt for generations to come.
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