While most people rely on running to stay healthy, some people keep lacing up those running shoes in order to help others while also staying physically fit. To Steve Schwalbach, who got his start running for Highlands
High School in the 1980s, running isn't just a way to exercise and
push his limits physically. It's a way to give back to his mom, and
raise funds for the Alzheimer's Association of Greater Cincinnati.
Raising funds for Alzheimer's is a
cause close to Schwalbach's heart. “My mother had Alzheimer's for
more than fourteen years. She passed away this past March,” said
Schwalbach. According to the Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's is
the 6th leading cause of death in the United States, and someone in
the United States develops the disease every 67 seconds.
Last year, Schwalbach organized and
participated in the inaugural Jackie's Run. He spent seven days
running a Kentucky-based course, and successfully raised over $15,000
for Alzheimer's. This year's course will take Schwalbach and fellow
runners throughout 328 miles of Ohio. “The route is actually from
Cleveland to Cincinnati. It's all done on bike paths, which would
include the Loveland Bike Trail. A lot of it's done on the Erie
Trail.”
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(Left to Right) Joshua Strzala, Steve Schwalbach, and Walt Neubauer will be participating in the 2015 Jackie's Run together. |
Schwalbach won't be traversing 328
miles of Ohio's roads alone. Columbus, Ohio resident Walt Neubauer
and Joshua Strzala, of Cleveland, Ohio, will be joining Schwalbach
for the run. The two were also instrumental in helping Schwalbach
create a route for this year's Jackie's Run. “Last year, Walt ran a
little bit of Kentucky with me. And he said, 'If you ever have a
desire to run Ohio, we can work together and do Ohio.' Walt is
actually the one who came up with the route through Ohio. Last year
we ran U.S. 27, and it was a little dangerous between cars and
backroads. So Walt decided to make it more simple for runners, and
that's when we came up with the bike trail,” said Schwalbach.
The runners will also be accompanied by different drivers each day along the route.
The runners will also be accompanied by different drivers each day along the route.
This year's Jackie's Run officially
kicks off on May 22 and lasts until May 30. The route is as follows:
Day
1:
Cleveland to Sagamore Hills - 22.55 miles
Day 2: Sagamore Hills to Canal Fulton - 42.86 miles
Day 3: Canal Fulton to Frederickburg - 38.36 miles
Day 4: Frederickburg to Mt. Vernon - 38.37 miles
Day 5: Mt Vernon to Dublin - 46.45 miles
Day 6: Dublin to London - 39.53 miles
Day 7: London to South Xenia - 52.42 miles
Day 8: South Xenia to Avoca park (Cincinnati) - 30 miles
Day 9: Avoca park (Cincinnati) to Fort Thomas, KY - 16.1 miles
Day 2: Sagamore Hills to Canal Fulton - 42.86 miles
Day 3: Canal Fulton to Frederickburg - 38.36 miles
Day 4: Frederickburg to Mt. Vernon - 38.37 miles
Day 5: Mt Vernon to Dublin - 46.45 miles
Day 6: Dublin to London - 39.53 miles
Day 7: London to South Xenia - 52.42 miles
Day 8: South Xenia to Avoca park (Cincinnati) - 30 miles
Day 9: Avoca park (Cincinnati) to Fort Thomas, KY - 16.1 miles
Tower Park's iconic water tower will serve as
the finish line. The runners are scheduled to arrive at the finish
line at approximately 6:00pm on May 30, 2015. I think it goes without
saying that anyone running that many miles deserves a celebration
once crossing the finish line. The Olde Fort Pub will be the site of
the post-run party. Anyone is invited to stop by to cheer on the
runners as they finish, and to celebrate at The Pub following the
run. Cheering on the runners as they finish Jackie's Run would be a
great way to support Schwalbach and his fellow runners. “I mean
really, supporting us would be to be at the finish line and even Fort
Thomas Pub that night. And to donate, of course,” said Schwalbach.
Running 328 miles over a 10-day period
of time is a massive accomplishment, and certainly won't come without some difficulties. Throughout the run, Schwalbach plans to look to his mom
to keep him inspired and motivated. “I do think of my mom quite a
bit,” said Schwalbach. “I mean, that's the biggest thing. I do
love to run and to raise money for charity. The biggest thing is my
mom. She's done so much for me, and this is the least I can do in
return.”
Check out Jackie's Run website for more
information about the run and to make a donation.
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