Press Release - Omaha Marathon - 8/20/07

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                         Contact: Andrea McMaster
                                                  402-559-7037
                                                  
                                                  Or
                                                  Susan Smisek
                                                  Marathon Director
                                                  402-630-2282

            Leonard Will Race Marathon #100 in Wheelchair

The Omaha Marathon will be Leonard Vavra's 100th marathon.  Last year, some 
of Vavra's running buddies organized the Crazy Leonard Relay to help make 
the 79-year-old's dream come true of completing 100 marathons.  After 
running 97 marathons, Vavra was in need of knee replacement surgery in 
2004.  He lost his leg from complications during the surgery.  He now uses 
a prosthetic leg and a cane to get around.
 
Just when Vavra thought he may never cross a marathon finish line again, 
several of his running mates organized the Leonard Relay.  Last fall, Vavra 
participated in the Omaha Marathon and this spring, he competed in 
Lincoln's Marathon, completing marathons number 98 and number 99.
 
"This is big," said Vavra.  "Running was my life.  These friends are 
letting me keep going."  
 
Like in the other marathons, volunteers will take turns pushing Vavra in a 
specially designed wheelchair during the 26.2-mile course.  Each relay 
member will push Vavra for a mile or so.
 
Vavra was nicknamed, "Crazy Leonard" during his early years of running in 
Omaha.  "He was always hooting and hollering as he ran and we always 
wondered, 'Who is this crazy guy running?'" said Susan Smisek, Omaha 
Marathon director.
 
Vavra didn't start running until after he turned 50.  But once he started, 
he didn't stop.  Soon, he was running all over the country – Chicago, 
Minneapolis and even Boston.  It was his unique yell that made him so 
popular.  "I would whoop and holler during the races to energize myself," 
said Vavra.
 
He says he had a blast participating in the Omaha Marathon last fall.  He 
hopes his appearance on the course again this year will inspire other 
runners.  "I'm very excited.  I'll try to cheer other runners on as I go 
past them," he said.
 
Vavra does not plan to use the wheelchair the last 26.2 feet of the race, 
but instead use his cane to walk across the finish line.  Those watching 
just might hear his trademark yell.
            
"I've been practicing," he said.
 
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